Congratulations to Deborah Ingalls, the owner of Butlers and Bars, who opened a new location at 19 Hampshire Street in Downtown Methuen. Deb had a great kickoff at the new location Saturday evening, and I wish her all the best.
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Congratulations to Deborah Ingalls, the owner of Butlers and Bars, who opened a new location at 19 Hampshire Street in Downtown Methuen. Deb had a great kickoff at the new location Saturday evening, and I wish her all the best.
[...]The first major test on the health care bill for Majority Leader Harry Reid occurred Saturday, and he managed to hold his caucus intact, pushing the bill forward with sixty votes. Despite Reid’s victory the bill faces major hurdles in the week ahead, with many of the centrist Democrats holding [...]
With all of the talk about bending the cost curve in health care Sixty Minutes aired a provocative segment tonight that is sure to ignite major and heated discussion. What did you think? What do we do to truly bend that curve, and is it even realistic to think cost [...]
The President talks about his foreign trip, and the hope of opening new markets to American made goods and in so doing creating new American jobs. He talks of his efforts to stop nuclear proliferation, as well as commenting on efforts made to promote American values during his trip to [...]
Governor Deval Patrick yesterday called the State Legislature to task for going out of formal session, going to the state house press room personally to urge the Speaker to call the Legislature back into session. The Governor is upset with the lack of House action on an education bill that [...]
The Furniture Fixer New England store had its grand opening yesterday. The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce joined owner Jonathan Anderson and his family as he opened his Furniture Repair shop in Railroad Square at 5 Pelham Street. Best of luck to Jon and his lovely family.
Majority Leader Harry Reid yesterday made the move that all have been awaiting, unveiling a Health Care Bill that will be the focus of an intense legislative battle in the Senate. Reid’s bill has received a positive fiscal score from the CBO, which estimates that the fiscal impact will shave [...]
Jacob Cohen was recognized at our last School Committee meeting for his outstanding achievement in math and science. An 800 on the SAT’s? WOW! I struggled to hit 800 combined English and Math! Great job Jacob.
Jacob scored a perfect 800 on his SAT’s in Mathematics
Reasons for Recognition:
Jacob [...]
The effort by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to find consensus that will get him sixty votes to consider health care reform in the Senate continues to be a difficult task, with the Congressional Budget Office playing a large role in that effort. Yesterday’s New York Times details his difficulties [...]
The President is focusing on the horrific job situation, and he here announces a job creation forum to be held in December. But regardless of forums today’s Boston Globe detailed (again) the huge hike coming for small business in the area of health care. A local company, Coady’s Towing, is [...]
Yes those old Wendy commercials, which Walter Mondale brought into political debate, have now been introduced in Methuen! Jamie Atkinson and George Scione have brought a new show called “Politically Active” to Methuen Public Access Television, and here is their first promo.
[...]MAYOR MANZI NAMES KATE ZEHNTER AS NOVEMBER’S ARTIST OF THE MONTH
Methuen Artist’s Work on Display in the Mayor’s Office
Mayor William M. Manzi has named Kate Zehnter as November’s Artist of the Month. Kate has been an art educator and visual artist since graduating from Massachusetts College of Art [...]
The Methuen City Council had Methuen martial arts champion Calvin Kattar in to receive a citation and a proclamation recognizing his outstanding achievements in his field. Calvin is a Methuen High School graduate, and the City of Methuen is proud of his accomplishments.
[...]A salute to all of our Veterans, and a recognition that the freedoms we have and often take for granted are with us because of the blood and sacrifice of our veterans. Methuen’s Veteran’s Day celebration was wonderful, with a parade that started at the American Legion Post on Broadway. [...]
The State House News Service is reporting that Governor Patrick is looking to have pension legislation ready for the Legislature by January that would extend the full funding schedule to 2040 and help the Commonwealth as well as localities avoid the large spike coming in pension payments next year due [...]
The U.S. House passed by a very narrow margin the health care bill that has been the subject of heated debate for what seems like forever. The battle now moves to the Senate, where passage of anything remotely resembling the House bill seems unlikely. The Globe ran a story [...]
The President used his weekly address to speak of the terrible tragedy at Ft. Hood, including the heroic response of those who were involved and our great sorrow as a nation over the loss we suffered at Ft. Hood.
