Good Morning Gloucester

Maple Sugar…

Political Statement from Mary Ellen Rose, candidate for Mayor

Submitted to Good Morning Gloucester

Running for the office of mayor was not a decision I made easily. I based my reasoning on the fact that I knew I had the knowledge, experience, and capability to do a better job than the administration that I was paying taxes to support. I want to be Gloucester’s Mayor because I believe in our community and I want to support our resident taxpayers with strong, effective leadership.

If you haven’t had a chance to learn much about me, there are several places you can go to read more. I have posted several documents on https://www.rose4mayor.com/news which will provide detailed information about everything from my work experiences and position papers about issues, to my thoughts and answers to questions that have arisen throughout this campaign. In https://www.rose4mayor.com/testimonials you will hear from people I have worked with, for, or among over much of my career. If you want to learn about some of my personal history, https://www.rose4mayor.com/about provides some insight. I have also posted a number of videos on both my campaign (Rose4Mayor) and personal Facebook pages and I hope you have a chance to see them. 

One of the things I believe in is promoting our ability to make a living in ways that build both our community culture and our individual pride in Gloucester. This city has, for centuries, survived as a middle-class community built on a hard-working fishing industry ethos. In addition to our proud fishing heritage, our family-built Rose Marine and other businesses to serve the waterfront and the general population of hard workers. I saw first-hand how tenacity and grit led to prosperity not only in our family businesses, but also in the businesses owned by close friends. This focused, hard-working, service-oriented ethic was instilled in my very core and has served as the basis for the values upon which I have built my life.

When it comes to economic prosperity, success can often depend upon a city government that is accountable, transparent, service-oriented, and business-friendly. By partnering with the community, my administration will ensure both accountability and transparency rather than continue a system that closes ranks and cloaks its mistakes or intentions beneath the velvet curtain of politics. I believe in openness – open door policies, open meetings, open communication, and managing the city with an open heart to our community members

Another important belief I hold is in regard to our city’s changing population. Gloucester has refreshed its point of view from new arrivals to our seaport. From the earliest settlers, to the Portuguese, Italians, Swedes, Finns, and other groups from around the world, each wave of immigrants came here to work and make a better life for themselves and their families. Most recently, our Brazilian friends have picked up that tradition and breathed new life into our community like those who came before them. I salute those residents toiling to build businesses, raise close-knit families, and getting involved in the community to ensure a more culturally and economically rich city. We welcome those who bring their work ethic and love of community to our city. I believe in this type of growth for Gloucester and I want to cultivate it to the benefit of our entire population.

Lastly, whether you have made Gloucester your home in the past year or hailed from ancestors across the past 400 years, if you have recently felt squeezed out, I hear you and I want to solve this challenge together. I want to work in a collaborative environment where all of the stakeholders have a seat at the table to address issues. Where the wildest ideas have room to breathe and float among realistic or innovative suggestions. Where every voice is heard and considered within a thoughtful, open forum.  At the end of the day, the only squeeze I want you to feel is the hug of a welcoming and kind embrace that says ”You are one with our community and we want you to stay here and thrive, what can we do to help make that happen?”.

Please vote for Mary Ellen Rose as Mayor on November 7^th. Thank you!

I am posting this on behalf of Gloucester Giving Elves .
We are in our fourth year of helping those in community at holiday season who are less fortunate .
We deal w specific group of students at Gloucester High School .
This year we are asking members of community to donate gift cards in the amount of 10.00 each to a local coffee, pizza or sub or shake shop .
By giving these students a gift card to a local spot they are able to share a meal with their peers something many take for granted but something these students don’t have the opportunity to do because of finances .

If you would like to donate monetarily I have posed the Venmo acct in post

Please comment of message me privately if you choose to help

Thank you !!

IMPORTANT: SENIOR CENTER CLOSURE NOVEMBER 9TH – 17TH PLEASE SHARE ON & OFF FACEBOOK!

The Rose Baker Senior Center will be CLOSED from Thursday, November 9th through Friday, November 17th so that the next phase of planned construction improvements to this important community resource can take place. Our colleagues at the Gloucester, MA Health Department have kindly offered us an appropriate space for SHINE counseling appointments to be held during that time. All individuals with scheduled SHINE appointments will get a phone call with detailed instructions about accessing this critical service. All individuals who are signed up to participate in The Open Door Mobile Market scheduled for November 17th will also get a phone call with details about how we will handle that important grocery distribution.

