Trauma Intervention Program Annual Banquet

Posted on May 23, 2009 by billmanzi

The Trauma Intervention Program had their annual banquet on Thursday evening, and it was a great event. This program does an enormous amount of good, and is staffed with dedicated people who volunteer their services. Congratulations to Jayan Landry, the Executive Director, who has put this program together from the ground up. Jayan talked about Methuen’s Healing Garden, which is a project that we are looking forward to seeing completed in the very near future. My thanks to TIP for bestowing an award on me for my support of this program and the Healing Garden. I appreciate all of the effort they put in to providing vital services to Methuen residents.

Read the Tribune story here.

Mayor Manzi and Jayan Landry

With City Council President Deb Quinn

Receiving the Support of TIP Award from Jayan Landry

Posted in Methuen | Tagged | 7 Comments

President Obama on Memorial Day

Posted on May 23, 2009 by billmanzi

The Presidents Weekly Address, talking about the significance of Memorial Day.

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

The National Security Duel

Posted on May 22, 2009 by billmanzi

President Obama and former V.P. Dick Cheney gave dueling speeches yesterday, each giving their viewpoint on national security issues focused on the “enhanced interrogation techniques” favored by Cheney and disdained by Obama. The point-counterpoint covered the areas that have led to the sharp disagreements of the past month, including the treatment of terrorist suspects, the closing of Guantánamo Bay and the potential incarceration of those held there in American prisons, and the potential for criminal prosecution of those who sanctioned unlawful treatment of detainees. Cheney has pushed the Administration’s buttons on this, and continues to try to move the policy in this area through this very public process.

Cheney’s position, as I understand it, is that any interrogation methodology used is acceptable because of the severity of the problem. He verifies the success of this logic by the fact that no attacks have been launched on our soil since September 11. Cheney denies that torture was used, but that is a semantic exercise. He believes any methodology is acceptable, and that a re-definition of torture as enhanced interrogation techniques solves any pesky legal issues that would otherwise prevent the utilization of these methods. And these pesky legal issues, and our standing in the world, lay at the heart of President Obama’s response.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/mmedia/player/wpniplayer_viral.swf?thisObj=fo601451&vid=052109-9v_title

Posted in National News | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Together We Can, Together We Must

Posted on May 21, 2009 by billmanzi

With tensions continuing to ratchet up between the Governor and the Legislature it appears that opposition to Governor Patrick has created bipartisan comity in the State Senate. The Governor has reiterated his threat to veto the sales tax hike, calling Legislative tax hiking efforts “thumbing our nose” at taxpayers. The Governor continues to demand high profile reform bills be passed by the Legislature before tax hikes reach his desk. The Legislative response has been swift and furious. Republican senators launched blistering attacks on the Governor, but they were joined happily by the large Democratic Majority. State Senator Steve Baddour called a prospective veto “irrelevant” when interviewed by Janet Wu, and Senate Minority Leader Tisei called Patrick “erratic and irrelevant”. The Governor was hit for being out of state during the Senate budget deliberations, and the State Senate put up Patrick’s gas tax proposals at both 11 cents and 19 cents for decisive slam downs. Senate President Murray took the unusual step of actually voting (no) on the gas tax proposals, showing her continuing picque with the Governor. And Senator Bruce Tarr (R) of Gloucester filed legislation demanding further reporting on executive branch salaries and steps that the Governor would be taking to reduce compensation levels. It was a clear kick to the Governor. From the State House News Service:

Senators voted unanimously Wednesday to require Gov. Deval Patrick to report on “all action undertaken by the Executive Branch” this fiscal year and “those planned to be undertaken” next fiscal year “to reduce the costs of employee compensation.” The move comes amid high-profile stories of Patrick aides’ salaries, and hours after the News Service reported that Patrick called the Legislature’s timing on raising the sales tax “thumbing our nose” at taxpayers.

This measure passed the Senate unanimously, and apparently with some glee. When asked about whether a message was being sent to the Governor Senate President Murray said:

“Together we can … Together we must.”

