On Thursday, October 23, 2008, I had the opportunity to join a panel of a number of town managers and town administrators to discuss with Governor Deval Patrick the financial challenges before the Commonwealth and the various municipalities. I was very impressed with the Governor's willingness to visit and listen to the concerns of local officials. It is unusual to have such an extraordinary opportunity and I complimented the Governor for his obvious commitment to reach out to the towns and cities of Massachusetts. I spoke to the Governor about the importance of regionalization and the various incentives that might be considered to encourage a regional approach to certain public services. I also emphasized the importance of the role of the Commonwealth in economic development.
I also attended a welcoming breakfast for Chancellor Holub, University of Massachusetts Amherst sponsored by the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network, a division of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This important organization is devoted to providing real services to encourage the stabilization and growth of small businesses. The breakfast and presentation was held at the Scibelli Enterprise Center, Springfield.
Larry Shaffer
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Week of October 6th -
It was a very good week for the Town of Amherst. On Monday, a groundbreaking ceremony took place for the new building for New England Environmental on Research Drive. I was great to celebrate the initiation of this very exciting project. At its conclusion of construction, a new headquarters for New England Environmental will be built utilizing the latest trends in green technology. The building will be complete in less than one year.
On Tuesday, all the department heads and a group of employees participated in formal program designed to identify and discuss social justice issues associated with the delivery of town services. This program examined the importance of establishing and enacting social justice principles in the delivery of municipal services. I would like to congratulate Epi Bodhi for securing the grant that funded this important program and to Barbara Love who provided inspirational insights on the challenges and significance of social justice values in the administration of municipal services. I would also like to acknowledge and thank the twenty town employees who worked on this project over the last four months, for the most part, on their own time.
On Thursday, the Blue Ribbon Team met to discuss how to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of town and school departments and to examine the opportunities for collaboration. A significant amount of material was provided to our experts. Department heads from the town and the school attended to provide information relative to the amount and complexity of work obligations. I am hopeful that the Blue Ribbon Team will be able to provide recommendations before the end of the year. I can not tell you how appreciative I am of their efforts.
On Tuesday, all the department heads and a group of employees participated in formal program designed to identify and discuss social justice issues associated with the delivery of town services. This program examined the importance of establishing and enacting social justice principles in the delivery of municipal services. I would like to congratulate Epi Bodhi for securing the grant that funded this important program and to Barbara Love who provided inspirational insights on the challenges and significance of social justice values in the administration of municipal services. I would also like to acknowledge and thank the twenty town employees who worked on this project over the last four months, for the most part, on their own time.
On Thursday, the Blue Ribbon Team met to discuss how to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of town and school departments and to examine the opportunities for collaboration. A significant amount of material was provided to our experts. Department heads from the town and the school attended to provide information relative to the amount and complexity of work obligations. I am hopeful that the Blue Ribbon Team will be able to provide recommendations before the end of the year. I can not tell you how appreciative I am of their efforts.
Friday, October 3, 2008
ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK
Last Saturday morning, by invitation of Ann Grose, I spoke to a group of about fifty people at Applewood, a housing complex located in South Amherst. The group was enthusiastic and asked many questions about the financial condition of Amherst. I was grateful for the opportunity to discuss Amherst and its future to such a wonderful group.
On Sunday, I attended a ceremony sponsored by the Hitchcock Center to cut the ribbon to a newly refurbished portion of the hiking trail and viewing stands at the Larch Hill Conservation Area. I was very impressed with the many volunteers that contribute to make the Hitchcock Center and Amherst's conservation property such a terrific asset. Many thanks to Julie Johnson, the Executive Director of the Hitchcock Center and David Ziomek, the Director of Conservation for all they do to preserve our wonderful natural heritage.
I have been discussing the challenges of the upcoming Presidential Election with our Town Clerk, Sandra Burgess. Sandra believes that this years election will be historic in terms of the size of voter turnout. We have been planning how to accommodate as many voters as possible without significant wait times. Our goal is to ensure that the process is as smooth and quick as possible.
I have confidence that Sandra and her fantastic team will develop reasonable procedures to achieve that goal.
Best wishes to everyone for a great weekend.
Larry Shaffer
On Sunday, I attended a ceremony sponsored by the Hitchcock Center to cut the ribbon to a newly refurbished portion of the hiking trail and viewing stands at the Larch Hill Conservation Area. I was very impressed with the many volunteers that contribute to make the Hitchcock Center and Amherst's conservation property such a terrific asset. Many thanks to Julie Johnson, the Executive Director of the Hitchcock Center and David Ziomek, the Director of Conservation for all they do to preserve our wonderful natural heritage.
I have been discussing the challenges of the upcoming Presidential Election with our Town Clerk, Sandra Burgess. Sandra believes that this years election will be historic in terms of the size of voter turnout. We have been planning how to accommodate as many voters as possible without significant wait times. Our goal is to ensure that the process is as smooth and quick as possible.
I have confidence that Sandra and her fantastic team will develop reasonable procedures to achieve that goal.
Best wishes to everyone for a great weekend.
Larry Shaffer
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)