Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
STATE OF THE CITY
March 24, 2011
INTRODUCTION
David Maher, congratulations to Lockheed on your recent government contract.
Lockheed’s expertise and quality is well-recognized throughout the world. Mr. Twomey,
my fellow Long Islander, thank you for your gracious introduction, but one thing, the
birth date was 1960! Thank you to Cassandra Borges, Brianne Allain, and Victoria
Rebello, members of the New Bedford High School Chorus for your beautiful and
inspiring rendition of the National Anthem.
Good afternoon honorable citizens of New Bedford, Roy Nascimento, President of
the New Bedford Chamber of Commerce, and officers and members of the New Bedford
Chamber of Commerce; President of the City Council, Brian Gomes and all members of
the City Council, Portuguese Consul Dr. Graca Fonseca, members of our School
Committee, members of our Board of Assessors, Senator Mark Montigny, and,
Representatives Tony Cabral, Bob Koczera, and Steve Canessa. I would also like to
recognize Jason Wentworth, representing Representative Chris Markey, Former State
Representative John Quinn and former State Senator Joan Menard, Ines Goncalves-
Drolet representing Congressman Barney Frank, Janet Label representing Senator John
Kerry and Jack Richard representing Senator Scott Brown.
Also please welcome Patrick Administration Cabinet Secretary of Energy and
Environmental Affairs, Richard Sullivan, and Deputy Secretary Bill White, Assistant
2
District Attorneys Bill McCauley and Tom Quinn, representing District Attorney Sam
Sutter.
Welcome to School Superintendents Dr. Mary Louise Francis and Michael Shea.
Welcome to Tony Sapienza, the President of the New Bedford Economic Development
Council and all of its members, and its Executive Director, Matthew Morrissey. I wish
to acknowledge Rev. David Lima of the InterChurch Council, and Reverend Mark Green
of the NAACP, as well as all of our clergy and all of our representatives of higher
education and my wife and City First Lady, a volunteer and a mentor, Gig Lang.
I also want to acknowledge all of our public servants, our dedicated City
employees and all of you listening to this broadcast on the radio on WBSM from your
homes, businesses and automobiles and those who will view this from your homes on
New Bedford’s Cable network airing on channel 18—thank you for being with us today.
And again this year, I want to thank our home-town newspaper, The Standard-Times
for its coverage of this event, and providing our community with award-winning news
coverage and commentary year-round.
Lastly, as each year, I ask, please, that all of our children root for the Marquette
Warriors in the NCAA Basketball Tournament.
Today I am making my sixth State of the City address. I want to announce
today that I intend to give a year-end State of the City speech in December of this year.
Traditionally, the New Bedford Mayor’s annual speech focuses on the year past, while
anticipating the year ahead. In December, I will review my administration’s six years
and attempt to project the state of the City well into the future.
3
In my address today, I will review 2010 and preview 2011.
After my first year as mayor, I reinstated a tradition of our first mayors who used
the State of the City to report the City’s statistical facts and progress on public projects.
I decided at that time to compile a report documenting all that was completed in the
previous year. Today, I have released “The Report to the Citizens of the City of New
Bedford for the Year 2010.” This report is comprehensive and, along with the reports
of 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, describes the work that was done by the dedicated men
and women who are employed by the City of New Bedford, along with the help and
cooperation its citizens and our partners in the private sector and in the state and
federal government.
This report is comprehensive and gives an accurate overview of the City
government’s activities. As part of our City’s green initiative, the report can be viewed
on the City of New Bedford’s website: www.newbedford-ma.gov. A limited number of
hard copies will be available at City Hall and all libraries.
Today, I want to pay tribute to the men and women who serve in the United
States Armed Services. For almost 10 years, since September 11, 2001, our country
has been at war. During this time, New Bedford has lost 3 of its sons and the state has
lost over 160 young men and women. In order to pay proper tribute, we must
remember each of their lives and their families in our daily prayers.
Our City has many men and women who are serving in the most dangerous
places in the world today. As throughout America’s history, our relatives, friends and
neighbors will continue to serve our colors to protect our freedoms. Let’s thank them
4
and their families for their patriotism and their personal sacrifice and let’s honor them
by dedicating our personal efforts to building a great city for all of our citizens.
