Rep. Ken Gordon's Updates from Beacon Hill

Burlington, Bedford and Wilmington's voice on Beacon Hill

April 1, 2015

V isit www.repkengordon.org

Burlington Northern Hall?

Bedford Farms Center?

Gordon Proposes Sale of Naming Rights to Town Buildings, Offices

If he has his way, area residents will soon enjoy a picnic in the Burlington Keurig Common, or perhaps at the Old iRobot Reservoir in Bedford. And Bow Hunting will be an issue affecting the Land-O-Lakes Forest.
State Representative Kenneth Gordon, a member of the powerful Joint Committee on Transportation, has filed a series of bills aimed at raising revenue for the transportation needs of his district, without increasing taxes. His proposal involves the sale of naming

Wilmington Apple Watch Monument

rights to certain localities within the towns he represents.
"I have received a great response to H. 3007, which proposes to re-name the portion of Route 3 from Route 128 to the New Hampshire border the 'Middlesex 3 Highway' to help designate the region as a technology center," said Gordon. "There is also excitement to H. 2747, designating May as the Month o f Kindness in honor of the generosity of townsfolks in assisting fellow residents.

"But we have a glaring need to reduce traffic in our district by straightening out some of our highways, and making it easier for people to access public transportation. So why not take the low-hanging fruit and sell naming rights to some of our generic-named locations and offices?

"Look, what's wrong with Irish Springs Brook Park in Bedford, or Mary Cummings Properties Park in Burlington? It's not that much of a change. Pretty soon the residents won't even notice it. And think of what it will do for our chances of attracting the Olympics!"

"Did somebody say Olympics?" asked Riemer & Braunstein's Bob Buckley, "As long as it's going for a good cause, we chipped in to rename the Council on Aging the R&B Senior Center and Rhythm and Blues Hall. Anything to help Burlington."
Some claim Gordon has gone a little to far. "Look, it's one thing he wants to re-name the office of Town Administrator the Kings Bowl CEO, or the King of Burlington, for short" said Selectman Chair Bob Hogan. "He never did know the difference between a Town Administrator and a Town Manager. But he wants to re-name the town boards and other offices as well."
Burlington and Bedford officials are looking for the person who paid Gordon to re-name the Planning Boards in those towns,"The Knights Who Say 'Nee'".
"I picked up the phone and asked to be connected to our Police Chief," complained King John Petrin. "And the next thing I knew I was talking to The Dreaded Pirate Roberts. Who the heck is paying to change these titles?"
Taking advantage of the situation, local media members including Chris Warren, Rich Hosford, Jayne Miller, Julie Turner and Joy Richard pooled their resources for some new monikers for local officials.

"Rep. Gordan gave us reporters a little help with hard-to-spell names," said Warren. "It cost us a few dollars to replace Siegenthaler, L'Heroux, Champoux, Cimaglia and Zablotny, but it made our jobs easier."
Rick Parker, of the newly named Herb Chambers of Commerce, was somewhat frustrated only months after he was hired as new its new president, when his title was changed to The Sherpa of Small Business.

"Ken can have his little fun," said Parker. "But it'll be a rainy day in February before I let him go any further."

"Or maybe it will be the first day of April," said Gordon. "Happy April Fools Day."

Joint Transportation Committee Hears From Keolis

I promise the rest of this newsletter is not an April Fool's joke!

In fact, I am excited the new session has begun and the Joint Committee on Transportation has started oversight hearings concerning MassDOT, the MBTA and the commuter rail system. This week, hearings have included testimony from Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack, MassDOT CFO Dana Levenson, and Tom Tinlin, Acting Highway Administrator. We also heard from representatives of Keolis, the French company that services the commuter rail, and spokespeople for various unions.
Closer to home, I helped to introduce a House and Senate delegation to the wonderful job the National Guard and Adjutant General L. Scott Rice are doing for the entire state. Earlier this month, I met with Sen. Elizabeth Warren at Lincoln Labs in Lexington to discuss the important work of an institution that develops technology to help keep us safe. And I helped host Congressman Seth Moulton in his first visit to Shawsheen Tech, where he learned the value of a technical education in Massachusetts from the leaders of the state's top tech school.
In addition to that work, I was absolutely thrilled to have a chance to read to third-graders at Francis Wyman School for Read Across America Day, and to speak at an Eagle Scout ceremony honoring four Burlington achievers.
Realizing that I am Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws, I was invited to accompany Town Clerk Amy Warfield April 11 to view the town election from where she sits. It will be an interesting day. Participating in Bedford Pole Capping and then Burlington's town election will be exciting and rewarding.
I hope you will all follow my web site, www.repkengordon.org, for information on upcoming appearances including my monthly open office hours in Burlington and Bedford coffee shops and at the COA's and my upcoming availability at the Wilmington Library April 7 from 7 to 8 p.m.
Thank you.

Ken Gordon

Ken and Rep. Evandro Carvalho

Looking for W ays

to Get MBTA Back on Track

Relishing his new role on the Joint Committee on Transportation, Ken took his seat at an oversight hearing that was convened to get to the bottom of public transportation troubles.

