Transportation Pilot Program Launched

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A major initiative that has long been discussed in community meetings throughout the state is how to provide better public transportation services to the people.

Certainly in larger cities and towns with concentrated population densities, providing public transportation is not only easier, it is necessary. But what about smaller communities, rural communities, and aging communities?

Legislators have studied such diverse concepts as pedestrian and bicycling pathways linking people with businesses and services, to ride sharing, to regional bus routes. Yet, when it comes to supporting motorized transportation solutions, money becomes the deciding factor.

Daily bus service between Mattapoisett and New Bedford was halted about two years ago due to a lack of ridership.

However, the notion of providing reliable, cost-effective transportation from Wareham to New Bedford along the Route 6 corridor is once again being proposed.

A pilot program will begin on February 6 sponsored by Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) in partnership with the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA).

Funding was secured via grant submitted by GATRA. The pilot is for one year, and SRTA will operate the service.

An email sent to communities included in the pilot program from the office of Erik Rousseau, SRTA administrator in the New Bedford office, reads in part, “The service is slated to run Monday-Wednesday with two round trips in the morning and two round trips in the afternoon. This is a very exciting chance to link social services, businesses and the people of our collective communities to new employment and educational opportunities.

            There will not be a local assessment charged to the communities served during this pilot. As we evaluate the viability we will reach out directly to those communities served and discuss the options.”

Mattapoisett Town Administrator Michael Gagne said, “SRTA community members have been talking about this, but due to limited Federal funds and different transportation districts, it has been difficult.”

Wareham and Marion are serviced by GATRA while Fairhaven and Mattapoisett fall under SRTA, he said. Gagne said that for Mattapoisett residents, it might mean easier access not only to neighboring towns but also to Boston.

“You can leave your car at the park and ride on North Street and, if you’re not in a hurry, use public transportation all the way to Logan.”

He said that, although it might not be the fastest way to travel to Boston, it did eliminate the problem of where to leave one’s car.

“There will be two ways to get to Boston now – either by taking the bus to New Bedford and connecting to other services from there, or taking the bus to Wareham and connecting there,” Gagne said.

While riders may hail a pick-up or request drop-off along Route 6, there will also be regular stops. Departing from New Bedford, the bus will make scheduled stops at the Southcoast Health Center in Fairhaven, Shaw’s Supermarket/Greater New Bedford Health Center in Wareham, Wareham Town Hall/Multi-service Center, and Cranberry Plaza.

Riders will pay $1.50, seniors $0.75, and children under six years of age will ride for free. Hours of operation will be Monday through Wednesday from 7:30 am through 6:00 pm with two round trips.

When asked if this new pilot program might benefit senior citizens whose growing numbers have become a significant part of future planning needs for many cities and towns, Gagne responded, “Possibly.”

“I might have to try it out and see for myself,” he said.

Rousseau’s office will be sending out more details in the coming days. A call to his office was not returned before press time.

You may visit www.mattapoisett.net to view route map, times, and rider information.

By Marilou Newell

 

The Landmine Tragedy

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Landmines. They are gruesome, they are cruel, and they are killing over 15,000 people, including children, each year. In fact, according to unicef.org, an estimated 85% of children who are victims of landmines perish before arriving at the hospital. Landmines are explosive devices that are designed to blow when triggered by pressure or a tripwire. Landmines are typically laid just under or above the ground. These devices are extremely dangerous. For children, what seems like a fun toy could mean a painful death. Why? Because enemies in war-torn areas use these to severely injure or kill innocent civilians while trying to take over a territory. They are often disguised as colorful toys, referred to by many as “toys of death.” There are an estimated 100,000 landmines still in the world, and some sixth graders from Sippican School wanted to do something about it after reading The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis in reading class with teacher Mrs.Sinnott. This novel takes place in the war-struck country of Afghanistan, where landmines are a big issue. Sixth graders Marcus Pierre, Drew Marvel, Liam Houck, Henry Richards, and Sam Williamson organized a fundraiser for the ICBL, the International Organization to Ban Landmines. This organization works for a world free of landmines. On the day of the fundraiser in mid-December, students were asked to wear red and bring in a small donation. Together, just under $300 was raised for the ICBL.

By Ava Noone and Catie Parks

 

Academic Achievements

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The following Tri-Town residents were among 1,424 students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) named to the university’s Dean’s List for academic excellence for the fall 2016 semester:

– Edward Krawczyk of Rochester, a member of the class of 2020 majoring in robotics engineering.

