Shown here, the Flyer Comet, one of the major attractions at Whalom Park (Have a Whale of a Time!)
The Lunenburg tourist attraction was torn down in 2005 to make way for condos (Just off Route 2!)
Much of the meeting dealt with issues related to managing the effects of development in Lunenburg, which has experienced a dramatic increase in population in recent decades. Thanks are due to the local sponsors of the Flag and Seal resolution, which was the last item on the crowded agenda. The meeting lasted seven hours, without a break for lunch. Thank you, Lunenburg!
On Saturday, May 7th, at annual town meeting, the Town of Lunenburg became the 45th town in Massachusetts to approve a resolution in support of changing the Flag and Seal of the Commonwealth.
The vote in Lunenburg, with 48 in favor and 20 opposed, comes after the Town of Bolton, on May 2nd, and the Town of Deerfield, on April 25th, also voted at their annual town meetings in favor of changing the Flag and Seal.
The Town of Belmont will vote on a resolution to change the Flag and Seal on Monday night, May 9th. More towns will be taking formal votes on changing our racist state symbol in the coming weeks.
Take a look at the interactive map on our recently redesigned Homepage. To help make sure your city or town joins the growing list of municipalities that have taken formal votes in favor of changing the Flag and Seal of the Commonwealth, contact us using the link above the interactive map!
History and Usages Subcommittee to Meet on Tuesday, May 8th from 11 a.m. – noon
The Special Commission Relative to the Seal and Motto of the Commonwealth is engaged in the work of recommending changes to the Flag and Seal to the state legislature. The 19-member commission, which includes six Indigenous leaders of the Wampanoag, Massachusett and Nipmuc nations, has established three subcommittees. The Subcommittee on the History and Usages of the Flag and Seal is examining the imagery of the Seal, “as well as the history of harm, the Indigenous experience of the imagery, and the movement to change it.”
The public can access the virtual meeting of the History and Usages Subcommittee via Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81537651991?pwd=dkdYYVBFQVFQWmlSbnFPUDVpZ2s5QT09
Next meeting of the full Special Commission will take place on Tuesday, May 17th at 11:00 a.m.
To livestream this virtual meeting, go the Hearings page on MaLegislature.gov at that date and time.
More News: The deadline for reporting the bill to create Indigenous Peoples Day for Massachusetts (S.2027 / H.3191) favorably out of committee has been extended – again!
The MA Indigenous Peoples Day Bill has once again been extended in committee. The new deadline for the bill to be voted out of committee is June 31st. We need everyone’s help to get this bill moved forward to a final vote! Please contact your state legislators, and also the State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Committee and tell them you want the Indigenous Peoples Day bill voted out favorably Now.
EMAIL: Click this link to send an automated email to Committee members: https://tinyurl.com/bdf2dxrx (Feel free to add your own language.)
CALL: Phone calls to committee members make a huge difference! You do not need to be an expert on the bill to let them know you support it. You will most likely get voicemail. Contact info and short script are below.
Script:
“My name is [insert name], and I’m from [insert town]. I urge you to help ensure that the Indigenous Peoples Day bill (S.2027 / H.3191) is called to a vote and reported out favorably before the June 31st deadline extension. I support this bill and want to see it passed during this legislative session.”
JOINT COMMITTEE ON STATE ADMIN AND REGULATORY OVERSIGHT: CALL LIST IN ORDER OF PRIORITY
Senate Chair, Sen. Marc R. Pacheco, (617) 722-1551
House Chair, Rep. Antonio F.D. Cabral, (617) 722-2017
Senate Vice-Chair, Sen. Rebecca L. Rausch, (617) 722-1555
House Vice-Chair, Rep. Christine P. Barber, (617) 722-2060
Sen. John J. Cronin, (617) 722-1230
Sen. Walter F. Timilty, (617) 722-1643
Sen. John C. Velis, (617) 722-1415
Sen. Bruce E. Tarr, (617) 722-1600
Rep. Carmine Lawrence Gentile, (617) 722-2810
Rep. Maria Duaime Robinson, (617) 722-2140
Rep. Christopher M. Markey, (617) 722-2676
Rep. Michelle L. Ciccolo, (617) 722-2210
Rep. Mary S. Keefe, (617) 722-2017
Rep. Paul J. Donato, (617) 722-2180
Rep. Paul A. Schmid III, (617) 722-2017
Rep. Steven G. Xiarhos (617) 722-2100
Rep. F. Jay Barrows, (617) 722-2488
Thank you!!