We took a ride north a few days ago just to explore and our adventure led us to the Old Stage Road Bridge in Hampton NH. Perfectly iconic autumn scene on a beautiful day that I thought you might like.

NOVEMBER 4, 2023 ~ G400+EVENTS

‘Polis is This’ Film Screening at Little Art Cinema

NOVEMBER 5, 2023 ~ CHAMBERCACC

Current Workforce Challenges Panel Discussion

Please join the Greater Cape Ann Innovators Collaborative for a free expert panel discussion on Current Workforce Challenges and solutions for the existing labor market. Our panel of experts will be presenting innovative strategies to recruit, retain and develop the workforce. Each presentation will be approximately 15 minutes. There will be a question-and-answer period and open discussion following the presentations.

Panelists

• Jason Andree, Vice President, Addison Gilbert Hospital
• Neil Costa, CEO, HireClix
• William Heineman, President, North Shore Community College
• Kathy Low, Sr. HR Business Partner, SPG Varian Business Unit, Applied Materials

Light appetizers and cash bar will be offered. Registration is required for this FREE event.
To register, please visit https://bit.ly/CAIC-Workforce or email info@capeannchamber.com.

What is the Cape Ann Innovators Collaborative?
An initiative of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, CAIC is a collaborative of innovators, entrepreneurs, makers, artists, designers, developers and producers dedicated to supporting people from all walks of life in their endeavors to create lasting, innovative change, with the ultimate objective of growing the economy and creating new jobs. The CAIC Forums are designed to Inform and Inspire.

DOWNLOAD FLYER Download Flyer

Gloucester vs East Bridgewater Boys 1st Round Playoff Soccer (Replay) 11/5/23

Bravo is now serving lunch including incredible fresh cut sandwiches using the best meats money can buy.

131 Main St, Gloucester, MA 01930

(978) 879-4522

Jackie Bennett

As we move from fall toward winter, our resident wildlife is in transition.

Here’s 9yr old Trip checking out the view from the bow of the FiveC’s. If he’s not upfront, he’s usually sleeping on the back bench!

Chrissy Cauthers

Seaborne…

I am a lifelong Gloucester resident, and I have devoted a significant portion of my life to serving the city of Gloucester and its residents. I have been married for over 35 years to Gloucester native Abbie Lundberg, with whom I has raised two children.

 

My Dad, Bill, was General Manager of Empire Fish Co., and I grew up hanging around Gloucester’s working waterfront. When I was 14, I started working at Empire during the summers and continued to work there all through high school and beyond. From there I went fishing. In between boat ownerships and fishing sites I went to work in construction and eventually got my contractor’s license. After I got married, I returned to school at the University of Lowell and received my Certificate in Wastewater Management. I worked in Gorton’s pretreatment facility and then in Gloucester’s wastewater treatment plant for 5 years, where I finished up as the assistant Plant Manager. But the lure of fishing was too great, so I bought a lobster business and stayed fishing until I retired in 2018. 

 

I am running for re-election to the city council because I’m passionate about our city and its future. I am committed to advancing Gloucester’s unique character – fearless and entrepreneurial – into the 21^st century. Gloucester citizens deserve city councilors like me who bring an honest, common-sense, solutions-based approach to the business of the city.  

A Vote for Tony on Nov. 7 is a Vote for Gloucester.

 

Issues

As a City Councilor, I am committed to:

·      Use my experience as a licensed wastewater operator when Gloucester builds the $150M secondary treatment addition to the wastewater plant. My knowledge will be crucial in making sure the job is done right and we get the most bang for our buck.

·      Apply my experience as a licensed contractor to Council business as Gloucester moves forward on multiple major building projects.

·      Take the Council’s responsibility of budget oversight seriously and make sure the city’s limited financial resources are spent efficiently and as intended.

·      Realistically assess the needs of our working harbor to preserve the necessary infrastructure and critical affordable dockage.

·      Support responsible development, including housing that our kids can afford. 

