Monday, October 31, 2016

Department of Transitional Assistance Honors Senator Bruce Tarr

Boston - State Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) was recognized by the state’s Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) at a State House ceremony recently in recognition of his long-standing work to support efforts to help clients acquire skills and training to retain or obtain employment.

“With nearly two and a half million households in our state, it’s important to recognize that at any given moment there are hundreds of thousands of families with a member out of work unable to support children, an elder relative, and themselves,” said Senator Tarr. “Learning occupational skills can lead to a life-long path to meaningful employment and financial security.”

DTA Commissioner Jeff McCue, flanked by the department’s top staff, presented Tarr with the Champions of Self-Sufficiency award as part of a ceremony which also honored the achievements of several clients who gained self-sufficiency, municipal governments, businesses, and non-profit charities in supporting individuals and families in need.

Currently, DTA serves one out of every nine people in the state in an effort to assist low-income people to meet their basic needs and build life skills to increase earning potential to expand economic self-sufficiency.

“Self-sufficiency is an important goal, and our support systems must always keep it in focus,” said Tarr. “Doing that means judiciously engaging in supports for things like nutrition and child care, that can easily become obstacles for someone trying to get a job or return to the workforce.”











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Friday, October 28, 2016

Happy Diwali!

May the year ahead be lit with happiness and success for you and your family.




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Reading to Students at East Gloucester Elementary School

Over the past several years I have been fortunate to be involved with “First R,” a local nonprofit organization headed by Pat Earle and dedicated to instilling an enthusiasm for reading in kindergarten and elementary school students.

The best part of that involvement is getting the opportunity from time to time to read to the students, which I did recently at the East Gloucester Elementary School. Through the work of the First R program, I was able to leave the book I read in the classroom so that the students could revisit it on their own or in groups in the future. 

Posted below are some photos from my afternoon at the school. 





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New Youth Opioid Prevention Program Seeks Requests

A new funding opportunity has been created by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office to combat youth substance abuse by expanding education and preventative programming through schools and community organizations.

The Youth Opioid Prevention (YOP) grant program has been established by Attorney General Maura Healey by utilizing $500,000 from a settlement with CVS Pharmacy earlier this year. The YOP grant is designed to support school-based prevention education initiatives to address opioid dependence and addiction across the Commonwealth.

The Attorney General’s Office is currently accepting grant applications for programs focused on elementary and middle schools and groups that foster community collaboration, including nonprofit organizations, municipalities, health providers and law enforcement agencies.

The deadline to submit proposals is 4:00 p.m. on Friday December 16. Further information on the YOP grant and the application process can be found at http://www.mass.gov/ago/about-the-ago/ago-grants/youth-opioid-prevention-grant.html.

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Eight Municipalities in the First Essex and Middlesex District Receive Safety Grants



Boston – Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) is pleased to announce eight municipalities in the region have been awarded over $89,000 in federal grant funding to improve traffic safety and enforcement.

The grants have been awarded by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Highway Safety Division (EOPSS/HSD) with funding provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

The Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Equipment Grant, awarded to West Newbury, provides child safety seats to low income families to be installed during child passenger safety checkup events and at fitting stations. The CPS program also educates parents, grandparents and child caregivers on the proper installation and usage of child safety seats, as well as provides information on age and size appropriate car and booster seats.

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Enforcement and Equipment Grant, awarded to Essex, Ipswich, Wilmington and Georgetown, allows local police departments to fund initiatives that address pedestrian and bicycle safety issues and couple educational projects with enforcement of laws.  This is a unique opportunity for localities to mobilize a community to work together in reducing pedestrian and bicycle injuries. 

The Traffic Enforcement Grant, awarded to Ipswich, North Reading, Wilmington, Middleton, North Andover and Georgetown, assists in funding High-Visibility Enforcement (HVE) patrols. HVE is a traffic safety approach designed to deter and change unlawful traffic behaviors that combines highly visible and proactive law enforcement targeting a specific traffic safety issue.  Issues targeted include campaigns such as “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket.”  

The Underage Alcohol Enforcement (UAE) Grant, awarded to Ipswich, North Reading, Wilmington, and Middleton, provides funding to law enforcement agencies to develop programming to reduce underage drinking and driving.

Town
Grant Awarded
Totals

CPS Grant
Bike/Pedestrian
Traffic Enforcement
UAE

Essex
-
$4,108
-
$4,926
$9,034
Ipswich
-
$7,500
$7,500
$5,000
$20,000
Georgetown
-
$6,792
$7,500
-
$14,292
Middleton
-
-
$7,500
-
$7,500
North Andover
-
-
$7,500
-
$7,500
North Reading
-
-
$7,500
$5,000
$12,500
West Newbury
$2,000
-
-
-
$2,000
Wilmington
-
$4,190
$7,500
$5,000
$16,690


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Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Gorton's of Gloucester

Recently I had the pleasure of participating in an event recognizing the history and future of Gorton’s, as part of our state’s commemoration of October as Manufacturing Month.

