Email from the Deval Patrick Committee

Dear Friends,

This week, the Governor participated in a series of announcements that will help us not only endure this economic downturn, but come out better positioned on the other side.

First, I wanted to be sure you saw this very important development regarding the Assembly Square Mall Project in Somerville. Governor Patrick and the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation have committed more than $65 million in state and federal funds to move the project forward. This project, part of the Massachusetts Recovery Plan, will create thousands of permanent jobs and drive long-term regional economic growth.

Watch the video of Senator Kerry, Congressman Capuano, Mayor Curtatone, and the Governor, as they announce the funds for the Assembly Square Mall Project.

Massachusetts led the country in job growth in May, and a recent MSNBC and Moody's study concluded that, of the only 23 metro areas in the country that showed a moderation of the recession, two were right here in the Commonwealth. The work of the Governor and the Delegation on projects like the one at Assembly Square is part of the reason why.

Second, be sure to check out the Governor's personal blog post on Blue Mass Group about his launching of the Community Counts initiative in Worcester. Introduced at the end of last month, Communities Count works with areas that have been hit hard by foreclosure and disinvestment during the economic downturn. This particular effort will leverage more than $6 million in federal and state dollars to create jobs and stabilize neighborhoods in the region.

Click here to read more and join the conversation on BMG.

Finally, as a sign of the Governor's and the state's deep commitment to making Massachusetts a global leader in the manufacturing, research and development of clean energy, the Governor attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Vestas Wind Systems. Vestas, one of the world's biggest wind energy companies, is creating a new research center in Hudson, MA.

Click here to read an article on the story in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette:

Patrick helps wind turbine subsidiary start spinning.

These are the kinds of positive efforts occurring across the Commonwealth that will help us not only endure this economic downturn, but come out in a better position on the other side. Please, forward this message to everyone you think might be interested.

Sincerely,

Charlotte Golar Richie
Executive Director
Deval Patrick Committee

Please join me to help food support efforts in South Hadley

The "Take and Eat" program provides weekend meals for homebound people in our community. Volunteers are welcome for an ecumenical group comprised of people from several churches (or no church) in South Hadley and Granby, for a one-meal-a-month commitment.

For more information, read the post which contains our letter to Rev. Lori Souder RE our support for food support effort in S. Hadley (below).

If you are interested, there will be an organizational meeting on Thursday, July 30th at 7:00 pm at The Center Church in South Hadley, where people will be organized into jobs which suit their abilities and interests.

Click here to read our letter to Rev. Lori Souder RE our support for food support effort in S. Hadley

Click here > Facts about Hunger in western Massachusetts

https://share.acrobat.com/adc/document.do?docid=7576d2d2-e4a7-443f-8160-28417400c1ce

Community Garden Now Open In South Hadley!!

Please see attached flyer advertising GRO South Hadley's Community Garden Project! We are very lucky to have this opportunity to grow fresh vegetables and flowers alongside our neighbors! Gardening plots are limited and are on a first-come-first-served basis, so reserve yours today before they are all gone!! Plots measure 10 feet by 20 feet, and are available for $20.00. For more information email: GRO.SoHadley@gmail.com

Don't forget to forward the attached flyer to other South Hadley residents who may be interested, and feel free to print it out and post it!!

See you in the garden!

Sincerely,
Jessica Levy

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GRO South Hadley Announces Opening of Community Garden!!

GRO South Hadley encourages local residents to become involved in this fun and healthy new project by growing their own fresh veggies and flowers in one of the limited number of gardening plots available. Individual plots are 10 feet x 20 feet, and are $20.00, however no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Location: Town Farm, Route 47, South Hadley

To reserve your gardening plot contact Jessica Levy at levyforlabor@gmail.com.

For more information about the
GRO South Hadley Community Garden Project
please visit our website at http://sites.google.com/site/grosohadley/Home,
or contact Larry Dubois or Linda Young at GRO.SouthHadley@gmail.com

JOIN OFA-MA IN EDUCATION AND ACTION ON HEALTHCARE REFORM!

