Senator Tolman in the News
Senator Tolman to Hold Office Hours in Belmont
Senator Steven A. Tolman (D-Brighton) announced today that his office will hold open office hours on Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 from 9:00am to 11:00am at the Belmont Senior Center located at 266 Beech Street in Belmont.
Anyone who needs assistance with a state agency or who would like to discuss a legislative matter should stop by to ask questions or express their concerns. Those unable to attend the community office hours, but would like to contact the office on an issue, should feel free to call the Senator’s office at (617) 722-1280.
Senator Tolman to Hold Office Hours in Watertown
Senator Steven A. Tolman (D-Brighton) announced today that his office will hold open office hours on Wednesday, August 18th, 2010 from 9:00am to 11:00am at the Deluxe Town Diner at 627 Mount Auburn Street in Watertown.
Anyone who needs assistance with a state agency or who would like to discuss a legislative matter should stop by to ask questions or express their concerns. Those unable to attend the community office hours, but would like to contact the office on an issue, should feel free to call the Senator’s office at (617) 722-1280.
Senator Tolman to Hold Office Hours in the Fenway
Senator Steven A. Tolman (D-Brighton) announced today that his office will hold open office hours on Wednesday, August 11th, 2010 from 9:00am to 11:00am on the Ninth Floor of Fenway Community Health’s Ansin Building, located at 1340 Boylston Street in the Fenway.
Anyone who needs assistance with a state agency or who would like to discuss a legislative matter should stop by to ask questions or express their concerns. Those unable to attend the community office hours, but would like to contact the office on an issue, should feel free to call the Senator’s office at (617) 722-1280.
Senator Tolman to Hold Office Hours in Brighton
Senator Steven A. Tolman (D-Brighton) announced today that his office will hold open office hours on Friday, July 23, 2010 from 9:00am to 11:00am at Mandy and Joe’s, located at 328 Washington St in Brighton.
Anyone who needs assistance with a state agency or who would like to discuss a legislative matter should stop by to ask questions or express their concerns. Those unable to attend the community office hours, but would like to contact the office on an issue, should feel free to call the Senator’s office at (617) 722-1280.
Senator Tolman to Hold Office Hours in Cambridge
Senator Steven A. Tolman (D-Brighton) announced today that his office will hold open office hours on Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 from 9:00am to 11:00am at Verna’s Coffee and Donut Shop at 2344 Mass. Ave. in Cambridge.
Anyone who needs assistance with a state agency or who would like to discuss a legislative matter should stop by to ask questions or express their concerns. Those unable to attend the community office hours, but would like to contact the office on an issue, should feel free to call the Senator’s office at (617) 722-1280.
Senator Tolman to Hold Office Hours in the Fenway
Senator Steven A. Tolman (D-Brighton) announced today that his office will hold open office hours on Wednesday, June 16th, 2010 from 9:00am to 11:00am in Room 2 at Fenway Community Health’s Ansin Building, located at 1340 Boylston Street in the Fenway.
Anyone who needs assistance with a state agency or who would like to discuss a legislative matter should stop by to ask questions or express their concerns. Those unable to attend the community office hours, but would like to contact the office on an issue, should feel free to call the Senator’s office at (617) 722-1280.
Senator Tolman to Hold Office Hours in Belmont
Senator Steven A. Tolman (D-Brighton) announced today that his office will hold open office hours on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 from 9:00am to 11:00am at Andros Diner, located at 628 Trapelo Road in Belmont.
Anyone who needs assistance with a state agency or who would like to discuss a legislative matter should stop by to ask questions or express their concerns. Those unable to attend the community office hours, but would like to contact the office on an issue, should feel free to call the Senator’s office at (617) 722-1280.
DCR HOSTING ACCESSIBLE RECREATION FAIR AT ARTESANI PARK IN BRIGHTON
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has scheduled an Accessible Recreation Fair in Artesani Park in Boston featuring displays and demonstrations of accessible recreation equipment for cycling and other spring and summer activities.