OVERVIEW
The year 2010 saw the City move forward in many positive ways on many
important fronts. The key economic development projects have lead to job creation
and an expanded tax base. Strong relationships with Gov. Deval Patrick’s
administration, our Congressman, Barney Frank, and Senators Kerry and Brown, and
excellent representation from our local delegation of Senator Montigny and
Representatives Cabral, Koczera, Canessa, Quinn and now Chris Markey, brought
significant educational and public safety grants to our City.
In addition, a close partnership with the New Bedford City Council has resulted in
sustained growth and the delivery of excellent City services to our citizens.
New Bedford has generated impressive momentum entering 2011, but we
continue to face many challenges during this period.
In order to understand New Bedford’s challenges, it is important to have a
broader context to each urban issue than a simplistic 36 square mile local point of
reference. New Bedford is a dynamic urban area, a medium sized city in the United
States. Each day we are confronted with the complex challenges of the 21st century.
Most American cities have public safety issues. Most urban residents have urban
blight in their neighborhoods. All urban governments are focusing every day on
improving the educational opportunities for all of their children, striving for high
5
educational attainment and fighting a dropout rate that plagues virtually all urban
school districts.
All city governments are dealing with the issue of long-term municipal financial
sustainability. All urban citizens are struggling with the economic crisis in the private
and public sector, and all cities are attempting to create new growth, establish jobs
within their city boundaries, expand their tax base, and attempt to reestablish their
status as a cultural and economic hub in their region.
New Bedford, when compared to other urban areas of similar size, is doing
exceedingly well. Do we have key areas that need attention and immediate
improvement? Absolutely, yes. Do we have areas that other cities are attempting to
emulate? Yes, absolutely. The State of the City is sound, the spirit of our City is
strong. The challenges we face are numerous and complex, but we are up to these
challenges. We will meet every challenge to ensure that our children, our grandchildren
and beyond, proudly call the City of New Bedford their hometown.
CELEBRATING OUR RICH HISTORY
The citizens of New Bedford have played a contributing role in every historic
period of the United States. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the beginning of
the Civil War. New Bedford’s citizens played a prominent role in the “War Between the
States.” We know Paul Cuffee and Frederick Douglass, leaders in the abolitionist and
expanding suffrage movements, lived among the people of New Bedford in the early
part of the eighteenth century. We know that the Quaker influence in our City
established New Bedford as a destination on the Underground Railroad. We know that
6
Congressman Abraham Lincoln visited New Bedford on September 14, 1848, and spoke
at Liberty Hall and slept on the outskirts of our booming downtown at the Grinnell
Mansion on County Street. We are the City of the “stone fleet” whose purpose was to
blockade the primary Confederate port of Charleston, South Carolina. New Bedford is
the home of Sgt. William H. Carney, a member of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, and
as a result of his heroism in the Civil war, he received a Congressional Medal of Honor.
New Bedford sent 3,200 to fight in the Civil War. Our Soldiers’ and Sailors’
monument commemorates the loss of 217 men from New Bedford who perished in the
Civil War. These men died not in vain, but in a union victory for the preservation of the
United States. The brave contributions of the citizens of our City are second to none.
In New Bedford alone, there are over 82 monuments dedicated to the sacrifices of the
men and women who have served our country from the American Revolution through
today’s War on Terror.
Ours is a rich history, regardless of the era. New Bedford is the most impressive
home-town.
INTRODUCTION
I have traditionally divided my administration’s goals into four broad civic
categories—public safety, education, neighborhood revitalization and economic
development. Each of these fundamental elements intersect and determine the well-
being of our City.
7
PUBLIC SAFETY
All positive initiatives in our City begin with safety of our citizens. Our police
officers, firefighters and emergency personnel provide essential public safety services to
enhance the quality of life of the families of New Bedford.
