Paying Attention

Update from the Newly Elected Mayor of Methuen

Tom Duggan welcomes Neil Perry to Paying Attention. Neil is going to be doing a monthly mayor’s report on Paying Attention.

Our host Tom Duggan of the Valley Patriot discusses:

• Neil talks about how it feels to be the mayor elect
• Tom and Neil talk about the results of the Methuen elections
• Neil plans to use his appearances on Paying Attention to communicate what’s going on in Methuen
• Tom and Neil talk about fake news and how it affected the campaign
• Neil has set up some transition meetings next week
• What does Neil plan to start with in January?
• Tom asks Neil about the issue of homelessness
• Neil and Tom talk about the audit and what it means
• What can be done to save the Loop?
• What is Neil’s guilty pleasure?
• Should there be residency checks for the students in Methuen schools?

All that and much more on this week’s episode of The Paying Attention Podcast! For more information, check out latest edition of the Valley Patriot or www.ValleyPatriot.com. The Paying Attention! Podcast is recorded each week at the Studio 21 Podcast Café and is hosted on the United Podcast Network.

Final Methuen City Mayoral Debate

Tom Duggan is moderating this debate for candidates for Mayor of Methuen. This is a real debate not a forum. The moderator will ask a question or throw out a topic and the candidates will speak to each other. There will be no structure time limit on questions or answers. The moderator will act as referee if any candidate is monopolizing time or not getting enough time.

The candidates joining Tom on stage are Neil Perry and Jennifer Kannan.

Election day is Tuesday, November 5^th. The polls are open from 7 AM to 7 PM.

Some of the topics covered in the debate:

• The candidates introduce themselves and give a statement of why you should vote for them
• How do the candidates feel about the proposal to bring a marijuana growing facility to Methuen?
• Also:
  • Community Development
  • Overall Budget
  • School department
  • The Sweetheart Inn
  • Out of city kids in Methuen schools
  • Oversight
  • Economic development
• The candidates talk about which candidates they are supporting and who is supporting them
• The candidates ask each other a question
• What would you do different than the current Mayor?
• Is there an issue that has not been discussed?
• Will Methuen use some of it’s resources to help Methuen’s Homeless?
• The candidates summarize why the voters should support them and how they will solve the problems in the city

All that and much more on this week’s episode of The Paying Attention Podcast! For more information, check out latest edition of the Valley Patriot or www.ValleyPatriot.com. The Paying Attention! Podcast is recorded each week at the Studio 21 Podcast Café and is hosted on the United Podcast Network.

Final At-Large Methuen City Council Debate

Tom Duggan is moderating this debate for candidates for At-Large Methuen City Council. There are 3 open seats and 4 candidates. This is a real debate not a forum. The moderator will ask a question or throw out a topic and the candidates will speak to each other. There will be no structure time limit on questions or answers. The moderator will act as referee if any particular candidate is monopolizing time or not getting enough time.

The candidates joining Tom on stage are Steve Angelo, Jessica Finocchiaro, Dave Beauregard, Nick DiZoglio.

Election day is Tuesday, November 5^th. The polls are open from 7 AM to 7 PM.

Some of the topics covered in the debate:

• The candidates introduce themselves and give a statement of why you should vote for them
• How do the candidates feel about the proposal to bring a marijuana growing facility to Methuen?
• The candidates talk about which candidates they are supporting and who is supporting them
• The candidates ask another candidate a question
• The candidates summarize why the voters should support them and how they will solve the problems in the city

All that and much more on this week’s episode of The Paying Attention Podcast! For more information, check out latest edition of the Valley Patriot or www.ValleyPatriot.com. The Paying Attention! Podcast is recorded each week at the Studio 21 Podcast Café and is hosted on the United Podcast Network.

Final West District Methuen City Council Debate

Tom Duggan is moderating this debate for candidates for Central District Methuen City Council. There are 2 open seats and 4 candidates. This is a real debate not a forum. The moderator will ask a question or throw out a topic and the candidates will speak to each other. There will be no structure time limit on questions or answers. The moderator will act as referee if any particular candidate is monopolizing time or not getting enough time.

The candidates joining Tom on stage are Mike Simard, Allison Saffie, Bill Bryant and Frank Gallo.

Election day is Tuesday, November 5^th. The polls are open from 7 AM to 7 PM.

Some of the topics covered in the debate:

• The candidates introduce themselves and give a statement of why you should vote for them
• How do the candidates feel about bringing a marijuana growing facility to Methuen?
• Do the candidates feel like the decision to borrow $4 million dollars was enough money?
• The debate between the candidate gets a bit more heated
• Why would anyone want to sign a contract where the get a 0% raise in the first year?
• What do the candidates think of the job the current mayor and city council have done?
• What does Bill Bryant have to say about whether he supports Jen Kannan?
• Who are the other candidates supporting in the other elections?
• The candidates summarizes why the voters should vote for them

All that and much more on this week’s episode of The Paying Attention Podcast! For more information, check out latest edition of the Valley Patriot or www.ValleyPatriot.com. The Paying Attention! Podcast is recorded each week at the Studio 21 Podcast Café and is hosted on the United Podcast Network.