[...]A very big thank you to the citizens of Methuen, who re-elected me last night to the job of Mayor. I appreciate the support, and offer my congratulations to all of the candidates who put their names on the ballot. I will post the numbers shortly.
[...]Congratulations to Paul and Dennis Webster Greene, who have opened a magnificient new showroom at 306 Broadway. I attended the celebration over this past weekend, and I can tell you that this is so much more than a showroom. It is truly a stunning presentation which you must see! And [...]
I today received the endorsement of the Eagle Tribune, which said “Manzi has earned voters’ support for a third term…Manzi’s deserves great credit for his handling of Methuen’s budget, which is in far better shape that those in other Valley cities. Manzi deserves credit for negotiating important concessions with the [...]
Lt. Governor Tim Murray came to Methuen yesterday to endorse my candidacy for Mayor. The Lt. Governor is a former Mayor of Worcester, and he knows firsthand the problems that localities face. He has been a great asset for cities and towns in Massachusetts, and has been to Methuen frequently. [...]
We will be serving a full pancake breakfast this morning at the Methuen Senior Center, with the cooking being done by Chief Ken Bourassa. Come on down for some tasty breakfast.
[...]The Art Institute of the Merrimack Valley held their annual “Art at the Library” show at the Nevins Library, and it was a huge success. Artists from throughout the Merrimack Valley participated, and the work on display was truly stunning. I once again gave out the “Mayor’s Award”, with the [...]
President Obama talks about the uptick in GDP, and some of the beneficial impacts of the Stimulus passed earlier this year. The jobs situation remains bleak, and the President candidly acknowledges that. But he accentuates the positive, and speaks to the stabilizing effect of the actions of the federal government. [...]
Governor Deval Patrick unveiled his plan to close a $600 million dollar budget gap yesterday, sparing the main local aid accounts and imposing varied cuts against state spending, including the potential for 2000 state layoffs. The Governor was and is faced with a truly unenviable task, and his action with [...]
Korbani’s Bakery, right across the street from the brand new CVS on Swan and Jackson, unveiled their new and expanded bakery this week. It is a great bakery, with more room now for all of their great products. Thanks to the Korbani family for their willingness to invest in Methuen. [...]
The President talks about the pain being felt by small business, and some of the steps taken by his Administration to help a segment of our economy that creates so many jobs. And yesterday’s New York Times had a story detailing the massive hike in health care costs that [...]
Yesterday was the Grand Opening of the CVS on Swan and Jackson, a project that is a linchpin of a multilayered economic development project that continues in that neighborhood. My thanks to Lou Minicucci and his development team, as well as Economic Development Director Karen Sawyer. The work on that [...]
I attended the Teachers Pet Grand Opening yesterday at 55 Chase Street in the Acadia Mills complex. It is a beautiful store in some great space at Acadia. My thanks to Economic Development Director Karen Sawyer and her team, as well as Merrimack Valley Chamber CEO Joseph Beviliqua for all [...]
The endorsement of Mike Capuano by Congressman Steve Lynch in South Boston.
[...]I was happy to be the keynote speaker at the annual dinner of the Friends of the Nevins Family of Services. This organization, which I belong to, promotes financial assistance for the Nevins Family of Services on Broadway, which includes the Alzheimers Family Care Center, the Nevins Adult Day Health [...]
The Massachusetts Municipal Association, knowing that local aid cuts are right around the corner, has sent Governor Patrick a letter asking for action on a series of reforms to help cities and towns weather the coming storm. I have talked about these many times before on this blog, but real [...]
The Governor last week, in light of poor tax collection data, has been forced to once again downgrade state revenue estimates, calling for a $600 million dollar budget reduction in order to achieve balance at the lower number. He will ask for additional 9-C authority, and has warned that wage [...]
The President sticks to health care in his weekly address, talking about the recent industry commissioned study done by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and decrying the conclusions contained in that report. The report has created a backlash, not appearing to have been as effective as the industry had hoped in stopping the prospects [...]
I was pleased to attend the staff appreciation dinner for the Nevins Memorial Library right after the MCTV debate. The Nevins Library and its staff do a great job day in and day out for Methuen, and I am proud to call myself an avid supporter of this great institution. [...]