In 2010, the New Bedford Police Department has worked closely with our law
enforcement partners at the state, county and federal levels to abate criminal activity in
our City. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, our police officers protect and
serve our public. Formal community partnerships and everyday citizens have stepped
forward to work with our police department. I am proud of their joint efforts to make
a safer city.
Last year, we saw a decrease in major crime across the City, but crime in our
streets continues to be a pivotal issue. The City must continue to focus its full
resources on the arrest and successful prosecution of those involved in criminal activity.
We must maintain constant vigilance to ensure the safety of our neighborhoods. Thank
you to District Attorney Sutter and his staff for working with the New Bedford Police
Department to successfully prosecute those who have committed crimes. I thank him
for his leadership in changing the law regarding the dangerousness statute.
GUNS
The handgun is the weapon of mass destruction in the urban areas. The old
“Saturday Night Specials” as well as the modern automatic, wreak havoc on our citizens
and the fabric of our community on a daily basis. The New Bedford Police Department,
8
in cooperation with our community partners and clergy, has focused their energy on
removing handguns from our streets.
This past year, in the course of their duties, the New Bedford Police Department
secured 94 guns from the hands of persons who had involvement with our police
officers. Another 13 guns were voluntarily turned in by the public to the police station.
In addition, the New Bedford Police Department, in partnership with the Interchurch
Council and the Office of the District Attorney, held two highly successfully gun
exchange programs. The two events, held in October and December of 2010, yielded a
total of 116 handguns, 87 rifles, 75 shotguns, 30 pellet guns and almost 6,000 rounds
of ammunition. There is no doubt that some of these guns may have fallen into the
wrong hands or, if not, secured or attended to correctly, could have caused serious
bodily injury and heartache to our community. There is also no doubt, that there are
more guns in people’s homes in New Bedford that are no longer being used. I would
ask the public to turn these guns in to the New Bedford Police Department. As a
community, we will all sleep more soundly, knowing that these guns are properly
secured and disposed by the New Bedford Police. It is our intention to continue gun
exchange programs into the future. In addition, I call on Congress, as a Mayor of a
major city in Massachusetts, to enact a restriction on maximum capacity magazines and
to tighten the system for background checks to prevent guns from falling into the hands
of the criminally disposed or psychologically unstable individuals. Further, it is crucial
that Congress re-adopt the ban on assault weapons to help protect our police and
citizens. Military type weapons should not be available to private citizens.
9
In New Bedford, we continue to use technological innovation to combat crime.
In the near future, we will activate a gunshot detection and location system in the City.
The system, known as “ShotSpotter,” is able to distinguish gunfire from fireworks and
vehicle backfires. It will automatically report a gunshot and give a location within
meters of the shooting. We are interfacing the ShotSpotter technology with our
expanding camera surveillance system. This will automatically direct nearby cameras
towards the source of the gunshots. This sophisticated system is made possible
through federal funding secured by Congressman Barney Frank. I appreciate the
Congressman’s hard work on this project and so many other projects important to the
people of New Bedford.
Over the past two fiscal years, we have received, as a result of the advocacy of
Congressman Frank, Senators Kennedy, Kerry, Kirk and Brown, federal money to help
support our police department. In addition, we have received both federal and state
funding to supplement New Bedford’s Fire Department personnel.
At the present time, while there is foundation money for the restoration of fire
department personnel, there is no federal or state program which provides the same
foundation funding for the restoration of city or town police department personnel.
New Bedford vitally needs such a program in order to restore the appropriate number
of police personnel to serve our City. At the present time, our police department is
currently working with 33 fewer officers than were in service in February of 2009, when
the 9C funding cuts occurred. It is crucial that we restore the full complement of
officers to patrol our City.
10
In the times in which we live, a federal program to provide local public safety
foundation funding must be the priority of the United States government.
Within the past fourteen months, New Bedford Fire Department Chief Paul Leger
and his successor, Chief Brian Faria, have retired. We thank them for their faithful
service and we welcome and pledge to support our newly-appointed New Bedford Fire
Chief Michael Gomes.
