The following text/video is from New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell’s State of the City address on Thursday, 7 March 2018.

State of the City 2018 FINAL

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell provides his view on arming teachers in New Bedford public schools.

New Bedford City Councilor-at-Large Brian Gomes is pushing for City leadership to come up with a plan of action to address the decaying roads and to hold accountable utility companies and private contractors for their “poor road work.”

The following motion is scheduled for the New Bedford City Council session on Thursday, March 18, 2018:

WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with DPI Commissioner Ponte, a Representative of the Mayor’s Office, and City Solicitor McDermott to discuss the present road conditions in New Bedford and the City’s plan of action to address the decaying roads; and further that the City Solicitor explain to the Committee as to how the City is dealing with the utility companies and private contractor’s poor road work that has been done, such as how these companies are being held accountable for their work; and furthermore that the City notify all utility companies and private contractors of what we expect when they work and repair our City streets.

New Bedford City Councilor-at-Large Brian Gomes is pushing City leadership to go after the pharmaceutical companies that produce opioid painkiller medications and the doctors that may have overprescribed them. The following motion is scheduled for the New Bedford City Council session on Thursday, March 18, 2018:

WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that Mayor Mitchell and City Solicitor McDermott begin the process of filing a lawsuit against the pharmaceutical companies that produce Opioid pain killer medication based on the damage done to our community, the lives lost, the epidemic of overdoses, and the added calls for services from our EMS, POLICE and FIRE DEPARTMENTS, along with the distraction and deterioration of the Cities, people and communities; and further, that the City Solicitor ask the State for records of the pharmaceutical companies that have done business in the area along with records of any area doctors that may have overprescribed Opioid drugs in the greater New Bedford area; this request and lawsuit is similar to other communities that are taking this action and this Councillor is requesting it on behalf of our City.

Recently, the City of Fall River has started a lawsuit campaign to go after the pharmaceutical companies that produce opioid painkiller medications.

Live with New Bedford’s mayor Jon Mitchell to discuss the failure of judges to keep the worst offenders off the streets of New Bedford, his thoughts on arming teachers and other topics.

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Massachusetts is an odd place politically. One week we have prominent Democratic politicians asking for President Trump to add sanctions and condemn Russia for interfering in our elections and the next week they are pushing to allow Russians to vote in our municipal elections. Locally, Congressmen Keating made a statement calling for sanctions:

“Just last month, President Trump ignored Congress’s directive to impose sanctions on Russia due in part to election interference. In light of today’s indictments, I am calling on him to impose those sanctions that were approved overwhelmingly by both houses of Congress.”

You can read his full statement here.

We’ve all heard that 13 Russians have been indicted by special prosecutor Robert Mueller for mostly posting ads on Facebook to undermine our election process. What’s interesting is Rob Goldman, Facebook’s Vice President of Ads, stated that most of the Russian ad spend was after the election and Russia’s main goal was not to sway the election, but the mainstream media ignored it. Here’s his tweet:

The majority of the Russian ad spend happened AFTER the election. We shared that fact, but very few outlets have covered it because it doesn’t align with the main media narrative of Tump and the election. https://t.co/2dL8Kh0hof

— Rob Goldman (@robjective) February 17, 2018

It seems that Democrats and supporting media outlets are ignoring these important facts while the politicians are pushing for non-US citizens to vote. 11 Massachusetts Democrats are pushing to have non-US citizens, which include Russians, to vote in municipal elections.

The key part of the bill:

“Notwithstanding the provisions of section one of chapter fifty-one of the general laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, non-citizens, 18 years of age or older, residing in a city or town that accepts section 1G, inclusive, may upon application have their names entered on a list of voters established by the municipal election officials, and may thereafter vote in any municipal election for school committee, school committee questions, city council and board of selectmen for so long as they remain domiciled in the municipality.”

Even the Boston City Council President is calling for non-citizens to vote in Boston elections:

“Boston City Council President Andrea Campbell wants to let non-citizens vote in Boston’s municipal elections — possibly including illegal immigrants — and she’s planning to hold a hearing on the issue.

“I want to have conversations about how non-citizens can fully participate and come out of the shadows to do so,” Campbell said. “These residents generate millions in taxes coming from folks who are identified as undocumented, DACA, legal permanent residents as well as having green cards. We should be open-minded and keep it open as to how they could participate.”

While federal law prohibits non-US citizens from voting in federal elections, it doesn’t prohibit them from voting in state and local elections. You might be surprised to know that 11 municipal governments, 10 of them in Maryland, currently allow non-citizens to vote in local elections.

The questions I have is if you are so angry and concerned with foreign influence in American elections, why would you want non-US citizens to vote in local elections? Couldn’t foreign governments influence their citizens to vote in a specific way?

It’s interesting to note that according to ameredia.com the “Russian American population is estimated at approximately 2.9 million people. Second largest ethnic market representing 10.3% (2.9 Million people) of the total foreign-born population of 28.4 million. The leading ethnic group is Mexicans that represent 28% or 7.8 million of all US foreign-born population.”