We had the MCTV/Eagle Tribune debate last night, and I would like to thank both outlets for providing the opportunity for debate. We were asked to provide a question and my submission dealt with the exploding cost of municipal health care. As far as what is important for Methuen (and [...]
Just a reminder that MCTV in Methuen will be hosting a Mayoral debate tonight at 7:00 p.m. It will be broadcast live, and will be one hour in length. I hope you all have a chance to tune in tonight!
[...]Governor Deval Patrick, gearing up for a tough re-election campaign,has cut a video that casts himself as the outsider and his opponents as insiders looking to “roll back progress on health care, infrastructure and education.” The Governor also pointedly said that his opponents would return to the ways of the [...]
Today’s Washington Post talks about the real problems that state and local pension systems face in light of the massive losses of the last downturn. The story talks about the stark choices facing pension systems throughout the country.
The upheaval on Wall Street has deluged public pension systems with losses [...]
President Obama continues to push health care reform in his weekly message, citing the support of many prominent Republicans for change. The endgame nears on health reform, with bill consolidation happening now. Does Obama get a bill, and will it be one that moves the health care ball in the [...]
I am pleased to announce that Methuen Fire Department has been awarded $204,980.00 in stimulus grant funds to re-hire three firefighters laid off due to budgetary constraints. This amount is almost 100% of what we applied for. Of 84 communities who applied, awards were only given to 13, Methuen being [...]
MAYOR MANZI NAMES PILAR QUINTANA AS OCTOBER’S ARTIST OF THE MONTH
Methuen Artist’s Work on Display in the Mayor’s Office
Mayor William M. Manzi has named Pilar Quintana as October’s Artist of the Month. Pilar Quintana graduated from Bradford College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Arts. In the visual [...]
NOTICE
CITY OF METHUEN
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 13 – 16, 2009 HAMPSHIRE ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM CROSS STREET TO GARABEDIAN WAY, DUE TO CULVERT REPAIR. PLEASE SEEK ALTERNATE ROUTES.
THANK YOU.
RAYMOND E. DIFIORE
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
We will host an open house tommorow night, Tuesday October 6th, at 6:30 p.m. for anyone that would like to help the campaign. We will be at Manzi for Mayor Headquarters at 46 Hampshire Street, (old home of A Vintage Rose) and we will have some light refreshments. Our campaign [...]
Today’s Globe has a column by Sam Allis talking about what no one else seems to want to talk about, the spiraling and unsustainable numbers involved in municipal health care and pensions. Allis centers his discussion on the Mayor’s race in Boston, but his numbers apply to most, if not [...]
Congressman Mike Capuano will visit Methuen this morning at 10:00 a.m. at Park Garden Apartments at 10 Burnham Road for an “Open Mike” session, giving you an opportunity to hear his ideas and ask him questions. Come on by to meet Mike and talk about his candidacy for United States [...]
The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation has issued a report detailing the severity of the fiscal problems facing the Commonwealth and its cities and towns. This report, attached below, shows the urgency of dealing with the real budget busters that continue to grow at rates that are not sustainable. Those budget busters [...]
The Methuen Public Schools, as part of the Methuen High School Building Project, has produced an educational plan that will guide us in shaping the building plans for Methuen High School. We will have a Public Hearing on this plan next Monday evening, October 5th,in the Great Hall, Searles Building. [...]
Massachusetts revenues have fallen substantially below budget projections in September, with estimates that the gap could be as high as $200 million. Final figures for the month are not complete, but the figures in hand have set off alarm bells in Boston. The Governor will likely need to submit revised [...]
We had a wonderful day for our Santa Parade BBQ on Saturday, with a big crowd at Riverside Park to enjoy food, games, pony rides, and an early arrival by Santa. This BBQ, to help to raise money for our annual Santa Parade, was blessed by great weather and big [...]
The President gives a wrap-up of the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh as well as his visit to the U.N., talking financial reform, economic growth, Iran, and the Israeli and Palestininian meeting he brokered.
[...]Governor Patrick announcing the appointment of Paul Kirk as the interim selection for United States Senator.
[...]It appears that Governor Patrick will announce this morning that he is naming Paul Kirk as the interim U.S. Senator. Kirk, a Kennedy family confidante, is the choice of the family, and if selected will show that the Kennedys still have plenty of clout in Massachusetts. Governor Patrick will bypass [...]
