Mayors Summer Jobs for Youth Initiative 2008

Posted on June 21, 2008 by billmanzi

I was pleased to join Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini and Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan yesterday for the announcement of the Mayors Summer Jobs for Youth Initiative for 2008. This initiative, run through the Career Center of the Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board, will employ a minimum of 175 young people to work this summer. With a difficult economy it has never been more important to have programs like this. My congratulations to Executive Director Fred Cardbury and the entire staff over at the WIB for this outstanding program.

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The Ad Wars Start

Posted on June 20, 2008 by billmanzi

Barack Obama unveiled a new ad campaign yesterday on the heels of his opting out of the public finance system. The significance of that opt out may be seen immediately, with Obama running this ad in what are usually solid Republican areas as well as the traditional battlegrounds. He will be on the air in Montana, Georgia, North Carolina, Alaska, and North Dakota, apparently confident enough in his finances to invest where Democrats have not invested before. He has said that he will “expand the playing field” and he has begun that process. Obama correctly will try to define himself before the Republicans do it for him, and has the financial muscle to accomplish this vital political goal. John McCain is in a tough spot, and will need the unaffiliated 527 groups to spend large sums to bridge the financial gap between him and Obama. And we are off………

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Obama opts out of public finance

Posted on June 19, 2008 by billmanzi

In a move that was widely expected Barack Obama announced today that he is opting out of the federal system of public finance. From MSNBC First Read, an interesting analysis.

This move has been widely speculated, but it’s a reversal from comments he made earlier in the campaign season that he would he accept general funds — which gives the candidates about $85 million to spend after the conventions. Assuming each of Obama’s 1.5 million-plus contributors gives him $100, that comes to $150 million; if they give him an average of $200, that’s $300 million. Campaign finance issues are always debated heavily on editorial pages, but not among voters. Ask McCain how many new votes he’s earned with his support for campaign finance reform. As for McCain, he has to make the choice of 1) taking the federal funds, accepting the fact he’ll be outspent 3-1; or 2) opting out too and get himself bogged down at fundraisers in September instead of doing town halls.

The Obama campaign released a video in which the candidate explains his reasoning in opting out. (And where you will be solicited to give to the campaign.) Link to that video here.

So what does McCain do now>

Posted in National News | 4 Comments

Celtics crush Lakers

Posted on June 18, 2008 by billmanzi

In front of a crowd that included John Havlicek, Bill Russell and Jo Jo White the newest version of the Celtics crushed the Lakers 131-92. It was a fitting end for the Lakers, and the 17th championship for this fabled franchise. The big three each had outstanding games, with Ray Allen burying the Lakers in a flurry of theee pointers, KG dominating inside and out, and Paul Pierce becoming the series MVP with another outstanding performance. For me the story of this game was Rajan Rondo, who added an offensive punch by scoring 21, and playing swarming defense. The Celtics concept of team once more defeated the abilities of a single superstar. This is a constant in Celtics-Laker history. Just ask Jerry West! Phil Jackson was denied a tenth championship, and more importantly remains tied with Arnold Red Auerbach for the most titles won by a head coach. Phil is a great coach, but he is no Red Auerbach. Congratulations to the Celtics.

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Suprise! Gore endorses Obama

Posted on June 17, 2008 by billmanzi

Is a Gore endorsement of Barack Obama worthy of a post. Well it is on this blog. Al Gore yesterday made his endorsement of Barack Obama in Michigan, and being a blog that follows all things Gore I thought it worthy. After looking at the video however it may be time for Gore to enter his own “biggest loser” competition.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/25201367#25201367

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The war for independent voters

Posted on June 17, 2008 by billmanzi

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll has Barack Obama with an overall lead over John McCain, but with some slippage for Obama amongst independent voters. The new poll does point to some fertile ground for Obama, showing obvious discontent with President Bush. From those that disapprove of President Bush McCain draws a paltry 26 percent of the vote. Amongst the dwindling supporters of Bush McCain scores much higher at 80 percent. The tying of McCain to Bush will present McCain with some difficult political choices (alienate the base vs Bush separation) that could lead to a muddled and confusing message from the McCain campaign. From the Washington Post:

McCain will be running into stiff headwinds over the next five months. Bush’s approval rating hit another low in Post-ABC polling and now is 29 percent, with 68 percent saying they disapprove of the job he is doing — 54 percent strongly. Among the dwindling number who approve of the way Bush is handling his job, 80 percent back McCain. Among the much higher number who disapprove, 26 percent support McCain.

In general, 57 percent said McCain would continue to lead the country as Bush has and 38 percent said he would chart a new course.

Two other indicators point to problems for McCain. Dissatisfaction with the direction of the country hit an all-time high this month, with 84 percent saying the nation is now seriously on the wrong track. And asked which party they favor for the House this fall, 52 percent said Democratic and 37 percent said Republican.

McCain has solidified Republican support more effectively than Obama has solidified Democratic support, but based on an overall increase in Democratic numbers will need to win amongst those fabled “independent” voters.

McCain needs support from independents because in recent elections, partisans have overwhelmingly supported their own party’s candidates, and self-identified Democrats now outnumber Republicans. If Obama is able to consolidate Democratic voters, McCain will need to capture a sizable percentage of independents to win the White House.

The survey shows some small independent movement towards McCain, but has warning signs for him as well.

Obama and McCain are even among political independents, a shift toward the presumptive Republican nominee over the past month. On the issues, independents see McCain as more credible on fighting terrorism and are split evenly on who is the stronger leader and better on the Iraq war. But on other key attributes and issues — including the economy — Obama has advantages among independents.