 

My Past work experience includes:

·      Commercial fisherman, captain of multiple vessels; recently retired

·      Worked in construction, maintain current contractor’s license

·      Facilities manager at Gloucester’s wastewater treatment facility

·      Home inspector

 

Civic experience:

·      City Councilor at Large

·      12 years on the Waterways Board

o   9 Years as Chair

·      Served 13 years on the Gloucester School Committee

o   6 Years as Chair of the Building and Finance Subcommittee

·      Served on the 2011 City Charter Review Committee

·      Currently serving on Gloucester’s Municipal Harbor Plan Committee

·      Chair of the On-Site Wastewater Treatment Citizens Advisory Committee

·      Served on the Gloucester Plan-Implementation and Review Committee

As Chair of the Waterways Board, I:

·      Initiated, oversaw, and implemented a reorganization of the Gloucester Harbormaster Department, with an emphasis on customer service, online payment and reservations, increased on-water presence, professional launch service, and mooring compliance

·      Instrumental in finally getting the Annisquam River dredged

·      Worked to secure $1.6 million in grant funding for the visiting boater center and docks

·      Due to these efforts, Gloucester has been rated one of America’s top ten ports to visit, bringing additional visitors and revenue to downtown businesses without impacting traffic or parking.

 

My Volunteer experience:

·      Currently volunteering at The Open Door: curbside service and food rescue 

·      Fuller School PTO: served as a member six years, four as president

·      Helped establish health center at Gloucester High School, working with Addison Gilbert Hospital

·      Director, Mount Adnah cemetery 

 

Vote for Tony on Nov. 7th

11/4/2023

Dear residents of Annisquam, Bayview, Lanesville, and Riverdale,

My name is Mary Pat DeRosa, and I bought my home in Lanesville about 15 years ago.  Since then, I enjoy my time at the Cove, exploring Dogtown, the quarries and walking the trails with my dog.  I am running for Ward 4 City Councilor because I want to strengthen our city government so that it’s more responsive to residents’ needs.

I am retired IT project manager and have worked for Fortune 100 & 500 companies managing multi-million-dollar projects, contracts and teams. Currently I work as a property manager for senior and low-income housing in Manchester, Mass.

I will use my professional management skills to ensure that budgets, proposals, and projects meet pre-determined community needs and goals set by residents. I will also make every effort to hold monthly in person Ward 4 meetings to discuss all city business with you, gather your feedback on issues, and use that information for my city voting responsibilities. As Ward 4 councilor, I will represent your interests, not mine, at city meetings because that is how I believe the job should be done.

The proposed Affordable Housing solution, also known as the MBTA mandated zoning, is a state program that imposes denser zoning near MBTA stations.  It is not “affordable” any more than any other housing in town. It will be market price. This model does not work for our local population as seen by the Gloucester Crossing Halyard apartments where a 1- bedroom rents for $2450 per month.  The denser zoning means more parking, more school children, and more water, sewer, police, and fire requirements.   

As Ward 4 councilor, I will work with the Mayor and the city council to explore a locally administered housing model that serves our community.

Many Ward 4 residents are rightfully concerned about city spending and taxes. As a project manager with budget experience, I will study budget and contract expenditures and streamline them where practical. Just like residents manage their housing budgets to live within their means, the city must do the same.

The proposed waste water treatment plant is a pending financial tidal wave with a proposed cost of $150 million or more. This cost will be spread out over the entire real estate tax base and not just those residents with sewers. We know we need it.  We know it’s federally mandated, but the issue is the additional tax burden on all of us. I see neighbors forced to sell their family homes and leave the island because of the additional costs. I will work with the Mayor and city council to identify possible financial solutions to minimize the financial burden on residents.

If my message resonates with you, I am asking you to please vote for me, Mary Pat DeRosa, for Ward 4 City Councilor on Tuesday, Nov 7th. I want to be your voice.

If you have any questions or would like a ride to the polls, please contact me at ward4derosa@gmail.com or call 508-284-2418.

Mary Pat DeRosa

Gloucester vs Belchertown Field Hockey Playoffs (Replay) 11/3/23
https://youtu.be/Dlkbq_kVUOw