Cape & Islands News

Coast Guard completes investigation into Costa & Corvo sinking

Instability contributed to capsizing and sinking

The Coast Guard announced Friday the results of an investigation into the Nov. 13, 2008, sinking of the fishing vessel Costa & Corvo in which a New Bedford, Mass., fisherman lost his life.

Coast Guard marine casualty investigators have determined available evidence indicates several factors affected the stability of the Costa & Corvo and that instability contributed to the capsizing and subsequent sinking of the fishing vessel.

"We hope the results of this investigation raise awareness of what can cause a vessel to become dangerously unstable and help improve the safety of our fishing community." - Capt. Ray Perry

"The results of the investigation indicate that the vessel capsized and sank quickly," said Capt. Ray Perry, the commander of Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England. "Although we may never know exactly what happened, the available evidence suggests the vessel capsized due to several factors. It appears the vessel became rapidly unstable as a full fishing net was lowered on deck. The shifting weight of the catch, excessive water on deck, and closed freeing ports all seem to have contributed to the capsize."

Coast Guard crews searched for Antonio Mesquita from New Bedford, Mass., the captain of the Costa & Corvo, for more than 30 hours and covered more than 280 square miles, but never found him.

Three crew members, Francisco Brito, Joao Matias and Jorge Palma, all from New Bedford, were also aboard the Costa & Corvo when it capsized. They were rescued by a nearby fishing vessel, the Mary K, shortly after the accident.

Crew testimony was used to help determine the probable cause of the accident, as well as underwater images taken by the Navy Undersea Warfare Center of what is believed to be the fishing vessel Costa & Corvo resting on the ocean floor.

The Costa & Corvo, a 71-foot dragger, sank about 118 miles east of Nantucket on Georges Bank and currently rests in 120 feet of water.

"Our condolences go out to the family of Mr. Mesquita, who lost his life in this tragedy," said Perry. "We hope the results of this investigation raise awareness of what can cause a vessel to become dangerously unstable and help improve the safety of our fishing community."

The investigation report is available here.

Read the original story here.

Release courtesy of the USCG.

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MMS and Massachusetts Hold Offshore Renewable Energy Task Force Meeting

Meeting at Mass Maritime Academy discussed renewable energy development in federal waters off the southern coast of Massachusetts

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service issued the following news release:

Yesterday the Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service (MMS) held its first task force meeting with state and local officials from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to discuss renewable energy development in federal waters off the southern coast of Massachusetts. The meeting took place at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The MMS is establishing inter-governmental task forces, with which it will consult regarding renewable energy leasing and development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

The MMS worked with Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles to establish the Massachusetts task force, which is composed of affected federal and state agencies, state legislators, local elected officials, and tribal leaders. These representatives are working with MMS to provide input on implementation of the federal lease process for OCS renewable energy development.

"Numerous local, state and federal governmental agencies have statutory roles related to offshore renewable energy projects," said MMS Director Liz Birnbaum. "This task force will ensure that projects are efficiently and effectively reviewed to support both the Administration's goal of broadening the nation's energy mix, and Massachusetts's goal of meeting its Renewable Portfolio Standard by developing renewable energy resources off its coast."

"Responsible development of offshore renewable energy is essential for meeting our goals as a state and a nation," said Governor Deval Patrick. "The Commonwealth is pleased to be working with this new task force to ensure that we get it right as we move collectively toward a clean energy future."

"With our first-in-the nation Ocean Management Plan out for public comment, Massachusetts is fully engaged in exploring the sustainable development of offshore renewable energy," Secretary Bowles said. "We look forward to partnering with local communities and providing the MMS with advice and feedback as this important endeavor unfolds."

The first MMS Massachusetts task force meeting enabled the representatives to discuss their goals and objectives. MMS officials explained the renewable energy commercial leasing process and the environmental review process for proposed projects. The meeting also provided a forum to solicit feedback on the draft task force charter and the proposed next steps in the OCS commercial leasing process offshore Massachusetts. Additionally, members of the public attended the meeting and had an opportunity to ask questions of MMS officials.

