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Click on the names
of the towns above to go to that town's website.
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In this Issue...
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Legislative News
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District News
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Interim Senator Important to keep Voice of Massachusetts
Strong
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Paul Kirk Named Interim U.S. Senator
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Legislature Passes Buzzards Bay Oil Spill Prevention
Legislation
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$125,150 in Massachusetts Cultural Council Grants awarded
to Cultural Facilities, Organizations in the Plymouth and Barnstable District
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At the State House
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Interim Senator Important to keep Voice of
Massachusetts Strong
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Today, we are facing an economic crossroads unlike any we have seen in
generations. Given those circumstances, I supported the legislation
because I believed that it was the right thing to do for the people of
Massachusetts.
This is a way to bridge the gap between now and January and make
sure Massachusetts has a continuous and equal voice. There are issues
and problems that staff just can’t decide on their own. We need someone
who can fill the role of Senator and make sure the needs and interests
of Massachusetts are fully addressed.
There are important votes going on in Congress about stimulus money
and other financial interests that will have a significant impact on
Massachusetts. We need two voices to be in the United States Senate to
take the votes that effect our roads and other infrastructure; our
information technology; our public safety; our education; and, of
course, our health care.
We need to ensure that our companies and economic development
projects have the best opportunity to receive funding through federal
projects. For example, in my district, we are continuing work to define
the future missions for the Massachusetts Military Reservation and
Plymouth Rock Studios is in the process of applying for TIGER funding
for transportation infrastructure.
We don’t want to miss out on important funding that will continue to
help the Commonwealth, create jobs and put people back to work.
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Paul Kirk Named Interim U.S. Senator
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We need two voices in the United States Senate to take the votes that
affect our infrastructure, information technology, public safety,
education and health care systems. We need to ensure that our companies
and economic development projects have the best opportunity to receive
funding through federal programs and that the needs of our residents
are met.
I expect that Mr. Kirk, as the Governor’s choice to be the interim U.S.
Senator from Massachusetts, will do his best to move hundreds of
constituent service cases and provide a strong voice on behalf of the
people of the Commonwealth until a new senator is elected in January.
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Legislature Passes Buzzards Bay Oil Spill
Prevention Legislation
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The Legislature recently enacted legislation that would clarify and
further strengthen the 2008 bill passed in an effort to protect
Buzzards Bay from oil spills.
Buzzards Bay is an asset to the Commonwealth both ecologically and
economically, and it is our duty to preserve the Bay for generations to
come. This legislation makes needed clarifications that will further
empower and protect the 2008 legislation which created stricter
regulations and further precautions for oil tankers moving through
Buzzards Bay
The bill requires that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Protection send a state-provided escort tug to every double hull vessel
that is entering Buzzards Bay. The legislation further specifies
that the tug should be no more than one –quarter of a nautical mile
from the vessel in the event that the tug should be needed to navigate
the vessel out of danger.
The cost of the law will be supported by a 5 cent fee for every
barrel of oil delivered to the Commonwealth- a fee that was set up by
the initial law in 2004.
The original 2004 legislation is still tied up in court stemming
from a suit filed by the federal government. In August of 2008,
legislation was signed into law to ensure that every barge transiting
Buzzards Bay has an escort tug to prevent potential oil spills.
The legislation now goes to the Governor for his signature.
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$125,150 in Massachusetts Cultural Council
Grants awarded to Cultural Facilities, Organizations in the Plymouth and Barnstable District
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Recently, grants totaling $125,150 have been awarded to cultural
organizations, schools, and communities throughout the Plymouth and Barnstable
District by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) for the 2010
fiscal year. As I have said throughout my career, our cultural programs
and facilities are a true asset to the Commonwealth. These grants are
needed now more than ever, given the economic climate here in
Massachusetts and across the country. Each of these organizations adds
so much to our communities, I am pleased that the Massachusetts
Cultural Council and the Commonwealth are able to help support
them.”The funding for the Plymouth and Barnstable District came from
MCC’s Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program and Cultural
Investment Portfolio Grants.
Local Cultural Council Program
The LCC Program is the most extensive cultural funding system of its
kind in the nation. This grassroots network provides funding to every
Massachusetts city and town through 329 LCCs and 2,500 volunteer
members. The councils support community-based projects that explore
local arts and history, expand education and accessibility, and
celebrate diversity. Local Cultural Council Program Grants include:
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Bourne Cultural Council
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$4,000
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Falmouth Cultural Council
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$4,000
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Kingston Cultural Council
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$4,000
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Mid-Cape Regional Cultural Council
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$8,370
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Pembroke Cultural Council
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$4,000
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Plymouth Cultural Council
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$9,380
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Plympton Cultural Council
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$4,000
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Sandwich Cultural Council
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$4,000
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Cultural Investment Portfolio
The Cultural Investment Portfolio (formerly Organizational Support) provides
unrestricted operating funds to nearly 400 arts, humanities, and
science organizations with track records of excellence, education, and
community service. These organizations allow Massachusetts children and
adults to experience everything from theatre and music to visual arts
and dance, and learn about history and nature, new languages and
cultures. These grants must be matched one to one, and range from
$2,500 to $50,500.
Cultural Investment Portfolio Grants include:
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Thornton W. Burgess Society
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$5,700
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The Cape Cod Theater Project
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$2,500
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Manomet, Inc.
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$21,800
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Plimoth Plantation, Inc.
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$37,700
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Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, Inc.
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$5,200
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Sandwich Historical Society
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$7,800
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Woods Hole Film Festival
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$2,700
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What People are Saying About Senate
President Murray
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"On behalf of the Town of Barnstable I want to thank you for
speaking at the Grand Opening and Ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Hyannis
Youth and Community Center. You were very gracious to thank all your
legislative colleagues for supporting a $3.5 million appropriation for
the Center back in 2006. My office was involved in that appropriation
process and I want to be sure you know we remember your leadership in
securing these needed funds. Thanks to your efforts Barnstable now has
a state of the art recreation facility including a gym, teen center,
computer lab, two skating rinks and a United Cultures Resource
Room. Every citizen of our Town owes you a debt of gratitude. As
you said in your remarks: 'It shows what we can do when we all work
together'. Our community is proud of this Center and we are proud to
have you representing our Town."
- John Klimm, Barnstable
Town Manager to Senate President Murray
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