The political situation continues to deteroriate rapidly for the Governor on Beacon Hill. He seems to have a split personality on the issue of fighting with the Legislature, issuing salves one day and fighting words the next day. He needs to fine tune the message, whatever that might be. If it is a fight he wants then the Legislature appears more than willing to oblige him. Does the Governor have the stomach for the nasty times ahead?

Posted in State News | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Republicans Take on the Speaker

Posted on May 20, 2009 by billmanzi

Speaker Nancy Pelosi is under withering fire from the Republicans, although I doubt that any real damage has been done to her. As best I understand the Republican starting argument they say that Pelosi is guilty of not objecting to or reporting the fact that the Republican Administration may have been using illegal methods of interrogation. Interesting argument. The Speaker has been less than skillful in her response, and has gotten tangled up pretty badly on the CIA briefing issue, which has given the story additional legs and had Republicans like Newt Gingrich calling for her resignation. They think they smell blood in the water, but I believe the Democratic caucus is solidly with her. The RNC has launched the ad below, which seems to compare the Speaker to Pussy Galore of “Goldfinger” fame. They must have forgotten that Ms. Galore saved the day for 007 in Goldfinger.

Posted in National News | Tagged | 5 Comments

Sales Tax Increase Passes Senate

Posted on May 19, 2009 by billmanzi

The increase in the sales tax passed the State Senate tonight, increasing the rate to 6.25%. This increase is exactly what the House passed, and guarantees the Governor will be faced with the issue of holding to his veto threat on a sales tax increase. The vote was 29-10 in favor. State Senator Steve Baddour voted against the increase.

Posted in Methuen, State News | Tagged , | 4 Comments

State Senate Predictions

Posted on May 19, 2009 by billmanzi

The State Senate will today begin budget deliberations, and first up will be revenue amendments. It appears likely that the Senate will follow the House by passing an increase in the sales tax to 6.25% from 5%. It now appears likely that some local option meals taxes will be included as well. This menu of taxes will likely include a local option lodging tax, as well as a lifting of the exemption currently granted to Verizon on the property tax for telephone poles. Beverage alcohol will likely lose its sales tax exemption as well. I predict a failure to enact meaningful municipal health care reform.

Posted in State News | Tagged | 2 Comments

Lacrosse Comes to Methuen

Posted on May 18, 2009 by billmanzi

Methuen’s Recreation Department has just started a lacrosse league, and recently had its first home game at the stadium. It was a great event, and I was delighted to be there to see the kids enjoying this great sport. We talked about this some months ago, and I would like to thank Caroline Hamel, Ernie Difiore, Wayne Puglisi, Heather Fusco, Bill Pare, and everyone else responsible for making this a reality. They have all done a fine job, and worked very hard.

Lacrosse Home Opener

Lacrosse Home Game

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Governor Sanford Mumbles a Non Response

Posted on May 17, 2009 by billmanzi

The Republican Party has been born again on the evils of deficit spending, after running up some pretty big red ink while they were in charge. And yet despite the Republicans new found enthusiasm for deficit fighting they seem to have plenty of trouble articulating where they might be willing to make cuts that really save money. Here we have the Governor of South Carolina, Mark Sanford, hemming and hawing over what specific cuts he would make to reduce the federal deficit. Wants to keep talking about a few things in South Carolina while Chris Matthews justs asks him to name one federal program he would cut. He ends up at Social Security, advocating for a private system. No word from this interview whether Governor Sanford would raise taxes to pay the multi trillion dollar bridge costs associated with privatizing social security. Great video, lifted directly from Daily Kos.

http://www.dailykostv.com/flv/player.swf

Posted in National News | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Lt. Governor on Statewide Forums

Posted on May 16, 2009 by billmanzi

Lt. Governor Tim Murray talks about the series of statewide community forums taking place across Massachusetts on the budget and economy.

Posted in State News | Tagged | 1 Comment