Final 2019 Central District Methuen City Council Debate

Tom Duggan is moderating this debate for candidates for Central District Methuen City Council. There are 2 open seats and 4 candidates. This is a real debate not a forum. The moderator will ask a question or throw out a topic and the candidates will speak to each other. There will be no structure time limit on questions or answers. The moderator will act as referee if any particular candidate is monopolizing time or not getting enough time.

The candidates joining Tom on stage are DJ Deeb, Joyce Campagnone and Joel Faretra. Jim McCarty is not present for the debate.

Election day is Tuesday, November 5^th. The polls are open from 7 AM to 7 PM.

Some of the topics covered in the debate:

• The candidates introduce themselves and give a statement of why you should vote for them
• Where do the candidates stand on a marijuana growing facility in Methuen?
• What would the candidates do if there is another union that did the same thing as the police contract?
• The candidates have a heated discussion about the Methuen Superintendent fiasco
• The discussion moves on to Nicholson Stadium
• How would the candidates deal with reducing the police budget?
• Are these candidates giving or accepting support from candidates in other races?
• The candidates ask each other questions?
• The candidates summarize why the voters should support them and how they will solve the problems in the city

All that and much more on this week’s episode of The Paying Attention Podcast! For more information, check out latest edition of the Valley Patriot or www.ValleyPatriot.com. The Paying Attention! Podcast is recorded each week at the Studio 21 Podcast Café and is hosted on the United Podcast Network.

Part 2 The Candidates for Methuen Mayor Debate

Tom Duggan is moderating this debate for candidates for the upcoming election for Methuen Mayor. The Preliminary Election will be held on September 17^th. This a real debate not a forum. The moderator will ask a question or throw out a topic and the candidates will speak to each other. There will be no structured time limit on questions or answers. The moderator will act as referee if any particular candidate is monopolizing time or not getting enough time.

The candidates joining Tom on stage are Neil Perry, Jennifer Kannan, Don Riccio and Dan Shibilia.

This is Part 2 of the debates for candidates running for Mayor Methuen.

Some of the topics covered in the debate:

• Do the candidates think we need a dog park in Methuen?
• What do the candidates have to say about development and/or overdevelopment in the city?
• How can Methuen bring more businesses into town?
• Should the city hire a grant writer?
• Is there too much residential development in Methuen?
• How do you change the image of Methuen?
• Does the city of Methuen need to do more for the homeless crisis?
• Is there a way to leverage student volunteers?
• Tom allows the candidates to ask each other questions
• Is the Sound Off section of The Eagle Tribune attacking the candidates?
• What was in the letter that Neil Perry sent out?
• Do any of the candidates have any conflicts of interest?
• What is going on with Martineau’s Towing Service?
• Why hasn’t Neil Perry voted in the last couple of local elections?
• What is Jennifer Kannan’s education?
• The candidates summarize why the voters should support them and how they will solve the problems in the city

All that and much more on this week’s episode of The Paying Attention Podcast! For more information, check out latest edition of the Valley Patriot or www.ValleyPatriot.com. The Paying Attention! Podcast is recorded each week at the Studio 21 Podcast Café and is hosted on the United Podcast Network.

The Candidates for Methuen Mayor Debate - Part 1

Tom Duggan is moderating this debate for candidates for the upcoming election for Methuen Mayor. The Preliminary Election will be held on September 17^th. This a real debate not a forum. The moderator will ask a question or throw out a topic and the candidates will speak to each other. There will be no structured time limit on questions or answers. The moderator will act as referee if any particular candidate is monopolizing time or not getting enough time.

The candidates joining Tom on stage are Neil Perry, Jennifer Kannan, Don Riccio and Dan Shibilia.

This is Part 1 of the debates for candidates running for Mayor Methuen..Some of the topics covered in the debate:

• The candidates do a quick introduction of themselves and why they chose to run
• Tom dives right in with the police contract – what do the candidates think about it and how would they resolve it?
• Who is the most responsible for not solving the police contract problem?
• Will the candidates commit that if they don’t win the election, they will not accept other city positions?
• What do the candidates have to say about the superintendent scandal and what do they think should have been done?
• The candidates discuss campaign finance
• What do the candidates have to say about The Clean River Project?
• The candidates summarize why the voters should support them and state their number 1 priority if elected

All that and much more on this week’s episode of The Paying Attention Podcast! For more information, check out latest edition of the Valley Patriot or www.ValleyPatriot.com. The Paying Attention! Podcast is recorded each week at the Studio 21 Podcast Café and is hosted on the United Podcast Network.