In addition to representatives of federal and state agencies, task force members include members of Congress; Cape and Island state legislators; tribal leaders; selectmen from the towns of Westport, Dartmouth, Gosnold, Aquinnah, Chilmark, West Tisbury, Tisbury, Oaks Bluff, Edgartown, and Nantucket; elected commissioners from the Duke and Barnstable County; and elected officials from the Martha's Vineyard Commission and the Nantucket Planning Board.

Task force meetings were recently held in Delaware and Rhode Island; and task forces are also being formed for the states of New Jersey and Virginia. These task forces and other collaborators will assist the MMS in facilitating the commercial leasing process for renewable energy development on the OCS.

In April 2009, the MMS published the "Final Framework for Renewable Energy Development on the OCS" in the Federal Register. This Framework establishes the process for granting leases, easements, and rights-of-way for offshore renewable energy development.

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Hearing on Dennis EDC plans townwide - cottage owners concerns

Town Planner Dan Fortier faces querulous, vocal crowd at Dennis Town Hall

By Gerald Rogovin

Faced with a restless and subsequently querulous and vocal crowd at Dennis Town Hall Thursday morning, Town Planner Dan Fortier tried to calm the concerns of cottage and RV campground owners in the Old Wharf area of Dennisport.  (An aerial of the area discused is at the bottom of this story.)

Fortier dominated the meeting, for no one on the EDC spoke.

At issue was the town's Economic Development Committee and its 2-1/2-year examination of situating proposed hotel districts in three Dennis areas.

In a meeting that lasted almost three hours, Fortier traced the history of the cottage colonies and the campgrounds, which go back to 1893. He described the town's zoning changes, comprehensive planning and concerns about the 439 cottages and 213 RVs in Camper's Haven, Chase's Ocean Grove, Salt Air Village, Curtis Pine Grove and along Old Wharf Road. All those neighborhoods are beyond the town's control under present zoning regulations, he said.

Fortier dominated the meeting, for no one on the EDC spoke. They were present to get the sense of residents.

He suggested that Dennis has four options on what to do next about the matter. "Doing nothing is the first. But it is not really an option," he said.

Fourth option would create a balance between existing uses. provide options and control over future changes in rezoning for proposed hotels, cottages and RVs.

"A second option is to change the hotels to special permits to allow more control over hotel development. But," he added, "cottages and RVs were not part of that initial discussion.

"Option #3 is to create a new district specific to cottages and RV campgrounds. It allows the colonies to exist for a long time. But it places limits on land owners," Fortier suggested.

The fourth option, which he appeared to favor, "would create a balance between existing uses. It provides options and control over future changes" in rezoning for proposed hotels, cottages and RVs.

The fourth option was received with applause and shouting. Perhaps 70 percent of the audience were cottagers and RV owners.

Some had come from western Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and the Boston area.. The meeting was delayed 90 minutes to enable them to get to Dennis on time.

On his blog, Fortier had polled residents about rezoning to protect cottage and RV areas. About 84 percent of the 212 responses favored trying to keep them as they are.

Fortier promised that he would start discussions by mid-May, 2010, with the EDC, and appealed to those in the audience to join them to determine how the town can resolve Dennis's and their concerns.

"I am really unhappy that the Cape Cod Times reporting of what the EDC was working on so alarmed so many people."
                       - Dan Fortier.

Unhappiness over Cape Cod Times reoporting

"I am really unhappy that the Cape Cod Times reporting of what the EDC was working on so alarmed so many people. In a way I suppose it was helpful, for people were so frightened, they made certain they would be here today and speak up," Fortier acknowledged.

"But the reporting was wrong. There are no plans to take any properties by eminent domain," he declared.

In a 25-minute run-through of Dennis's history of zoning, Fortier noted that many cottages have been grandfathered since 1973,when the town's first comprehensive land use plan was approved . Some of them have been occupied for more than 80 years. Bill Bystrom of Chatham revealed that his Chase's Ocean Grove cottage had been in his family for years. His wife, he said, has lived summers there since she was three weeks old.