METHUEN TO RETIRE DAN FORD’S FOOTBALL NUMBER
The Late Star Running Back Will Have His Number Retired at Friday Night’s Game
Methuen will retire the number of Dan Ford on Friday, September 25, 2009 during half time of the Methuen vs. Billerica football game. Game starts at 7 p.m. The [...]
Methuen’s historic walls are one of our valued treasures. The walls are indeed unique but require upkeep, which can be expensive. The Festival of Trees is an organization that has devoted itself to helping to preserve history, and they have once again come through to fund two projects that will [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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.
[...]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 [...]
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 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. [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
President Obama, in his weekly address, pointed to a new Treasury Department Report that the current system of health care will lead many to lose coverage in the years ahead, including many middle class families. I have attached the Treasury Report below. The potential loss of coverage for so many [...]
Transportation Secretary James Aloisi, in office less than a year, will be leaving on November 1. Aloisi had succeeded Bernard Cohen, presiding over some very tumultous times as Transportation Secretary. Aloisi had managed to quarell with or offend many key players in the transportation arena, including several powerful legislators. Aloisi [...]
Methuen will have a ceremony today marking the tragic events of September 11, 2001. This Ceremony of Remembrance will be at Methuen’s Central Fire Station and will begin promptly at 9:55. We will never forget the heinous act perpertrated against civilians, and our hearts and prayers remain with all of [...]
Sorry about the short notice, but Methuen will be conducting a H1N1 Informational Meeting starting tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the Great Hall. It will be televised. We will follow this meeting with another at Methuen High School later this month. I have posted the agenda below.
City of Methuen
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The President makes the case for health care reform before the Congress. The President’s speech was interrupted by Republican Rep. Joe Wilson, who shouted “you lie” when the President was speaking to the issue of coverage of illegal immigrants. It was a stunning breach of protocol, and even members of [...]
State Treasurer Tim Cahill officially announced what has been known for a long time- he is running for Governor as an independent. The Treasurer called for lowering taxes, including a lowering of the recently hiked sales tax, and indicated that he would be willing to cut programs that have strong [...]
MAYOR MANZI NAMES ANTHONY J. ROSS AS SEPTEMBER’S ARTIST OF THE MONTH
Life-Long Resident’s Work on Display in the Mayor’s Office
Mayor William M. Manzi has named Anthony J. Ross as September’s Artist of the Month. Tony is a life-long resident of Methuen and graduated from Methuen High in 1963. [...]
Joseph Kennedy today announced that he will not seek the Senate seat held by his uncle Ted Kennedy. Kennedy made the announcement on the website of Citizens Energy. The announcement should pave the way for a pretty full week of candidate announcements from other Democrats who had been waiting on [...]
With job losses continuing the nation’s unemployment rate rose to 9.7%, as August showed a net job loss of 216,000. While it is clear that job losses are slowing,the unemployment rate is at its highest level in over twenty years, with a budding economic recovery not translating into any job [...]
Yesterday Methuen’s Building Committee hosted the Massachusetts School Building Authority for the “kickoff’ to the Methuen High School Building Project. We introduced Jim Alexander and his firm, Finegold Alexander & Associates as the Project Architect, and John Jumpe, Methuen’s project representative from the MSBA, gave an overview of rates of [...]
Attorney General Martha Coakley is off and running for U.S. Senate, putting up her campaign website and making her announcement video available. I have posted it here. She is not waiting for anyone.
[...]This Labor Day brings the celebration of the Feast of the Three Saints to Lawrence, and the 86th Feast promises to be bigger and better than ever. Friday’s free concert will feature Carissa Scudieri and headliner Aaron Caruso on the Campagnone Common. This years Feast will have some new attractions, [...]
The Senate race to succeed Ted Kennedy will be a feast for political junkies everywhere, and it already is producing a few sparks. Some of it a little old, but lets look at the recap.
1) The Governor has set the primary date of December 8th, with the general election date [...]
Today’s Globe focuses on the political question of the day; will Joe Kennedy run for for the Senate? The answer to that question will shape the field of potential replacements for Ted Kennedy. Who are the potentials?
1) U.S. Rep. Edward Markey: Dean of the Congressional delegation and close to [...]