"One of our top priorities all along was to address the abysmal situation surrounding the operation of the MBTA," said Gordon. "I requested an assignment to the Transportation from the start, and I am honored to be part of finding a solution in that area this session."

Gordon has established a strong working relationship with MassDOT, resulting in his advocacy to keep a salt shed from moving to the border of a residential neighborhood in Bedford. He is currently seeking ways to a straighten out the exit ramps linking Routes 3 and 128, to address the frustrating traffic that snarls our towns.

The headline from the first day of testimony was the revelation that MBTA leaders had an "eye-opening" experience when transportation chiefs from New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Toronto and Chicago were summoned to assess the T's performance this winter and advise the Board of its findings. Acting Chief Frank DePaola testified that the T learned of new chemicals that could be placed on tracks that otherwise iced over during extreme snow and ice events.

"It seems basic to me," said Rep. Evandro Carvalho.

Gordon asked what was done before the snowy winter to anticipate the challenges that materialized, and Secretary Stephanie Pollack advised that the other cities conducted dry runs and other types of preparation, that Boston must do.

Gordon also reminded the Secretary of the traffic challenges facing communities such as Burlington and Bedford, which live along Routes 128 and Route 3, as well as Wilmington along Route 93, and invited a continuing dialogue during the session. Sec. Pollack nodded her agreement.

Day 2 of testimony involved representatives of Keolis, the private contractor hired to maintain and operate the commuter rail lines. After a full mea culpa concerning its response tot he snow emergency, Keolis' representatives answered questions about its preparedness for another tough Massachusetts winter, and its plan to ensure that passengers who ride the trains pay the fare.

"It is really amazing to me that in 2015 we have a system where we do not communicate with riders to inform them when trains are late, and that we do not have a method of making sure everyone who rides the trains is a paying customer."

Ken Spends Time With Seniors and our Youngest Residents in March

Along with his monthly visits to the Burlington and Bedford Councils on Aging and periodic visits in Wilmington, Ken accompanied Bedford resident Maggie Debbie on her weekly Meals on Wheels delivery in Burlington. It was the third consecutive year Gordon has gone on a

With Maggie Debbie, Minuteman Volunteer

Meals on Wheels route.

"I appreciate the opportunity to learn a little more about this wonderful program, and meet the committed volunteers who take the time to care for our seniors," said Gordon. "A little time and attention goes a long way, and the work is tremendously important."

Earlier in the month, Ken returned to Francis Wyman School in Burlington to read to Ms. Mason's third-grade class.

"One of the best parts of this job is to meet with the children of our district," said Gordon, who also hosted a group of girls scouts from Bedford at the State House. "Each year I read the Sneetches and talk

Beware Sylvester McMonkey McBean!

with the kids about how ridiculous it is to judge pe ople based on how they look. They get it and we have a wonderful time.

"I look forward to returning every year."

Gordon was honored to attend an Eagle Scout ceremony in Burlington, where Eric Salina, Luke Iler, Clayton Dav idson and C hristopher Oakes all attained the highest rank achievable in the Boy Scouts of America. Their Eagle Scout program all centered on wildlife in Burlington, contributing to the high school's science center, building owl houses, or working on the community garden.

Supporting Our Troops

Is More than a Slogan

Much of the early stages of Ken's second term in office has focused on the needs of military families in the district, as well as the entities that support our security efforts.

Last year, Ken worked with Sen. Mike Barrett to secure permanent funding for the education of children of Hanscom military families, but this fall funding for FY15 was cut by the former governor. Those cuts have been maintained by the current governor, and Ken has been

With Gloucester's Sen. Bruce Tarr and Rep. Ann Margaret Farrente, Gen. Scott Rice, Acting Mayor Sefatia Theken.

working with Barrett and the Bourne delegation to address the reversal.

"This is a commitment the state has made to the towns and to the military families," said Gordon. "We know the budget is very tight, but this item is a priority. While we are working to restore the cut for FY15, we are also focused on making sure the funding remains in the FY16 budget the House will be proposing later this month."

Ken accompanied the Gloucester delegation to Hanscom last month to visit with Mass. National Guard commander Scott Rice. Rice and fellow officers explained the National Guard's role in security and other safety measures, including their efforts in assisting local towns in digging out from the snow this past winter.

Later in the month, Ken joined with Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Representatives Tom Stanley and Corey Atkins to tour Lincoln Labs and learn more about the work they are doing in developing technology to increase security around the world.

"Our area is truly an epicenter for our national security interest," Gordon said. "I am proud of the work we do right here, and we have to do everything we can to support it."

Lost and Found

Ken is helping Treasurer Deb Goldberg identify residents of the district who have unclaimed money held by the treasurer. More than a million dollars is sitting with the Commonwealth, waiting to be claimed.
We urge you to visit www.findmassmoney.com to see if there is lucre awaiting your claim. It is easy, and certainly worth the effort.