Fortier urged cottagers "to protect yourselves by buying the property your home is on. Many of you don't," he reminded them.

Fortier urged cottagers "to protect yourselves by buying the property your home is on."

"That means you're subject to future changes, or a sale to investors who may have different ideas than yours about how to use the land." He described EDC's goal as recommending zoning changes to the Dennis planning board that anticipate future land use.

Current zoning prohibits new cottage colonies

Current zoning prohibits new cottage colonies. But it leaves existing ones and RVs as lawfully pre-existing and non-conforming buildings.

The EDC hotel resort district proposal envisions year-round "destination" resorts that could handle conferences, weddings and large events. They would include indoor swimming pools, health clubs and ballrooms. This is what the modern traveler desires, according to Fortier,

They would be situated in three distinct Dennis neighborhoods.

One would be on 41 acres adjacent to the water and Chase Avenue in Dennisport. It could be developed for hotels as high as 4-1/2 stories. Another 94-acre parcel between lower County and Old Wharf Roads in Dennisport could include hotel condominiums with 2-1/2 story limits.

West Dennis would be the third, and largest area. It would be on a 199-acre parcel that includes West Dennis beach and the Lighthouse Inn.

But serious wastewater issues along the Dennisport shore and a FEMA-designated 100-year floodplain have raised concerns with the EDC proposal. FEMA believes that changes are inevitable in the floodplain. They could work against the continued existence of the cottage colonies.

High costs in the future for area businesses required to install wastewater systems, expensive insurance for home owners and the need to flood-proof buildings all concern residents, Fortier observed.

Summertime use, when cottages and RVs are fully occupied has meant requiring permits to discharge as much as 10,000 gallons of wastewater a day. Salt Air Village and Camper's Haven have embarked on changes, working with the state environmental protection agency to comply with Title 5 regulations.

"We want you to live in Dennis. But we need to acknowledge global warming and climate change and how they can affect the town." - Paula Bacon.

But the state has refused to recognize the plans of some individual owners. Norman Rogers, a Chase's Ocean Grove owner warned that the state and the Conservation Law Foundation have instituted lawsuits in Orleans and Chatham designed to consolidate into one town plant all such systems.

Paula Bacon, the only EDC member to speak, told the cottage and RV owners, "We want you to live in Dennis. But we need to acknowledge global warming and climate change and how they can affect the town."

Burt Derick, 73 years old and a lifetime resident of Dennis, also supported cottage owners. "I want a bylaw change so that you guys won't be illegal.

"I've loved your community all my life. In the winter, I killed thousands of cowboys and Indians. In the summer I chased a lot of girls from the cottages. Year after year the same people came back. You've made it a wonderful community for those of us who live here year round," he declared.

   The Old Wharf Road section of Dennisport rezoning is what was discussed at the Dennis Economic Development Committee meeting. The meeting will be broadcast live on Channel 18 and streamed at town.dennis.ma.us.

Gerald Rogovin began as a journalist in 1948 in dailies, weeklies, radio and magazines; and in the past 9 years back to weeklies and magazines. In between, for 36 years, he headed his own public relations firm in Boston. He lives in Yarmouth Port with a skepticism confirmed by 60 years in the inky trade, and he also blogs for us on Rog's Gallery.

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Now is the time for Cape Wind

The future of Cape Wind hangs in the balance due to seemingly endless review

By Peter Lehner, NRDC Executive Director, New York City

Originally posted November 19, 2009 on NRDC.org, reprinted with permission

Today in the NY Times, there's an exciting article about efforts to develop deepwater, floating wind turbines. The article makes it clear that there are still engineering and major costs hurtles, but I'm hopeful that one day floating wind farms will provide bountiful zero-carbon electricity. But we have to get started today, and fortunately we can. The Cape Wind project proposed for Nantucket Sound is ready to be built now.

