http://www.eagletribune.com en-us Copyright CNHI All Rights Reserved. 5 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:05:00 +0000 http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329230400.html http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329230400.html What began as a harvest celebration between European settlers and indigenous communities nearly four centuries ago has become our cherished tradition of Thanksgiving. This day's roots are intertwined with those of our Nation, and its history traces the American narrative. Today, we recall President George Washington, who proclaimed our first national day of public thanksgiving to be observed "by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God," and President Abraham Lincoln, who established our annual Thanksgiving Day to help mend a fractured Nation in the midst of civil war. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:05:00 +0000 http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329230116.html http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329230116.html To the editor: Have you had quite enough yet? There's plenty more to come if not! Where are we? This is not the America I was raised in or want for my grandchildren. Consider these items, all from one edition of the paper! Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:05:00 +0000 http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329230249.html http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329230249.html Soliciting I live on Prospect Hill in Lawrence and the number of people knocking at my door on a weekly basis is really disturbing. They're either trying to sell me a product that I really don't think exists, do a service for me that I don't need, or ask me a question so that they can get into my house. All homeowners: Be aware when you see these people knocking at your doors. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:05:00 +0000 http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329230539.html http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329230539.html To the editor: We Americans have always enjoyed the right to make our own choices and "Live Free or Die." It is the history of New Hampshire and the nation. Many believe we will lose our freedom as soon as the U.S. House and Senate approve the health reform bill. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:05:00 +0000 http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329230450.html http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329230450.html To the editor: Remember the shell game? The con artist has a pea that he hides under one of three cups. Then he shuffles the cups around the table while you watch like a hawk. If you can pick out the cup with the pea you win. But the hand is quicker than the eye and you always lose. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:17:00 +0000 http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329001724.html http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329001724.html Too early I work nights. The other day, on my way to work, I noticed three houses with their Christmas trees already up. Radio stations are also playing Christmas music. It's only the middle of November. I love Christmas, but I always considered Christmas to be a December holiday, not a November one. What's going on here? Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:16:00 +0000 http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329001619.html http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329001619.html To the editor: Louisiana's Sen. Mary L. Landrieu lost an opportunity to be a true American heroine. Instead she accepted a huge bribe to vote for cloture of the Senate health care reform bill, which now moves into the Senate for debate. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:16:00 +0000 http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329001652.html http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329001652.html To the editor: November is National Hospice Month. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the staff and volunteers of Merrimack Valley Hospice for the outstanding care they provide to patients who are coping with life limiting illnesses and their families. Whether at home, at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, in a hospital, a long term care facility, or an assisted living, the staff of Merrimack Valley Hospice offers patients comprehensive physical, spiritual and emotional care essential to those nearing the end of life. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:15:00 +0000 http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329001547.html http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329001547.html To the editor: I am writing in response to the letter (Nov. 23) by Marilyn Luther of Haverhill concerning saying "Happy Holidays" vs. "Merry Christmas." I see that the season for these petty arguments is once again upon us, so let's clear things up once and for all. Any educated and well-rounded person knows that Christmas is not the only holiday celebrated in the month of December. Here are some others, just to name a few: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:15:00 +0000 http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329001509.html http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329001509.html Another day, another outrage. That's the story of the Essex Regional Retirement Board whose indifference to the public's interest has reached the point of absurdity. A simple question was posed to the pension board's longtime executive director, Timothy Bassett, by Ipswich Town Treasurer Kevin Merz: How does one go about running for the seat on the board reserved for a member of the ERRB's advisory council? Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:14:00 +0000 http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329001441.html http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_329001441.html Don't make promises you can't afford to keep. That bit of wisdom has been around for a long time. But the temptation to ignore it in government is apparently irresistible. Instead, elected officials subscribe to the "promise now, pay later" philosophy. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:07:00 +0000 http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_328030720.html http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_328030720.html Parking deck I have a solution for the Haverhill parking deck. Demolition crews should work round the clock to obliterate that crumbling monstrosity. It should be replaced by clothing stores, shoe stores, bowling alleys and maybe a movie theater, kind of like the way it was 40 years ago. At the same time the Woolworth building could be converted into a parking facility. That would be better than having trees grow on its roof. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:07:00 +0000 http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_328030753.html http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_328030753.html To the editor: A big thank you to the Lawrencians Giving Thanks, the Andover Rotary Club, and all of the other service groups in the Merrimack Valley hosting food drives this season. I ask everyone who is able, to please help out by participating in food drives or contributing to local food pantries. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:06:00 +0000 http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_328030620.html http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_328030620.html Lawrence is going broke. And if city and state officials don't take immediate, drastic action, things will get worse. By some estimates, the city could run out of money by March 1. This should not be a shock. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:06:00 +0000 http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_328030651.html http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_328030651.html Congratulations to all involved in the reconstruction of the James Stanley Overpass in Methuen, which has reopened 17 months earlier than originally forecast. That includes state officials, the former Massachusetts Highway Department and the contractor, S and amp; R Construction of Lowell.