Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Seafood Day 2024

I was proud to once again sponsor our annual Seafood Day at the State House bringing together nearly 18 fishing organizations from across the Commonwealth to celebrate the vital contributions of the seafood industry.

The event, co-hosted by the Massachusetts Fishermen’s Partnership, Massachusetts Seafood Collaborative, and Fishing Partnership Support Services, highlighted the industry's critical role in our state's economy, food security, job creation, tourism, and the preservation of a multigenerational way of life in coastal communities.

Legislators and their staff had the opportunity to sample locally prepared seafood and learn why continued investment in this industry is so important.



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Monday, October 21, 2024

Harborlight Homes Annual Journey Home Event 2024

Great time had by all at the Harborlight Homes’ Annual Journey Home 2024 Event!

Harborlight Homes (HH) is a non-profit, Massachusetts-certified Community Development Corporation. By focusing on the housing needs of underserved populations and creating, preserving and operating, safe, affordable housing with supplemental supportive services, HH strives to make homes available to all, because everyone deserves a home.



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Friday, October 18, 2024

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – a time to stand together in support of survivors, honor the memories of those we've lost, and raise awareness about the importance of early detection and research in the fight against this disease.

Breast cancer affects far too many lives, but through education, support, and continued advancements in medical research, we can make a difference. Let’s take this month to encourage regular screenings and ensure that everyone has access to the care and resources they need.

Together, we can help save lives and move closer to a cure.



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Thursday, October 17, 2024

Purple Thursday 2024

Today is #PurpleThursday.

On this national day of action to raise awareness about #domesticviolence let us show support by wearing purple which symbolizes peace, courage, survival, honor, and dedication to ending domestic violence.

For information, services, and help for yourself or someone you care about:

Safelink: 1-877-785-2020 is a 24-hour, free, and confidential multi-lingual domestic violence hotline in Massachusetts.



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Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Massachusetts FSC at the Topsfield Fair

For the first time in its history the Massachusetts Food System Caucus  (FSC) convened at the iconic Topsfield Fair to engage with agricultural and fishing industry stakeholders learning about their experiences in the industry, the challenges they face, food security infrastructure grants and ways to further support their efforts.

As Senate Co-Chair of the FSC, I joined my fellow FSC House Co-Chair and Chair of the Joint Committee on Agriculture Representative Paul Schmid and Co-Chair Representative Andy X. Vargas, my Topsfield State Legislative Delegation, Kristin Kassner State Representative 2nd Essex District and Sally Kerans for State Representative, and my FSC member colleagues from the Senate and House, in listening to the guest speakers share their needs to continue to keep the farming and fishing industries thriving for generations to come.



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Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Tarr In the news 10.11.24


Tarr in the News | 10.11.24

Ipswich honors combat veterans with designation as “Purple Heart Town”

“We are both extremely honored to be here tonight for this incredibly important act on the part of this board,” Tarr said.

He celebrated Purple Heart recipients who have “made incredible sacrifices so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have in our lives,” and thanked Bohn for his efforts to ensure that “the promises we make to our veterans are kept, in terms of the benefits they are eligible to receive.”



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Friday, October 11, 2024

Honoring Yom Kippur

G'mar Chatimah Tovah!

Wishing all of my Jewish friends, constituents, and the community an easy fast tonight as you observe Yom Kippur.


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Tarr In the News 10.11.24




Tarr In the News | 10.11.24

Yesterday, I attended the Ceremonial Bill Signing by Governor Healey of H.4919, An Act to increase kennel safety, aka "Ollie's Law."

Ollie was a 7-month-old Labradoodle puppy who sadly lost his life at a daycare facility that has since been shut down. Ollie’s owner, Amy Baxter, said she was devastated when she got a call that her puppy had been injured in a dog fight at the private boarding facility. Ollie underwent surgery and was in the hospital for two months before he died she said.

This bipartisan legislation will ensure our furry friends are protected and I am grateful to my fellow legislators, the animal advocates, and to Amy and her daughter for their tireless dedication to getting this bill signed into law.



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Tarr In the News 10.10.24

Tarr In the News | 10.10.24

A tentative timeline and price tag were attached to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s proposed artificial reef project during Tuesday’s presentation from MIT Sea Grant Director Michael Trian


tafyllou as the university eyes Salisbury Beach as a pilot location.



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Thursday, October 10, 2024

World Mental Health Day 2024



World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.

