Daily Update 7/23: Commitment to Local Communities
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Thursday, July 23, 2009
Today: Thursday, July 23, 2009
- At noon, Governor Patrick participates in a live online forum on Boston.com. Ask the Governor your question here.
- Also this afternoon, the Governor offers remarks to State House Interns and meets with management and staff of the Department of Transitional Assistance.
- Tonight, Governor Patrick hosts a town hall meeting in at the Shelburne Community Center in Roxbury.
In the Press:
Gov. Deval L. Patrick walks with his new dog, Tobey, at the Boys & Girls Club on Tainter Street yesterday. (T&G Staff / CHRISTINE PETERSON)
- Commitment to Local Communities – Yesterday Governor Patrick launched Communities Count in Worcester, an initiative that will bring more than $12.3 million in state and federal funds to Worcester to acquire, rehabilitate, or demolish foreclosed properties; weatherize homes for low-and moderate-income homeowners; offer job training for at-risk youths; small business and consumer affair assistance; and target resources to end homelessness in the city. “Gov. Deval L. Patrick, overseeing one of the state’s worst economic crises in memory, managed to find some silver linings yesterday as he spent a couple of hours walking through what in past decades was widely considered one of the worst neighborhoods in the city.” Read more in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.
- Governor Patrick also made a surprise visit to Crystal Park in Worcester yesterday, where a group of local youths of the Worcester Police Gang Camp, were cleaning up the court and park, which has a history of drugs and violence. The Camp members had been working hard to revamp the recreational area, and proudly unveiled their work to the Governor. The governor spoke to the teenagers, signing shirts and one youth’s red and green Adidas high-top sneaker. “It looks fabulous,” Governor Patrick said, while shaking the hands of several city teenagers. Read more in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.
- Governor Patrick also made a surprise visit to Crystal Park in Worcester yesterday, where a group of local youths of the Worcester Police Gang Camp, were cleaning up the court and park, which has a history of drugs and violence. The Camp members had been working hard to revamp the recreational area, and proudly unveiled their work to the Governor. The governor spoke to the teenagers, signing shirts and one youth’s red and green Adidas high-top sneaker. “It looks fabulous,” Governor Patrick said, while shaking the hands of several city teenagers. Read more in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.
- Clean Energy Leaders – Yesterday afternoon Governor Patrick, accompanied by several state officials, attended the grand opening of Vestas Technology R&D Americas Inc., in Hudson. The Governor took time to laud the company’s efforts to bring clean energy and jobs to MetroWest and the state. "Today we celebrate another important step out of the fossil fuel era and into a clean air future,” the Governor remarked. Read more in the MetroWest Daily News.
- Focus on the Commonwealth’s Future – On Tuesday, Governor Patrick visited Lowell where he talked to young people during an anti-gun violence community event at the United Teen Equality Center, toured downtown and visited with local business owners and residents. In a wide-ranging conversation with the Lowell Sun editorial board following his tour, the Governor highlighted his optimism about the Commonwealth’s future and focus on economic recovery. “Although the state's economic rebound is unlikely to occur at a roaring pace, we recognize -- as does the governor -- that a slow and steady recovery is actually more sustainable. Certainly, we don't always agree with the governor's decisions, but we do believe he has the state's best interests at heart and is striving to make residents optimistic about Massachusetts' future.” Read more in the Lowell Sun.
- Red-Blue Lines Connector – The Executive Office of Transportation must honor a binding commitment made by the former administration, which requires that the state set aside $29 million to design a subway tunnel under downtown Boston. The Executive Office of Transportation has currently spent $556,708 on planning and design for the Red-Blue Connector as required by the Big Dig legal settlement, which requires the extension of the Blue Line from Government Center to the Charles/MGH Station on the Red Line. Read more in the Boston Globe.
This Week:
- On Monday, Governor Patrick made an economic development announcement in Somerville.
- Monday afternoon, Governor Patrick met with Gloucester community leaders.
- Also on Monday afternoon, the Governor attended a legislative leadership meeting.
- Monday evening, Governor Patrick met with University of Haifa President Aaron Ben-Ze'ev.
- Yesterday morning, Governor Patrick attended a Traffic Jam community event in Lowell at the United Teen Equality Center.
- Tuesday afternoon, Governor Patrick toured downtown Lowell and met with business owners and residents followed by a meeting with the Lowell Sun editorial board.
- Later Tuesday afternoon, Governor Patrick met with the Newburyport Daily News editorial board prior to a town hall meeting in the Newburyport City Hall Auditorium.
- Wednesday morning, Governor Patrick made a local economic recovery announcement in Worcester.
- Yesterday afternoon, Governor Patrick attended the grand opening of Vestas Power Systems in Hudson.
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