November 8, 2006 GAC Update
Election Day was yesterday and Deval Patrick is Governor-Elect of the Commonwealth. There were major changes at both the State level with a Democrat being elected Governor for the first time since 1986 and at the national level with the Democrats taking the House and maybe the Senate.
The Council met on Monday and received a report on the appointments to the Leaf Blower Task Force and on City spending for street and sidewalk repair.
The Cambridge Veterans Day Observance is scheduled for this Saturday, November 11, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at Cambridge Cemetery. Go to Veterans Day Observance for more information.
GAC members are reminded that we are looking for volunteers to join a number of sub-committees proposed at the September 26 GAC meeting. o volunteer or for more information please e-mail Terrence Smith, Director of Government Affairs at tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or phone (617) 876-4213.
Upcoming GAC Events
The 2006 Government Affairs program is sponsored by Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research.
Congressman Capuano to Address November GAC Meeting
Congressman Michael Capuano will be our guest at the November GAC meeting. The Best Western Hotel Tria will host the meeting at noon on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 The Hotel Tria is located at 220 Alewife Brook Parkway. The Tria offers slightly more space than is available at the Chamber’s Conference Room but space is still limited so RSVP early for this meeting by e-mail at tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or phoning (617) 876-4213.
Election Day 2006
Former United States Deputy Attorney General Deval Patrick and Worcester Mayor Timothy Murray were elected Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth yesterday. 82% of Cambridge voters supported the Patrick-Murray ticket giving the ticket, according to today’s Boston Globe, its highest victory margin (82% for Democrats to 12% for Republicans) of any City in the Commonwealth and fifth highest of any community in the Commonwealth. The Chamber is working to have the new Governor in Cambridge for an Executive Speaker luncheon early next year.
The Democrats have taken control of the US House of representatives and may take control of the Senate. News reports suggest that this is good news for Massachusetts where members of our all-Democratic delegation are prepared to take leadership positions on major committees. We look forward to Congressman Capuano’s comments on this change at our November 28 GAC meeting and luncheon.
Democrats won open seats at the State and County level with current Middlesex County District Attorney Martha Coakley’s election to succeed Tom Riley as Massachusetts Attorney General, Cambridge City Councillor and former Mayor Michael Sullivan’s election to succeed Edward Sullivan as Middlesex County Clerk of Courts and career Prosecutor Gerry Leone’s election to succeed Coakley as Middlesex County District Attorney. Member of the Belmont Board of Selectman William Brownsberger was elected to the State House of Representative district that includes North Cambridge. This seat has been represented by State Representative Anne Paulsen who announced her retirement earlier this year.
All other incumbents were re-elected. Congratulations to all who won and thanks to all who ran.
November 6, 2006 City Council Meeting
The Council received reports on the Leaf Blower Task Force and on funding for street and sidewalk repair. The Council also approved an order regarding informing fleet operators about the anti-idling regulations.
Leaf Blower Task Force
The Council received a report from the City Manager regarding the membership of the Leaf Blower Task Force and a report on City expenditures on street and sidewalk repair. The City Manager has established the Leaf Blower Task Force in response to Council concern that leaf blowers have become a problem in the City. A copy of the report is available at City Manager Agenda 7.
Street and Sidewalk Spending
The report on street and sidewalk spending is in response to Council request for information about resources available to repair streets and sidewalks including a recent supplemental appropriation of $1.6 million. In the current year the City has budgeted $7.5 million for street and sidewalk repairs. Additional funds are budgeted for street and sidewalk work included in larger capital projects such as sewer repair and reconstruction and streetscape projects. A copy of the report is available at City Manager Agenda 9.
Education on Vehicle Anti-Idling Law Enforcement
Massachusetts State Law limits vehicle idling to no more than five minutes in most circumstances. The Council asked the City Manager to contact operators of vehicle fleets and inform them of these regulations. A copy of the Order is available at Council Policy Order 1.