I suffer no illusions that this will be an easy process. It will be hard. But I also know that nearly a century after Teddy Roosevelt first called for reform, the cost of our health care has weighed down our economy and the conscience of our nation long enough. So let there be no doubt, Healthcare reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year.
-President Barack Obama

JOIN OFA-MA IN EDUCATION AND ACTION ON HEALTHCARE REFORM!

Dear Activist,

If you have been watching the healthcare reform debate and wondering when you should get involved, the time is now! Even here in Massachusetts, there are several key ways you can become active and have an impact in this debate. Organizing for America - Massachusetts (OFA-MA) is focused on EDUCATION and ACTION as we activate volunteers to support President Obama's priorities of meaningful healthcare reform that guarantees affordable healthcare coverage for ALL Americans, and choice that includes a STRONG public option.

EDUCATION
The more knowledge we have about the complex issues involved in national healthcare reform, the more powerful we can be in impacting the debate. OFA-MA has joined with 1199 SEIU, Healthcare for America Now (HCAN) and Doctors for America to provide you with a healthcare reform education opportunity you will not want to miss:

HEALTHCARE REFORM 101 Forum:
Education and Action
Saturday, July 18
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
SEIU 1199, 150 Mt. Vernon St., Dorchester 02125
(Next to the Bayside Expo, near the JFK/UMASS Red Line T Stop)

For more info: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpfxmg

Equip yourself with the tools you need -- including an informed perspective -- to actively work for meaningful healthcare reform. Experts, including people who have been involved in the legislative process, will answer questions such as:

• What are the different bills being forumulated in Congress? How will they be reconciled? What is the legislative timeline?
• What are the options for healthcare reform?
• What is the "public option?" Are there different versions of a public option?
• Who are the stakeholders and what do they favor/oppose?
• How will national healthcare reform be financed?
• What can we do now to organize?

Space is limited! Please sign up here:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpfxmg

If you have questions, send an e-mail to OFAMA2009@gmail.com.
There is plenty of free parking and the space is handicapped-accessible.

ACTION
During the campaign, you were part of one of the strongest grassroots movements in history. And now we have an opportunity to impact one of the most important debates in our lifetime. The Massachusetts Congressional delegation, especially those who serve on key committees, needs to hear from you. They must know that we strongly support a public option. The more they hear from us, the firmer they will be and the more likely to take leadership.

In the coming weeks, OFA-MA will collect thousands of signatures on petitions and postcards, and work to educate and mobilize around healthcare reform. You can collect signatures and hand out materials at your local supermarket, farmers market or other location, help us recruit volunteers to collect signatures, or join us when we bring signatures to members of the MA Congressional delegation on July 28. To help us make our voices heard through this signature drive, please write to OFAMA2009@gmail.com. We will get you materials and guidelines.

Come to the forum on July 18 to learn more about the issue and the evolving organizing strategy - including the National Healthcare Reform Week of Action, beginning July 20.

Thank you for staying involved,

Organizing for America - Massachusetts (OFA-MA)

For more information about OFA-MA, go to: www.massforchange.com

Beachgrounds Grand Opening - Click here

See the next to last paragraph: As a taxpayer, you are certainly "part of a group that made a contribution..."!

Good afternoon:

After two long years, the Beachgrounds Renovation Project is almost complete! As a key contributor to the project, you are formally invited to attend our official grand opening event on Saturday, July 11, 2009. The festivities will commence at 12pm with a brief ceremony and tour of the park.

The day will feature a number of activities for kids including various contests, games, bounce houses, the Roaming Railroad, farm animals and concessions. At 8pm, we will show Madagascar 2 on a large outdoor movie screen. The Recreation Commission will be running this event with various volunteers.

In case of inclement weather, please call the cancellation hotline at 538-5005 for a recorded message about the status of the event.

...If you are part of a group that made a contribution, please pass this on to the appropriate parties.

There is no need to RSVP. I hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Andy Rogers
Recreation Director