– Nicole Mattson of Marion, a member of the class of 2020 majoring in biomedical engineering.

– Drew Robert of Mattapoisett, a member of the class of 2020 majoring in robotics engineering.

– Alex Tavares of Marion, a member of the class of 2020 majoring in robotics engineering and computer science.

– Chad Underhill of Rochester, a member of the class of 2019 majoring in computer science.

The criteria for the WPI Dean’s List differs from most other universities as WPI does not compute a grade point average (GPA). Instead, WPI defines the Dean’s List by the amount of work completed at the A level in courses and projects.

Hannah Sullivan from Rochester has been named to the University of Delaware’s Dean’s List for the fall 2016 semester. To meet eligibility requirements for the Dean’s List, a student must be enrolled full-time and earn a GPA of 3.33 or above (on a 4.0 scale) for the semester.

Brenna Maloney, a senior from Marion majoring in public health, was among 2,253 students at Coastal Carolina University who made the Fall 2016 Dean’s List. To qualify for the Dean’s List, freshmen must earn a 3.25 grade point average and upperclassmen must earn a 3.5 grade point average. To qualify for the President’s List, students must earn a 4.0 grade point average. All students must be enrolled full time.

The following UMass Dartmouth students from the Tri-Town were named to the Chancellor’s List in recognition of earning a fall 2016 semester grade point average of 3.8 or higher of a possible 4.0:

– Evan Martinez of Marion

– Isabella Bernardi of Mattapoisett

– Abigail Field of Mattapoisett

– James Leidhold of Mattapoisett

– Shannon Lynch of Mattapoisett

– Casey Mackenzie of Mattapoisett

– Kelly Merlo of Mattapoisett

– Lauren Gaspar of Rochester

– Mallory Kiernan of Rochester

– Kevin Newell of Rochester

– Nicholas Pavao of Rochester

– Riley Sherman of Rochester

The following UMass Dartmouth students from the Tri-Town have been named to the fall 2016 Dean’s List in recognition of earning a semester grade point average of 3.2 or higher of a possible 4.0:

– Ashley Dauphinee of Marion

– Makenzie Despres of Marion

– Colby Garstang of Marion

– Ryan Gillis of Marion

– Ian Hibbert of Marion

– Arien Keyghobad of Marion

– Derek Marshall of Marion

– Samuel McDonald of Marion

– Conner Medeiros-Sweet of Marion

– Micaela Muller of Marion

– Jillian Reichert of Marion

– Catharine Ryer of Marion

– Mya Akins of Mattapoisett

– Samantha Allaire of Mattapoisett

– Alex Calise of Mattapoisett

– Shelby Cunningham of Mattapoisett

– Nicole Enos of Mattapoisett

– Keely Gingras of Mattapoisett

– Madeleine Lee of Mattapoisett

– Allison McGlynn of Mattapoisett

– Patrick McGraw of Mattapoisett

– Myles McQuade of Mattapoisett

– Madison Miedzionoski of Mattapoisett

– Laura Morse of Mattapoisett

– Christina Musser of Mattapoisett

– Angelica Nieves-Kastel of Mattapoisett

– Elvita Rocha of Mattapoisett

– Matthew Vicino of Mattapoisett

– Geoffrey Bentz of Rochester

– Andrew Frey of Rochester

– Jordan Frey of Rochester

– Amanda Frey of Rochester

– Brandon Gaspar of Rochester

– Kyle Hardy of Rochester

– Damon Ivester of Rochester

– Julieann Jones of Rochester

– Natalie Martin of Rochester

– Tyler Paquin of Rochester

– Carly Pelissier of Rochester

Evelyn (Braga) Duff

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Evelyn (Braga) Duff, 72, entered into eternal peace surrounded by her family on Saturday, February 4, 2017, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital after a long illness.

She was the wife of John R. “Jack” Duff, Jr. with whom she shared 47 years of marriage.

Evelyn was born on May 27, 1944 in Fairhaven, daughter of the late Joseph and Georgianna (Mello) Braga, she lived in Fairhaven before moving to Mattapoisett in 1986.

She was formerly employed at Lockheed Martin (previously Sippican) for many years until her retirement.

She was an awarded quilter, enjoyed shopping and watching cooking shows. Evelyn was an avid Patriots and Red Sox fan. She was a loving wife, mother, nana, sister and friend.

