Westport
in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Saturday,
January 30, 2016
photos/EverythingWestport.com except as noted
Quick
Article Index . . .
Schmid hosts briefing on green budget
initiatives.
Shana M. Shufelt throws her hat into the ring, joining the race for
Westport Selectman.
Sasha Sullivan seeks Landing Commission
seat.
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Schmid hosts briefing
on green budget initiatives. The FY17 budget
season kicked off today with the release of Governor Charlie Baker’s
recommendations. The FY17 budget will
go in effect on July 1, 2016. EverythingWestport.com Friday,
January 29, 2016 BOSTON- State
Representative Paul A. Schmid (D-Westport) and Senator Anne M. Gobi
(D-Spencer), co-chairs of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural
Resources, and Agriculture joined together with the Environmental League of
Massachusetts and various environmental advocates at the State House to
promote a “green budget” initiative for the Fiscal Year 2017 budget cycle. In order to
promote and preserve the Commonwealth’s healthy communities, great parks, and
clean and abundant water supplies, environmental advocates are pushing for a
modest increase in funding for state agencies and programs run through the
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Department of
Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Environmental Protection, the
Department of Agricultural Resources and the Department of Fisheries and
Wildlife. “Throughout the
South Coast and the entirety of Massachusetts, we are blessed with beautiful
beaches, parks, and forests that make our landscape unique and distinct from
other parts of the country,” said Schmid.
“Without adequate funding, our land cannot be maintained and managed
the way it requires. Our environmental
state agencies do the work that allows us to stand out as a leader in
environmental conservation.” In recent years,
environmental priorities have only accounted for approximately .6% of the
state operating budget. The Green
Budget Coalition, consisting of state legislators, business owners, and
environmental organizations throughout the Commonwealth, are committed to
increasing funding to 1% of the overall budget in coming years. The FY17 budget
season kicked off today with the release of Governor Charlie Baker’s
recommendations. The FY17 budget will
go in effect on July 1, 2016. Shana
M. Shufelt throws her hat into the ring,
joining the race for Westport Selectman. The
five-year veteran of the Westport Finance Committee cites her desire to encourage
civility to the sometimes contentious board. Friday, January
29, 2016 Westport resident
Shana M. Shufelt has announced her intention to run
Westport selectman. Her first run for an elected town position, Shufelt went for the top job, citing her corporate management
experience and deep involvement in the town’s financial structure. “I have spent my
career understanding problems, analyzing their causes, evaluating solutions
and delivering products that meet real business objectives. I would like to bring that experience the
Town of Westport and use it to work toward resolving issues here in our
community.”
“I enjoy working in and
leading diverse project teams who must produce tangible results. To be
successful, I find it important to encourage others to respect the talents
and skills of their colleagues, to listen, to have open and honest
discussions, and to sort out differences of opinion in a civil fashion. This is the perspective I hope to bring to
the Board of Selectmen.” - Shana M. Shufelt Ms. Shufelt advocated for the adoption of guidelines for
sound financial policies and during her tenure as Vice Chair and later Chair
of the Finance Committee she has ensured there has been open communication
with the voters when budget recommendations are not aligned with those
policies. She created, merged and
revised working budget spreadsheets to enable scenario planning during the
budget cycle and to be sure that all interested parties have a clear and
complete view of the entire budget with each revision that is made. Ms. Shufelt is a Lead Business Systems Analyst responsible
for software development projects for a major hotel company. She has held roles in Project and Program
Management, Product Development, Application Delivery Leadership, and managed
Quality Assurance and Software Development teams. She earned her
undergraduate degree in Communications from the University of Texas and an
MBA from St. Edwards University in Austin. Ms. Shufelt is married and has two children. She is a member of the Westport Point
United Methodist Church. Her hobbies
include cooking, reading and karate, where she has achieved the rank of
second degree black belt. Sacha
Sullivan seeks Landing Commission seat. The
Head of Westport resident feels traffic and parking at the Head Landing, and
other Westport Landings, has become a safety and environmental balance that
needs oversight and careful planning. EverythingWestport.com Saturday, January
30, 2016 Head of Westport
resident, Alexandra “Sacha” Sullivan has announced her candidacy for the one,
three-year seat up for grabs on the Westport Landing Commission. “Some of you may know me well
but for those who don't I will fill you in on some of my
history and why I am running for an open seat on the Landing Commission in
Westport.” - Alexandra “Sasha” Sullivan Stating she wants
to represent the issues facing river access/ landings, history, architecture
and community involvement for these vital areas, Sullivan is seeking to offer
insight to the board through a different set of eyes. “My parents
bought a farmhouse in Westport over sixty years ago, Sullivan said in her
candidate’s statement. “All our summers were “My husband,
Quentin, and I bought a house at the Head in 2001. It took two years for us
to bring the house back from a near death. We finally moved into our house in
2003 and have lived here full time since.” Sullivan said much
has changed since her childhood in Westport but so has the past 13 years
living at the Head. Some for the better and some not. “Traffic and
parking at the Head Landing, and other Westport Landings, has become a safety
and environmental balance that needs oversight and careful planning.” As a Head resident
she believes she can contribute to these issues by applying local knowledge
and a concern for the safety of Head of Westport visitors. The Town of
Westport is unique and many are concerned about its growth plans for the
future. “I want to represent those concerns on the Landing Commission. Please
consider voting for me, Sacha Sullivan, for Landing Commissioner.” © 2016 Community Events of Westport. All rights
reserved. EverythingWestport.com |