Unfortunately, with seemingly endless review, the future of Cape Wind continues to hang in the balance. On Tuesday, NRDC sent Secretary Salazar a letter (PDF - see reprint below) urging him to require that the Interior Department complete the review of the Cape Wind project and issue a final decision prior to the commencement of the U.N. Climate Change Conference on December 7, 2009. This letter echoes a similar message to the Secretary from Congressman Markey. It is time to have a clear indication from our federal government that offshore renewable energy is a priority in this country.  As the administration and the world gear up for next month's meeting in Copenhagen, action approving the Cape Wind project would speak louder than words.

Cape Wind is still in federal regulatory review limbo after eight years of rigorous environmental and permitting review that has demonstrated that its environmental benefits will almost certainly outweigh its impacts.

Cape Wind is still in federal regulatory review limbo after eight years of rigorous environmental and permitting review that has demonstrated that its environmental benefits will almost certainly outweigh its impacts. As the Obama administration's contribution to this delay creeps up on a year, the need for final approval becomes ever clearer. The delay is slowly eroding the confidence of investors and developers and undermining the President's efforts to lead the world towards a global agreement on climate. Today also in the NY Times, Kate Galbraith writes about clean tech companies pressing for federal incentives for clean energy, but no amount of money is going to get projects built if the investors and developers lose faith that good projects will actually get permitted.

The U.S. has watched as other countries have continued to forge ahead in their successful development of offshore renewable energy. (The deepwater floating turbines mentioned in the Times article are being developed in Norway.) It is evident that the technologies for the successful deployment of offshore renewable energy exist, however the U.S. has yet to permit a single project in federal waters. Getting the process right is critical to advancing these technologies in a robust and environmentally sustainable way. We understand that Cape Wind is the first project to get to this stage, that the law has changed since the project started, and that assessing the balance between the project benefits and any potential impacts does require careful consideration. But the process should not take eight years.

It is a new day in Washington. We have courageously moved towards establishing a new era of energy and environmental priorities in this country as indicated in the passage of the 2007 energy bill, American Reinvestment and Recovery Act and the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act. The Department of Interior has been an important part of this progress moving forward and finalized regulations for offshore renewables in general and launching important planning efforts for onshore renewables on federal lands.

Nevertheless as we look forward to Copenhagen and read the steady flow of new science suggesting that global warming is happening faster than we ever expected, we cannot underestimate the challenge that remains in front of us. While a tremendous amount of work remains to be done, with respect to offshore wind in America, further delay is inexcusable. It can be done, and the time to act on the Cape Wind permit is now.

For additional information on offshore wind development, please visit the following: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/bcolander/us_offshore_wind_development_s.html
http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/ngreene/finally_a_final_eis_for_cape_w.html

NRDC Letter to Secretary Salazar on November 17, 2009:

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MA marine biologists join multi-state coalition to protect fish habitat in the Atlantic Ocean

Focus on ecological connectivity, water quality and quantity, and habitat alterations and modifications

Wednesday it was announced that the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has partnered with 15 other Atlantic coastal states in a collaboration to protect and restore fish habitats along the Atlantic seaboard.

The Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (ACFHP) is a geographically-focused and scientifically-based effort to conserve aquatic habitat along the East Coast. Formed under the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, it includes the 16 Atlantic coastal states from Maine to Florida that have coastal river drainages, as well as federal agencies, tribes, local governments, and non-profit organizations. The partnership’s mission is to accelerate the conservation, protection, restoration, and enhancement of habitat for native Atlantic coastal, estuarine-dependent, and diadromous fish.

“Effective habitat protection and restoration is the key to everything we do in the Department of Fish and Game,” said DFG Commissioner Mary Griffin. “DMF’s involvement in the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership will enhance our ability to restore marine fish habitats and bolster fishery management efforts in the Commonwealth and throughout the Atlantic states.”

“The Commonwealth is proud to be part of this collaboration and eager to help lead the effort to protect coastal fish habitat,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles, whose office oversees the Department of Fish and Game and its DMF.

