Senate Passes Interim Bill

Posted on September 23, 2009 by billmanzi

The Massachusetts Senate yesterday gave approval to the bill allowing Governor Deval Patrick to appoint an interim U.S. Senator pending the special election to fill the vacancy. The vote in the State Senate was 24-16, with eleven Democrats joining the five Senate Republicans in opposition. Locally Senator Steve Baddour and Senator Susan Tucker voted no. Up in Lowell the Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, (the great and powerful) Senator Steve Panagiotakos also voted no. The measure failed to have an emergency preamble attached, but it appears that the Governor will proceed utilizing his own administrative authority to make this legislation effective immediately. Names that have been mentioned include former Governor Michael Dukakis, and former Democratic National Committee Chair Paul Kirk, as well as Evelyn Murphy, former Lt. Governor.

Posted in National News, State News, U.S. Senate Race | Tagged | 1 Comment

Santa Comes Early to Methuen!

Posted on September 22, 2009 by billmanzi

Join us Saturday as we have a cookout to support Methuen’s Santa Parade. The event details are below. Hope to see you there.

SANTA
is coming to Methuen!!!

September 26, 2009
(rain date September 27th)

Riverside Park
(Riverside Drive)
11:00am – 2:00pm

Join Santa for a
Family Time Cookout

Activities will include a horseshoe tournament, pony rides, raffles, booths from local businesses, and demonstrations from parade participants

tickets for cookout
(includes hamburger or hotdog, soda and chips)
$5.00 each

Contact Jill Stackelin 978-683-2419 or
Dennis Marcello 978-835-3320 for tickets or more information

Thank you for supporting the
Methuen Santa Parade !!

Posted in Methuen | Tagged | 1 Comment

Methuen Receives Funding to Restore Appleyard

Posted on September 21, 2009 by billmanzi

I was very pleased to host U.S. Representative Niki Tsongas as she formally delivered a federal grant that will allow us to clean and redevelop the Appleyard site in our downtown. This site, adjacent to a residential neighborhood and in the middle of our downtown, will be converted to a park with fabulous river access that will provide additional parking to our downtown.

This site once housed an oil terminal, and more recently served as a storage site for school buses. We began the community involvement process several years ago with direct funding from the E.P.A. With the help of additional E.P.A. funding administered by the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, we’ve utilized $172,000 to date in assessment of the soil and sediment along the Spicket River.

We are now coordinating the remediation and redevelopment effort with the Licensed Site Professional. TRC of Lowell. and our Design Consultant, Nitsch Engineering of Boston. Together, they are currently collaborating on an integrated clean up and construction plan for review by the Department of Environmental Protection and the E.P.A. We will go out for bid and start in earnest as soon as we receive approval, aiming for completion in mid 2010.

My sincere thanks to Congresswoman Tsongas, who has worked diligently to bring this money to Methuen. Our legislative delegation has been superb, and a special thank you to Dennis DiZoglio, who has provided funding through the Merrimack Valley Planning Agency to keep this project moving forward. It is a real big step forward for downtown Methuen.

Receiving the Check for Appleyard

Posted in Methuen | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

President Obama on G-20 and Financial Reform

Posted on September 19, 2009 by billmanzi

President Obama talked of the upcoming G-20 summit and the improved health of the world economy. He also reiterated his view that financial reforms are a necessity, and need to be undertaken to protect against the possibility of Wall Street creating another financial disaster.

Posted in National News | Tagged | 2 Comments

Massachusetts House Passes Interim Senate Bill

Posted on September 18, 2009 by billmanzi

The Massachusetts House yesterday voted to give Governor Patrick the right to name an interim U.S, Senator pending the special election to fill the seat held by Ted Kennedy. The vote was 95-58, and the bill will now move to the Senate, where it appears to have the support necessary for passage. It appears that Senate Republicans will be able to delay a final vote for a few days, but that vote should occur next week. Locally Rep. Linda Dean Campbell voted no, as did Rep. David Torrisi and Rep. Brian Dempsey. Reps Barbara L’Italien, Barry Finegold, and Michael Costello all voted in favor. Does this mean the return of Michael Dukakis for a short term Senate stay?

