Monday, November 12, 2012
This letter is from State Rep. Jim Lyons, who recently won his reelection bid.
- OPINION
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Monday, November 12, 2012
As election day has come and gone, I write to thank you, the voters and citizens. During my door-to-door campaign, I was warmly welcomed into the homes and neighborhoods of Andover, Tewksbury, Boxford, and North Andover throughout the last six months. I deeply appreciate your kind greetings and helpful comments while visiting your communities. I worked to campaign with the civility and decency that is worthy of you, the voter. I am proud that the Lyons campaign focused squarely on the issues: increasing Local Aid, rolling back the 25% Sales Tax hike, ending rampant political patronage among Beacon Hill insiders, advocating openness and transparency in state government, stopping the waste of tax dollars in the EBT card scandal, ending …
Thursday, October 25, 2012
The following was submitted by Barry Y. Weiner.
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Thursday, October 25, 2012
I first met John Tierney in 1995 when he asked if I would consider helping him in his run for Congress. I agreed and have chaired the finance committee for his successful campaigns since then. Over this time, I’ve consistently found John to be a bright, hardworking, honest fellow, and a passionate and effective representative for our District. Despite the power and glitter of the position, he’s also never changed, remaining the same down to earth guy from a modest, middleclass family. Given what I know about John it pains me to see him attacked, and so unfairly and savagely in this campaign. I say “unfair” because the assertion that John knew of the crimes of his brothers in law and his wife’s “willful blindness” is just not true. If there…
The following was submitted by Rita Gardner.
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Thursday, October 25, 2012
For the past thirty years I have worked with children and adults with autism and related disorders, so I am well aware of the challenges they and their families face. Autism affects more than 1 in every 88 children, 1 in 54 boys in Massachusetts, and sometimes it can be difficult for parents to detect until their child enters school. That's why I'm glad the autism community has an advocate as strong as Barbara L'Italien. Before L'Italien was in office, many insurance companies did not offer to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism. Families were stuck with huge bills for diagnostic visits, behavioral therapy and other vital care services for family members with autism. Often only those families who could afford to pay could obtain…
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
The following was submitted by Thyra Sherman.
- OPINION
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Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Editor: A lot of times we hear from candidates who want to "increase local aid.” In our local race for State Representative, Jim Lyons' actions on Beacon Hill don't back up the claims he makes to his constituents back home. Last week Mr. Lyons and his opponent, Barbara L'Italien, met for a debate at Memorial Hall Library. Several times during their exchange, Mr. Lyons made the claim that he supports increasing local aid. However, as Ms. L'Italien pointed out multiple times, Lyons’ record does not support this claim. As our State Representative for the past two years, Lyons was the only State Representative - Democrat or Republican - to vote against a state budget that actually increased local aid to our cities and towns. As Ms. L'Italien …
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
The following was submitted by Margo P. Goldman.
- OPINION
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Tuesday, October 23, 2012
The death of a child causes incalculable pain and loss to the parents. Moreover, when the tragedy is due to suicide, that pain is compounded by knowing it might have been preventable. Dozens of gay and lesbian teens every year commit suicide after prolonged anti-gay bullying. Suicide among gay youths is much higher than among their straight peers. However, the risk of suicide can be significantly reduced by counseling and an empathic ear. As a psychiatrist, I understand the value of counseling-- being heard and understood can make the critical difference between life and death. That's why I was astonished to learn about Rep. James Lyons' attempt to make it harder for gay youth to seek and receive this much-needed help. He co-sponsored …
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.
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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.
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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.
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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 …
Bryan McGonigle2
10:36 am on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Thanks for presenting the Congessman's plan. More or less, it's the same plan Obama has supported in the last four years. Obama was able to pass some of this plan in his first two years. The third year, he was blocked by republican majorities in the house. And he basically gave up in the fourth year and/or took time off to campaign. Other that "bringing troops home", I see higher taxes(don't … more ›