During this time, our fire department is adopting a multi-faceted first responder
model to serve our diverse urbanscape, consisting of the industrial, residential,
commercial, historic and working waterfront components of our City. Add an airport
and an interstate highway system and it is easy to imagine the challenges the New
Bedford Fire Department faces in the future. I have no doubt that our fire department
will transform into one of the finest multi-dimensional first response fire departments in
the country.
EMS
Our emergency medical services continue to provide excellent life-saving medical
services, while facing additional calls for service every day. At the present time, we are
reviewing the consolidation of both the emergency medical services and the emergency
preparedness department into the first responder configuration. Following consultation
with the departments and employee representatives, I expect within the next few
months to have a model to present to the citizens of New Bedford that will provide
expanded services in this public safety area.
11
NEIGHBORHOODS
Over the past year, neighborhood revitalization and beautification has continued
at an impressive pace. Despite the great recession, the City issued 68 building permits
for home improvements in 2010. Citizens are investing their own money into their
residences, which stabilizes City blocks and helps maintain long-term property values.
Another 58 building permits were issued for commercial renovations, and the Building
Department also issued 46 permits for new construction. The City government
continues to focus on planting trees, installing sidewalks, paving and maintaining
streets, rehabilitating blighted areas and building new sewer and water infrastructures
for the new century.
Our City experienced 841 foreclosures over the past three years. As the
economy continues to slowly recover, I expect foreclosed properties to continue to be
returned to useful purposes. Further, the policy of rapidly demolishing the most
severely blighted or burnt properties in our City will continue under my administration.
I am proud to say, the City of New Bedford adopted a Master Plan, for the first
time since 1964. This effort involved hundreds of people dedicating thousands of hours
of their time.
The Master Plan is a living document and as such, will evolve over time. It is my
hope that the Master Plan provides guidance in precisely locating residential and mixed
use property in New Bedford. Noxious uses, developed 100 years ago around vanished
industrial footprints which border our residential neighborhoods must be reexamined as
we move on to a mixed use and light industrial economic model.
12
I also believe that the Master Plan will spur the City Council to adopt new
ordinances that deal with quality of life issues. I recommend that each year, the Master
Plan should be reviewed by the Planning Board to determine if new smart growth
concepts should be incorporated into the City’s Master Plan.
CITY FINANCES
During 2010, New Bedford maintained its A3 bond rating and received a “stable
outlook” from Moody’s. The Department of Revenue has certified our budget for Fiscal
Year 2011 in a timely manner. The City was one of the few municipalities that did not
raise its tax levy for Fiscal Year 2011. This meant that the tax rate for residential and
commercial properties did not automatically rise by 2.5%.
New Bedford’s new growth tax revenue has remained strong and additional
revenue from the meals tax and the Municipal Partnership Act has allowed the City to
maintain a solidly balanced budget.
The City continues to make every effort to balance its need to provide our
community with the best services possible with the need to keep taxes at a rate
affordable to our taxpayers. From fiscal year 2007 through fiscal 2010 we were able to
finish each year with a positive bottom line, giving us the ability to certify our free cash
and receive the Moody’s upgrade in our bond rating. The total amount certified in the
last 5 years is $18,785,857; in addition, our Baa1 bond rating in 2006 has increased to
an A1 in 2010.
The City had $8,675 in its stabilization fund in 2006 and is pleased to report that
we have increased that reserve to $3,139,353 at the end of last fiscal year. In addition,
13
for FY10 the amount certified as free cash was $3,199,535 which will be transferred
into our stabilization fund in the near future.
The State and national economy has been very difficult and as a result our state
aid for general government has decreased $9.6 million or 31.3% from $30.8 million in
2008 to a projected amount in the Governor’s budget of $21.1 million in 2012. With the
continuing struggle to balance the budget, the City’s finance team has work hard in
analyzing the monthly department budgeting and accounting records to maintain
expenditure controls, has examined the budget estimates for completeness, accuracy,
and conformance with procedures and regulations and has looked for new ways to
improve efficiency and increase revenues and cut expenses.
During this past year, the City’s short term debt was decreased by $17.4 million
dollars while long-term debt outstanding has remained approximately the same as the
previous year.
