'Cheers, jeers for local newsmakers' | Gloucester Daily Times
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Sunday, November 30, 2025
TARR IN THE NEWS | 11.24.25
'Cheers, jeers for local newsmakers' | Gloucester Daily Times
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Friday, November 28, 2025
Instilling a Love For Reading in Our Future Leaders
Wally the Green Monster Helps Kids Learn to Love Reading During School Visit in Middleton
Grateful for the Middleton PTO, as well, as all of our PTOs throughout the district and the Commonwealth - incredible experience highlighted on WBZ / CBS News Boston!
Thank you for all that you do to create amazing enrichment opportunities for the future leaders of our world!
TARR IN THE NEWS | 11.20.25
Tech curbing wrong-way driving: Tarr, others tour Connecticut system'
By Ethan Forman | Gloucester Daily Times
EXCERPTS BELOW:
"A trek by state Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, and local leaders over the bridge to Connecticut last Friday may make Bay State highways safer from wrong-way drivers.
Tarr’s visit to the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Highway Operations Center in Newington to see a potential technological solution to the problem comes after a driver is accused of heading north on Route 128 southbound on the A. Piatt Andrew Bridge and colliding with a car carrying four young adult Gloucester residents."
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"Tarr said Connecticut’s system uses sensors and video analytic technology to detect wrong-way vehicles. When they are detected, illuminated and flashing warning signs are activated to alert wrong-way drivers to self-correct and turn around, according to a fact sheet on the system.
If a vehicle continues in the wrong direction, real time alerts are sent to the CTDOT Highway Operations Center and Connecticut State Police using a web-based platform. The alerts contain live video of the wrong-way driver, allowing for a coordinated and quick response.
Since Connecticut installed the first system in August 2023, there have been 680 wrong-way drivers at off-ramps with a wrong-way driving detection system installed and of those, 82.5% self-corrected, while 17.5% continued on.
Last year, there were six wrong-way crashes resulting in 13 fatalities. This year so far there has been one wrong-way fatal crash with one fatality.
The systems cost about $120,000 per installation with maintenance on each $4,500 a year, and this work is done by a contractor, Tarr said.
“They are learning as they go in terms of evolving the system,” he said."
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"Connecticut officials were “extraordinary informative and collaborative and helpful,” Tarr said.
“What we are realizing is that we are talking about a cultural shift here to heighten awareness of wrong-way driving and to take proactive steps to deal with it and Connecticut is developing a comprehensive system across every on- and off-ramp in the state,” he said. “They are already well into that program.”"
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"Conley said he was grateful for Tarr and Costa for arranging the visit that he said was “super informative.”
“They have such a great operations center and what they doing to address this is a potential model for us,” Conley said. He said Connecticut transportation officials they spoke with were proud of the system they have implemented."
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Thursday, November 27, 2025
Grateful This Thanksgiving for Senior District Director Mary Ann Nay and the Spirit of Giving
A heartfelt thank you to the James L. Melvin American Legion Post 379, whose dedicated Legionnaires once again donated their time and resources to prepare 45 complete Thanksgiving dinner boxes — each paired with a turkey — for 45 families in need. Their commitment to service continues to make a powerful difference for neighbors who could use a helping hand.
My thanks as well to the Boxford Village Garden Club, Paisley Farm and Greenhouse, and the many generous members of the community and church family who contributed to this effort.
Your kindness brought comfort, hope, and happiness to families across Boxford this holiday season.
This is what Thanksgiving is all about — caring for one another and strengthening the community we share.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Grateful for Our Local Councils on Aging
It was an honor for either myself or for my Senior District Director, Mary Ann Nay to attend and support these special events:
Thanksgiving Dinner – 
Veterans Appreciation Breakfasts & Luncheons – Newbury Council On Aging, Essex Council on Aging, North Reading Senior Center
Volunteers Appreciation Luncheon – Each event celebrated the people who give so much to our local communities — especially our veterans, whose service and sacrifice inspire us every day, and our seniors, whose wisdom, resilience, and contributions strengthen our communities year after year.
On this Thanksgiving, I’m especially grateful for the chance to honor them, to share in fellowship, and to reaffirm our commitment to supporting those who have given so much to all of us.
Wishing everyone a warm, safe, and meaningful Thanksgiving.
Grateful and Steak-full
North Reading once again showed the strength of its spirit and community at the annual Thanksgiving Dinner for our senior citizens — a tradition that has brought neighbors together for more than 45 years - held at Teresa's Prime Steakhouse.
It was a privilege to join Representative Brad Jones and Linda Jones in hosting this event in partnership with Senior Center Director Kim Manzelli and the North Reading Council on Aging, in welcoming so many North Reading seniors to a wonderful afternoon of food, friendship, and celebration.