Today provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

For mental health resources in Massachusetts, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/mental-health-resources



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Annual HAWC Working to Heal Breakfast

Thank you to HAWC (Healing Abuse and Working for Change) for hosting another meaningful Working to Heal Breakfast event put on annually in October in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

Members of the business community and caring stakeholders came together to support their Fund-a-Need Auction and former HAWC clients share about the impact HAWC had on their life



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Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Sunset Harvest Fundraiser 2024

Joined Tany Blasko, Nourishing the North Shore Executive Director and guest Bonnie Schultz from Among Friends in sharing remarks to kickoff the 2024 Sunset Harvest Fundraiser!

A beautiful evening spent at the Sunset Club in Newbury to celebrate the work that Nourishing the North Shore does to support those in need with fresh, local fruits and vegetables.



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Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Topsfield Fair 6th Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of emceeing the Topsfield Fair’s 6th Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest alongside Marc Freedman of the B’nai B’rith Jewish food booth.

Congratulations to first-participant and winner Colin Coates of New Hampshire!



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Flag Raising Ceremony at the Topsfield Fair

Kicked off the 206th year of the Topsfield Fair on Friday evening by sharing remarks at the Flag Raising Opening Ceremony at the Trianon Stage at the Topsfield Fair!

The event was well attended by the Topsfield state legislative delegation, public and local officials, and fair goers with a special Honor Guard raising the flag by the Topsfield Fair Veterans.



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Monday, October 7, 2024

Gloucester CORE Peer Recovery and Resource Center Open House

Last Sunday I attended the 2nd Anniversary of the CORE Peer Recovery & Resource Center and Open House in Gloucester.

I toured their newly expanded space that included a larger community kitchen and dining area, a fitness room, and a much-needed larger meeting and activity room and much more.

Funded by the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, the CORE is a stigma and judgement free peer-to peer recovery space that offers long-term support to adults 18 years old and up that are recovering from substance use issues.



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Friday, October 4, 2024

Tarr In the News 10.1.24

Tarr in the News | 10.1.24

Merrimack River Stakeholders Reconvene at Lowell Waste Water Treatment Plant

Senators Tarr, Ed Kennedy, and Others Reconvene a Broad Array of MA and NH Stakeholders to Discuss Next Steps to Benefit Merrimack River, Stem Episodic Overflows (also known as Combined Sewage Outputs)

On Monday, September 30th, myself and a group of Massachusetts and New Hampshire state legislators, representatives of the Massachusetts and New Hampshire federal legislative delegations, other public officials, and environmental advocates met at the Lowell Wastewater Treatment Plant for a continued discussion around current and potential future initiatives, challenges, technologies, and strategies involved in ongoing efforts to improve the water quality of the Merrimack River, with a particular focus on combined sewer overflows and related effluent discharges into the river.

The visit, hosted by Aaron Fox, Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility Executive Director, provided the opportunity to continue proactive conversations about further steps to benefit the river, which have been steadily gaining momentum over the past several years.



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Thursday, October 3, 2024

35th Annual Memorial Ceremony for the Massachusetts Law Enforcement

Our Strength is in their Memories

The 35th annual memorial ceremony for the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation was held last week in the Gardner Auditorium at the State House.

This year during the 2024 Memorialization Induction two fallen officers from our district were added to the list of 428 fallen Massachusetts officers with line of duty deaths.



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Ceremonial Signing of Act H.5033

Last week, Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano, Senate President Karen E. Spilka, advocates, and my fellow House and Senate colleagues came together for a ceremonial signing of H.5033, An Act to improve quality and oversight of long-term care.

This legislation improves oversight and standards at Long Term Care (LTC) and assisted living facilities to ensure that older adults are receiving high quality care delivered by qualified providers. The bill also takes steps to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities.



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Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Honoring Rosh Hashanah

Happy New Year to my Jewish friends, constituents, and to our entire Jewish community - Shana Tova!



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Breast Cancer Awareness Month



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Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Gloucester Annual Fish Box Derby

Fantastic time had by all at the Fish Box Derby in Gloucester this past weekend! 

Thank you to the Amvets Post 32 Gloucester, MA, Capt. Lester S. Wass American Legion Post 3, Gloucester Police Department (Official), Cape Ann Veterans Services, all of the volunteers, and to the participants and their families for making this year’s race such a success!



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Annual Boxford Apple Festival

Great time had by all at the Annual Boxford Apple Festival this year!

Wonderful event showcasing local vendors while also helping the Boxford Historical Society maintain the Holyoke-French House.

🍁Great way to kick off the Fall season🍁



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