How do you answer ‘What are the biggest mistakes you have made professionally’ in a job interview? I hear this question more and more in political debates (or forums). There appear to be no easy answers. Here is mine. I am a human being. I am not infallable. If you define a mistake as “a […]
Cities thrive on Grants. Grants are not inherently a bad thing. Please take a few moments and read the paperwork submitted,I assume, with the grant application. Here is the resolution. Pretty straightforward. Let’s accept the money. The devil is in the details. read the attachement. When you have read this document think about what it […]
From the SUMMARY OF METHUEN’S FY 2009 CDBG PROGRAM, at the bottom of page 1 of 2, I read. Code Enforcement – $72,672.00 The Code Enforcement Officer is now full time and will prepare and maintain inspection reports and field records with photos documenting conditions, enforcement action and corrective follow-up. The following objectives outline the direction, […]
What is the difference between a ward and a precinct? Someone asked me this as I drove through another town. The political signs in that town all had ward numbers and ward members listed. Truth was I wasn’t sure what the difference was. I assumed that by State law one could have a ward or a precinct. […]
Seems like a small item but it isn’t. Have you ever looked at the City Council web page. Â The first thing you notice is the pictures of the Chair and Vice-Chair. No other Councilor has their picture on the “home” page. You can click on the “links” lower on the page, links to Councilor at […]
I attend the budget meetings each year. This year was no exception. I saw no new Capital improvement plan as required by Section 5-3 Capital Improvement Program of the HOME RULE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF METHUEN . (Remember the document that actually sets up our government). The old plan, City of Methuen Five Year […]
I’ve noted that the Great Hall of the Searles Building is wired for the television broadcast. There are multiple camera locations (4, I believe). Each table has a microphone and the podium, for public speaking, has a microphone. Watch, before a Council meeting, (you must actually attend a meeting to see this, as it is […]
Here are two terms we will hear a lot about in the very near future. Override and Debt Exclusion. What is the difference? I found a clear answer at this website. I have paraphrased it below. “An Override is a permanent increase in taxes whereas a Debt Exclusion is a temporary increase in taxes. Each requires […]
I was struck this morning by the following Sound-off in the Lawrence Eagle Tribune;Â Police hiring I would like to respond to Mayor Manzi’s article in Sunday’s newspaper. I’m disgusted with his response to the reasons why the officers weren’t hired. I think he’s just scrambling to say anything to cover himself. I hope the […]
There seems to be a lot of discussion about this issue. Let’s clear it up. Read on. Read Massachusetts general Law. Chapter 43B, section 6. Here is a link to the CHAPTER 43B. HOME RULE PROCEDURES. Table of Contents; http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/gl-43b-toc.htm For those who don’t wish to review the Home rule procedures, icluded below is section […]