Yes, Massachusetts is an odd place politically – worried about Russians influencing elections one minute and pushing to let them vote in our elections the next.

The Baker-Polito Administration awarded a total of $4,150,000 for five marine infrastructure projects, and a new initiative, the SEC Grand Challenge, to leverage Massachusetts’ innovation economy for the benefit of our coastal communities. The Seaport Economic Council will make up to $500,000 available to the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) to support innovative solutions for marine and coastal communities. The Seaport Economic Council approved the awards at today’s meeting in Quincy, which was chaired by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. Since 2015, the Seaport Economic Council has awarded $28 million through 61 grants in 36 Coastal Communities.

“We are thrilled to see the Seaport Economic Council partner with the Mass Tech Collaborative to better connect our communities with cutting-edge innovation, and give entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop new technologies directly with partners in the marine economy,” said Governor Baker. “Massachusetts continues to be a vital testing ground for new technologies, and we are excited for our coastal communities to reap the benefits.”

“The Seaport Economic Council is a vital resource for our coastal communities and we are proud of the work it has done since 2015,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “The Council has invested $28 million in critical infrastructure, economic development and climate resiliency projects in 36 coastal communities to support the unique challenges of our cities and towns with significant marine assets. The Grand Challenge will help connect entrepreneurs and technology companies with non-profits, research institutions and municipalities to develop transformative solutions.”

The Grand Challenge Program represents an opportunity to offer innovative solutions to improve marine and coastal community resources in Massachusetts. The Internet of Things (IoT) represents technology and business innovations that can enhance the economic potential of our ocean and coastal resources that contribute to the prosperity of the Commonwealth, and provide potential solutions to today’s environmental challenges. The Grand Challenge will focus on projects that address maritime communications, maritime performance and data analysis, and commercial fishing, and cover a broad range of subjects, including aquaculture, shipping, marine biotechnology, offshore renewable energy, marine robotics and more.

The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) and the Seaport Economic Council (SEC) will partner with the MassTech to fund projects that leverage the strength of IoT technologies to improve our marine and coastal communities. The Grand Challenge will encourage entrepreneurs and technology firms to work with nonprofits, research institutions, municipalities, or other public authorities on the deployment of new and novel IoT-based technology or business solutions to address important opportunities in the Marine Economy.

“The Seaport Economic Council is committed to helping communities effectively leverage their maritime resources, to create new opportunities for residents, tourists and businesses,” said Deputy Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Carolyn Kirk, vice-chair of the Seaport Economic Council. “This first-of-its-kind initiative in Massachusetts is an exciting opportunity to connect our coastal communities to emerging technologies as we continue to fund vital maritime infrastructure, and reach the full potential of our blue economy.”

“We thank the Baker-Polito Administration and the Seaport Economic Council for their support of the Grand Challenge and look forward to rolling out this program over the coming weeks,” said Pat Larkin, Director of the Innovation Institute at MassTech. “Technologies that are driving the Internet of Things, including nanotechnology, advanced sensors, data analytics, robotics, and communication technologies – are being revolutionized by firms based here in the Commonwealth. We’re eager to identify and then bring these tech resources to bear on challenges faced by our coastal communities, while helping drive job creation and economic growth with the marine economy.”

“The Seaport Economic Council is an invaluable resource for coastal communities throughout the Commonwealth, and its work in Quincy is showing real results every day,” said Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch. “I’m grateful for the commitment of the Baker-Polito Administration and look forward to welcoming the full Council to our great City.”

“We’re thankful to the Seaport Economic Council for this important grant, which will greatly improve access for South Shore residents to Boston Harbor and help improve the resiliency of the neighborhood to the effects of climate change,” said Representative Tackey Chan. “I look forward to seeing what the next phase of this project brings and am grateful for the continued partnership with the Council.”

The Seaport Economic Council advances the Baker-Polito Administration’s support for communities and residents across the state by leveraging unique economic assets to drive sustainable regional growth. The council was re-launched in August 2015, with a mission to deepen the maritime economy, promote economic development, and support resilient infrastructure in all 78 of Massachusetts’ coastal communities while preparing them to engage with the challenges posed by sea level rise and increasingly powerful coastal storms. The council’s capital grant program supports working waterfronts, local tourism, coastal resiliency, and maritime innovation, from the North Shore to Cape Cod and the South Coast.

Seaport Economic Council Awards:

Barnstable, Fire and Rescue Training Academy – $300,000

SEC funds will contribute toward the cost of a simulator for its shipboard firefighting training program to support the state’s commercial and recreational boating industry and its seaside communities. The simulator will provide maritime professionals and land-based firefighters hands-on experience with marine-related fires and suppression tactics.

Harwich, Saquatucket Harbor Landslide Renovation – $1,000,000

SEC grant will help fund the construction of a new Harbormaster Office building with expanded restroom facilities for both the public and slip permit holders. The project will also include a space for a snack building to be leased to a private operator, as well as seasonal booths to be leased and operated by local vendors and artisans.

