What Do You Envision for Canal Street?

A hearing is scheduled for this evening — what issues are at the top of your list?

Canal Street — we've heard lots about it from many of you concerned about the state of this road. Tonight, there will be a hearing on state improvements to the roadway at the Enterprise Center, according to the Salem News. On the eve of improvements, we want to know — What do you envision for Canal Street? What would you like to see on the street? What improvements top your list? Let us know what you think in the comments. Remember to keep it clean. If you violate our terms of use (check it out here) your comment will be deleted and your account may be suspended. If you have the urge to use profanity, an asterisk "*" will not suffice. Please find another way to make your point so we can keep the forum a place where all are comfortable …

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RWSshs66pu70

8:33 am on Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Would reversing the direction of the drive thru work better, because then the line of cars waiting could be accommodated in Bagel World's parking lot with a dedicated lane. This would cost nothing and take a dangerous and frustrating situation from Canal Street   more ›

Bangkok Paradise Owner, 5 Others Arrested in Multi-Agency Drug Raids

Six North Shore men including the Bangkok Paradise owner, were arrested Friday morning. Police seized thousands of oxycodone pills, more than $50,000 in cash and a gun.

Authorities arrested six local men Friday morning in several drug raids across the North Shore. One of the men was also identified as the owner of Bangkok Paradise, Jesus Franco. Essex Country District Attorney's office spokeswoman Carrie Kimball-Monahan said warrants were executed at 10 different locations in Lynn, Peabody, Salem and Danvers and police also seized thousands of oxycodone pills along with more than $50,000 in cash and a gun. She said the arrests were the result of a "long-term, multi-agency drug investigation." The agencies involved were DA's Drug Task Force, state police, Drug Enforcement Agency, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and Peabody, Lynn, Salem and Danvers police. The following men were arrested and scheduled for …

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Jack Carver

3:47 am on Monday, December 24, 2012

True, I also heard all charges where dropped against Jason Gentry. He is also a Salem Constable. #255 – 256 CONSTABLES The following Constable reappointments with the following terms to expire recommended by the Mayor were received and placed on file. Jason Gentry, Street address 5 Station Rd., City Salem Term to expire: April 1, 2013   more ›

Is $30 A Year Too Much For Better Parks, Affordable Housing?

Mack Park Association hosts hotly debated forum on proposed Community Preservation Act that will be on November ballot.

One night after the leading Presidential contenders squared off in a highly contentious debate, the Mack Park Neighborhood Association Wednesday night held a public forum on the controversial Community Preservation Act, which would add 1 percent to the local property taxes to leverage state funds for parks, historic preservation and affordable housing. Opponents and proponents were almost as passionate about imposing the the proposed CPA tax on Salem homeowners and businesses as President Obama and former Gov. Romney were about taxing millionaires.  "It is becoming unaffordable to live in Salem," said Ward 6 Councilor Paul Prevey, an opponent of joining the CPA program. Tessie Riley Goggin, another opponent, said CPA should stand for "…

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A Voice In Salem

Licensing Board Has Handle On Bangkok Paradise Issue

St. Pierre leads reasoned deliberations in pursuit of correct solutions.

  Anyone that reads message boards or newspaper comment threads is familiar with the "hang 'em high" mentality that comes with the territory. No matter the subject matter, hard-liners will insist that any and all infractions must be met with quick and severe discipline. Any other approach is seen as lily-livered or weak-kneed. Take the malefactor out back and tan his hide with a leather strap. The actions the Salem Licensing Board took against Bangkok Paradise last night will not come close to appeasing some of those homebound "knights of the keyboard" (thank you Ted Williams). That is because we do not govern by the QWERTY method. In a meeting that covered infractions from two separate incidents, Bangkok Paradise was issued both a written…

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Phase 2 of Ped Mall Improvement Meetings Scheduled

If you're concerned about the future of the mall, be sure to mark your calendar.

The following is courtesy of the City of Salem. Meetings on Pedestrian Mall Phase 2 Improvements   Design discussions focused on the second phase of improvements to the Essex Street pedestrian mall will be held this month. The first discussion will be at the Salem Redevelopment Authority (SRA) meeting on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. The second discussion will be at the Design Review Board (DRB) meeting on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 6:00 PM. Both meetings will be held on the third floor of the City Hall Annex at 120 Washington Street.   Background On April 11, 2012, the SRA approved the conceptual plan for pedestrian mall improvements. The work was divided into phases, and construction of phase one was completed on September …

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Mass. Ranked Fifth Richest State, How Does Salem Compare?

Which states have the highest and lowest median household incomes? Find out.

Massachusetts' median household income ranked the fifth richest throughout the United States in 2011, according to a recent study presented on DailyFinance.  The Commonwealth, with a median household income of $62,859, trailed only Connecticut, New Jersey, Alaska, and Maryland.  But, how does the city of Salem compare to the state's averages? The median household income in Salem between 2006-2010, according to the US Census Bureau, was $56,979, which is roughly $6,000 less than the state's average during these years. During the same time, the state's poverty level was at 10.5 percent, while Salem's poverty figure was slightly higher at 10.8 percent.  Are you curious how the rest of the North Shore stacks up by the same comparisons? * …

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windpower

12:12 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Everything is for sale ! Just how much is the question . More unemployed in Wenham than Salem ?   more ›

Many American Express Customers Will Receive Refund Because of 'Illegal Card Practices'

American Express will refund about $85 million to approximately 250,000 customers.

If you have taken part in American Express’ “Blue Sky” credit card program, you may have some money coming your way. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced an “enforcement action” today against three American Express subsidiaries that will refund about $85 million to approximately 250,000 customers after “illegal card practices,” said CFPB. CFPB alleges that an investigation found that “every stage of the consumer experience, from marketing to enrollment to payment to debt collection, American Express violated consumer protection laws.” “Several American Express companies violated consumer protection laws and those laws were violated at all stages of the game – from the moment a consumer shopped for a card to the moment …

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