“Effective habitat protection and restoration is the key to everything we do in the Department of Fish and Game,” said DFG Commissioner Mary Griffin. “DMF’s involvement in the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership will enhance our ability to restore marine fish habitats and bolster fishery management efforts in the Commonwealth and throughout the Atlantic states.”

In May 2006, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) developed a fish habitat partnership under the sponsorship of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP).  ASMFC found that NFHAP focused more on freshwater species than coastal habitats - thus the ACFHP was formed. 

ACFHP will focus on three issue areas: ecological connectivity, water quality and quantity, and habitat alterations and modifications. DMF’s role in the partnership will include providing technical support and guidance in developing reference materials such as habitat priorities and project lists. DMF staff will also serve on the Steering Committee and hold leadership roles in forming and managing a regional subgroup in the Northeast. In addition, through cooperative partnerships with other ACFHP participatns, DMF will be eligible for restoration and enhancement funds directly from ACFHP for projects such as restoration of fish passages, eelgrass, salt marsh and other areas of fish habitat in the near-coastal area.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission was formed by the 15 Atlantic coastal states in 1942 for the promotion and protection of coastal fishery resources. The Commission serves as a deliberative body of the Atlantic coastal states, coordinating the conservation and management of nearshore fishery resources, including marine, shell and anadromous species.

Courtesy of the MA EEA and DMF.

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TV media fails to spark uproar over Sandwich classroom

Enraged parents noticeably absent at last night's school committee meeting

By Gerald Rogovin

Boston television stations in search of a big story Wednesday focused on  Sandwich. A week-old incident involving a fifth grade teacher at the Forestdale School promised a huge uproar, particularly for FOX TV.

"I think the school committee and the superintendent should give this teacher their unequivocal support. She offered those kids a creative learning experience."

Calm prevailed

But calm prevailed at the eye of the anticipated storm.

School Committee Chairman Robert F. Simmons, Jr., who earlier in the day had issued a statement that his committee " is very concerned about these events," got no reaction to his invitation to "anyone who wants to discuss the Forestdale matter."

He told a very sparse audience -- citizens outnumbered  the seven committee members by five or six --that citizens could speak up  in the fourth agenda item, "Public Forum", even though the matter was not scheduled for discussion.

Science doesn't make agenda

Four persons raised their hands to speak. One appealed to the committee to find ways to stop bullying in Sandwich schools. A second appealed for equal funding for boys and girls athletic teams. Another urged the committee to stand firm against union demands in upcoming salary negotiations because of the economy.

The fourth, 11-year-old Ella Strano, was the only one to excite the audience. A third grader who "loves to read," her mother said, had designed a bookmark, and was selling them to raise money to buy books for Sandwich elementary schools.

She had raised $190.64 before her appearance, then picked up about $4.00 more from committee members, school officials and audience members.

Old news, not really news at all

The TV alarm-raising was brought about by  a week-old report of a fifth grade teacher at the Forestdale School, who had invited a pathologist's assistant to speak to her class about her work and how education had inspired her.

Some parents in the Forestdale section of Sandwich have expressed dismay because the pathologist had shown the youngsters jars of human organs.

The reaction by parents of some pupils in the class led Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Ellen Johnson to promise to meet with them and the school principal. In a statement issued before the meeting, Dr. Johnson reported that the class visitor had shown slides of organ tissue, zygote and human embryo specimens. The purpose was to illustrate organ development.

No one at the committee meeting would speak on the record. But one commented, "I think the school committee and the superintendent should give this teacher their unequivocal support. She offered those kids a creative learning experience."

Read the original story on CapeCodToday.com here.  Read an editorial on the topic here.

Gerald Rogovin began as a journalist in 1948 in dailies, weeklies, radio and magazines; and in the past 9 years back to weeklies and magazines. In between, for 36 years, he headed his own public relations firm in Boston. He lives in Yarmouth Port with a skepticism confirmed by 60 years in the inky trade, and he also blogs for us on Rog's Gallery.

