Westport in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Monday, February 22, 2010
Quick Article Index . . .
State Road CVS
store slated to open March 7.
EverythingWestport.com
Monday, February 22, 2010 Photos/EverythingWestport.com
Rodrigues, a Democrat, was first elected
State Representative in an April 1996 special election when then current
Representative Edward M. Lambert Jr. was elected Mayor of Fall River. He has
been largely unopposed since that time. “I’m all in,” Rodrigues told the jubilant
gathering at Our Lady of Light Band, a popular conference and banquet
facility in Fall River. “There’s no turning back. I’m putting my whole
political life on the line for this campaign.” Hundreds in attendance cheered with “we got
it done!” as the popular state representative, flanked by his wife Patricia
and son Ian, tallied the many state-supported project successes he has
orchestrated on behalf of Westport and Fall River. The well-liked and sociable candidate, with
his experience and considerable war chest, is seen as the frontrunner in a
race that may include former
mayor John Mitchell, Somerset selectmen Lorne Lawless and Patrick O’Neil, and
Lakeville selectman Derek Masky, the only Republican. Others with intentions
to run are Fall River firefighter Michael Coogan and Somerset resident John
DeJesus, As a State Senator, Rodrigues would
represent the First Bristol and Plymouth District which is comprised of
Westport, Fall River, Freetown, Somerset, Swansea, Lakeville, and Rochester. Rodrigues pointed out his experience “would
have an immediate impact on my constituency.” “There will be no learning
curve for me,” he said. The 50-year-old Rodrigues was born in Fall
River and raised in Westport. The UMass graduate has an accounting degree,
which he has put to good use as a member of the state’s powerful House
Committee on Ways and Means. He is also a vice chairman of the
Joint Committee on Public Service, and a member of the Joint Committee on
Housing. He is President and Treasurer of ABC Flooring in Westport. Earlier, he served on the Westport
Finance Committee as Chairman from 1992 to 1994. Locally in Westport, Rodrigues pulled
together a group to start the Friends of Horseneck Beach which helped result
in the construction of two new Horseneck Beach bathhouses and a
concession/lifeguard facilities building. He also is fighting to preserve the
contested waterside campsites in the state’s Horseneck Beach Campground. “Mike’s a hardworking guy,” supporter Gerry
Coutinho said at Rodrigues’ campaign kickoff. “He pays attention to all the
details. He has done a very good job.” Coutinho and Rodrigues were founding
members of Westport’s Business to Business group. Rodrigues was instrumental in reviving and
securing state and federal support for the recent dredging of the Westport
Harbor channel and the dredging of the historic Westport “mud dock.” “It wouldn’t
have happened without his help,” said Westport Harbormaster Richie Earle.
Left: Rodrigues fires up the troops. Right:
Rodrigues (center) with Sharon
Martin of Dartmouth and Mike Sullivan of Westport. Among his many accomplishments include
fighting for the replacement of the Hixbridge Road bridge, upgrading of the
town docks, the redesign of the dangerous Route 6 and Sanford Road
intersection, the construction of the UMass Advanced Technology &
Manufacturing Center (ATMC) at
the old Kerr Mill site on 151 Martine Street in Fall River (next to
South Watuppa Pond), and assisting the Westport Fishermen’s Association by
working with the DCR and the state to secure a 25-year lease and monies for
the renovations and restoration of Westport’s historic Lifesaving Station. Click
here
to read about the dredging of Westport’s historic “mud dock.” Click
here to read about the dredging of the harbor
channel. Click
here to read about saving Life Saving Station
#69.
Left: New Horseneck Beach bathhouse – 2009. Right: Rodrigues presenting WFA
President Jack Reynolds with a signed copy of the 25-year lease.
Rodrigues at the Hix Bridge dedication – November 3,
2006. Rodrigues
announced his selection of Ryan Phelan of Westport as his campaign
coordinator. Phelan worked for Joan Menard for many years. There
is no lack of interest in replacing Rodrigues. Twice mayoral candidate George
Jacome announced his intentions as did David Dennis, who ran for City Council
last fall. Joining the fray may be Westport Selectmen Steven Ouellette and Paul
Schmid, and Westport School Committee member Eric Larrivee. Others are rumored to be in the wings. The Senate primary race is scheduled for
the second Tuesday in September (September 7). You can contact Rodrigues’
campaign staff via email at: rodriguesforsenate@gmail.com; or call Ryan Phelan at (508) 287-3220. State Road CVS store slated to open
March 7. EverythingWestport.com Friday, February 26, 2010
“Our grand opening with lots of surprises
and fun things to do for the whole family will be held on March13th,” said
Ms. Sheldon, a Westport resident. Left: Store Manager Regina Sheldon and District Manager
Ernie Orlando are reviewing electronic stocking, price verification and POS
controls in preparation for the store’s opening. “We are very excited about the grand
opening,” Sheldon said. “The company is doing a direct mailing to 13,000
households in the area over 3 days starting March 10. We expect a huge
turnout.” “At CVS and CVS Caremark, our culture is shaped by the
customers we serve; by the efforts of our more than 200,000 talented,
dedicated colleagues; and by the contributions we make to the thousands of
communities we serve across the country every day,” said District Manager
Orlando. “We are pleased to add Westport to our family of communities we serve.”
“We are promoting an open-ended savings
offer in our direct mailing,” Sheldon said, “that will give customers a $5
savings coupon on a purchase of $15 or more at the Westport location.” According to Sheldon, “We have employees
down from our Taunton, Somerset and Fall River stores working extra hard to
ensure we open on time. We want everything to be just right for opening day.”
Left: Kim (foreground)
and Noreen from the Taunton CVS store stock the cosmetics section in
preparation for the Westport store opening. Right: merchandise bins are
scattered over the floor as items are moved to their shelf locations. CVS’
newest location is on 599 State Road at the corner of Gifford Road. Sheldon
asked that all Westport residents wishing for an employment opportunity
please visit the CVS web site at: and
fill out an application. She asked that all on-line applications be
electronically directed to her former Fall River Store on North Main Street
(Store 1110). She said they are not taking paper applications at the store. For
any further information please contact the Westport store at: (508) 673-3072. - - - - - End - - -
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