Friday, January 25, 2013
Association of Developmental Disabilities honors area's state senator for legislative work on behalf of disabled.
The Association of Developmental Disabilities has named State Senator Katherine Clark its legislator of the year. The Melrose Democrat, whose district also includes Wakefield, received the honor on Tuesday at a luncheon at the State House. Clark chairs the Joint Committee on Revenue and has worked to ensure sufficient transportation funding for community disability programs. Clark has also brought a focus in her work to assisting those with developmental disabilities, said the organization in a statement. “Sen. Clark has been a tireless worker behind the scenes to make sure that people living with developmental disabilities and their families have the access they need to services and supports so they can fully enjoy independent lives as …
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Wakefield's three state lawmakers - State Sen. Katherine Clark and state reps. Donald Wong and Paul Brodeur - offer proposed reforms in light of the John Burbine case.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Tuesday, January 22
The following is a joint statement from State Senator Katherine Clark and State Reps. Paul Brodeur and Donald Wong: In December, our communities were stunned when a Wakefield man was charged with 100 counts of child abuse and sexual assault involving very young children. This deeply disturbing case highlights the need to strengthen our laws and regulations to help prevent these horrific crimes in the future. Over the past month, we have been working with Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone, Wakefield Police Chief Rick Smith, and our colleagues in the legislature on a bill to strengthen the Commonwealth’s sex offender registry system, make more information available to the public, and promote communication among the state agencies …
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Send local opinion pieces and letters to the editor to william.laforme@patch.com.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Sunday, January 20
The following is an opinion piece from State Senator Katherine Clark: “Unaccompanied homeless youth” is a term too clinical for what it actually describes. Technically, it refers to a homeless person under the age of 22 living without adult supervision. In practical terms, we are talking about our kids, homeless, on the streets, with no adults to care for them or protect them. These young people face daunting challenges related to housing, education, violence, substance abuse and medical care. According to the Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, which studies issues of homelessness, these teens are at higher risk for violence, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, disease, and sexual victimization. Some turn to …
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Send local opinion pieces and letters to the editor to william.laforme@patch.com.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Sunday, January 13
The following was provided by State Senator Katherine Clark: The cold weather is officially upon us. And while winter in our district brings many fun activities, it also brings difficulty for those who struggle to heat their homes. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), families will pay more to heat their homes this winter, especially households that use heating oil, with prices forecast to be up 19 percent over last year and higher than any previous winter on record. While nationally only about 6 percent of families depend on heating oil, the Northeast states account for about 80 percent of these households. So price increases affect Massachusetts families disproportionately. Each winter, the Low Income Home …
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Send your local opinion pieces and letters to the editor to william.laforme@patch.com.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Sunday, January 6
The following is an opinion piece by State Senator Katherine Clark: January brings the start of a new legislative session, and this week I will be sworn in for a new term representing the 5th Middlesex District, a district that now includes portions of Winchester and all of Melrose, but no longer includes Lynnfield. As I take the oath of office, I am committed to the shared priorities of our communities, families and local businesses. This is a natural time to consider what we have accomplished over the past year and what challenges and opportunities face us now. During the last session, the legislature approved a series of bills to control rising health care costs, improve public safety, rebuild our infrastructure, promote energy …
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Send local opinion pieces and letters to the editor to william.laforme@patch.com.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Wednesday, January 2
The following is a letter to the residents of Lynnfield from State Senator Katherine Clark: January brings the start of a new legislative session, and this week I will be sworn in for a new term representing the 5th Middlesex District. However, due to redistricting mandated each decade, this District no longer includes Lynnfield. The Town of Lynnfield will be ably represented by my colleague and friend Senator Tom McGee, and we will continue to work closely together on a number of priorities. Though I may not represent Lynnfield in the State Senate, I certainly will continue to hold your wonderful community close to my heart. I thank you for all you have taught me and for all that you do each and every day to build a stronger, safer …
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Send letters to the editor and local opinion pieces to william.laforme@patch.com.
- OPINION
-
Sunday, December 30, 2012
The following is an opinion piece from State Senator Katherine Clark: As we celebrate with our families and friends and look ahead to the New Year, we are mindful of the many challenges in our communities. 2012 closed with great heartbreak, and too many families continue to struggle with day-to-day challenges: joblessness, illness, and addiction. But as I look back on the last year, I remain hopeful for a bright, prosperous and more peaceful future. I am inspired by the spirit of giving and support that exists in our district, and I am grateful for the tremendous opportunity to continue to represent you and to learn from you. When you volunteer, teach or mentor a child, build a business that creates economic opportunity and employs our…
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Send your opinion pieces and letters to the editor to william.laforme@patch.com.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Sunday, December 23, 2012
The following is an opinion piece from State Senator Katherine Clark: This is a question many of us are asking ourselves and our loved ones. Last Friday’s horror in Newtown, Connecticut stands in sharp contrast to the warm scenes of holiday joy and togetherness that permeate our communities and our homes at this time of year. The fact that this act of shocking violence occurred during the holidays, a time of such joy for so many children, adds to the heartbreak. At times of such devastating, national grief, it can be difficult to come together and enjoy the holidays without guilt or aching sadness. But that is what we must do. While we process our own confusion and anxiety and help our children do the same, we have another challenge …
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Residents of Lynnfield and Wakefield who need help can contact local nonprofit.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Sunday, December 16, 2012
The following was provided by the office of State Senator Katherine Clark: As we prepare for the winter months, it’s time to start thinking about our energy and home heating needs. At a time when many households can least afford it, this winter is expected to be a more expensive one than last year for Massachusetts families. If you or someone you know experiences difficulty with heating bills this winter, assistance may be available through several community partners serving the 5th Middlesex District. Tri-City Community Action Program (Tri-CAP) serves residents of Malden, Melrose, Stoneham and Winchester. Please call (781) 322-6284. Lynn Economic Opportunity, INC (LEO) serves residents of Lynnfield, Wakefield and others. Please call (781…
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Send your letters to the editor and local opinion pieces to william.laforme@patch.com.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Sunday, December 9, 2012
The following is an opinion piece by State Senator Katherine Clark: Massachusetts needs a public transportation system that is sustainable for the long-term with sufficient capital to keep fares reasonable, expand routes, modernize our infrastructure, and improve services. Unfortunately, our current system comes up short. In 2007, the Massachusetts Transportation Finance Commission outlined the problems and untenable funding models that our system relied on. While reforms have been made, we still must look at the entire system – from highways and bridges to buses and subways – and consider how we can efficiently operate and pay for a transportation network that truly meets the Commonwealth’s needs now and into the future. A recent report …
Rick
6:48 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Why is this in the Wakefield Patch? Isn't this about Lynnfield? more ›