MAYOR MANZI DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY
Hurricane Irene Will Bring Flooding and Wind Damage Threats
Mayor William M. Manzi announced today that he has declared a State of Emergency for the City of Methuen in response to the approach of Hurricane Irene.
Mayor Manzi’s declaration follows that of Governor Deval Patrick, who has declared a State of Emergency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Mayor Manzi has activated Methuen’s Emergency Management System, and has begun preparations to open Methuen’s Emergency Operations Center, which will be located at the Searles Building. Mayor Manzi has announced the activation of a citizen information line at 978-983-8885 which will contain a recorded outgoing message containing storm and emergency information for the citizens of Methuen. This line is operational now.
Methuen, in the event of need, will open a regional Red Cross shelter at its Timony School, 45 Pleasant View Street. In the event of medical emergency residents can call for help by calling 911 on their telephone. The Fire Department non-emergency number is 978-983-8940. The Methuen Police Department non-emergency line is 978-983-8698. Additional information will be available on the City website at http://www.cityofmethuen.net.
The Scott Brown hit parade has started, with Bobblehead (Scott) Brown being unveiled by a consortium of Democratic groups. Caused quite a fracas in the blogosphere, with David Bernstein and Rob Eno over at Red Mass Group getting into a bit of a dust-up over the forces behind MassUniting, the cover group who launched the attack. Bernstein’s original piece is here, as well as the Rob Eno response. You can follow from there.
Much ado about nothing, with Scott Brown honcho Eric Fehrnstrom tonight outed as the author/owner of the “CrazyKhazei” twitter feed, and the Massachusetts Democratic Party releasing an earthquake video showing Bobble Head Brown toppling over from the quake. I laughed at some of the tweets from Fehrnstrom, and I did get a chuckle out of the quake video. And out of all that back and forth I only took out one nugget, which was by Bernstein. His point about Scott Brown, the prohibitive underdog in the last election, being able to run his own campaign without some of the heavier attacks that national Republicans might have foisted upon him, is dead on. Brown ran and won the last election with a healthy dose of retail, a promise to be against Obama Care, and a real guy persona. Might not be a bad way for him to run again. Everything else, for now, is static to the public’s ears. But some of it is pretty funny.
With all of the sniping over the “debt/deficit wars” I have pointed out what I see as the problems inherent in the positions of both parties, and I have been tough on the Republicans, whose numbers never seem to add up. But the Democrats have not covered themselves in glory either, and the NLRB action against Boeing is an example of regulatory overreach that finds the federal government taking action against a company that is creating American jobs, and exporting much of the finished product. The NLRB action is stupid and counter-productive, and quite honestly gives some credence to Republican charges of regulatory overreach costing jobs.
Boeing, with business booming, has decided to open a production facility in non-union South Carolina. They are expanding production, not retrenching jobs from their main facilities in union Washington state. The union has filed a complaint, and the NLRB has ruled against Boeing, mandating that the S.C. production be moved to Washington state. Joe Nocera has written a column on it in today’s New York Times, and he hit it right on the mark.
But the Democrats have blind spots, too. No, the Environmental Protection Agency shouldn’t be rolling back its rules, as the Republican presidential candidates seem to want. But a fair-minded person would have to acknowledge that the N.L.R.B.’s action is exactly the kind of overreach that should embarrass Democrats who claim to care about job creation. It’s paralyzing, is what it is.
With the sheer magnitude of American jobs being moved overseas we should be grateful that Boeing is staying in the United States. And yes they are moving jobs to a right to work state, and no doubt that making sure production continues in the eventuality of a union job action in Washington is on their minds, but the NLRB action is still stupid, counter-productive, and bad public policy for this country. Nocera has it right:
That is what is so jarring about this case — and not just for Boeing. Without any warning, the rules have changed. Uncertainty has replaced certainty. Other companies have to start wondering what other rules could soon change. It becomes a reason to hold back on hiring.
Despite the President indicating that the NLRB is an independent agency Democratic appointees are making these decisions. He needs to get this straightened out, and start worrying about jobs, jobs, and more jobs. Decisions like this give unneeded credibility to Republican charges on regulation. And Nocera is no conservative. The NLRB action should be vacated, and the Boeing investment in South Carolina should be allowed to move forward.
