http://www.salemnews.com en-us Copyright CNHI All Rights Reserved. 5 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:48:00 +0000 http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_241232326.html http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_241232326.html A recent Wall Street Journal column recounted the experience in one New England community whose residents are facing rising taxes at a time of declining property values and increasing economic uncertainty: Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:35:00 +0000 http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_242003012.html http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_242003012.html To the editor: I write to respond to the usual talking-head column of your weekly columnist, Robert Kelly of Peabody. I had to respond to his two columns on the Opinion page regarding Sen. John Kerry and his Republican opponent, "Jim" Beatty. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:35:00 +0000 http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_242002741.html http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_242002741.html Nationally, the big story out of this week's gathering of Democrats in Denver was, of course, the nomination of Barack Obama for president. Even a year ago few would have predicted the freshman senator from Illinois would be in a position to challenge for the White House. His candidacy has been an inspiration to those in the African-American community, young people and many others both here and abroad. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:35:00 +0000 http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_242003004.html http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_242003004.html Though the amount to be paid in damages is disproportionately low when weighed against the trauma they suffered, Danversport residents were wise in opting to settle their case against the owners of the factory that exploded in their midst two years ago. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:35:00 +0000 http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_242002627.html http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_242002627.html To the editor: In his overview of Republican Senate candidate Jeff Beatty ("Beatty the contender," Wednesday, Aug. 27), Robert Kelly regurgitates Beatty's claim that U.S. Sen. John Kerry is seeking a 50-cent increase in the gasoline tax "to discourage driving." Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_241001610.html http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_241001610.html Highway officials in New Hampshire are installing signs along secondary roads paralleling Interstate 93 to direct drivers back to the highway when they must be diverted due to accidents. It's a good idea. And it also illustrates quite plainly the need to widen I-93. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_241001512.html http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_241001512.html While it doesn't compare to the impact the court system has on downtown Salem, the Registry of Motor Vehicles branch has helped bring much-needed business to Beverly's Cabot Street. The Registry, which has been located across from City Hall since 1996, serves an average of 566 people a day, making it the 11th busiest among the state's 35 branches. That's 566 customers who might otherwise pass up a trip to what has become a vibrant downtown. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:33:00 +0000 http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_241002345.html http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_241002345.html Travel and learning have always been sources of bliss for me, so when I had the opportunity to be part of a Salem State travel/study trip to sites associated with World War I in France and Belgium, I jumped at the chance. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:33:00 +0000 http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_241002220.html http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_241002220.html Freedom of speech came on stage armor plated in a bright orange pantsuit as Hillary Clinton's "Let's all get in the pool together for Obama" speech Tuesday night that had less to say about him than about her. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:33:00 +0000 http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_241002211.html http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_241002211.html I feel like a political orphan this week. In 30 years of political activism, I have never been to a national convention and mdash; and have no desire to be in either Colorado or Minneapolis this year either. The partisan scene has never appealed to me. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:33:00 +0000 http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_241001939.html http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_241001939.html EDITOR'S NOTE: All week, The Salem News is running reports from local delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Today's entry comes from Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:41:00 +0000 http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_240001633.html http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_240001633.html The Kennedys, besides being American political royalty for half a century, have always had a flair for the dramatic. And Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy, the "liberal lion" of the Senate, added yet another historic chapter to that storied legacy Monday night at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:41:00 +0000 http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_240001757.html http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_240001757.html There are lessons to be learned from our neighbors to the north. Some school departments in Southern New Hampshire are taking a novel approach to coping with fuel costs for their athletic programs: They're planning to do less driving. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:41:00 +0000 http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_240000931.html http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_240000931.html Jim Beatty is a stranger to politics. For some, this may be an immediate disqualifier. Others will shout: Hurray! Beatty, the adopted son of Ray (a war hero) and Christine Beatty, lives in Harwich. He worked his way through Rutgers State University as a Teamster. He joined ROTC and graduated in 1974 as a distinguished military graduate, in the top 5 percent in the country. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:41:00 +0000 http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_240000806.html http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_240000806.html EDITOR'S NOTE: The Salem News is running reports from the Democratic National Convention from local delegates. Today's entry comes from Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett. The first day of the 2008 Democratic National Convention began with breakfast for the Massachusetts delegates, who were addressed by Gov. Deval Patrick, House Speaker Sal DiMasi, Senate President Therese Murray and keynote speaker former U.S. Sen. Gary Hart (D-Colo.).