Medical costs

My mother needs chemotherapy and can't afford it. They told her she makes too much money to qualify for help. There are a lot of people in that situation. It isn't right.

Class act

Curt Schilling has been a class act since the moment he signed with Boston. We wouldn't have won either World Series without him. His record in the post-season speaks for itself. If we have to pay him for this season and he never throws another pitch, it was well worth it for Boston fans. I wish him and his wife well.

Oil prices

This is a reality check for all you Democrats out there. A relative of mine just ordered 100 gallons of heating oil to heat her hot water — 100 gallons, $440. What are you people going to do when winter comes?

Planting trees

I don't know why the city is planting all these trees — they don't rake the leaves. Who has time to get out and rake all these leaves? Why waste the money?

Senior parking

Why does the North Andover Senior Center want to expand and fix up the center inside? They want more seniors coming. They should focus on the parking lot and fix that. There are only six handicapped parking spots with so many going to the center who are handicapped. It's very hard to get a parking spot.

No tips?

I'm a manager at a pizza restaurant. We deliver. I can't believe the number of people who don't tip my delivery drivers. Gas is over $4 a gallon. We bring you hot, fresh delicious food with a smile — and the driver walks away with nothing. What's wrong with this picture? Tip the driver. Thank you.

Bridge repair

I'm calling about Salem asking for a special town meeting for the bridge repair. I thought this was a scheme to get the secretarial vote changed so they could get a raise at the same town meeting. I really like Everett McBride's comments regarding the bridge repairs. We're inconvenienced every single day with little things we have to adjust to because everything is getting so expensive. This is one of those things. We're not talking about people not being able to get where they need to go.

Custodians

Thank you to all the custodians in the North Andover school system for taking care of us during the school year. Thanks for everything you've done. Have a great summer.

Grave decorations

The workers at Linwood Cemetery removed all the flowers that people put there for their loved ones. They've been doing it for years. How mean can they be? They have nothing better to do than to bother people's graves.

Cronin

Now we know why Shaun Cronin got his job back on the Methuen Police Department. His father must have promised Katherine Lavigne the chief's job.

Essex Street

I'm taking a ride down Essex Street in Lawrence. I'm thrilled to see what the city has done turning it to two way. I'm amazed at the different perspective you get to see on the downtown. I can't believe how many empty properties there are. I'm looking to buy property and locate my business into the downtown. Thanks to the mayor and everybody who was involved.

Parks work

I was down at the Methuen DPW around 1:30 in the afternoon to pick up some recycling bins and there were five guys sitting in there watching TV. I've got an idea. Instead of hiring a private contractor to help the Parks Department maintain the parks, give those guys from the town yard a lawnmower and let them do it. It would save money in the long run.

Don't be cheap

For all those people cutting back on tips because times are tough: If you can't tip enough, then you shouldn't go out to eat. You're just being cheap.