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Chatham video crew arrive on Cape Verde islands

Andy Buckley's expedition to aid in dengue epidemic
Many Cape Codder ancestors came from these islands

By Andy Buckley

A long haul, but worth it. TACV, the Cape Verde national airlines, is the only airline flying direct to Fogo in the  Cape Verde from Boston. All others, costing at least half again more, run via European cities like Portugal. The drawback, though, is the limited twice-weekly schedule. Tuesdays and Fridays only. So it was either go for a week, or for two to three days.

Planning their next move, from left; Alex Schwantner, T. Kane Stanton, Andrew Giles Buckley, Luisa Schaeffer, Jul3ia Astatkie.

But for us at Hit and Run History to follow the Columbia Expedition as it made its first stop on its first-ever American voyage ‘round the world, it meant not only coming to the capital city of Praia. It also meant taking a side-trip to the neighboring island of Maio. The ferry schedule being what it is, we had to take a week. So back in September, it looked best to head out on the second weekend in November.

It was less than two weeks ago we learned of the dengue fever outbreak and epidemic in Cape Verde. Unknown in the islands before November, it was allowed to spread before anyone recognized the illness in the wake of the only two rainy months of the year - September and October.

A national effort to eradicate the disease, led by the prime minister, was recently reported here on Cape Cod Today. The mosquitoes spreading the disease in this dry country became public enemy number one. Still, by Friday the 13th - the day we left Boston - the island nation reported over 12,000 infected, six dead.

It was only through information posted to the Hit and Run History fan page on Facebook  that we learned of the relief efforts of the Brockton Neighborhood Health Center. Things we take for granted, like Vitamin C, mosquito repellant, acetaminophen, and hand sanitizing gel - all needed to fight infection and the effects of dengue - were practically non-existent in Cape Verde.

Knowing we were determined to go, Hit and Run History offered to help in any way we could. A crew member having previously dropped out, so we were able to work with TACV to offer that ticket to Luisa Schaeffer, the outreach worker coordinating the relief effort in Brockton, who not coincidentally happened to be a native of the Cape Verde island of Fogo.

Upon our arrival at Logan Airport on Friday evening, we quickly saw that our fellow travelers were bringing their own supplies. Checked baggage pushed the limit of two 50-pound bags. FAA regulations were also restricting the amount of aerosol spray to two cans. Subsequently, there has been a run on repellant wipes and lotion in this New England November.

Luisa was able to use her checked baggage allotment to bring over more supplies, destined for the hospital in Fogo. Now we are in Fogo, having brought more supplies over from the capital of Praia, where we landed Saturday morning. We will have the chance to speak with the doctors there, and see how the supplies are being used.

Initial word is that 16 children are sick here, but countless more adults are overwhelming the hospital. While this island is clearly dry even following the rainy season, many mosquitoes have found places to thrive. The first line of defense - DEET-based spray - is our constant companion.

  The city of Praia in the Cape Verde Islands off the coast of Africa where Chaham group landed.

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Corps to open all lanes of traffic on the Sagamore Bridge on Tuesday afternoon through Thanksgiving holiday weekend

Some work might resume after holiday

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District continues deck repairs and paving on the Sagamore Bridge spanning the Cape Cod Canal in Bourne, Mass., but will temporarily shut down operations starting on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 2 p.m. through the Thanksgiving holiday weekend (through at least the Monday morning commute on November 30, 2009), thereby allowing two lanes of traffic in each direction.

Nighttime repairs on the Sagamore Bridge. Photo courtesy of Ana Paulina.

Some bridge work might resume after the holiday weekend, depending on the need, on Monday, November 30, 2009 after the morning commute that will require sporadic lane restrictions as work crews finish up work on phase one and prepare the bridge for work next spring.

Once this work, if needed, is completed in late fall 2009 bridge work will completely stop for the winter. At that time the Sagamore Bridge will be fully reopened to traffic (two lanes in both directions) through the winter months. Weather dependent in late winter or early spring of 2010, work will resume on the Sagamore Bridge and again will require lane restrictions (one lane in each direction) until late spring of 2010.

