Archive

Gifford Touts ‘Bold Ideas’ in Last Push to Haverhill Voters on WHAV’s Open Mic Show

By |

With three weeks until the 3rd district congressional primary to determine the democratic candidate to challenge Rick Green, Rufus Gifford sat down with WHAV’s Bill Macek to outline his platform on the Open Mic Show. In the Aug. 6 segment, Concord-based Gifford, a former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark and senior aide to Barack Obama, told Macek he has big plans should he head back to Washington, D.C. to represent the 3rd district. “Not only do you appreciate the United States all the more when you live overseas—understanding how other countries truly rely on American leadership—but you understand what we can do better,” Gifford said. “(I have) that perspective and national and international service in leadership and politics that I bring (to the race) that I feel like no one else has.”

Also during the segment, Gifford told Macek how he’d effort to make immigration and opioid issues bipartisan.

Archive

Haverhill Restaurant Week Kicks Off Thursday With Downtown Launch Party

By |

Ahead of Haverhill’s first-ever Restaurant Week, organizers are hosting a free downtown launch party to tease the $5, $10 and $30 specials more than two dozen local eateries are offering from Aug. 17-26. From 5-7 p.m. Thursday night, Restaurant Week organizers, including the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, invite members of the community to enjoy appetizers and a cash bar Washington Street’s Barking Dog Ale House, one of the restaurants offering deals. “We wanted to get restaurants people wouldn’t necessarily go to,” organizer Gerald Schiavoni of the “Merrimack Valley Eats” Facebook group, told WHAV during an Aug. 13 appearance on the Open Mic Show With Bill Macek (see video below).

Archive

Ferry Outlines State Representative Candidacy on WHAV’s New Open Mic Show

By |

Lisa Yarid Ferry, center, speaks with WHAV’s New Open Mic Show co-hosts Bill Ellis, left, and Bill Macek, right. (Chris Porter photograph for WHAV News.) Full video below. Lisa Yarid Ferry, who is seeking the 14th Essex District state representative seat, gave listeners a glimpse of her views when she appeared Monday night on WHAV’s New Open Mic Show. Ferry, a six-year member of the Methuen City Council and secretary to Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini, told co-hosts Bill Macek and Bill Ellis she has knocked on at least 1,500 doors. Ferry said she set a goal of knocking on every door in the district.

Cannabis

Councilor Daly O’Brien Talks Recreational Marijuana Before Vote on Open Mic Show

By |

Haverhill City Councilor Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien, center, talks with New Open Mic Show co-hosts Bill Ellis and Bill Macek. See full video below. (Chris Porter photograph for WHAV News.)

Before having a change of heart, Haverhill City Councilor Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien appeared on WHAV’s New Open Mic Show last Monday to consider asking voters to again decide recreational marijuana. Daly O’Brien explained the state legislature made changes to the recreational marijuana law after voters approved it in 2016. She said subsequent rules put Haverhill at a disadvantage.

Archive

New Open Mic: L’Italien Reviews Legislative Season; Kowalski Discusses Labor Courses

By |

David J. Kowalski, of the Labor Guild of Boston, talks with New Open Mic Show co-hosts Bill Macek and Bill Ellis. State Sen. Barbara L’Italien, candidate for Congress, and David J. Kowalski, of the Labor Guild of Boston, were the guests during the Monday, July 9, edition of the New Open Mic Show. Co-hosts Bill Macek and Bill Ellis Talked with L’Italien during the first hour of the show and Kowalski during the second hour. L’Italien  provided an update on the most recent legislative season on Beacon Hill and took listener questions. Kowalski reminded listeners the Labor Guild’s fall educational semester begins with courses Monday, Sept.

Archive

UTEC Workers Address Gang Violence During New Open Mic Show Appearance

By |

UTEC’s Jonathan Lunde and Miguel Quinones appeared on the New Open Mic Show Monday, June 25 with host Bill Macek. Lunde and Quinones discussed the group’s team approach to address gang violence in Haverhill. As an alternative to the streets, UTEC welcomes youth ages 17-25 to participate in their workforce development and social enterprise activities available at 35 Warren St., in Lowell. Once their Haverhill satellite office opens this summer, residents may take advantage of activities in both locations. The UTEC group vows to leave no struggling young person behind—gang-affiliated or otherwise, said Lunde.

Archive

New Open Mic Features Emmaus Cycle for Shelter, U.S. Rep. Candidate Chandler

By |

Margot Regan and Gretchen Arntz appeared on WHAV’s New Open Mic Show Monday night. Full video below. Gretchen Arntz and Margot Regan of Emmaus appeared on WHAV’s New Open Mic Show Monday night, discussing the 30th annual Cycle for Shelter. The cycling event benefits Emmaus’ homeless programs. It takes place Sunday, July 22. This year’s 30th anniversary ride starts and ends at Northern Essex Community College and features four different rides: 20-miles, 40-miles, 62-miles or 100-miles, with all courses open to participants for a $50 fee and a $250 minimum donation to Emmaus.

Archive

Kennedy: Future of Newspapers Online, But Which Millionaire Will Succeed?

By |

Author Dan Kennedy, center, with WHAV’s New Open Mic Show hosts Bill Ellis, left, and Bill Macek, right. Complete video below. The future of newspapers is largely online, according to Dan Kennedy, author of a new book, “The Return of the Moguls: How Jeff Bezos and John Henry Are Remaking Newspapers for the Twenty-First Century.”

Appearing during the second hour on WHAV’s New Open Mic Show Monday night with co-hosts Bill Macek and Bill Ellis, Kennedy explained revenue from subscribers and not digital advertising may well be the elusive formula for success. Asked by co-host Ellis to predict when print newspapers will disappear, Kennedy responded, “If you asked me 12 years ago, I would have said print newspapers would be gone by now and they’re still very much with us. And, they’re still more lucrative than digital.