Time For a New Beginning

2016 ended with celebrations and fireworks; the beat of time marches on. Our state government marks time in numerous ways including calendar years and fiscal years (from July 1st to June 31st), and the Legislature measures session time not only by the laws of celestial physics but by the law of the Constitution.

The framers of the Massachusetts Constitution, the oldest functioning constitution of any government in the world, declared in Chapter One, Section One that the “political year shall begin on the first Wednesday of January”. Tomorrow morning all newly elected members of the House and Senate, and those returning after successful re-election, will meet in their respective chambers of the State House to begin the 190th session of the General Court. Each two-year legislative Senate session starts with the nomination of our Senate President and Clerk and the adoption of a set of rules to operate under. Each member will solemnly swear an oath to bear true faith and allegiance to the Commonwealth and to faithfully and impartially perform all the duties incumbent on them as a member of the Senate to the best of their abilities.

This will be the second time that Governor Baker will have administered this oath in the Senate Chamber. Governor Baker and other members of the government including Councilors and Constitutional Officers such as the Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Treasurer, and former members will likely attend.

This starts the clock on a two year legislative term.

In short order members, each representing approximately 163,000 residents in 40 separate and distinct, will file legislative petitions and dockets, be assigned to serve on committees, and begin debating public policies that will shape the future of our state.

I welcome and encourage you to share your ideas, concerns and participation in this process; the right time be involved in your government is always now.

Happy Chanukah

This week we began our State House celebration of Chanukah on Wednesday, the solstice - the longest night of the year, with a menorah lighting at the Grand Staircase. Led by Rabbi Rachmiel Liberman of Congregation Lubavitch Synagogue, the attendant candle of an 18-foot menorah was lit.

Tonight, the eight-day celebration of Chanukah begins.

To all of my Jewish friends and constituents, I wish you a happy Chanukah celebration, and may you enjoy eight days of peace, happiness, and joy with your loved ones.

Middleton Police Chief DiGianvittorio Newest Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association President

This afternoon, I had the pleasure and honor of serving as master of ceremonies for the swearing in of Chief James A. DiGianvittorio as President of Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association and of the installation of new officers and executive board members.

Chief DiGianvittorio of the Middleton Police Department is the past President of the Essex County Chiefs of Police Association, a co-director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run program for Special Olympics, which has raised more than $650,000 for special needs athletes, and in addition to his many other commitments he has been a member of the MCOPA executive board for more than five years.

We were joined today by many police chiefs from across the Commonwealth, the Secretary of Public Safety and Security Daniel Bennett, District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett, Sherriff Frank Cousins, local officials and Attorney General Maura Healey. AG Healey administered the oath of office to the executive board and Chief DiGianvittorio.

Since 1887 the Chiefs of Police Association has worked state-wide to advance professional police services, promote advances in operational police practices, foster cooperation and the exchange of information and experience among police leaders. Law enforcement professionals, prosecutors and lawmakers have worked with the chiefs over many years to advance enhancements to public safety, professional standards, and community service.

I wish Chief DiGianvittorio and the executive board success for 2017.

Wreaths Across America

I was pleased to take part this week in an important gathering at Coolidge Hall at the Topsfield Fair Grounds.

The Wreaths Across America organization is traveling in a caravan of vehicles on a journey to deliver wreathes to Arlington National and at locations along the way. Each December, volunteers place wreaths on individual veterans' graves in over 1,100 locations throughout the U.S. Leaders of the organization presented the traditional red bowed evergreen wreaths to local elected officials from participating communities across the North Shore. Each of these wreaths will be placed in cemeteries and other distinguished public places.

The Coolidge Hall was full and energetic. We were joined by Department of Veterans' Services Fransisco Urnea, Senator Joan Lovely, Representative Brad Hill, local elected and public safety officials, veteran service officers, leaders of volunteer veteran’s affiliated organizations, Gold Star families and private citizens.

Wreaths Across America started as a grass-roots effort to remember those willing to serve and sacrifice. Last year their network of volunteers laid more than 700,000 memorial wreaths. Our legislative delegation was presented with one of those wreaths which was brought to State House in order that it is displayed proudly in view of the public and those who wish to honor the service and sacrifice of those who wore our nation’s uniform.

 

Today is Candle Safety Day

The holiday season should be festive and fun yet it can be a dangerous time of the year due to the misuse of lit candles.

State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey announced that today, December 12, 2016 will be Candle Safety Day and advised consumers to use candles safely throughout the year. By state law we have set the second Monday in December as Candle Safety Day to promote the safety in our state.

It is important to know - more candle fires happen during Winter holidays, so: • Burn candles within a one-foot circle, free of anything that can burn, • Never leave candles burning unattended, • Always extinguish candles after use, • Use a non-combustible saucer or candleholder to snuff flames, • Keep candles out of reach of children and pets, • Consider switching to battery-operated flameless candles, • 35% of candle fires in homes occurred in the bedroom.

State Fire Marshal Ostroskey said, “Starting with Halloween, we use candles to celebrate many of the winter holidays. Sadly, the increased candle use at this time of year causes an increase in candle fires.” More candle fires happen between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve than any other time. “Candles should be blown out whenever you leave the room or go to sleep; and children should always be supervised, around burning candles,” he added.

Please, be safe, be bright and put out that light.

Endicott College Visit

Happy to have visited with my friend Professor Arthur Burt and his students at Endicott College in Beverly today. He invited me to talk with his politics class about the recent election, civics and what's happening in the next legislative session at the State House. Thank you to the Endicott College Observer for the photo.

State House Christmas Tree Lightings

Holiday festivities abounded at two tree lighting events at the State House yesterday. Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito helped lift the spirits of friends and families of fallen military members at the annual Gold Star Families tree lighting in Memorial Hall. The tree was decorated with ornaments and images of those who perished in service to our country.

This event is a partnership between the Military Friends Foundation, Gold Star Wives of Greater Boston, Gold Star Mothers of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services. Veterans Services Secretary Francisco Urena and Massachusetts National Guard Adjutant General Major Gen. Gary Keefe attended along with dozens of children and Santa Clause.

Later in the day, the State House Christmas tree overlooking the front lawn was illuminated. The revelers moved inside to the Grand Staircase for an open house which included eggnog, cookies, and other treats from Massachusetts growers and farms, carols sung by the Boston Children's Chorus, and season’s greetings from Lieutenant Governor Polito and Governor Baker.

The State House is open to the public Monday through Friday and I welcome you and your family to visit.