During the past year, our technology department has brought many of the City’s
record keeping functions into the technology age. At the present time, we are seeking
new programs to improve efficiencies in handling the City’s financial records.
As in the case of the great majority of America’s cities, our rising health care
costs continue to be of long-term concern. If these costs are not contained through
reform, they will ultimately threaten the ability of our City government to employ
sufficient personnel to provide services to our residents. I am hopeful that the local
and state governments will work with the employee unions to ensure the sustainability
of our municipal governments. Unlike Wisconsin, the issue in Massachusetts will not be
14
the collective bargaining rights of employees, the real issue will be whether due to
unsustainable costs our governments are able to maintain the employee base needed to
provide municipal services.
SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAM
My administration has worked closely with the Massachusetts School Building
Authority over the past five and one-half years. In 2010, we continued to construct the
new McCoy Field and constructed the Abraham Lincoln Elementary School. The
opening of the Lincoln School resulted in the closure of three century-old school houses
in our City. It is critical, and it is well-established that as educational opportunities are
enhanced in modern school facilities.
In 2010, we received 90% reimbursement on the John Hannigan Elementary
School at Sea Lab or $7.2 million. In addition, the City has executed its project funding
agreement for the Keith Middle School in the amount of $74.2 million which is 90% of
the total $82.6 million budget and is currently working on much needed renovations at
the City’s High School.
In 2011, I expect that we will complete the Andre McCoy Field complex and
complete the remediation project at the Keith Middle School, Walsh Field and the High
School.
In 2011, I expect to see a comprehensive school building plan completed and
new school building projects commence. New Bedford, which has 9 elementary schools
of approximately close to 100 years of age, must build new elementary schools in which
to teach our children. We have the highest inventory of schools over 100 years old.
15
EDUCATION
Since I became Mayor, my focus as the leader of the City and the Chairman of
the School Committee has been on providing the best educational opportunities for all
of our children. There is no one in the City of New Bedford who is content with the
educational status quo. However, to suggest that the school committee,
superintendents, principals or teachers have not focused on our educational challenges
is inaccurate.
New Bedford has shown progress in addressing educational attainment. But, we
are not satisfied with the results. My administration will continue to focus on all urban
education issues and welcomes input and resources from all stakeholders to improve
our educational system. We all have the same goal—let’s work together in the interest
of the children of our City to accomplish these goals.
Regarding the issue of graduation rates, New Bedford Public Schools largely
mirror the dropout and graduation rates of our state’s urban areas. This fact is not a
claim of success, rather it is a statement that the issues we face in New Bedford
regarding graduation and dropout rate is the same educational crisis facing the
overwhelming majority of urban areas in America. In fact, our country cannot survive
in the long-term unless we solve the urban areas’ educational attainment issues. Our
very economic future and democracy depend on successfully resolving the national
educational crisis.
The statistics in New Bedford, in Massachusetts urban areas, and the urban
areas within the United States, show a disproportionate number of minority young men
16
and women, and English as a second language students, dropping out or failing to
graduate high school.
Let’s face the plain truth. The fact that our graduate and dropout problems are
compounded in our cities is not simply an educational problem, but rather a Civil Rights
issue as well. The demographic and socioeconomic pattern of educational failure in the
cities, when compared to suburban areas, illustrates that we are creating an
educational caste system. Low educational attainment goes hand-in-hand with a life of
financial hardship and an overall difficult quality of life. Only a comprehensive approach
will improve educational attainment in our country and our City.
The perplexing issue we face is how to increase our graduation rate. The four-
year adjusted cohort graduation rate for 2010 is 59.2% of the students graduating.
The five-year adjusted rate, which means students who continue an extra semester
and/or summer, and graduate is 63.8%. The dropout rate for 4 years is 18.6% and the
dropout rate for 5 years is 21.6%. In each cohort calculation, there are approximately
20% of the students who continue to seek their high school diploma. The challenge is
establishing a system that will facilitate the graduation of those seeking to do so. In
addition, we must recapture the 20% who have dropped out. The interesting fact in
these figures, is that in a city in which only 13% of our residents have a college degree,
and only 4% have a graduate degree, 72% of our graduating seniors are enrolling in
college. This means that our high school is sending over 4 times the number of
students to college than the percentage of those citizens of New Bedford who already
have a college degree. I believe this is a very positive trend.