The latest public safety disruptions in Lawrence have now become political fodder in Methuen, with Mayoral candidate Ken Willette calling for a state takeover of the Administrative functions of the City of Lawrence. Will Willette’s call now inject the Lawrence situation into the Methuen mayoral race? Will the other candidates take the bait, or will they leave the issue to Willette? An interesting political move by Willette. Will the Governor respond, or simply ignore the call? Willette used Facebook to make his call. The statement is below.
Governor Patrick must declare state of emergency and have the Commonwealth take over the administrative functions of Lawrence immediately.
After last night’s widespread and heinous criminal actions, I call upon the Governor to issue an immediate state of emergency in the City of Lawrence and use all of his authority, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Legislature, to commence the process of having the state government take over the daily administrative municipal functions of that community before the lives of public safety personnel are once again endangered by an unruly and dangerous mob, and potentially a deadly outcome occurs. A clear and present danger currently exists in the City of Lawrence that absolutely necessitates an immediate and long-term takeover of the administrative operations by the state government.
The City of Lawrence must be placed into direct receivership before more blood is spilled, before another full-blown and uncontrollable riot occurs and so that state police personnel can add overwhelming force to quell any future mass mob activities. The ABCC must launch immediate investigations of each night club that may have been directly involved in fueling alcohol to this lawless mob. Swift closures, revocations of licenses and stiff fines must be issued.
Neighboring communities are directly contributing their law enforcement personnel to disperse the hostile crowds, make arrests and render mutual aid; therefore, the neighboring communities have a direct stake in ensuring that their law enforcement and firefighting personnel are protected at all costs. The void of leadership in the corner office at Lawrence City Hall must be replaced by the full authority and resources of the state government, including state police, and all state resources must be brought to bear. The lax mentality of the local licensing board must be replaced by the full investigative authority of the ABCC. The continued absence of local oversight and moral leadership will undoubtedly cause a greater escalation of violence, mayhem and alcohol-fueled rage. This is an unmistakable warning shot that the state government must intervene now to protect civilians, properly equip and bolster law enforcement personnel and oversee all administrative functions for the foreseeable future.
Ken Willette
Candidate for Methuen Mayor
Sarah Palin just released a video highlighting her recent trip to Iowa, and Karl Rove is telling folks that he thinks she is getting in this race. Some of the Rove comments are reflective of the reality in Sarah Palin’s political world, i.e. standard political methods of operation do not apply to her. She can run for President without setting up formal campaign structures, including finance, that everyone else seems to need. There can be no doubt that Sarah Palin generates crowds, excitement, and free media coverage wherever she goes. And she has proven very adept at earning large sums of money from Sarah Inc. The same has been true of Newt Gingrich, who has taken much the same approach to “traditional” campaigning as Sarah Palin. (Newt is currently campaigning in Hawaii). In the end the result will be the same. Celebrity candidates who do not wish to do the “line work” of campaigning will come to an ignominious end, rejected by voters who see through the laziness masquerading as “new campaign methods”. But a Palin candidacy must spell some real trouble for Michelle Bachmann, and could, if it lasts, hurt Rick Perry as well. I for one hope she comes in.
GROUND ULTRA LOW VOLUME TRUCK SPRAYING TO CONTROL MOSQUITOES
The Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District will conduct truck-spraying operations in Methuen in an effort to reduce mosquito populations that are potential vectors of West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). They will also be applying a two-week barrier spray to the vegetation surrounding the city’s athletic fields to help control and repel mosquito populations away from these fields.
No virus has been found in mosquitoes in Methuen as of yet. Health officials and the Mosquito Control are concerned with increasing numbers of potential vector species of mosquitoes and positive MNV mosquito samples collected in neighboring towns.
Truck spraying is a preemptive strategy and will reduce the risk for WNV and EEE transmission at this point in the season.
Truck spraying and the two-week barrier application will take place on Monday August 22, 2011 between the hours of 10PM and 4AM. Residents can close windows facing the street but no special precautions are necessary. Residents who don’t want their property sprayed or want further information can contact the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District at (978) 463-6630.
More information can also be found on the City of Methuen’s website, the Department of Public Health’s Website and the CDC’s website.
Texas Governor Rick Perry has surged into a double digit lead in the latest Rasmussen Reports national survey of likely Republican primary voters. Perry scored 29%, with former front-runner Mitt Romney second at 18%, Michelle Bachmann at 13%, Ron Paul at 9%, Herman Cain at 6%, and Newt Gingrich at 5%. Jon Huntsman surged to the 1% mark after claiming a whopping 69 votes at the Ames Straw poll.