She is survived by her husband; 3 daughters, Kimberly Riley and her husband Christopher of Rochester, Keri Duff of Marion and Shelley Butler and her husband Christopher of Mattapoisett; a son, John R. Duff, III and his wife Karen of Somerset; her loving grandchildren, Braydon Duff, Aja Duff, Harrison Riley, Mackenzie Riley, Jack Butler, Drew Butler, Marissa Duff and Riley Duff; her sister, Janice Kummer and her husband Karl; her sisters-in-law, Maureen Best and her husband Robert and Beatrice Braga; and several nieces and nephews.

She was the sister of the late Dennis Braga.

Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett Wednesday at 9 AM. Funeral Mass at St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett at 10 AM. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Visiting hours Tuesday from 4-8 PM. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

The Occasion Singers at the MAC

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The Marion Art Center is pleased to once again host The Occasion Singers, who will help celebrate Valentine’s Day with a concert of Sinatra tunes on Saturday, February 11 at 7:30 pm. (Due to unforeseen circumstances, the previously-scheduled Friday evening performance has been cancelled.) Tickets are available at a cost of $15 for MAC members and $18 for non-members. While reservations/holds cannot be accommodated, ticket purchases may be made both in person and by calling the Marion Art Center at 508-748-1266 during regular gallery hours (Tuesday through Friday from 1:00 – 5:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am- 2:00 pm). General seating and cabaret seating (for parties of 4) are still available on a first come, first served basis. The Marion Art Center is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to promoting the visual and performing arts and is located at 80 Pleasant Street (the corner of Main and Pleasant Streets) in Marion. For more information about the Marion Art Center, visit www.MarionArtCenter.org.

Sippican Students Exhibit at the MAC

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The Marion Art Center is delighted to announce the upcoming opening of two simultaneous gallery exhibitions, both to open on February 13. Under the supervision of art teacher Erin Kirk, the art students at Sippican School will exhibit a collection of works in the MAC’s Patsy Francis (upstairs) Gallery from February 13 through March 11. This show celebrates the immense talent of the Sippican School students and will include several works from each grade level, representing various subjects and mediums. There will be a special opening reception at the Marion Art Center for the students and their parents after school on Monday, February 13, from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. The Sippican Elementary School art program emphasizes that learning to be an artist is much like learning a sport. With patience, persistence, practice, problem solving, and a positive approach, every student has the ability to create beautiful and meaningful art.

Also from February 13 through March 11, artist Remmi Franklin will exhibit her works, Aerials and Abstracts, in the MAC’s Cecil Clark Davis (first floor) Gallery. A special opening reception honoring the artist will be held at the Marion Art Center on Monday, February 13, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. A graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art, she began experimenting during her college years with creating images that played one color against another. Franklin explains, “I am fascinated by the way the human eye is trained by nature to see in a certain manner … Using contrasting plays of color and shape, I have sought to challenge those expectations and to induce the viewer to stretch their perceptions.” In more recent years, she was inspired to start experimenting in using a wooden board as her canvas. “It felt like I was home,” she says. The aerials and abstracts featured in her artwork include multiple color combinations, and with the addition of collage techniques and the layering that is inherent in the art form, she aspires to create juxtapositions and perceptual challenges. Using colors, shapes, layers and textures, this series combines her signature style with her love of the land and sea.

Both gallery receptions are open to the public, free of charge. The Marion Art Center is located at 80 Pleasant Street (at the corner of Main & Pleasant Streets) in Marion, MA, and is a nonprofit charitable organization. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday from 1:00 – 5:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. For more information, call 508-748-1266.

Stars Shine at Senior Superlatives

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The side entrance to the Old Rochester Regional High School was lively on the Wednesday night dedicated to the Class of 2017’s superlative awards night.

Parents and students from all grades were present and socializing before the event began, but the seniors were in the spotlight from the moment they arrived.

Several students even came directly from the locker rooms; practice came first, but they weren’t planning on missing the fun.

Dressed in semi-formal attire, the 12th graders all made sure to take multiple pictures on their red carpet of the night in order to capture the moment forever. In addition to fundraising for their end-of-year events, this was a time for the class to put their school stress aside and begin to reflect on their previous years in this final semester.

Once everyone was seated in the school auditorium, English teachers and senior class advisors Michael Beson and Megan Hall began the ceremony by introducing senior Jon Kvilhaug as the night’s emcee.

“This is one of our few opportunities we have to assemble and recognize … each other,” Kvilhaug said. His words set the tone for the event. No one was upset over losing; instead, it was time to celebrate what their classmates thought of them. Just being nominated was an accomplishment.

