O’Brien retires

Forty seven years ago, the people of Essex County gave me the honor and privilege of electing me to serve them as Register of Deeds.

I often think that this would never have happened if not for the people of Ward Six in the City of Lynn, who in 1971, took a chance and elected a 19-year-old to serve as a member of the Lynn City Council.

To my family, coworkers, friends and constituents, thank you for being so kind to me over those years. I had hoped to be able to finish my term which expires in January of 2025, but I realized that my health, particularly my diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia, would no longer allow me to fulfill my responsibilities as Register of Deeds as I would want to do and as the people of Essex County deserve.

As this chapter in my professional life comes to a close with my retirement on Dec. 31, 2023, thank you all for making it possible.

I sincerely thank you for your friendship, support and assistance in making the Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds the model of excellence that it is.

John L. O’Brien

Register of Deeds

Minimum wage

For those in Massachusetts clamoring for a raise to the minimum wage who never read (or did, and never understood) Thomas Sowell’s seminal “Basic Economics,” California is providing a free economics lesson to you.  As the new $20 minimum wage law prepares to go into effect next week, Pizza Hut, California Pizza and others are laying off thousands of delivery drivers state-wide. Fast food restaurants will be next, with kiosks and drones replacing entry-level jobs, jobs that used to be integral to young Americans learning a work ethic and accountability in their formative years. The first score of the New Year, Basic Economics 1, Central Planning Socialism 0.

Nick McNulty

Windham NH

Looking ahead

The new year is fraught with anxiety and helplessness from a series of national concerns. To name a few: civil unrest, placement and support of incoming migrants, proper use of pronouns, personal safety in all places of public assembly, and religious intolerance.

The direction our country is drifting shows despair with no immediate solutions. If not abated soon they will cause serious displacement and a much lower standard of living. We need to make the effort now or face our future with uncertainty and regret.

Yes we have many advantages to be thankful for and our need is to ensure that they will always be available to all.

We can do better and in the national election this year be sure your choices will reflect the nation’s highest standards.

Bob Sweeney

Warwick, RI