Gloucester has been granted a designation as a “green community” by the state’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. And with that designation comes the eligibility to reel in $198,200 in grant funding to explore municipal renewable power and energy efficiency grants. Read more on the Gloucester Daily Times website→
Gloucester’s state lawmakers have launched a campaign for a special federal prosecutor to investigate possible criminal behavior by national fisheries enforcement agents, who seized assets from and fined fishermen and then spent the money. Read more on the Gloucester Daily Times website→
Since it became clear that Gloucester District Court was in jeopardy, Gloucester’s state lawmakers — state Sen. Bruce Tarr and Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante — have fought the idea, saying it will isolate those living on the island from the legal system. Read more on the Gloucester Daily Times website→
The state’s legislative leadership and coastal caucus have petitioned Massachusetts’ congressional delegation to back a plan setting aside some $96 million from the fiscal 2011 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration budget to compensate subjects of miscarriages of justice against the fishing industry. Read more on the Gloucester Daily Times website→
Gloucester state Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante said Wednesday that she, along with Tarr, expects to meet with Mulligan and court officials soon to discuss the potential closure of Gloucester District court soon. “I am still concerned about a possible closure and have questions about how they decided to prioritize their budget,” Ferrante said. Read more on…
State Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, who triggered waves of demands for the IG to step in after NOAA police undertook a third major case against the Gloucester Seafood Display Auction in early 2009, said “any evidence of misuse of funds and violation of regulations should be prosecuted.” Read more on the Gloucester Daily Times website→
Cape Ann’s state lawmakers have slipped wording into the state budget that would stop any effort to close Massachusetts courthouses — including Gloucester District Court — until at least September, and probably far longer. Read more on the Gloucester Daily Times website→
Gloucester’s legislative team will host a meeting tomorrow evening for people considering joining the fishing industry in Washington, D.C. next week to ask that Congress grant relief from inflexible deadlines for fish stock recoveries. Read more on the Gloucester Daily Times website→
As the Department of Commerce Inspector General’s office investigates the enforcement practices of federal fishing regulators — and as fishermen out of Gloucester and throughout New England brace for a sea change in the industry’s regulatory system — city and local legislative leaders are organizing a community show of support for local fishermen and the…
State Sen. Bruce Tarr — who, along with state Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante and Massachusetts’ federal lawmakers, has pushed for a federal probe into alleged heavy-handed enforcement on the part of NOAA officials — said the latest NOAA enforcement action raises new questions — and concerns. Read more on the Gloucester Daily Times website→