Celeste Myers, Candidate for state Representative, Statement on SJC casino ruling, Revere hearing

The following was submitted by Celeste Myers dated 6/25/2014:

"We, the people, are the winners and beneficiaries of yesterday's ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts that allows voters to decide in November whether or not to repeal the 2011 casino gambling law. Regardless of how you feel about casino gambling, this was an ill-conceived law from the start, a reality born out in a process marked with many missteps, a lack of transparency, and even the occasional end-run around the law.

The events in Eastern Massachusetts since last November's vote in East Boston and Revere should serve as exhibit A for the brokenness of this legislation. After being defeated at the polls in East Boston, the casino proposal for Suffolk Downs was given new life by the Gaming Commission to proceed as a "Revere-only" project. Even our local elected officials, and later our new mayor, wrote letters of objection to the commission's ruling vowing to defend Eastie residents' votes. The Mayor sought host community status for a "revised project" that has every bit as much of an impact on the the people of East Boston as the one we voted down in November. Last night, in Revere, residents and leaders of impacted areas had a final opportunity to speak out about this project before the commission decides between the two Eastern Massachusetts casino proposals.

Not a single local elected official (or any of their aides) representing Boston, let alone heavily impacted East Boston, showed up.

When I am your representative, I pledge to work tirelessly for you. When an opportunity arises to use my position to defend my neighbors or my neighborhood, I will not balk. My number one priority is the community, and I promise to show my dedication not only with words -- but action as well.

We can all celebrate that democracy will shine in November, when we have the opportunity to repeal a law that threatens both the Commonwealth and our neighborhood. While I do not know how residents of the Commonwealth will vote, I fully support their ability to do so. The stakes could not be higher."

Source: Celeste Myers

Metropolitan Beaches Commission Releases Report On Boston Harbor Region's Beaches -- BOSTON, June 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

(BOSTON, June 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/) -- On Tuesday June 3, 2014 the Metropolitan Beaches Commission (MBC) released its report "Waves of Change" on the Boston Harbor region's 15 public beaches in Nahant, Lynn, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull owned by the Commonwealth and managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

"The investments we have made on these beaches strengthen our communities and the economy, improve people's lives and demonstrate that government can work," said Senator Tom McGee of Lynn, who Co-Chairs the Commission.

The report identifies a number of continuing challenges and opportunities that need to be addressed to move these beaches from good to great. These include staffing levels at the beaches, which increased after 2007, but declined in recent years to the point where the Commission believes "that the beaches will inevitably reenter a cycle of decline, undermining the progress that has been made and failing to meet public expectations, as was the case before 2007."

Co-chaired by Massachusetts State Senator Tom McGee of Lynn and
Massachusetts State Representative Carlo Basile of East Boston the
Metropolitan Beaches Commission convened on June 3, 2014 to issue
findings and recommendations to better leverage resources for the Boston
Harbor Region's Beaches. (PRNewsFoto/Metropolitan Beaches Commission)

"The Commonwealth's investments in the Boston Harbor cleanup, the Boston Harbor Islands and our region's public beaches have already resulted in dramatic improvements in the quality of life for residents in Boston and the region's coastal communities," said MBC Commissioner Paul Grogan, President and CEO of The Boston Foundation. "To protect those investments we must continue to find ways to fund the incremental changes that are necessary to further improve our beaches."

Other key challenges and opportunities identified in the report include: water quality and beach flagging, coastal resiliency and sea level rise, water transportation, improved information technology and management systems, parking and public safety, dog management and piping plover nesting areas. The Commission also called for DCR to invest additional funds to support free events and programs that are so important enhancing the public's enjoyment of the beaches.

"Local friends groups and Save the Harbor have helped jump-start free events on these beaches, but government has a responsibility to provide direct financial support of these volunteer efforts to make them sustainable,"
said David Spillane of Goody Clancy, an award winning Boston-based architecture, planning and preservation firm, who helped Save the Harbor manage the hearings and produce the report.

According to Bruce Berman of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, the non-profit who helped lead and manage the inquiry and author the report, "These beaches contribute directly to the competitiveness of our region, making our cities and beachfront communities better places to live and work. Moreover, the combined economic impact of millions of residents enjoying these beaches also makes them important economic engines for the region's waterfront neighborhoods and beachfront communities, creating new jobs and economic
opportunity."

"The region's public beaches, like Constitution Beach in East Boston, are much more than a great place to spend the day," said Representative Carlo Basile of East Boston, who Co-Chairs the Commission. "They are portals to the environment, remarkable recreational resources with the potential to improve the quality of life for all our residents."

The Commission would like to thank the nearly 1,000 people who took part in the hearings and helped to shape the findings and recommendations contained in their report. Copies of the Commission's report "Waves of Change" and the hearing minutes, public comments, the budget analysis
and other technical reports and appendices on which the report is based
are available online at www.savetheharbor.org/MBC2014.

For more information, visit www.savetheharbor.org or follow us on Twitter @MetroBeaches. 

SOURCE Metropolitan Beaches Commission; Metropolitan Beaches Commission Releases Report On Boston Harbor Region's Beaches -- BOSTON, June 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Petruccelli and Basile to hold series of Community Forums in East Boston

SENATOR PETRUCCELLI & REPRESENTIVE BASILE ANNOUNCE SERIES OF COMMUNITY FORUMS BEFORE CIVIC GROUPS IN EAST BOSTON.
State Senator Anthony Petruccelli and State Representative Carlo Basile announced that they will attend a series of community forums and visit neighborhood groups in East Boston to discuss state issues, legislation and to listen to the concerns of residents.

“This is something I do throughout my entire district,” said Senator Petruccelli. “I want to keep my constituents apprised of what is going on in the state legislature and to hear their concerns. There are several big issues affecting East Boston and I think it is important to get out to the neighborhood meetings and have a frank discussion about them.”

Senator Petruccelli and Representative Basile will visit:

• The Eagle Hill Civic Association on Wednesday, March 31, at East Boston High School; 
• The Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association on Monday, April 12, at the Jeffries Point Yacht Club; 
• and the Orient Heights Neighborhood Association on Monday, April 26, at the Don Orione. 

All meetings will begin at 7:00 PM.

“Last year, Senator Petruccelli and I hosted a town hall forum at East Boston High School, and this year we thought it would be beneficial to visit each of the neighborhood groups individually. We hope to have a more intimate and open conversation about what is happening on Beacon Hill and what is on the minds of our friends and neighbors” said Representative Basile.

Source: Ed Deveau 617-722-1634