Valley Patriot

Tom Duggan's Notebook
updated 07/08/03

Stacking the Deck?

Republican Kevin Foley was appointed by North Andover Town Manager Mark Reese to head the Board of Health last week. Reese refused to reappoint Dr. MacMillan who has opposed the Trash transfer station proposal on Holt road. Missing from the Tribune story yesterday was Foley's connection to State Representative David (where-is-he) Torrisi who is a shill for the Thompson family. Mr. Foley was recently thrown off the Republican Town Committee for his public support of the Democrat State Rep. Members of the Town committee were particularly outraged because Foley signed a viscous campaign letter personally attacking Torrisi's opponent in last year's election. The campaign letter (which was paid for by Torrisi and circulated throughout the town) accused Torrisi's Republican opponent of purposely putting children in harms way (as a member of the Finance Committee).

As most of you know, Torrisi has a relationship with the Thompson family and has publicly lobbied for their interests and endorsed a trash plant for North Andover against the wishes of the town.

Now, if you had to guess, why do YOU think Mr. Foley was chosen for the Board of Health with this trash situation pending? I have had limited dealings with Mr. Foley and he has always seemed quite fair. But the back handed way Torrisi has manipulated the public debate surrounding the trash transfer proposal and the strip club threats against the town, make his connection to Foley a major part of the story.

Lets see if Foley carries Torrisi's water on the trash plant or stays true to his vow to be FAIR!
We are all Paying Attention!

Gosselin's Last Stand

Lawrence District "F" City Councilor Marie Gosselin is facing her toughest challenge yet with four people already declaring their candidacy against her. The self-praising Councilor has been lucky over the last four elections because she's rarely had a credible opponent run against her. This year, Gosselin will be challenged by Dan Valcourt (who will be no factor in the race) Jim Stokes (who has already lost to Gosselin at least twice) Jonathan Leavitt (the self-proclaimed anarchist) and activist Michael Fielding.

Fielding seems to have an edge on the other challengers and has a good chance at beating Gosselin in the final election come November. Constituents in District "F" (South Lawrence East) flocked to a Fielding fundraiser last week. Many Fielding supporters said they were unhappy with Gosselin's pushy attitude, public dishonesty, a fine by the secretary of State's office because she had the city illegally pick up bulk trash at one of her properties (which she still defends) and being out of touch with her neighborhood's concerns.

Fielding has wide support from the likes of State Representative Willie (I am not a politician) Lantigua, Mayor Sullivan and several influential politicos who see Fielding as the best chance in 8 years of beating Gosselin. Vegas odds? My money says Fielding can win if he doesn't get in bed with Lantigua, doesn't sell himself out to Sullivan and runs an independent campaign with an independent message. In previous elections Gosselin threatened and intimidates neighbors to take down signs of political opponents, creating even more resentment in her district. She's also had complaints lodged against her for putting her campaign signs on private property without permission from the owners and badgering business owners who allowed other all candidates to put signs in their windows.

With Gosselin running scared (and rightfully so) I am expecting this to be a very entertaining campaign. Having so much to lose, Gosselin is certain to behave badly again this year which will make for some great Paying Attention columns and front page stories in the Eagle Tribune .