The festival is set for Saturday, June 5, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at Artesani Park, 1234 Soldiers Field Road in the Boston neighborhood of Brighton.
Sponsored by DCR’s Universal Access Program, the free fair is targeted toward persons with disabilities and their families and friends. The fair will showcase a variety of accessible outdoor recreation equipment to help persons of all ages with physical, cognitive, sensory, developmental, and other types of disabilities enjoy outdoor sports and recreation. Last year, more than 400 people enjoyed the festival.
“Our Universal Access Program is one of the most innovative and groundbreaking programs in the nation,” said DCR Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr. “It has helped make the recreation programs in our state and urban parks more inclusive, so that people with disabilities can participate independently or with their friends and families in a wide variety of activities.”
The fair is a day to celebrate the many forms and varieties of accessible outdoor recreation. Activities will include an assortment of accessible cycles available for use, letterboxing, hiking, interpretive programs, a D.J., snacks, and more. This is also the place to find out about accessible recreation programs offered by multiple organizations in the Boston area and beyond.
Preregistration is recommended, especially for use of equipment or to request an ASL interpreter. For information or to ask about volunteer opportunities, call Gigi at 617-626-1294 or Marcy at 413-545-5758.
DCR’s Universal Access Program sponsors a wide variety of adaptive recreation opportunities in summer and winter at locations across the Commonwealth. In addition to winter activities, DCR parks and facilities offer summer activities including cycling, kayaking, canoeing, rowing, sailing, hiking, and bird watching. Skilled instructors and volunteers provide equipment, instruction, and support.
For more information on DCR’s Universal Access Program and a schedule of activities, visit www.mass.gov/dcr/ and click on “universal access,” or call 617-626-1294, 413-545-5353, or 413-577-2200 (TTY).
Senator Tolman to Hold Office Hours in Cambridge
Senator Steven A. Tolman will be holding office hours on Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 from 9:00am to 11:00am at Verna’s Coffee and Donut Shop, located at 2344 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge.
Anyone who needs assistance with a state agency or who would like to discuss a legislative matter should stop by to ask questions or express their concerns. Those unable to attend the community office hours, but would like to contact the office on an issue, should feel free to call the Senator’s office at (617) 722-1280.
Senator Tolman to Hold Office Hours in Brighton
Senator Steven A. Tolman will be holding office hours on Wednesday, May 12th, 2010 from 9:00am to 11:00am at Mandy & Joe’s Delicatessen, located at 328 Washington Street, in Brighton.
Anyone who needs assistance with a state agency or who would like to discuss a legislative matter should stop by to ask questions or express their concerns. Those unable to attend the community office hours, but would like to contact the office on an issue, should feel free to call the Senator’s office at (617) 722-1280.
US House Judiciary Sub-Committee to Hold Field Briefing in Boston
The US House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law announced that will be holding a Congressional Field Briefing in Boston on Monday, April 12th, at 1:00pm in the Gardner Auditorium. The purpose of this hearing will be to inform the Subcommittee on the recent release of the OxyContin and Heroin Commission report with a focus on the federal government’s response to the opioid epidemic.
“I am pleased that the US House decided to hold this important hearing in Boston. The epidemic of addiction continues to plague our citizens and does not discriminate based on age, sex, race or economic status. With as many as two individuals in the Commonwealth dying each day of drug overdoses, we must continue to be aggressive and change our response, both as a state and nationally, to a crisis that is crippling our communities,” said State Senator Steven A. Tolman (D-Brighton). “I commend Chairman Cohen and Congressman Delahunt for looking at the federal response to this issue and I look forward to engaging with the Subcommittee to develop new federal policies.”
“The report put forth by the Massachusetts OxyContin and Heroin Commission is excellent, and reflects an in-depth review of an epidemic that is devastating to individuals, families, and the community,” said Congressman Bill Delahunt. “Moreover, until it is successfully addressed, healthcare costs will continue to escalate and impact our economy. This crisis is not limited to Massachusetts, and therefore I am holding this field briefing so that Members of the Judiciary Committee can understand how the federal government can assist states and communities in addressing the issues highlighted in the report. I would be remiss not to note the leadership of Senator Tolman, and thank him and every member of the commission for their extraordinary effort and commitment.”
