Manzi, SUllivan to Compete in LAtitude's Biggest Loser - February '08,

VALLEY PATRIOT WEB EXTRA!!

Sullivan, Manzi to Compete in Latitude's Biggest LOSER Competition

Mayors of Lawrence and Methuen to go head to head in weight loss competition

Tom Duggan

METHUEN, MA -

Lawrence Mayor Mike Sullivan responded today to comments made by Methuen Mayor Billy Manzi last Saturday on 980AM/WCAP's Paying Attention! Radio Program; saying he is "up for the challenge" in Latitude Sports Club's" Merrimack Valley's Biggest Loser weight loss competition.

On Saturday’s program Manzi called in the show to chide Sullivan saying "He will lose again." Manzi told the radio audience "Mike Sullivan is going to do what he always does in every competition we have ever had ... come in second. I accept the challenge and I am telling you, Mike Sullivan is going down!"

Manzi hinted that Sullivan might be "too chicken" to actually go through with the weight loss competition which begins on Saturday March 1^st at the Latitudes Sports Club on Pleasant Valley Street in Methuen.

“Not only do I accept the challenge to beat Billy Manzi in Latitude’s Biggest Loser Competition, and on his home turf in Methuen, I might add” Sullivan huffed in his office this afternoon, “but I want to up the ante. He has to face me in a bench pressing competition. Let’s talk about ‘who’s chicken.’ Look, Manzi could lose 25 pounds in a week if he just stopped eating a box of Twinkies ever day. Let’s make this a competition that matters,” Sullivan charged. “This isn’t just about weight loss, it’s about fitness and being healthy and staying healthy. I’m sure the guys at Latitude’s would agree with me on that.”

Since their days as classmates at Central Catholic High School, Sullivan and Manzi have been obsessively competitive as the two are notorious for trying to one-up each other publicly. Now both say they are ready to take their places among more than 14 teams competing to lose the most weight at Latitudes.

After accepting the challenge, Sullivan then penned a letter to Mayor Manzi without the Twinkie reference:

Dear Mayor,

I have had a lot of time to think about your challenge. I reflected back to the dodge ball game that I lost to you on, I reflected back to the golf match that you beat me at last year, and I reflected on our high school career where I always lagged behind you.

I should be declining this challenge based on my track record of finishing behind you most of my life and career. But in the spirit of what we learned at Central Catholic High School; that challenges are good….I gladly accept.

All My Best,

Mayor Michael Sullivan

The weight loss competition is sponsored by Team Zingales of Remax Prestige, The Valley Patriot, Unlimited Mortgage Corporation, and Valcom Internet Services.