17
Upon entering the school system, an educational plan for success must be
developed for each individual student. This individual plan must be reassessed
continuously to ensure the child’s progress in each subject. Each student’s family must
be involved in the drafting and implementation of the plan. Support staff must be part
of the classroom environment to help both the student and the family develop the skills
necessary to learn and apply the specific curriculum.
The school day cannot be geared toward tracking a bubble test; it must capture
the student’s imagination and nurture the desire to learn specific foundation subjects
and varied curriculum depending on the student’s interests. Family support services,
when necessary, must be provided. The success of the student depends on an
environment at school and home which fosters educational success. It is in all of our
interests to see New Bedford lead the way in developing a model to resolve the gap
achievement issue which exists in our urban areas.
The current rhetoric in our country is to blame the crisis in American education
on our teachers. I believe that to place the blame for poor student performance on
teachers is a simplistic, inappropriate approach to addressing a complex social problem.
The educational attainment crisis in the United States is a societal problem and this is
not an issue that can be resolved by turning the school teacher into a scapegoat.
Each day great teachers who are dedicated to the children of this City interact
with each student in the most positive ways. Our teachers are in one of the most
demanding and rewarding professions. They spend more time with our children than
any other person outside of the immediate families. At the elementary school level,
18
they continually master and teach multiple core subjects. At the upper levels, our
teachers help our children navigate through their formative years, and teach complex
subject matters. Our children are encouraged at each step of the learning process.
The goal and responsibility of every teacher is to help each student reach his or her
individual success.
While everyone agrees that seniority in a contract is an important aspect in a
teacher’s career, teachers, who do not meet the necessary standards to ensure student
success, must improve their performance. If they are unable to improve their
performance, they will face the loss of their position, regardless of their seniority status.
It is clear that “Educational Reform” has affected our school systems in many
unintended ways.
Multiple educational mandates, without proper funding, have put a strain on the
system in the areas of special education, English as a second language, remedial
education in all subjects, and extra-curricular programs, to name just a few. Teaching
to a “one size fits all” MCAS test has diluted the ability to provide a fully enriched
education to our children. Requiring passage of the MCAS test as a condition to receive
a public high school diploma compounds the dropout problem. In Massachusetts, come
June, the MCAS graduation requirement will have relegated 30,000 public school
students to drop out status, who would have otherwise earned their high school
diploma. Since 2003, two hundred fifty New Bedford students have been denied their
high school diploma, simply because they have not passed the MCAS. We cannot
continue to ignore the unintended negative consequences of requiring public school
19
students to pass a high- stakes test in order to validate their earned high school
diploma.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Considering the recession that we have experienced, New Bedford’s economy
has weathered the downturn remarkably well. During this past difficult year, the City of
New Bedford has added 847 jobs. The individuals who were laid off in the Industrial
Park have been recalled and the park has continued its impressive expansion.
Unemployment has been a persistent problem throughout the recession. In spite
of the tough economy, jobs in the City of New Bedford have increased to 36,327 in
January 2011 from 35,480 in January 2010. The labor force has also increased from
43,052 in January 2010 to 43,459 in January 2011, with the unemployment rate
decreasing from 17.6% in 2010 to 16.4% in 2011. We will continue to attract jobs to
this area.
Our business districts continue to see businesses opening or expanding. In the
past year, we have seen the opening of our first hotel in 50 years, the opening this past
fall of the Market Basket Supermarket, as well as expansion of many small business, the
revitalization of the United Front housing community, the Regency Tower, the
completion of Victoria Riverside Mills, school projects, as well as expansions of small
businesses throughout the City.
