Westport
in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Sunday, January 23, 2011
photos/EverythingWestport.com
Quick
Article Index . . .
Mike is on the move in the
Massachusetts.
Westport gains two favorite sons in the State
House.
Westport Education Foundation is
right on target.
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Mike is on the
move in the Massachusetts. EverythingWestport.com Thursday,
February 4, 2011
The newly elected Senator is extremely
honored with his new assignment. “As we struggle through harsh economic
times, the work that we do as legislators is critical for our children, our
young adults and families who face hunger, homelessness, abuse and
discrimination in our communities and workplaces. I will be a strong advocate
for our citizens in need of resources and services.” The Senator was appointed by Senate
President Therese Murray. The Senate President believes his unique background
and experience will make him a perfect fit for the Chairman position. “Senator Rodrigues grew up in a family-run
business and carries on that tradition with his own children,” Senate
President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said. “He understands the importance of
family and community, and the bonds that are necessary to keep us safe and to
help us grow. Senator Rodrigues earned a reputation as a thoughtful, caring
public servant in the House, and I know he will bring that same concern and
passion to the Senate. I am confident he will do an outstanding job as Senate
Chair of the Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Committee.” Representative Kay Khan, (D-Newton) will
serve as the Chair on the Committee in the House of Representatives, and
believes the Senator will make a great Chairman. She looks forward to working
with her former colleague in the House of Representatives. “It is with great enthusiasm that I welcome
Senator Michael Rodrigues as my Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Children,
Families and Persons with Disabilities. I knew Michael well as a colleague in
the House of Representatives before he recently became a Senator, and I look
forward to working with him on the issues that affect our most vulnerable
citizens in the Commonwealth. I know the Senator cares deeply about matters
concerning children, the homeless, the disabled, child abuse, adoption and
foster care to name a few of the matters referred to this committee.” Angelo McClain, Commissioner of the
Department of Children and Families, is excited to hear of the Senator’s
newly assigned committee. "I have spoken with Senator Rodrigues
and am impressed with his enthusiasm and passion for helping children and
families. We look forward to working with him,
Representative Khan and the entire committee, in our efforts to
protect children from abuse and neglect and strengthen families." Said
McClain. The Senator will also serve as the Vice
Chairman on the Joint Committee on Labor & Workforce Development. He
serves on various other committees as well including; Financial Services,
Higher Education, State Administration & Regulatory Oversight, Community
Development & Small Business and the Elder Affairs Committee. Senator Rodrigues district encompasses all
of Westport, Fall River, Somerset, Swansea, Freetown, Lakeville and
Rochester. Westport gains two favorite sons in the State House. EverythingWestport.com Thursday,
January 20, 2011 For the first time in Westport's history,
both the state Representative and Senator live in Westport.
"So far in this new session, over
forty bills have been filed, including the Jobs Bill (an act encouraging a
better business climate and job creation in the Commonwealth) most of you
heard about over the past few months. We have also moved into our new
district office space both in Somerset, and in Fall River, as well as our
temporary office in Boston." Senator Michael Rodrigues is pictured to
the left being congratulated during his inauguration by Massachusetts
Governor Deval Patrick. Senator
Rodrigues now serves on seven Committees: ·
Children, Families
& Persons with Disabilities - Chair ·
Labor and Workforce
Development - Vice Chair ·
Community Development
& Small Business ·
Elder Affairs ·
Financial Services ·
Higher Education ·
State Administration
& Regulatory Oversight "I will be an active force on Beacon
Hill serving my constituents on these matters and many more," Senator
Rodrigues said. Senator Rodrigues urged his constituents to
contact him at any of his offices with questions, concerns and ideas.
Freshman state legislator Paul Schmid also took the oath of office January
5th as Westport's newest Representative. Schmid has hired Senator Joan
Menard's veteran legislative assistant, Anthony Veilleux,
as his aide. "My agenda will focus on job creation which is surely the
highest priority for Massachusetts," Schmid said.
Pictured above is Paul Schmid (center, right) with
House Speaker Robert DeLeo (center, left), and family members. Westport Education Foundation is right on target. EverythingWestpoirt.com Thursday, January
20, 2011
"We want
Westport students to feel proud and confidant that they were offered the same
or better opportunities for success without taxpayers footing the bill,"
Karen Powell told the ROMEOs. "Our goal is to promote and enhance
educational excellence through independent funding that would not typically
be covered by the school budget for worthy educational projects." Pictured left is Karen Powell with ROMEO Jack Baughan. This is one
community activist initiative you can believe in. "Money
donated directly to promote volunteer efforts in conducting student programs
cut from the school budget, like music, advanced learning, or the arts, is
money well spent said Jack Baughan," a ROMEO
and member Westport's Finance Committee. It's important to
note that money donated to the foundation is not used to fund existing school
programs or supplement ancillary school budget expenses. The Westport
Education Foundation is not to be confused with Westport Cares, an
organization that sought increased taxpayer involvement in the school budget by
raising taxes. Karen Powell's commitment
and preparation to insure the success of this new enterprise is impressive,
and you couldn't pick a better spokesperson to present it to the community. "We want to
enrich the public school curriculum with programs and activities that expose
students to diverse learning experiences, and challenges students to reach
well beyond their current abilities," Powell told the ROMEOs. In soliciting
donations, Powell said that "we only offer programs to our students that
we can fund. Funding starts with all of us." The Foundation's
Board of Directors, Community Council, and Advisors is a Who's Who list of
concerned parents, town advocates and committee members, Westport educators
and administrators, and town and business. Pictured below, right is ROMEO Elliott LaMontagne
(left) sharing a laugh with Jason Powell. The Westport
Education Foundation is in partnership with CFSEMA (Community Foundation of
Southeastern Massachusetts), which allows them to leverage their resources
and gives their donors the The Westport Educational
Foundation is funding Destination ImagiNation®,
a program that builds student skills in creativity, problem solving and
teamwork. Students compete regionally in categories that include technical,
scientific, fine arts, improvisational, structural, and project Outreach. They are also
supporting an AP Calculus curriculum that enables students to pursue
college-level studies while still in high school. The Foundation
also joined with the Westport Music Boosters to award a grant to WES music
teacher Mario Dennis, who is working with two other teachers to direct The
Granny Awards for Music. "Grants will
be made to teachers, with the support of their school principle, who will
make proposals to the foundation for exciting and innovative programs, "
Powell said. You haven't heard
the last from this dynamic group. The Powell's presented a concept of pursuing
educational excellence that's sure to loosen the purse strings of the most
fiscally conservative. The ROMEOs have agreed to donate $300. Click here to view the Foundation's brochure. PDF
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