Daily Update 9/22: Commitment to Veterans

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

In the Press:

• Commitment to Veterans – Continuing with the Patrick-Murray Administration’s commitment to veterans’ affairs and services, yesterday Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray announced the release of $191,800 from the administration’s Environmental bond bill to support maintenance and improvements of the Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial. Learn more here. 
  
• Read more in the Worcester Telegram.

• Charter Schools – Responding to concerns expressed from the community in Gloucester, Governor Patrick has urged the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to reconsider its decision on the Gloucester Community Arts Charter School: “Rather than defending that process and leaving the community feeling unheard and disrespected, it would seem the better course for everyone just to start over.  As I wrote to you before, I will respect whatever outcome the Board decides on the basis of that renewed process of consideration.  More to the point, I think the good people of Gloucester will as well,” the Governor said in a letter to the board. This morning, the board said it would schedule a public meeting in Gloucester to provide an important, meaningful opportunity for the community and to listen to concerns of opponents and proponents.

• Watch Paul Reville address these concerns on YouTube.

• Red Tide Relief – Following the Patrick-Murray Administration’s request, Cape Cod fishermen affected by an outbreak of red tide in 2008 received $1.2 million in disaster relief funds. This outbreak caused red tide to be swept from Maine down to the Cape, crippling the shellfishing industry. Now, with the help of the Commonwealth’s funding, our fishermen can begin to rebuild.

• Read more in the Cape Cod Times.

• Court Appointments – Yesterday, Governor Patrick announced the nomination of Pamela M. Dashiell to the Dorchester Division of the Boston Municipal Court and Paul M. Yee, Jr. to the Quincy District Court: “I have no doubt that these nominees will serve their courts and communities well,” said Governor Patrick.  “The depth and breadth of their experience, in combination with their empathy and commitment to justice, make them uniquely qualified to sit on the BMC and District Court.” Learn more here.

• Read more in the Patriot Ledger and the Brookline Tab.   

• Young Adult Community Meetings – Tomorrow in Springfield, the Patrick-Murray Administration will kick off a series of statewide community meetings for young adults. In keeping with Governor Patrick’s commitment to civic engagement and in recognition of the vital role young people play in the state’s economy, the meetings will give participants a chance to network, discuss a common vision for Massachusetts and share suggestions with the administration: “These meetings are meant to open the lines of communication between our administration and young people, and give students and workers a chance to tell us what we’re doing right and what we can do better,” said Governor Patrick. “We want to help you meet your goals and we want you to thrive in Massachusetts. These discussions present us with an excellent opportunity to do just that.” Learn more here.

• Commitment to Transportation Reform – As part of Governor Patrick's Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state's economic future, the administration today announced that a bridge repair project in Lowell is moving forward as part of the Governor's historic $3 billion Accelerated Bridge Program. Construction will be overseen by the Massachusetts Highway Department. Learn more here.