Posted in National News, State News, U.S. Senate Race | Tagged | 1 Comment

Stephen Pagliuca Announces Senate Bid

Posted on September 18, 2009 by billmanzi

Boston Celtic owner Stephen Pagliuca announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, bringing a fortune estimated at $400 million into the race. He starts this race with a first rate team of consultants (including Doug Rubin), but no political experience. He will be up on the air today, already buying a big chunk of ad time to introduce himself to the voters.

http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/16977198001?isVid=1&publisherID=245991542

Posted in National News, State News, U.S. Senate Race | Tagged | 1 Comment

Health Insurance Cost Spiral to Continue

Posted on September 17, 2009 by billmanzi

A report in yesterday’s Boston Globe talked of the plans of major Massachusetts health insurers to raise rates by ten percent next year. In a system that is already teetering because of unaffordable costs a ten percent increase will create major stress on employers, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and municipalities. It will also call into question the ability of Massachusetts to continue fully funding the health care reforms enacted under Governor Mitt Romney.

These increases have become the norm, and call into question the strategy of full coverage taking place before real cost containment. I support full coverage, but if true cost containment is not ever a part of health care reform then any other reforms are likely doomed to failure. Management and Labor will fight anew, arguing over which should shoulder the additional burden, when in fact neither can afford perpetual double digit increases. It is, as I have pointed out repeatedly, not sustainable for this country. For those that say that the current system is fine, do the numbers. Health care is consuming an ever greater percentage of our nations economic output, and will leave us a financial basket case if no action is taken, and taken soon. It is really not about ideology. It is about living within our means, and being honest with people about the financial limits that we face. Those limits mean we have to make difficult choices, and those choices will likely require vast political courage. Not as of yet in evidence.

Read the Globe story here.

Posted in Methuen, National News, State News | Tagged | 9 Comments

Thank You Methuen

Posted on September 16, 2009 by billmanzi

The Methuen Mayoral Preliminary Election was last night, and I am grateful to this wonderful City for the support I received. I topped the ticket and now move to the November final. Turnout was nine percent for this election. It should be substantially higher in November. I am delighted by the result, and will work hard to achieve another victory in November. I offer my congratulations to Kevin Thompson, who finished third but ran a respectful and civil campaign. Congratulations to my opponent in November, second place finisher Al Dinuccio. Looking forward to a full discussion of the issues facing Methuen. I have posted the election results in pdf format below. On to November!

Primary Day 2009

election-results-preliiminary-2009

Posted in Methuen, Methuen Mayor's Race | Tagged | 2 Comments

Methuen Preliminary Election Today

Posted on September 15, 2009 by billmanzi

Today, September 15th, Methuen will conduct its preliminary election, with polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The contested races are for West District Councilor, and for Mayor. The polling locations are the Tenney School for the East District, the Timony School for the Central District, and the Marsh School and Park Garden Apartments for the West District. Please go out and vote today, and please consider voting to re-elect me as Methuen’s Mayor. It has been an honor to serve! Hope to see you out there today! Results posted here tonight.

Posted in Methuen, Methuen City Council, Methuen Mayor's Race | Tagged | 8 Comments

Scott Brown Announces for U.S. Senate

Posted on September 13, 2009 by billmanzi

Scott Brown, after stepping back from this potential race, has plunged back in to the U.S. Senate race on the Republican side after the withdrawal of Andy Card. Brown, at least at this point, seems to be the leading Republican candidate. He is joined by Canton Selectman Bob Burr. Chrisy Mihos seemed poised to abandon his race for the Republican nomination for Governor and enter this race, but alas he changed his mind. Senator Brown, at a minimum, should significantly up his statewide profile, and if he does lose this race could be positioned to run for statewide office in the future.

Posted in State News, U.S. Senate Race | Tagged , | 2 Comments