The first three awards won were for ‘best hair,’ going to Diana LaRock and Sam Henrie, ‘best smile’ was for Matt Dube and Madison Cristaldi, and ‘best laugh’ went to Beckett Kiernan and Ariane Dias.

Kiernan laughed twice at the urging and applause of his classmates, while Dias arrived late and accepted her award after intermission, saying to their amusement, “My laugh isn’t funny. It really isn’t. So … ha.”

Next was ‘best dressed,’ going to Noah Strawn and Emily Hiller. When Kvilhaug asked Hiller when she began dressing herself, she quipped, “Like two weeks ago.”

‘Best personality’ went to Tim Dix and Julia Barrett after a slip-up on announcing their names. Dix jokingly referred to the upcoming Super Bowl and said, “Go Falcons!” Barrett supported the audience’s sentiments and replied, “No, just no.”

‘Most athletic’ went to Landon Goguen and Olivia Labbe, which was followed by ‘most musical’ and its winners, Camryn Kidney and Maxx Wolski.

“I’d like to give a shout out to all my fans out there,” Kidney thanked the audience.

After ‘most artistic’ went to Aubrie Isabelle and Noah Tavares, Kvilhaug excused himself from the podium.

“The academy thought it would be inappropriate to introduce myself for the four nominations I received,” he laughed. Kvilhaug went on to win ‘teacher’s pet’ along with Hannah Lafreniere.

‘Most dramatic’ went to Sara Achorn and Tim Schroeder, who thanked “the Academy and his parents,” while ‘most likely to succeed’ went to Jacob Spevack and Hannah Guard, and ‘best eyes’ went to Madie Barber and Charlie Tirrell.

“I think he meant to say Liam Hemsworth, but whatever,” Tirrell joked about the celebrity’s eyes.

Then came intermission, where a bake sale to support the senior class ran. Class advisors Beson and Hall spoke about their students during this time as well.

“They’re great,” said Hall. “Honestly, it’s been such a great class to work with, it’s been really easy. Most of the things they come up with on their own … I just advise.”

“It’s a good class,” said Beson with a laugh. “It’s a good night. It’s a chance to see their actual personalities come out.”

The award presentation started up after the break, leading off with the ‘biggest appetite,’ which went to Will Hopkins and Charlotte Rathborne.

“I would like to thank Case Cancun, Five Guys, Red Robin, the school lunch, and everyone who doesn’t eat their school lunch,” Hopkins said.

‘Most changed’ went to Kurt Thompson and Emma Cadieux, while ‘least changed’ was given to Collin O’Malley and Erin Costa.

‘Cutest couple’ was voted Jacob Davis and Hannah Ribeiro, while ‘cutest best friends’ Jon Harris and Jacob Spevack drew an enthusiastic response from their classmates.

‘Celebrity look alike’ was one of the most widely debated awards over the voting period, but ultimately went to Danny Renwick (for Will Poulter) and Nicole Aguiar (for Corbin Bleu).

‘Highway menace’ went to Nick Galavotti and Riley Shaughnessy, and ‘most accident prone’ was given to Dylan McCoog and Emma Collins.

“I’d like to thank my ankles for this award,” joked Collins.

The last five awards nicely wrapped up the night.

‘Most likely to take over the world’ was handed over to James Goulart and Camryn Kidney, and ‘most school spirit’ went to Matt Dube and Brooke Santos.

Andrew Bicshel and Ariane Dias won ‘class clown,’ while ‘unsung class hero’ went to Beckett Kiernan and Aubrie Isabelle.

Finally, ‘best all around’ was awarded to Jacob Cafarella and Julia Barrett.

By Jo Caynon

 

FY18 Budget Reviews Include Narratives

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On January 25, Town Administrator Michael Gagne and the members of the Mattapoisett Finance Committee met to begin the budget review process for FY18.

While each department they met with on this night had its own narrative to supplement spreadsheets, there were a couple of reoccurring themes: succession planning and the use of technology.

From Brenda Herbeck, treasurer and tax collector, the committee members learned that a new software package is in the process of being launched that will allow municipal employees online viewing and interactive functions related to healthcare coverage and retirement planning.

“Hopefully, they’ll be more aware of their benefits,” Herbeck said.

Gagne added that, by giving employees easier and more timely access to healthcare information, the employee would be able to answer their own questions versus calling the one person in town hall currently designated to oversee all matters related to insurance coverage.