A jump ball right now, and although an overall measure the electoral college is what really matters. Time for a battleground state analysis. Stay tuned.

Read the entire Washington Post story here.

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Methuen Budget Passes

Posted on June 17, 2008 by billmanzi

The Methuen City Council passed the 2009 Municipal Budget last night. I have posted that budget on this blog, and will post the final adopted budget in the next day or so. The major changes in the budget were the addition of $400,000 to the Fire Department budget, the addition of $90,000 to the Police Budget, and the addition of $10,000 to the vocational school budget. The addition of $500,000 should be covered by new revenue growth, leaving Methuen in the unique position of having 2.5 million dollars in unused levy capacity. I appreciate the willingness of the City Council to work proactively with me on this budget, and although we obviously don’t agree on all items the process was productive and courteous. Congratulations to City Auditor Tom Kelly and staff, who did a wonderful job in working out the budgetary numbers. There are still many budget challenges facing Methuen and all of the other localities in Massachusetts, but I believe that this budget meets the needs of Methuen taxpayers and provides an acceptable level of service to our residents.

Posted in Methuen, Methuen City Council | 4 Comments

Patti Solis Doyle Named to Obama Staff

Posted on June 16, 2008 by billmanzi

Patti Solis Doyle, who was deposed as Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager midstream, was named by Barack Obama to his campaign staff today. Solis Doyle will serve as the chief of staff to the Obama V.P. designee, adding some tension with the Hillary Clinton camp, who see the move as a clear signal that Hillary will not receive the V.P. nod. From the Washington Post:

“It’s a slap in the face,” Susie Tompkins Buell, a prominent Clinton backer, said in an interview. “Why would they put somebody that was so clearly ineffective in such a position? It’s a message. We get it.” She said it was a “calculated decision” by the Obama team to “send a message that she [Clinton] is not being considered for the ticket.”

The sniping at Solis Doyle was not restricted to Susie Buell.

Other Clinton insiders also seethed. “Who can blame Obama for rewarding Patti? He would never be the nominee without her,” one person who has worked for both Clintons and remains close to them said. The sentiment reflected what another person in the immediate Clinton orbit described as “shock” that Obama would send such a strong signal that he is not considering Clinton as his runningmate so soon.

Pretty tough stuff, and certainly not the peace in our time we were hoping for. Barack Obama is in charge!

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The Power Broker

Posted on June 16, 2008 by billmanzi

I have just finished readind Robert Caro’s outstanding book called “The Power Broker”, a biography of master builder Robert Moses. After I had posted on another Caro book on LBJ Haverhill Mayor Jim Fiorentini suggested that I read this book. I highly recommend this book for all, but especially for planners and political science types. Moses built most of the infrastructure of New York as Parks Commissioner and construction czar of New York City. But this book is about more than planning and building. It paints Moses as a true master at building and expanding his base of power, and shows his skills at manipulating some of the major political figures in New York over a period from 1930-1968. His interactions with Fiorella LaGuardia, Franklin Roosevelt, Al Smith and so many others are detailed extensively, as are his myriad of accomplishments. I was astounded by what this man built, and how he “got things done.” Naturally when you build the monumental things that Moses built there will be opposition. He rolled over that opposition ruthlessly, evicting thousands through eminent domain procedures. Caro’s take, while admiring of Moses in many respects, ultimately is a negative assessment of his overall impact. The most obvious criticism deals with the resource allocation towards highways rather than mass transit. It is not the only criticism, and Mayor Fiorentini correctly points out that the Moses reputation was severly tarnished by the Caro book. Caro is a great writer, and whatever opinion you ultimately end up with this book is a must read for those trying to understand how government worked in the past (and present?).

http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=billmanzicom-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0394720245&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr

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Plowed Streets a luxury?

Posted on June 15, 2008 by billmanzi

Todays Tribune has a story on the expense of snow plowing in Methuen titled “plowed streets a luxury”. The gist of the story is that Council Chairman Phil Lahey, a retired DPW worker who plowed streets for many years, maintains that:

I don’t think we can afford to do the super duper job that we’ve been doing

Chairman Lahey’s viewpoint is that we are using to much hired equipment (contractors for actual plowing and rented sanders) With the increased expense of salt Chairman Lahey also points out that we sand and salt areas that were not done when he was plowing.

The city, for the most part, sanded only the main streets, hills and intersections about ten or twelve years ago, Lahey said. But now they sand and salt streets “that could be so levelthat you could put a golf ball on them and it wouldn’t roll,” he said.

His essential point comes right at the end if the Tribune story.

I’m just saying,”Guys…We’re just not going to be able to sand and salt every single street in Methuen.”

As far as my response goes I said in the story that we will listen to any proposal that will save us money, and we have agreed to review snow removal. We have pointed out the tremendous increase in commodity prices, with salt going from $42 per ton to $58.50 per ton along with the tremendous spike in gasoline costs. We have also pointed out the increase in road miles that we are responsible for because of residential growth in Methuen. And additionally we must factor in our ability to get our public safety vehicles in and out of any spot in Methuen. As we look at this proposal judging which roads ought not to be salted and sanded becomes a real problem, with the attendant political questions that will center around such decision making. Finally we have issued a five year study that compares our costs to those in surrounding communities, and have found that we were at the low end of that scale. So as we evaluate costs in this area I will not utilize outright service cutbacks in this area as a method of cost reduction. What do you think?

Posted in Methuen | 4 Comments