From the traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings to the live entertainment, singing, and dancing, the Crystal Ballroom was filled with holiday warmth and gratitude.
I’m deeply thankful for the community and corporate partners whose generosity makes this dinner possible each year, and for everyone who contributed items to support the North Reading Food Pantry. Your kindness will make a meaningful difference for families in need during the holiday season.
This tradition continues to be one of the highlights of the year, and I’m honored to share it with the people who make North Reading such a strong and caring community.
Senate Minority Leader Tarr's Statement on the Loss of Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante
"Today our Commonwealth mourns the loss of Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, a woman whose strength, resolve, and devotion to the people of Cape Ann were extraordinary. Ann-Margaret brought the spirit of Gloucester with her everywhere she went - the grit of a fishing family, the heart of a community advocate, and the courage of someone who never backed down from a challenge.
Even as she faced a difficult and relentless battle with cancer, she met each day with purpose, determination, and an unwavering focus on what truly mattered. That resilience inspired all of us who had the honor to serve alongside her.
She poured that same strength into her work — championing the fishing industry, expanding opportunities in emerging science and technologies that could save lives, protect our environment, and boost our economy, and fighting tirelessly for the people of Essex, Rockport, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Gloucester.
While her heart was always firmly anchored on Cape Ann, her leadership and spirit left an indelible mark on the entire Commonwealth — and far beyond. She will be remembered not only for her role as Vice Chair of the House Ways & Means Committee and for her many legislative achievements, but also for her kindness, her grace in the face of adversity, and her remarkable ability to lift others even while carrying her own burdens.
For me, this loss is profoundly personal. Ann-Margaret was not only a trusted legislative partner, but also a cherished friend - someone my family and I considered part of our own.
Ann-Margaret's passing is a great loss for the Massachusetts Legislature, our state government, and for all of us who were fortunate enough to know and work with her. I extend my deepest condolences to her family, her many friends, her colleagues, and the countless individuals whose lives she touched.
May her memory continue to guide and strengthen the community she loved so dearly.
🦃 Happy Thanksgiving 2025 🦃
As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, I’m reminded of what makes our communities truly special—the families, friends, and neighbors who come together to support one another.
Serving as your State Senator is an honor, and I’m grateful every day for the generosity, kindness, and resilience I see from all of you, throughout our district and across the Commonwealth.
Let us also take a moment today to give back, remember those in need, and support our neighbors wherever we can.
May your day be filled with laughter, good food, and the warmth of family and friends. And as we celebrate, let’s remember the simple blessings that make this season so meaningful.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2074625646626373
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Veterans Appreciation Breakfast in Essex
Thank you to the Essex Council on Aging for hosting their Veterans Appreciation Breakfast, where an incredibly moving veterans photo gallery has been installed once more this year.
Each portrait is a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and service of the men and women who answered our nation’s call. I’m deeply grateful to every veteran represented — and to all who worked to bring this meaningful display to life.
Honoring our veterans is not just something we do on a holiday — it’s a commitment we carry every day.
MAPC Award Winners on the Team
I’m proud to share that two outstanding members of my team — Victoria Mori Daigle and Hirak Shah — have been recognized by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) for their exceptional dedication and impactful work on behalf of the communities we serve.
As I said in the official release:
“Hirak and Vicki are diligent, dedicated, and valued staff members who never forget that our constituents are at the center of everything we do. Every day they give their very best to efforts like the North Shore Water Resiliency Task Force, that is forging a new path for collaboration in our region for the Ipswich River and the public water supplies that people depend on.
I deeply appreciate the partnership of MAPC, and the commission's recognition of these two outstanding public servants.”
To read the full joint release with MAPC, visit
https://www.mapc.org/.../mapc-awards-two-legislative.../You can also read the Gloucester Daily Times article about our Award Winners
https://www.gloucestertimes.com/.../article_17ebb0ab-76a1...Please join me in congratulating Victoria and Hirak on this well-deserved recognition!
Thanksgiving at The Open Door / Tarr in the News
I was pleased to have helped at The Open Door's annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, which brought in 16,083 pounds of food this past weekend.
Details on how to order Holiday Meal Baskets provided in the link below. The Open Door is expecting to distribute an additional 11,500 Thanksgiving Holiday Meal baskets by 6 PM today.
Thank you to the Local News for highlighting this local effort.
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TARR IN THE NEWS | 11.24.25
'Shoppers step up to provide over 16,000 pounds of food'
By The Local News Correspondent
"President and CEO Julie LaFontaine, on left, and State Sen. Bruce Tarr help distribute Holiday Meal Baskets at The Open Door on Emerson Avenue. (Photo Courtesy of The Open Door)"
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Read the full article
https://thelocalnews.news/.../open-door-thanksgiving.../