Completion of the deck repairs is critical to maintaining the integrity of the bridge, which is a vital component of the transportation system for the Cape, Islands and southeastern Massachusetts.

Those who want to keep up with changes to the bridge work schedule can sign up for the Bridge Work Alerts email notifications. To sign up for the Bridge Work Alerts go to the Corps of Engineers’ Cape Cod Canal website and click on "sign up for bridge work alerts". These alerts are sent when there are major changes to the bridge work schedule.

Official release from the USACE.

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Senate passes military appropriations bill--over $44 million headed to Otis and Hanscom

Senate passes Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriation Bill

Over $44 million in fund headed to Otis and Hanscom

On Tuesday the Senate unanimously passed the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill. The bill provides over $44 million to Otis Air Force Base and Hanscom Air Force Base for facility upgrades. For the first time, the bill includes advance appropriations to fund medical programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure a stable and uninterrupted source of funding for medical care of veterans.

"Our brave service men and women need and deserve the support of members of Congress," said Senator Kirk. "I am pleased that Otis and Hanscom and the brave men and women stationed there will benefit from this funding. The advance appropriation of funds for veteran’s care and support ensures that those returning from war will receive the care and support they need, when they need it."

According to the Senator's Office, the Obama Administration also included $24 million for a spinal cord injury center for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Brockton, MA at Senator Kerry’s direct request.  The Brockton VA serves as an integral part of the VA Boston Healthcare system and the addition of a long-term care spinal cord injury unit will further enhance the Brockton VA facility to meet the needs of our veterans.  

The Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill will now be conferenced with the House before being sent to the President for his signature.  The funds going to Massachusetts bases are listed below. Click here for more information.

• Hanscom Air Force Base Joint Force Headquarters - $2.6 million
• Hanscom Air Force Base Armed Forces Reserve Center - $29 million
• Otis Air Force Base Composite Operations and Training Facility - $12.8 million

Courtesy of the Office of Senator Kirk.

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Sandwich teacher criticized for doing her job

Boston TV stations are excited on a slow day, belabor the obvious
School Committee meeting tonight to address issue

"It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education."
                  - Albert Einstein.

L ast Thursday a Sandwich fifth grade teacher at the Forestdale School invited a Pathologist Assistant to speak to the class about her work and how school had inspired her. Many Forestdale area parents are now upset at the pathologist showing jars of human organs to ten and eleven year old students.

Albert Einstein said, "It is, in fact, nothing short of a miracle that the modern methods of instruction have not entirely strangled the holy curiosity of inquiry."

Some parents at the Forestdale school seem to be trying to prove Einstein correct.

Boston television is having a heyday this morning on this issue, but the school officials are reacting calmly and professionally as the statements below demonstrate.

The school will hold a meeting on the matter tonight at 7PM at the Sandwich High School. When politicians get involved, all bets are off.

Statement from Dr. Mary Ellen Johnson, Superintendent of Schools:

I am aware of the concerns resulting from a science lesson at the Forestdale School in a fifth grade classroom. I have looked into the situation and determined that a fifth grade teacher invited a guest speaker, a Pathologist Assistant, to the classroom for a study on cells. Prior to the lesson, the students had developed a list of their own questions on cell development. The guest speaker did share examples of cell development from a scientific background. The children viewed slides of lung tissue, brain, skin, kidneys and spleen. They also viewed specimens of zygote and embryo development with a focus on the development of tissues to organs. They also viewed heart, liver and appendix tissues. The guest speaker spoke about her own experience in school and how this influenced her decision to become a pathologist assistant.

The principal and I will be meeting with the parents of the students involved to discuss the matter.  Because this is a personnel issue, no further comment is available at this time.

Statement from Robert F. Simmons, Jr., Caiman of the Sandwich School Committee

The School Committee is very concerned about these events. The Superintendent has met with the principal and will also be meeting with the teacher and the parents of those students involved.
Chairman Robert Simmons, (508) 477-7048, email bob@CapeSimmons.com.

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