EXTRA...

Lobbyist Delahunt makes his move; Sandwich 2nd-hand dealer bylaw faces fight; Raccoon rabies progam this week; Dennis CCRTA wind turbine saving a bundle already

TODAY's quote: "I agree with the intent of the law,
but it is the language in the article that concerns me."
- Peter Smith, Sandwich Antique Center.

Former congressman, now lobbyist Delahunt makes his first move for Tribe

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal head Cedric Cromwell, right, will join lobbyist Delahunt, left, at the event.

For 18 years Bill Delahunt was the US Representative in the 10th District of Massachusetts.  A few months ago he followed the well-worn path of many of his predecessors by becoming a paid lobbyist for one of the interests he previously oversaw as our elected rep.

So few if any political observers were surprised to hear he will make a pitch for gambling with special mention of how it will help the Wampanoag Tribe of Mashpee.

The only surprise is where he will start.

The Metro South Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual legislative luncheon this Friday and will feature former US Rep. William Delahunt as its keynote speaker. The event will be held at the Massasoit Conference Center, 770 Crescent St., Brockton on Friday, April 29, from noon to 1:30 p.m.

A month ago when he made his move to set up The Delahunt Group LLC, the Boston Globe excoriated our ex-US Rep. Bill Delahunt. Adrian Walker called the 40-year veteran politician's quick jump into the casino money bin yet another example of the revolving-door syndrome that plagues government at all levels as Delahunt announced that he would now be lobbying for the Wampanoag Tribe in their efforts to have a gambling casino in Massachusetts.

Sandwich 2nd-hand dealer bylaw makes it on the Town Warrant again

The Sandwich Enterprise reports that Sandwich Police Detective Albert Robichaud said the intent of the bylaw is to prevent establishments from purchasing items, especially jewelry or heirloom pieces, and selling those valuables before investigators have had the opportunity to check if they have been pawned at one of these businesses. "It's another tool for police to use in recovering stolen items," Det. Robichaud said.

The bylaw seeks to prevent secondhand dealers and collectors from buying stolen property and then quickly selling it might receive some debate at the upcoming Annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 2.

Read the Enterprise story here.

Cape Cod Transit's new Dennis turbine a big money-saver in just five months

The Register reports on the impressive success of the wind turbine erected only five months ago by the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority.

CCRTA turbine as seen from the bike trail by Jon Mayo.

NStar provided a chart comparing the transit authority's usage during the 2011 monthly billing periods. In January, the transit authority was billed for 10,000 kW hours, down from 21,000 kW hours in December. In February, the bill was for12,000 kW hours; in March, 11,000 kW hours; and in April, 10,500 kW hours. Between April and December 2010, every bill exceeded 20,000 kW hours.

The $700,000 project was fully funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment act through a grant from the Federal Transit Administration. The turbine, designed and manufactured by Northern Power Systems of Barre, Vt., in concert with NASA, is constructed to survive wind speeds of 134 mph, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane.

Read the Register story here.

USDA Distributes Oral Rabies Vaccine pellets to Cape Cod

The US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will soon begin distributing oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits on Cape Cod and in the Cleveland metro area to reduce the incidence of raccoon rabies. APHIS' wildlife services program will begin the baiting work on or about April 25 on Cape Cod and in five Ohio counties the first week of May.

In cooperation with the Cape Cod Rabies Task Force, 24,000 oral rabies vaccination ORV baits will be distributed by hand and in strategically positioned bait stations where raccoons are likely to travel. Coated sachets baits will be distributed by hand in seven towns from Barnstable to Orleans.

Read the Garden News report here.  See CapeCodPets.com here.

Scroll down to: Falmouth consultant quits after confrontation;
New Yorker reporter to store his papers here;
Want shellfish? Go to local farmers' markets; Cape soloist helps Japan.