Gorton’s is headquartered in Gloucester, our nation’s oldest seaport. In turn, Gorton’s is one of the oldest seafood businesses in the United States, and employs nearly 500 people locally. Founded in 1849, the company can attribute a portion of its success to anticipating and nimbly meeting the ever-changing needs of consumers throughout its long and storied history. Today, that means providing wholesome ingredients, fast preparation times, and seafood from responsible sources.

That’s why it was exciting to see the new lines of products unveiled at the Manufacturing Month event which had a focus on innovation. Those products signal continued prosperity an market impact for the company, which is the single largest provider of seafood in America. Gorton’s remains committed to Gloucester and Massachusetts, and has a major economic impact through its connections to many Cape Ann families.

The event was developed by the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and featured representatives from the Executive Office of Housing and Development, the Massachusetts Office of Business Development, Mayor Sefatia Romeo-Theken, members of the Gloucester City Council, local business leaders and others.

Thanks to Judson Reis, Gorton’s President and CEO, Ken Riehl from the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, and Paul Coz of Gorton’s for making the event such a success.




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Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Senator Bruce Tarr’s Statement on Governor Baker signing Bill to Preserve Rape and Sexual Assault Evidence Kits


Senator Bruce Tarr’s Statement on Governor Baker signing Bill to Preserve Rape and Sexual Assault Evidence Kits


 

Boston- Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today after Governor Charlie Baker signed H. 4364, “An Act relative to the preservation of evidence for victims of rape and sexual assault,” into law. Tarr worked with Senator Cynthia Creem (D-Newton), to amend the bill to require that all presently held physical evidence of rape and sexual assault is held for the entire duration of the statute of limitations, and to cause a plan to be developed for the state to store all such evidence in a central facility:

The signing of H.4364 today by Governor Baker is an important step in strengthening our criminal justice system. The power of DNA and other physical evidence is indisputable, and it should be preserved and protected so that it is available when justice demands it. Now the prosecution of these crimes can be driven by what is in the best interests of fairness and justice, and not arbitrary timelines or the chance evidence could be lost forever.

Through the passage of this law victims can focus on recovery and not continuing requests for the preservation of evidence every six months. Now action to prosecute can be taken when they are ready to deal with the judicial system, knowing that evidence hasn’t been lost or destroyed.

Now, too, our state can begin the process of developing a centralized system with the capacity to preserve all of the evidence in a safe and secure manner, eliminating any issues around preservation or the chain of custody.

###





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Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Time to Register to Vote!

Tomorrow, October 19 is the last day you can register to vote to be eligible to vote in the 2016 Presidential and State Election. If you have an ID issued by the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles, you can register to vote online by going to https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/. If you wish to register in person you can go to a branch of the Registry of Motor Vehicles or print out the voter registration form from the Secretary of State’s website found here: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/Voter-reg-mail-in.pdf and bring it to your town or city clerk. For any additional information please go to the Secretary of State’s Elections Division website found here: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/.

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Tuesday, October 11, 2016

On Yom Kippur


I wish you peace and happiness on this day of reflection and in the New Year.

G'mar Chatima Tova.

 

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Protecting Victims’ Rights


Today the Senate took final action to enact H.4364 An Act relative to preservation of evidence for victims of rape and sexual assault, which, if signed into law, would ensure that evidence collected in cases of rape and sexual assault is retained for the entire period in which such crimes can be prosecuted. Under present law, victims must renew their requests to preserve such evidence every 6 months. The bill was originally filed by Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D-Pittsfield). When it came to the Senate I worked with Senators Michael Moore (D-Millbury) and Cynthia Creem (D-Newton) and Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst) to strengthen it.

Working together, we added two important amendments to the final bill. One requires that all currently held evidence be retained, and the second directs that a study be conducted to develop a plan to house all of the evidence in a central state facility.
You can read the text of the bill here: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/House/H4364

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Friday, October 7, 2016

New Safety Leaders Take the Helm in Manchester

This week the citizens of Manchester welcomed two new chiefs to helm the town’s public safety departments. Police Chief Edward Conley and Fire Chief George Kramlinger were sworn into office in a ceremony attended by family members, citizens and town and state officials, I was happy to be a witness to such an important beginning.

Town Clerk, Denise Samolchuk administered the oath of office to each at the swearing in ceremony held at the American Legion Hall, the turnout was large and celebratory.