Central District Methuen City Council Debate

Tom Duggan is moderating this debate for candidates for Central District Methuen City Council. There are 2 open seats and 5 candidates. This a real debate not a forum. The moderator will ask a question or throw out a topic and the candidates will speak to each other. There will be no structure time limit on questions or answers. The moderator will act as referee if any particular candidate is monopolizing time or not getting enough time.

The candidates joining Tom on stage are:Jordan Normandia, DJ Deeb, Joyce Campagnone and Joel Faretra. Jim McCarty is not present for the debate.

This is the second in a series of debates for candidates running for local office in Methuen.

Some of the topics covered in the debate:

• The candidates do a quick introduction of themselves and why they chose to run
• Tom starts right in with the police contract to get the candidates opinions on it
• Are the too many superior officers in the Methuen police department?
• The candidates have a heated discussion about overspending and budgets in Methuen
• What does DJ Deeb have to say about the superintendent fiasco?
• The candidates talk about the challenges with special education funding
• Is the residential tax rate too high in Methuen?
• Are there more political signs or for sale signs in town?
• What do the candidates have to say about business and residential development in Methuen?
• Should the business tax rate be lowered to attract more business?
• Tom asks the candidates how they feel about changes to the charter
• Has city government stopped working for the citizens?
• The candidates summarize why the voters should support them and state their number 1 priority if elected

All that and much more on this week’s episode of The Paying Attention Podcast! For more information, check out latest edition of the Valley Patriot or www.ValleyPatriot.com. The Paying Attention! Podcast is recorded each week at the Studio 21 Podcast Café and is hosted on the United Podcast Network.

West End Methuen City Council Candidates Debate

Tom Duggan is moderating this debate for candidates for West End Methuen City Council. There are 2 open seats and 4 candidates will be chosen in the primary. This a real debate not a forum. The moderator will ask a question or throw out a topic and the candidates will speak to each other. There will be no structure time limit on questions or answers. The moderator will act as referee if any particular candidate is monopolizing time or not getting enough time.

The candidates joining Tom on stage are: Allison Safie, Mike Simard, Frank Gallo, Bill Bryant and Jeri-An Batal

This is the second in a series of debates for candidates running for local office in Methuen.

Some of the topics covered in the debate:

• The candidates do a quick introduction of themselves and why they chose to run
• What do the candidates have to say about the Sweetheart Inn debacle?
• The next topic is how city contracts have been handled in the past and how the candidates would have handled it
• Is Methuen the new Lawrence?
• The candidates weigh in on the city budget
• How do the candidates think Methuen can be transformed into a city where people want to move in?
• How do the candidates think we can address the problem of homelessness?
• How can Methuen attract more businesses?
• They move on to talk about the school department scandals
• The candidates tell the voters why they deserve their vote

All that and much more on this week’s episode of The Paying Attention Podcast! For more information, check out latest edition of the Valley Patriot or www.ValleyPatriot.com. The Paying Attention! Podcast is recorded each week at the Studio 21 Podcast Café and is hosted on the United Podcast Network.

Methuen City Council At-large Candidates Debate

Tom Duggan is moderating this debate for candidates for Methuen City Council At-large. There are 3 open seats. This a real debate not a forum. The moderator will ask a question or throw out a topic and the candidates will speak to each other. There will be no structure time limit on questions or answers. The moderator will act as referee if any particular candidate is monopolizing time or not getting enough time.

The candidates joining Tom on stage are: Jessica Finocchiaro, D.J. Beauregard, Steve Angelo and Nick Dizoglio.

This is the first in a series of debates for candidates running for local office in Methuen.

Some of the topics covered in the debate:

• The candidates do a quick introduction of themselves and why they chose to run
• What is the “incumbent protection act”?
• Nick Dizoglio talks about why he pulled papers for two different positions and why he decided to pursue the city council position
• What do the candidates have to say about the proposed changes to the city charter
• Should Mayor of Methuen be a 4-year term?
• Is the position of Mayor of Methuen underpaid?
• Should the citizens of Methuen be more involved in the city charter changes?
• The candidates address conflicts of interest
• What do the candidates think about the police superior officers’ contract?
• Does Methuen need a full-time solicitor?
• Are there problems with morale among Methuen’s departments?
• Do the candidates think Chief Joe Solomon is doing a good job?
• What do the candidates have to say about the problems with the school department?

All that and much more on this week’s episode of The Paying Attention Podcast! For more information, check out latest edition of the Valley Patriot or www.ValleyPatriot.com. The Paying Attention! Podcast is recorded each week at the Studio 21 Podcast Café and is hosted on the United Podcast Network.