The hearing is the product of coordination between the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation and the OxyContin and Heroin Commission to address substance abuse issues nationwide. The hearing is open to the public; however, testimony is by invitation only. Senator Tolman was the chair of the recent OxyContin and Heroin Commission and served as chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse from 2005-2007 in the Massachusetts General Court.
Senate President Murray Announces Observance of Earth Hour
Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) on Thursday announced the Senate will join in support of Earth Hour and encouraged all Massachusetts residents and businesses to take part in the worldwide event this Saturday promoting climate change awareness.
“This is a simple yet extraordinary effort uniting people across the world and showing the power we have collectively to make a difference,” President Murray said. “Energy efficiency, conservation and the promotion of renewable energy sources have been a priority for the Senate. We remain committed to these endeavors, and we are happy to participate again this year in Earth Hour. I hope residents and businesses in my district and throughout the Commonwealth will join in this important event.”
The Massachusetts Senate passed a resolution Thursday urging its members to participate. It is the second consecutive year the Senate has passed an Earth Hour observance resolution.
Last year, hundreds of millions of people across the world turned off their lights for the cause, including 4,100 cities in 87 countries. In the United States, 80 million Americans and 318 cities joined in observance, according to the official Earth Hour website. Across the Commonwealth, 60 businesses, 33 organizations, and 54 schools and universities have already signed up for Earth Hour 2010.
Earth Hour takes place Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., when citizens, companies and governments across the globe will recognize the growing issue of climate change by turning off their lights.
For more information on Earth Hour participation, please visit www.myearthhour.org.
Senator Tolman Addresses Library Rally
The Boston Globe recently published an article regarding the Massachusetts Library Association’s State House rally. Senator Tolman, who gave a fiery speech to the assembled librarians, was mentioned in the article. You can read the Globe account of the rally by clicking on the link below.
Senator Tolman Announces Free Legal Assistance to Haitian Immigrants
Senator Steven A. Tolman announced on Thursday, March 11, 2010 that several free legal clinics have been established to provide assistance to Haitian immigrants who wish to complete the paperwork necessary to receive Temporary Protected Status (TPS). For the locations and times of the clinics visit the organizing group’s website.
Senator Tolman to Hold Office Hours in Brighton
Senator Steven A. Tolman will be holding office hours on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 from 9:00am to 11:00am at Mandy & Joe’s Delicatessen, located at 328 Washington Street, in Brighton.
Anyone who needs assistance with a state agency or who would like to discuss a legislative matter should stop by to ask questions or express their concerns. Those unable to attend the community office hours, but would like to contact the office on an issue, should feel free to call the Senator’s office at (617) 722-1280.
Administration Speaks Out Against OxyContin Epidemic
Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray and Commissioner of Public Health John Auerbach published an opinion piece in the Boston Globe on Thursday, February 4, 2010 in which they acknowledged the OxyContin and Heroin crisis in the Commonwealth and endorsed several of the Massachusetts OxyContin and Heroin Commission’s central recommendations. You can read the opinion piece, which mentions the Commission which Senator Tolman chaired, by clicking on the link below.
The Availability of OxyContin in Massachusetts
The Boston Globe recently published an editorial highlighting a Menino administration push to to educate East Boston about the dangers of OxyContin use, but stating that the policy will not be effective until the availability of the drug on Massachusetts’ streets is curbed. You can read the editorial, in which Senator Tolman is mentioned, by clicking on the link below.
Night Owl Service
In response to a recent opinion piece in the Boston Globe Senator Tolman wrote a Letter to the Editor calling for the reintroduction of the MBTA’s Night Owl service. You can read the letter by clicking the link below.
OxyContin and Heroin Commission Report
A number of newspapers, radio stations and television stations have run stories about the release of the Massachusetts OxyContin and Heroin Commission’s Report. Below are links to some of the stories which have run thus far.