Apology needed

Now that Methuen's police chief and deputy chief have been vindicated and cleared of any wrong-doing by a federal court with regard to the Lariviere case, I hope that the city councilors and Mayor Manzi are going to apologize publicly for all of the accusations and negative comments that they've made against them.

Paid leave

I don't think if you are resigning or suspended from your job that you should get paid. What other job do you resign from and get paid for three months? Where else do you get suspended for not doing your job correctly and also get paid. I think we taxpayers are paying for these people to stay home. No other jobs pays us, the middle-class people, if we resign from our jobs or are suspended. No wonder our city taxes are always increasing. Let's take a look at who is making the deals to keep paying employees that aren't working anymore. Mayor Manzi, stop spending our money foolishly. It's not fair to the people who elected you to office.

Quick response

I would like to commend the Haverhill Highway Department for its quick response to a dangerous icy condition on Boxford Road. When I called to explain the circumstances, within a half-hour, a truck came, salted the area and eliminated the hazard. It's a good feeling to see the great service provided by one of our city's departments.

Wrong team

Why is The Eagle-Tribune always negative toward Methuen's police chief? Even when he is vindicated in federal court, the article still has a negative tone to it. When will the Tribune realize that they're supporting the wrong team?

Seeing eagles

Twice this week, I spotted a bald eagle along the banks of the Merrimack River while running in Riverfront State Park. It took my breath away. How wonderful to have such a fantastic resource as this park that allows us to experience the wonders of nature in our own backyard.

True politician

Mayor Manzi is a true politician. He promised everything to be re-elected and followed through with nothing. He is the one running a dysfunctional department! He thinks that he is above the law and thinks he does not have to answer to anyone. Well, what about the people who elected him? He has a great deal to explain about the $1.5 million in Water Department money. Be prepared Methuen, here go our taxes!

Salem shoppers

I have to laugh at the person who wrote in to Sound Off. To complain about people who fail to watch their children while shopping is one thing. To address this to people "coming to Salem, N.H., to take advantage of tax-free shopping," is ludicrous. Are you implying that only out-of-state people do a poor job of tending to their children while shopping? Where are the New Hampshire people shopping, Massachusetts? I don't think so.

Falling apart

As a lifelong resident of Methuen, I am appalled at how our city has fallen apart over the past two years. There were never these problems when Mayor Pollard or Mayor DiZoglio were in charge. It is time for a recall vote on Manzi.

Shovel a path

I should think business owners downtown could take the time to shovel a path in front of their stores to the street for the convenience of their customers.

Players suspended

Kudos to Methuen coach Danny Egan for suspending five hockey players! It's about time someone took a stand against bad behavior by athletes. And shame on any parent who doesn't respect his decision.

Reasonable salaries

In response to the call concerning Andover teachers: The caller should do his math! I have not met many people who work 365 days a year. Those teachers that make $60,000 often have worked in the school system for many years before earning that much. It is also required that teachers earn master's degrees, maintain professional development for licensure, and work countless hours after those 180 days to correct and plan. Remember, we are teaching our future leaders, workers and presidents. I'm not sure what the price tag should be, but $60,000 seems like a reasonable amount of money.

Teachers' pay

This is in response to the "Well Paid" Sound Off: Being the husband of a teacher, although not from Andover, I take offense with this comment. First off, by your calculation, you must work 360 days a year. Wow, you only get five days off each year! The 180 days are actual work days. This translates into 10 months of work a year not six. Secondly, do you think it is right that we pay our custodians more than we pay the people that are actually educating our children? And finally, yes, they get two months off during the summer. They need it after dealing with people like you 180 days a year.

Doing the math

To "Well Paid": The "normal" person working a "regular" job does not work 365 days a year. Assuming that Andover teachers work 183 days per year (three professional days) and that "normal" people have the standard weekends off, 10 holidays, and 10 vacation days, the $60,000 teaching job would be equivalent to about $79,000 for the normal person working the regular job.

Financial warning

The person who wrote in about Mayor Fiorentini and Haverhill's deficit must have slept through the last election. Fiorentini kept saying we had financial problems and that the city had a deficit. Fiorentini's opponent, Rurak, said that Fiorentini was exaggerating Haverhill's financial problems. Fiorentini warned us about the financial problems, and was telling us the truth.

Democratic vote

Ray Buckley, New Hampshire State Democratic chairman, made the statement that the Democratic victories in 2006 were not an aberration, as evidenced by the fact that so many undeclared voters cast Democratic ballots in the N.H. primary. I wonder if it ever occurred to him that a lot of us undeclared Republicans took a Democratic ballot just to vote against a certain Democratic candidate? For a fact, I know of many who expressed their intentions of doing so.

Chief's job

Mayor Fiorentini, now that you have found a new director of the DPW in such short time, when do you think you might get around to filling the fire chief's position? After four and a half years, I think you have had enough time!

Power lines

Land for a new school in Pelham under the power lines? The World Health Organization classifies electromagnetic fields as a carcinogen. Studies reveal a correlation between childhood leukemia and the EMF. It is one thing to drive under them in a car, but to have children sit there for six hours of every day. This land won't be a deal when the lawsuits start roll in for human-induced EMF exposure.