The eulogy given by Edward Kennedy Jr. was a wonderful tribute to his father. His story about conquering the challenge of the snowy hill for a boy that had lost his leg was truly heart wrenching, but showed all at once some of the finer qualities of Senator Kennedy, and [...]
The President talks about the continuing recovery effort in the Gulf Coast area impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
[...]Governor Deval Patrick talks about the loss of Senator Edward Kennedy. The request made by the Senator to allow the seat to be filled pending the special election appears to be gaining some ground, with the Governor speaking in favor. The positive signals being sent by both branches appear to [...]
City of Methuen Mosquito Spraying
The City of Methuen through the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District will be performing a city wide, mosquito spraying on Wednesday, August 26 beginning after 8:00 pm and ending before 5:00 am Thursday morning. This is a preemptive measure the City is taking [...]
Senator Edward Kennedy has died after a long battle with brain cancer, ending one of the most successful Senate careers in the history of our country. Senator Kennedy is the last of the brothers that had such a huge impact on American life. Ted Kennedy, known as the lion of [...]
MAYOR MANZI NAMES JESSICA DONOVAN AS AUGUST’S ARTIST OF THE MONTH
Methuen College Student’s Work on Display in the Mayor’s Office
Mayor William M. Manzi has named Jessica Donovan as August’s Artist of the Month. Jessica is a Methuen High School graduate and is entering her sophomore year at Westfield [...]
President Obama is expected to re-appoint Ben Bernanke as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve this morning, ending speculation on a job critical to the U.S. economic recovery. Bernanke is a Republican first appointed by President George W. Bush. The Washington Post obtained the statement to be issued by the [...]
The Rte. 93 Rotary Project is a critical project for this region. As many who have attended countless meetings know the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was ready to move forward with its Short Term Improvement Plan, which would be the interim project before the permanent solution is designed and built. As [...]
I am pleased to announce that Methuen was funded two times in this round of CDBG funding, with the City receiving $650,000 that included $307,858 for housing rehab (12 units), $72,672 for code enforcement, $40,000 for Methuen’s Arlington Neighborhood, $40,000 for the Day Care Program at the Methuen YMCA, $12,000 [...]
Calling hours were yesterday for Methuen teacher Dennis Bistany. There was a huge outpouring of people from all over the Merrimack Valley to offer condolences to the Bistany family. A great teacher and a great man, his loss is felt by the Marsh community where he taught, and by our [...]
The President uses the weekly message to stay on health care, taking the time to debunk some of the claims being made against Democratic proposals for reform. He talks about some of the misinformation being spread, including revisiting death panels, mandatory coverage for abortion, illegal immigrants being covered under health [...]
The month of August is traditionally a very difficult month for blood donations. In light of that fact and being aware of how critical it is that an adequate supply of blood be kept on hand the mayor’s office will be sponsoring a blood drive between August 22- 31. Your [...]
Senator Ted Kennedy has authored a letter to Governor Patrick, Senate President Murray and Speaker Deleo asking that consideration be given to a modification of Massachusetts law that would allow the Governor to make an interim appointment to the United States Senate seat pending the special election currently called for [...]
Barney Frank confronts some of the right wing protestors gathered at a Dartmouth forum he hosted on health care. Barney is willing to mix it up, and more Dems ought to be willing to mix it up as well. If you have a working knowledge of the subject matter slugging [...]
A Boston Globe story by Andrea Estes a couple of days back told the story of the refusal of the House of Representatives to take up a bill that would allow retailers to advertise the fact that they are willing to pay the 6.25% sales tax for customers shopping in [...]
The Home Rule Petition filed by Methuen seeking to save upwards of $35,000 by omitting the primary scheduled for September has been stalled in the House of Representatives, failing to move out of the Elections Committee chaired by Boston Representative Michael Moran. Rep. Moran and the House leadership have decided [...]
The Obama Administration sent out some of its top guns to the Sunday talk show circuit and appears to be signaling that it can accept a health care bill that does not have the public option included. The subtle shift in tone has been jumped on by the media and [...]
The 40th Anniversary of Woodstock! Where did all that time go??? The concert still draws quite a bit of conversation, and whatever your thoughts the musical talent assembled was really quite extraordinary. Here is Carlos Santana and young drummer Michael Shrieve really going to town in one of the very [...]
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