Month: August 2015

Boilerplate GMG Political Statement:

Good Morning Gloucester Does Not Endorse Candidates and this press release should not be indicative of a an endorsement or non endorsement of any candidates.  We do not back politicians but do post candidacy announcements.

August 12, 2015

Dear Friends and Ward 4 Residents,

My name is Val Gilman and I am running for Ward 4 City Councilor. My husband Paul and I have lived in Ward 4 for 18 years, and have been a year round resident of Gloucester for 31 years. We have a daughter, Casey, age 27 and a son, Jared, age 15. I summered here as a child and moved here permanently because of its diversity and beauty. I love this city and am committed to public service and civic responsibility.

On August 11^th, I received word from the City Clerk’s office that my signatures have been certified! I would like to thank all of those who signed my nomination papers to allow me to appear on the ballot. I enjoyed meeting many new friends going door to door to get the necessary signatures. My support ranged from the Reservoir and Thurston Point Roads, to Lane’s Cove and Annisquam, and to the boat section of Wingaersheek beach. I valued hearing about people’s priorities and concerns, ranging from local paving to harbor plans.

I feel I am uniquely qualified for this Ward 4 City Council position. First, I have many years of city wide government experience having served on the Gloucester School Committee for six years (2007-2013), including two years as chair (2010-2011) and two years as vice chair (2012-2013). I have in depth knowledge of the city budget process, open meeting laws, city council rules of procedures, city charter, and business ethics. I have represented our city at the State House, lobbying for state bills sponsored by Senator Bruce Tarr and Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante.

I have also benefited greatly from a 25 year career in Human Resources Management. In my role as a Vice President and Officer of a Fortune 1000 high technology company, I was highly engaged in strategic planning, budget and finance, compensation and benefits, and training and development. I also have extensive experience in benchmarking and customer satisfaction having served as a Malcolm Baldrige quality auditor. I managed a diverse team of 32 people that included oversight of several international locations including Hong Kong and Japan. My B.A. Degree is from UMASS Amherst in Psychology and my M.S. Degree is in HR Management at Lesley University 2002.

These competencies, experiences and education, added to my listening, project management, and collaboration skills, make me best qualified to serve the citizens of Ward Four. I am committed and stand behind my mission:

My Mission

“To enrich the quality of life for all Gloucester citizens by listening, advocating, and representing taxpayers’ concerns.”

This will be accomplished by

· Supporting essential services in the budget process such as 24/7 fire coverage at Bay View Station

· Capitalizing on my city government experience to hit the ground running

· Lobbying and voting on matters that will provide a safe and vibrant economy, a state-of-the-art 21^st century school system, and an enriched community in the arts and maritime heritage

· Partnering with local and state public officials and city administration

· Promoting strong and connected neighborhood communities, including a dog-friendly and healthy Gloucester

Affiliations and Volunteer work

Navigating change and being a successful City Councilor is predicated on maintaining successful relationships and affiliations. I believe you solve problems by working together. In addition to my six years on the Gloucester School Committee, I am currently on the Board of the Gloucester Education Foundation and Annisquam Village Players. Additional affiliations include; Lanes Cove Historical Association, the Open Door Unsung Hero Recipient 2013, GHS/Moose Lodge Youth Awareness Skit Coach, First R Foundation (former board member), Wellspring House, Cape Ann Museum, Annisquam Village Hall, Squam Rock Trustee, Annisquam Yacht Club, Sail GHS, Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, and most recently, “Dog Friendly Gloucester” Mutt Mitt Volunteer.

As I enter this campaign, it is clear that our city is faced with many challenges. What is the best use of I4C2? Who will be the successful bidder for the Fuller site so our city will optimize tax revenue and employ local workers? How can we work a plan to improve/update our schools so that we can provide 21^st century learning for ALL students? What are some creative ways that the city can support our local artists and maritime Gloucester and the harbor? How can we optimize tax revenue for new businesses so we can address our debt and develop a plan to build for the future? How can we make Gloucester more dog friendly as we revisit the current ordinance?

Good decisions cannot be made in a vacuum. If elected on November 3, 2015, I will commit to developing a Ward 4 website so that residents feel informed and updated. I will set up regular outreach sessions at Ward 4 local venues and establish local communication centers so that residents know when hearings and meetings are held.

Want to meet for coffee/host an event, donate to my campaign or offer a spot on your lawn for a sign? Please call me at 978-621-4682 or 978-283-1993 or email me at vhgilman@comcast.net.

I would be grateful if you join my supporters and LIKE my Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/VoteGilmanWard 4.

I love this city and together we can make a difference. I will listen to Ward 4 residents before I vote. Please vote for me, Val Gilman, on November 3, 2015.

Respectfully,

Val Gilman

…With your Fairy Dog Ma.

Take a snooze in the AC, like Jelli Bean, after a day full of Fun…

Romp on the Beach like Tango…

Or cuddle down for the night with, your bud, Paco’s closest companion…

Oh the Places You’ll Go when you have Jen Nicol as your Fairy Dog Ma!

http://www.fairydogma.com/

So, this happened a few weeks ago at The Studio.

And it was delicious.

Live Creature Presentation at the Sawyer Free Library!

I have yet to have a micro USB cable that didn’t eventually loosen up over time , not make a connection or fail.  Never had a single issue with a lightning cable.

In this department Apple wins and it’s not even close.

Barbara and I are just back from several days with our family in the Adirondacks. We hiked, kayaked, canoed, sang, ate and drank (a little).

Here is a short video of one of our kayak excursions. We explored two remote lakes; Osgood Pond and Deer River Flow, both in northern Franklin County, not far from the Canadian border.

Opening Reception: Thursday August 13, 2015, 5-8pm. Cape Ann Giclee, 20 Maplewood Ave, Gloucester, MA 

Please join us for the 4 person photography show “by Land, Sea, and Sky” August 6 – 30, 2015. Photographic works by Merlyn Caswell-Mackey, David Fernandes, Law Hamilton, and Ricardo Marnoto will be featured. Check out the facebook event page for more info.

20 Maplewood Ave., Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 546-7070 • info@capeanngiclee.com • www.capeanngiclee.com

James Eves, owner of Cape Ann Giclée, Fine Art Printing and Gallery, is GMG’s Arts Enthusiast and the Calendar Guy. To submit arts related press releases, photos of arts events or any arts related posts email: james@capeanngiclee.com.
To add an event to the GMG Cape Ann Calendar go here to see how to submit events.

Do You Have Your Ticktes Reserved Yet?

Dead fish in the middle of the road

dead fish in the middle of the road

and it’s stinkin’ to high Heaven.

It was actually in the middle of someone’s driveway.  I couldn’t help but wonder how long it had been there and how it ended up there in the first place.

E.J. Lefavour