“This single staff member is inundated daily and unable to do other things,” Gagne said.

With the new portal from Mass Mutual, employees will have real-time answers to their questions.

Herbeck also said that improvements had been made to online tax payments. She explained that an earlier version only allowed bills to be paid online within the 30-day grace period. Now, tax bills may be paid after the due date as the system will update interest to outstanding bills every 24 hours.

Regarding the treasurer/tax collector’s office, the FY18 budget is pegged at $225,725, just over $3,000 from FY17. The increase is primarily due to contractual increases.

Up the corridor from the tax office, Kathleen Costello, administer of assessing, is also pleased with technology that has aided in making complex issues more easily understood by property owners.

Costello lauded the efforts of staff member Nick Nelson, whose role as data collector and GIS coordinator has brought the department into the 21st century.

“We are able to do everything consistently for the resident,” she said. With uniformity in the process of evaluating properties, Costello continued, abatements are declining.

Costello pointed to the fact that during her first year in Mattapoisett, abatements ran as high as 200. Now she said, “We’ve done twenty-two in spite of property values skyrocketing.”

“An educated taxpayer is one who isn’t going to try and seek an abatement…. People like the GIS system,” she said.

On the theme of succession planning, Costello said that Mia Robinson, formerly of the tax collector’s office, has been able to come up to speed very quickly in the assessor’s office. Robinson will be pursuing certification through MAAO and will be in-line to replace Costello when she retires.

Gagne said that the selectmen have come to appreciate the importance of identifying those municipal employees who show interest and aptitude in advancing their careers. This allows the junior staff members to train under the tutelage of senior staff members for greater continuity in service to the community.

Of the GIS system, Costello said that in the coming months the council of aging, water and sewer, safety personnel and building department will all be trained and using the GIS system. Costello did not present a spreadsheet.

From the town hall’s second floor, Director of Inspectional Services Andy Bobola shared big changes coming to his department.

“The biggest change,” Bobola said, “is the ninth edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code.” He said the updated code and standards manual is a mandated document and that this edition makes significant changes in the areas of plumbing, framing structures located in flood zones, and a new energy code.

Bobola said that the new code would affect every segment of his department including administrative staff members.

Bobola said he is just starting with the GIS system, but that the system will be critical to online permitting that he sees coming in the near future.

Bobola and Gagne discussed the development of a video library that could be accessed on the town’s website; the videos would help property owners understand the permitting process and the importance of inspectional services for the safety of their homes.

“The more we educate the public, the better,” Gagne said.

The building department is also looking to provide professional development opportunities to its staff members with Bobola saying Robin Shufelt has excelled in the transition to the GIS program.

Bobola said Shufelt is advancing in her duties towards becoming the administrative assistant to the inspectional services department. He also applauded Mary Lynch for the work she is doing.

Bobola said that a new part-time inspector in training, Stephen Broto, has come aboard.

Gagne also shared his appreciation for the work done by the zoning board of appeals that Bobola directly assists. Gagne said, “I think they’ve done a great job, especially with some of the large contentious hearings … keeping them civil.”

Bobola’s spreadsheet also shows an increase of approximately $27,488 over FY17, primarily reflective of increases in training, conferences, in-state travel, and contractual commitments.

A stone’s throw away up Church Street, the council on aging continues to see greater demand for services.

Jackie Coucci, director of the Mattapoisett COA, presented a summary of activities and a spreadsheet of expenses associated with providing a myriad of services to the town’s aging population.

And, given the sheer volume of people reaching out to the COA for assistance in areas such as tax and Medicare information, medical rides, social services, enrichment programs, shopping trips, and medical equipment, Coucci is concerned about staffing.

“The census showed in 2016 that thirty-five percent of Mattapoisett residents were sixty years of age or older,” Coucci said. “We are serving just over a third of the population.” She continued, “The 2020 projections show Mattapoisett ahead of all other communities in Plymouth County,” in terms of aging residents she added.

Given this, Coucci said being able to provide continuity in services was critical.

“I’m just one person,” she stated.

In the narrative she provided, Coucci wrote, “…[S]hould there be an unexpected absence, having someone available to serve full-time will enable responsibilities to be rendered without concern.”

She asked that the committee consider increasing the number of hours the part-time administrative coordinator works by adding five hours per week, making that position full-time. Gagne said that a review of that position would be forthcoming.

