Tuesday, October 23, 2012
This is a letter to the editor from Bob and Annie Gilbert.
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Tuesday, October 23, 2012
To the Editor, We support Barbara L'Italien for a lot of reasons -- her work ethic, her solution-oriented approach to legislating, and her tremendous accomplishments during eight years as one of Andover's state respresentatives. But after two years of stalemate and partisan rancor, perhaps the biggest reason we plan to vote for Barbara is because of her willingness to reach across the aisle and her history of finding bipartisan solutions. Barbara was first elected in 2002, entering the Statehouse as a Democrat just as Mitt Romney began his tenure as a Republican governor. From the beginning, Barbara made it clear that party politics was not her style. At considerable risk to her own political future, Barbara stood up against Tom …
This is a letter to the editor from Andover resident Chas Bicking.
- OPINION
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Tuesday, October 23, 2012
To the Editor, A heated debate has been sparked by Jim Lyons' support for eliminating the buffer zone around reproductive health clinics where it is illegal to protest or loiter. Earlier this month, the Eagle Tribune published a letter defending Jim Lyons' bill and advocating for elimination the buffer zone - specifically stating the writer has "never seen or heard of pro-lifer attacks." We are all entitled to our own point of view, but not our own facts. The statement quoted above "does not stand the test of time and evidence" which we are asked to apply. Let's review: In 1993 Dr. David Gunn was murdered outside a Pensacola clinic. That same year, Dr. George Tiller was shot multiple times outside a Kansas clinic. In 1996, Dr. Calvin …
Monday, October 22, 2012
This is a letter from Andover resident Bernice Haggerty.
- OPINION
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Monday, October 22, 2012
To the Editor, In the upcoming election for State Senator, I think it is very important that we elect a candidate who is familiar with the way things work in Andover and what is needed. It would be a definite plus to elect a person who grew up here and attended Andover schools, as Barry Finegold did. He and Mrs. Finegold are raising their lovely family and conducting businesses here in Andover, also. Barry has done an excellent job as State Senator and has shown much concern and caring for the elderly. He has advocated for seniors to be priority for power restoration when there is a power outage. This is essential for those who need life-saving medical equipment in their homes. Barry has consistently served out Town well – in many …
The following was submitted by Ann Fay Michaels.
- OPINION
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Monday, October 22, 2012
To the Editor: As a parent, I consider my children's health and safety to be my priority. Many families like mine depend on school nurses and other health services to keep their kids safe and healthy while they're at school. I've had my kids in the Andover school system for years, and over that time I've seen how much good school nurses and school-based health centers can do for children when properly funded. Mr. Lyons recently filed an amendment to the FY13 budget-- Amendment 577-- that would completely eliminate school-based health services, including all funding for school nurses. If adopted, his amendment would gut our school health programs, forcing them to shutter their nurse's offices and close down vital anti-smoking and anti-…
Sunday, October 21, 2012
North Andover resident Grace McDaniel writes about State Rep. Jim Lyons' bill to repeal a state law requiring insurers to cover rape victims' mental and social disorders.
- OPINION
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Sunday, October 21, 2012
To the editor, As a young woman in college, I have seen first-hand how much emphasis is placed on students being safe. One of the most important topics has indisputably been on responsible sexual behavior, and how to protect yourself from sexual violence. Should anyone on campus be the victim of a sex crime - including rape or attempted rape - students are encouraged not to suffer silently, but to instead seek out help. This is because rape is not just a physical attack - it is an attack on one's mind and spirit. Why am I writing a letter about rape? Because I am incredibly disgusted by legislation written by State Representative Jim Lyons. The bill I'm talking about, House Bill 3353, would repeal section 47B of Chapter 175 of our state …
Monday, October 15, 2012
This letter is in support of Barbara L'Italien for State Representative.
- OPINION
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Monday, October 15, 2012
Several years ago, the State intended to erect a cell tower in our neighborhood. It would have hovered 75 feet above the tree line in state-owned property that borders the Trustees of the Reservation, Philiips Academy, and private property. The impact on the skyline, our property values, and our town’s future wireless tower proposals were at risk . Although we discovered a cell system was already in place making the proposed tower irrelevant, a lack of public notice created a situation where town officials’ hands were tied and our rights through the legal system had timed out. After appealing to all of our local legislators, only Barbara L’Italien took on our seemingly impossible cause. Barbara attended our meetings and brought key …
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Andover resident Sarah O’Leary writes this letter in support of Sen. Barry Finegold for re-election in November.
For those of you whom may not know State Senator Barry Finegold personally, I would like to take a moment to try and describe his devotion and dedication to, not only all of the citizens in his district, but especially to all the families and individuals affected by Autism. Autism is a behavioral and developmental disorder which currently affects 1 in 88 children. It is with great honor and pride that I have the ability to work with children diagnosed with Autism on a daily basis. As a behavioral program manager and therapist, I personally come in contact with the hardships that this diagnosis can have on an individual and their respective family members. With this constant struggle, early intervention and continuing services are …
Monday, October 8, 2012
Joe D'Amore writes in support of Maura Ciardiello for the Governor's Council.
Maura Ciardiello; mom, teacher and citizen-public servant It takes a passionate woman to get people excited about something as obscure as the Governor's Council. Maura Ciardiello is such a candidate in this otherwise contentious campaign season where the public's imagination is held strongly by seemingly more important races like the congressional , state senate and the presidential races. But for Massachusetts ; the Governor's Council - a virtual political outpost- is important. Composed of eight individuals elected from districts, and the Lieutenant Governor who serves ex officio. The eight councilors are elected from their respective districts every two years. The Council meets weekly to record advice and consent on warrants for the …
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
An Andover resident is supporting Sen. Barry Fingeold for re-election this November, saying that he and his office doesn't treat you like a number.
- OPINION
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Tuesday, October 2, 2012
After nearly two years of searching for a job, this summer I finally found and accepted a position contingent upon the completion of a successful background check. Several weeks passed and the background check stalled. The outstanding piece causing the delay was the results of my Massachusetts CORI report. As a last ditch effort, I contacted State Senator Barry Finegold’s office to see if there was anything that his office could do to further expedite the process. I was pleasantly surprised by the responsiveness of his staff. My phone call was immediately returned and in a matter of a few hours and a few email exchanges, the results of my CORI search were located. It is very easy to think as a voter that you’re just a number or that …
Friday, September 28, 2012
Massachusetts home sales are up and unemployment below national average.
Exactly four years ago this month, the bottom dropped out of the U.S. economy. Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy on Sept. 15, 2008. The next day, the Federal Reserve announced a bailout of AIG. Bad news continued to pile up almost daily, with the stock market collapsing and millions of jobs vanishing. No single factor will define such a complex process as selection of a president, but none might be greater than the simple question: Are you better off than four years ago? In Massachusetts, the state unemployment rate in August was 6.3 percent, up from 6.2 percent in July. Unemployment in the Commonwealth peaked at 8.7 percent in August of 2009. Nationwide, unemployment was at 8.1 percent in August 2012. Sales of single family homes in …
salemst
2:20 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Barbara L'Italien is a tax raiser. She used her powerful position as Assistant Ways and Means Chairman to slip into the budget the alcohol and meals tax without a House vote in a private conference committee in Depressionesque economic times with financially struggling constituents. She also voted to raise the sales tax to 6.25%. She also supports spending massive amounts of money on Illegals … more ›