Chief Conley served as an officer in the Chelsea Police Department for 22 years before being appointed as the new chief. George Kramlinger comes to Manchester having served recently as director of the Massachusetts Fire Academy. Town Administrator Greg Federspiel managed the selection process of the two positions and presented the finalists; the Selectmen gave final approval in a September session of the board. Each man brings years of direct service and supervisory experience, education, training. Having talked with them it is apparent that they also bring to their new roles a commitment to public service.

I look forward to working with them on policy matters that can improve public safety, public health and the quality of life for the residents of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts.








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Thursday, October 6, 2016

October is Domestic Violence Month

Since 1987, October has been dedicated to bringing awareness to domestic violence, its victims, and available resources to end relationship assaults.

Recently, I attended an important event at Gloucester City Hall as Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken declared the City of Gloucester a Domestic Violence Free Zone.

Public awareness of domestic abuse as a critical health issue; it impacts thousands of families across the state and the nation. Gloucester has undertaken substantial efforts to provide important resources to lessen violence and support those in need. Having been selected to receive a Patriot’s Anti-Violence Grant, Gloucester High School has initiated violence prevention education and training for students, faculty and coaches. Gloucester District Court is implementing an intervention program and the Gloucester Police Department continues to have dedicated full-time officers focusing on domestic abuse issues

In the Senate, I have been a sponsor of legislation which: aids the Sex Offender Registry Board and law enforcement professionals in keeping our children and families safe and secure; a bill to strengthen a 2011 law which provides protections for victims of sexual abuse, including severe punishments ranging from five years to life imprisonment for sexual exploitation of people; and legislation which requires age appropriate child and family exploitation and abuse awareness in schools.

The City Hall event was co-sponsored by HAWC, the Coalition for the Prevention of Domestic Abuse, the YMCA North Shore Rape Crisis Center, SeniorCare, and the Gloucester Police Department. Many people will wear purple or displaying purple lights to signify their support of raising awareness of dating violence and domestic abuse.

Together, we can raise awareness and end relationship violence and sexual assaults.












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October is Domestic Violence Month

Since 1987, October has been dedicated to bringing awareness to domestic violence, its victims, and available resources to end relationship assaults.

Recently, I attended an important event at Gloucester City Hall as Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken declared the City of Gloucester a Domestic Violence Free Zone.

Public awareness of domestic abuse as a critical health issue; it impacts thousands of families across the state and the nation. Gloucester has undertaken substantial efforts to provide important resources to lessen violence and support those in need. Having been selected to receive a Patriot’s Anti-Violence Grant, Gloucester High School has initiated violence prevention education and training for students, faculty and coaches. Gloucester District Court is implementing an intervention program and the Gloucester Police Department continues to have dedicated full-time officers focusing on domestic abuse issues

In the Senate, I have been a sponsor of legislation related to responsible and sensible sexual offender information sharing for law enforcers; a bill to strengthen a 2011 law which provides protections for victims of sexual abuse, including severe punishments ranging from five years to life imprisonment for sexual exploitation of people.

The City Hall event was co-sponsored by HAWC, the Coalition for the Prevention of Domestic Abuse, the YMCA North Shore Rape Crisis Center, SeniorCare, and the Gloucester Police Department. Many people will wear purple or displaying purple lights to signify their support of raising awareness of dating violence and domestic abuse.

Together, we can raise awareness and end relationship violence and sexual assaults.












Read more...

October is Domestic Violence Month

Since 1987, October has been dedicated to bringing awareness to domestic violence, its victims, and available resources to end relationship assaults.

Recently, I attended an important event at Gloucester City Hall as Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken declared the City of Gloucester a Domestic Violence Free Zone.


Public awareness of domestic abuse as a critical health issue; it impacts thousands of families across the state and the nation. Gloucester has undertaken substantial efforts to provide important resources to lessen violence and support those in need. Having been selected to receive a Patriot’s Anti-Violence Grant, Gloucester High School has initiated violence prevention education and training for students, faculty and coaches. Gloucester District Court is implementing an intervention program and the Gloucester Police Department continues to have dedicated full-time officers focusing on domestic abuse issues

In the Senate, I have been a sponsor of legislation related to responsible and sensible sexual offender information sharing for law enforcers; a bill to strengthen a 2011 law which provides protections for victims of sexual abuse, including severe punishments ranging from five years to life imprisonment for sexual exploitation of people.

The City Hall event was co-sponsored by HAWC, the Coalition for the Prevention of Domestic Abuse, the YMCA North Shore Rape Crisis Center, SeniorCare, and the Gloucester Police Department. Many people will wear purple or displaying purple lights to signify their support of raising awareness of dating violence and domestic abuse.

Together, we can raise awareness and end relationship violence and sexual assaults.












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Sunday, October 2, 2016

Happy Rosh Hashanah!

A wish for the New Year to my Jewish friends, constituents and the community.
May this New Year be sweet, healthy and happy.
L’shanah Tovah and always… Shalom!




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