In spite of requesting more hours for a staff member and contractual agreements, the COA budget shows a bottom line of approximately $121,503 or $1,523 over FY17.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Finance Committee is scheduled for February 1 at 6:30 pm in the town hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

 

Tucker Adam Francis

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Tucker Adam Francis (19) died on January 31st in a snorkeling accident in the Virgin Islands. He lost consciousness while free diving, a condition called “shallow-water blackout.” He was spending the winter of his gap year working as the chef on Tabor Academy’s schooner, the Tabor Boy, during the Caribbean Studies program. In the fall he was headed to Santa Clara University to study engineering.

Tucker was a joyous, kind young man with twinkling blue eyes and an infectious smile. He was happiest when doing anything with family and friends, and loved to ride his Ninja motorcycle, build a drone, whack a golf ball at Kittansett, fix anything mechanical, create a cool new gizmo out of carbon fiber, gobble a huge plate of sushi at Turks, kite board, scuba dive, ski, play lacrosse, or work out to the thump of loud rap. On a moment’s notice he could whip up a mean pan of fried rice or stir-fried pasta, perfectly grill a platter of flat-iron steak, or bake a batch of chocolate-chip cookies for a gang of his friends. Local residents may have enjoyed his cooking last summer at “Tucker and Zack’s Snack Shack” at the Piney Point Beach Club or last fall at “Kate’s Eats.”

The first 12 years of his life were spent in Locust, New Jersey, where he attended the Rumson Country Day School. Tucker and his family moved to Marion in 2009, then set off on a 13-month sailing adventure to Nova Scotia, the Caribbean, and Central America. Upon returning, he was welcomed into 7th and 8th grades by Friends Academy in North Dartmouth MA. Tucker then attended high school at Tabor Academy as a day student, where his personality and confidence blossomed – academically, athletically, and musically. The new “Maker Space” at Tabor was one of his favorite places, where he learned to weld, use a 3D printer, design electrical circuits, build electronics, and teach younger students his new-found passions. During two summers he was employed as the cook on the Tabor Boy for orientation cruises around Buzzards Bay, where his love deepened for the vessel, its crew, and Marion’s home waters. This past November he crewed on the schooner as it sailed from Marion to Bermuda and on to the Virgin Islands, delighted to be part of the team that included some of his best friends and most respected mentors.

Tucker’s parents, Peter and Jennifer, are Marion natives, and his sister, Holly, attends college at Stanford University. Grandpa Earl Briggs and his wife Mimi also live in Marion, as does his Uncle David, with cousin Christopher nearby in Wareham. Close family members also include the Briggses in Sherborn and Boston MA; the Dades in Norwich VT, San Francisco CA, and Boston MA; the Zinns in Steamboat Springs CO, Vail CO, and Bozeman MT; the Dowlings in Timmonsville SC; the Kunze/Dades in Seattle WA; Nancy Francis in Aiken SC; the Hamills in Richmond VA and New York City; the Roberts in London, England; and the many members of the Francis and Huber families near and far.

No words or gestures will ever fill the hole created by the loss of this amazing young man, but the entire Francis family is immensely appreciative of the love and support from the many friends and families who were touched by Tucker around the world. A celebration of Tucker’s life will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Tucker’s memory to the Tabor Boy Deckhouse Fund, as this space on the schooner is at the heart of crew life aboard, and it will need to be replaced in the near future. The image of Tabor Boy crews gathering for decades to come in the new deckhouse that Tucker helped “build” is a happy one and would make him proud.

The Women’s March…Now What?

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President Trump has pledged to enact policies that will affect our human rights such as a woman’s right to make choices about her own body or a gay man’s right to chose who he wants to marry. Are you angry that the President’s stand on immigration could deport hundreds of law-abiding people in southeastern Massachusetts who know no country but the United States? Are you worried that the President will reverse years of environmental policies that will do irreparable damage to our country? Are you angry that President Trump has already, and will no doubt continue, to damage our image in our international community with his nationalistic, hawkish views? Are you concerned that President Trump’s appointees will change the focus of the Supreme Court for years to come?

With the existing Republican Congress, many changes could happen unless people forcefully speak out against the actions and policies that are being proposed by President Trump. Why not begin to reject President’s Trump’s actions by gathering with the Mattapoisett Democratic Town Committee on Saturday, February 11 from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm at the Friends Meeting House Community Building at 103 Marion Road (Route 6).

The meeting is open to all and will concentrate on specific ways individuals and groups can make their voices heard.

For more information, contact mattdemtc@gmail.com.