New Bedford, New Bedford HDC Central Command Center – $1,000,000

SEC funds will help fund the construction of a command center for police and fire marine personnel, and create a response/training room for port personnel to ensure coordinated and efficient communications between all agencies responsible for daily port operations and emergency response. With the increased shipping activity as a result of the state’s investment in refrigeration of the State Pier, and the growing maritime economy of the city, it is important to protect vital economic assets in case of marine emergency.

Quincy, Quincy Maritime Center – $1,000,000

As a next phase of a 2016 SEC grant for the design of the Houghs Neck Maritime Center, this round’s SEC funds will to the final design, bidding, and construction of the facility. The future facility will provide for safe, public, municipal, and emergency access to the water of Houghs Neck, improve the climate change resiliency of the site, provide improved stormwater treatment, improve public safety support infrastructure, and enhance the safety and accessibility of the site. The project will also address ADA compliance and accessibility.

Wareham, Onset Bathhouse Rehabilitation – $350,000

SEC funds will contribute toward renovation costs of the Historic Onset Bathhouse as Headquarters of the Onset Bay Center. The future center is aimed to be a headquarters, community learning center, and boat storage facility. The Center will provide high‐quality on‐the‐water exploration programs for thousands of people every year and engage with community members of all ages and abilities in a variety of activities focused on building a connection with Buzzards Bay.

New Bedford City Councilor Brian Gomes is requesting that the New Bedford Police Department, Fire Department and EMS look into implementing a device used to close an open wound on a victim suffering from a gunshot wound, stabbing or other open wound injuries.

Here is the motion that will be in front of the City Council on Thursday, February 22, 2018:

REPORT, Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods, recommending that the City Council follow the recommended action on the WRITTEN MOTION, Council President Gomes, requesting, that the New Bedford Police Department, the Fire Department and EMS look into implementing the I Teeth Clamp, which is a device used to close an open wound on a victim suffering from a gunshot wound, stabbing or any accidental superficial open wound, it has been credited in slowing blood loss and preventing loss of life in emergency situations; and further, for very little cost we can equip every Police Officer and train every emergency responder to administer the I Teeth Clamp in a crisis or emergency situation.

WRITTEN MOTION, Council President Gomes, requesting, that the New Bedford Police Department, the Fire Department and EMS look into implementing the I Teeth Clamp, which is a device used to close an open wound on a victim suffering from a gunshot wound, stabbing or any accidental superficial open wound, it has been credited in slowing blood loss and preventing loss of life in emergency situations; and further, for very little cost we can equip every Police Officer and train every emergency responder to administer the I Teeth clamp in a crisis or emergency situation. (Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods – 06/25/2015; Signed by the Mayor – 06/30/2015.)

Here is the motion that will be in front of the City Council on Thursday, February 22, 2018:

REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council ADOPTION of TWO (2) LOAN ORDERS, appropriating $4,100,344 for an accelerated repair project at the Elizabeth Carter Brooks Elementary School and rescinding a $1,000,000.00 portion of the appropriation for accelerated repair projects at Carney Academy and Hayden McFadden, Casmir Pulaski and Alfred J. Gomes Elementary Schools under the order approved on March 25, 0916.

02.22.2018_REPORT_-_LOAN_ORDERS

LOAN ORDER, APPROPRIATING $4,100,334 for an accelerated repair project at the Elizabeth Carter Brooks Elementary School. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – January 11, 2018; To be Passed to a Second Reading.)

02.22.2018_LOAN_ORDER_-_CARTER_BROOKS_$4_100_334.00

LOAN ORDER, RESCINDING a $1,000,000.00 portion of the appropriation for accelerated repair projects at Carney Academy and the Hayden McFadden, Casmir Pulaski and Alfred J. Gomes Elementary Schools under the order approved on March 25, 2016. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – January 11, 2018; To be Passed to a Second Reading.)

02.22.2018_LOAN_ORDER_-_RESCINDING_$1_000_000.00_SCHOOLS

The New Bedford City Council has moved a step closer to the City of New Bedford posting signage encouraging people to donate to local organizations that provide assistance to those in need instead of giving to panhandlers. Here is the motion that will be in front of the City Council on Thursday, February 22, 2018:

“REPORT, Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods, recommending to the City Council APPROVAL of the WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Dunn, Abreu, Winterson, Coelho and Council President Lopes, requesting, that the Health Department, the Department of Public Infrastructure, the Traffic Commission and the Mayor’s office explore the implementation of a program that places, at popular panhandling locations, signage designed to encourage and facilitate responsible giving by providing a telephone number to both donate to local charities that provide food, shelter and mental health services and enable this at risk population to access these services; and further, that the Traffic Commission create the signage and steps be taken to erect the signs in panhandling locations.

WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Dunn, Abreu, Winterson and Council President Lopes, requesting, that the Health Department, the Department of Public Infrastructure, the Traffic Commission and the Mayor’s office explore the implementation of a program that places, at popular panhandling locations, signage designed to encourage and facilitate responsible giving by providing a telephone number to both donate to local charities that provide food, shelter and mental health services and enable this at risk population to access these services. (Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods-08/17/2017.)”