Perry showed real strength among Tea Party Republicans, leading Bachmann by 39% to 21% in that group. But Perry also led Romney slightly among non-Tea Party Republicans 27% to 24%, showing some real strength across the board.
There is a new Republican front-runner, who will be well financed and competitive in every state. Is Romney now forced out of his cocoon in Iowa? His earlier strategy of essentially ignoring Iowa, and winning New Hampshire now has to be called into doubt. A big Perry win in Iowa will give him some momentum heading into New Hampshire, where a Perry win over Romney would spell real trouble for the Romney candidacy. There is a long way to go, but Romney’s basic strategy of winning early and then having the resources to outlast his rivals going forward appears to have developed a flaw. Rick Perry will have the financial resources to compete deep into the primary season. This is a brand new ballgame.
Politico highlighted the lack of any press coverage that close second place finisher Ron Paul received from the media after the Ames straw poll. Paul did a great job at Ames, coming within a percentage point of victory. Despite that victory he has been stiff-armed by the media and written off as someone who cannot win. Paul seems resigned to it, but ready to fight.
“They [the media] believe this guy is dangerous to the status quo,” Paul said, “but that is a reason to be more energized. I am a bit more challenging, but I am not on the wrong track. I don’t think that my ideas are more exotic. They are threatening.”
The “top tier” stories have all universally left out Ron Paul, feeding into the idea that he cannot win this fight. Talk about a media bias. Paul has come out with guns blazing, producing a new ad that lumps his Republican opponents in with Barack Obama, calling them all “smooth talking politicians”. Paul’s libertarian bent, in particular his direct confrontation of the neo-con power base of the Republican Party, infuriates so many of those folks. They will continue to marginalize him, treating him as that family member that everyone hopes will not show up for the family reunion. But Paul will not be so easily swept aside. His critique of the neo-con adventurism of the Bush years is beginning to resonate inside the Republican Party, especially in light of the Republican aversion to paying for any degree of federal spending. The inevitable result will be a defense budget that shrinks, along with the neo-con philosophy of invading and bombing multiple countries on the flimsiest of reasoning. Paul may not win, but he has already had an impact.
Tim Pawlenty, after a disappointing third place finish at the Ames straw poll, has decided to pull out of the Republican Presidential race. From Politico:
“I wish it would have been different, but obviously the pathway forward for me doesn’t really exist, so we’re going to end the campaign,” Pawlenty told ABC’s Jake Tapper.
No big surprise there. With a heavy investment in Ames Pawlenty needed to do better than third. With Rick Perry now coming into this race and with financial problems the Pawlenty campaign recognized that there really was no way forward for him. The tank was empty, and only a solid showing in Ames would have allowed Pawlenty to re-fill the tank. It is now a three person race, with Romney, Bachmann, and Perry in the top tier.
Michelle Bachmann won Ames today, narrowly defeating Congressman Ron Paul, but crushing third place finisher Tim Pawlenty. Bachmann’s big win in Iowa spells some real bad news for T-Paw, who invested quite a bit of money and effort into Ames, only to come up real short. The actual numbers:
Michelle Bachmann 4823
Ron Paul 4671
Tim Pawlenty 2293
Rick Santorum 1657
Herman Cain 1456
Rick Perry 718, (Write In)
Mitt Romney 567
Newt Gingrich 385
Jon Huntsman 69
Thad McCotter 35
A big win for Bachmann, but she failed to get the full media blast from the win, as Texas Governor Rick Perry big footed her by making his announcement in South Carolina. Perry’s clear attempt to step on Iowa may have created some resentment amongst Iowa Republicans, but it was good politics. The roll out was handled professionally, with Perry flying up to New Hampshire from S.C. and doing another event there that got great media coverage. Perry will be well financed, and he has to be considered as a real threat to Mitt Romney. In Iowa Perry, as a write in, managed to best Romney, who did not participate. Maybe insignificant, but I would venture to say that Romney may need to slightly recalibrate overall campaign strategy. With Perry looking to take the space currently occupied by Bachmann it would appear that she may have to recalibrate as well. The slugfest between Bachmann and Perry should be quite a donnybrook. Whatever that result Perry will find out that Bachmann is no Kay Bailey Hutchinson. She will hit, and hit hard.
Some little known facts about Perry. He is a former Democrat, and was the Chairman of the Al Gore for President organization (1988 version) in Texas. He has also referred to Social Security as a “failure”. Now the Republicans have a race, and Mitt Romney may, for the first time, start to show some sweat on the brow.
Bill Manzi.com 
