Hears from Webster voters

February 8, 2010 ... Kicking off his annual “District Days” in Webster on February 5, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, learned about a wide variety of concerns from Webster residents. The Senator, accompanied by his Constituent Services Director Timothy Greene, made a number of stops during the day – the first of several “listening” events in the towns that he represents on Beacon Hill.

“Although I try to be available to all my constituents, I think it helps to make a special effort to meet personally and listen to voters’ concerns and opinions,” Sen. Moore explained. “As we begin the second half of the two-year legislative session, I welcome the opportunity to hear from those I represent on Beacon Hill.”

Sen. Moore’s day began at the popular East Main Street Café where he sponsored free coffee for patrons from 7am – 9am. Among the topics voters raised with their State Senator were: local board of health rules to limit smoking in veteran’s clubs, the cost of health insurance for families, problems with student loan repayment, cutting the minimum corporate tax to help small businesses, safety at the Registry of Motor Vehicles office in Charlton, and the desire of a young man to become an active duty Navy enlistee.

Later in the morning, Sen. Moore dropped by the Head Start Program in North Oxford to read to the pre-school students and talk with parents and staff. Moore read two stories to the three-five year olds, “Billy Bear Watch Out” and Eric Carle’s “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Parents told the Senator how important Head Start has been for them and their children in helping children in being better prepared when they enter school.

Joined by Webster School Committee member Shawn Collins, Moore’s Chief of Staff, the Senator met with Bartlett High School Student Council, National Honor Society and Advanced History students in the Jacqueline Puliafico Theatre. Dr. Gregory Ciardi, Superintendent of Schools and High School Principal Michael Hackenson were also in attendance. 

Sen. Moore discussed current legislation of interest to students such as the proposed ban on texting while driving and prohibiting cell-phone use by those with junior operator licenses. He also discussed anti-bullying legislation that will soon be recommended by the Legislature’s Education Committee and health food legislation being debated by the House of Representatives. Students expressed support for the school administration’s decision to eliminate the snack bar and expand school lunch options and quality. Students we also interested in the recent election of U.S. Senator Scott Brown, who served with Sen. Moore on Beacon Hill for the last decade.

As Senate Health Care Financing Committee chairman, Sen. Moore also paid a visit to Harrington Hospital’s Hubbard Campus, noting that he was encouraged by the hospitals recent improvements and expansion of mammography and other imaging services. He commended hospital leaders for their efforts to increase the number of physicians and to rebuild this important community resource. 

Wrapping up his day-long visit, Sen. Moore stopped at the Webster-Dudley Boys and Girls Club on Oxford Avenue to observe the club’s outstanding after-school programs. While at the club house, Moore received a surprise visit from Dudley Elementary School Principal Terri Caffelle, who presented the Senator with a photographic scrapbook of his recent visit to the school. Sen. Moore visited the school last November to present books on the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence. Dudley Elementary School and the Boys and Girls Club are neighbors and work collaboratively for the local students.

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