In the current year, we will see the beginning of the long-awaited Route 18
project, expected to begin in a month, the continuation and the completion of the
sewer/water interceptor project by mid-summer, a march up the Acushnet River
20
corridor with economic development projects coinciding with the building of the
Riverwalk, a beautification of the Acushnet Avenue commercial district, a study and plan
for the revitalization of the Rivet Street commercial district, the opening of the newly
expanded Military Museum at Fort Rodman, scheduled for Memorial Day, continued
work on our park system, the Mill Street resurfacing project, as well as numerous
infrastructure projects under Chapter 90 around the City. Improved public
infrastructure will lead to private sector expansion. The South Coast Rail Project is a
perfect example of a transportation infrastructure project which will provide
construction jobs and long-term economic benefits to our region. The funding for this
project must be secured now so that we can begin creating a high-speed track
restoration project between New Bedford and Taunton, and Fall River and Taunton.
This track can be used immediately for freight service. Building this section of the
project now will allow the passenger service to be completed much more rapidly.
Recent events dictate that the train cannot be an iron horse, but rather must be
designed as a 21st century electric rail transportation system which is fast, efficient and
environmentally friendly. If designed correctly, it will serve our region into the next
century.
The year 2011 will be an extremely busy year for construction as well as
continuing to plan and design projects for the future. It is my belief that the only way
our country will expand the economy and lower unemployment is by rebuilding the
century-old infrastructure that was developed during the industrial revolution. The
government must partner with the private sector to put people back to work.
21
CENSUS
Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution requires the federal government to
conduct a census of the persons living within the United States every 10 years. The
first census was taken in 1790. In 2010, the most recent census was taken. I sincerely
appreciate all of the work that was done over the last year on New Bedford’s federal
census project. I am certainly gratified that our census numbers have gone up, as we
all believed they would. With the new count, New Bedford has an increase in
population for only the second time in the past 90 years. However, our count continues
to appear lower than accurate. I believe that there is an issue regarding the census
forms that are used in the count that must be addressed. To use a form printed in
English, in New Bedford, when we have a substantial number of individuals whose
primary language is not English, presents an unnecessary obstacle to having an
accurate count. Census forms printed in English, Portuguese, Spanish, K’iche and
Creole, were well within our federal government’s ability and would have ensured a
more accurate count of the people who live within the City’s boundaries. If the purpose
is to count every person, regardless of their immigration status, then the federal
government’s methods must be far more user-friendly. I will consult with the Secretary
of State’s office to determine whether New Bedford’s city government should formally
challenge our count and join with other cities who believe they have been
undercounted.
22
CASINOS
Hopefully, 2011 should produce a clear understanding of the state’s position on
casino gambling. New Bedford has two very important deep water properties on the
harbor that are under casino developer options, and have been now for 4 years. One is
the Revere Copper and Brass plant in the Hicks-Logan area, the other is the NStar site
adjacent to downtown. These land options are preventing alternative development
from being considered at this time. If a casino bill is adopted this year, I would expect
the two developers in New Bedford to compete for a casino license. Depending on the
outcome, the City will then have an opportunity to work towards the development of
these important parcels.
It is ironic that last year the concept of legalized casino gambling was agreed
upon, but the specific bill was not adopted into law because of a disagreement over the
number of slot machines and how they would be allocated.
This year, a gaming bill should be adopted that provides a transparent bidding
process to allocate as many slot machines as are necessary to attract viable bids and
licensing fees. The delay on this bill is costing the cities and towns new local aid
revenue sources generated from fees on casinos and slot machines. In New Bedford,
the delay is costing construction jobs, to build, and permanent jobs, to run the casinos
in New Bedford. The delay is paralyzing the development of two key parcels on our
working waterfront. Time is of the essence. Let’s get the casino bill passed, signed
and into law early in this session.
23
TOURISM
Tourism is becoming an important part of New Bedford’s new economy. The
authenticity of our City is the draw. This week New Bedford was named a “Time Warp
Town” by CNBC. What is a “Time Warp Town” you ask. Time Warp Towns are those
discoveries that make for road trip gold. “The buildings where local history was made
are still standing, and if you squint, it seems like you have gone back in time.”
Also, last month, New Bedford was one of 12 cities in the United States named a
“Distinctive Destination” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Last week, the
TV Diner showcased New Bedford for all of New England. Visitors to New Bedford are
now seeing what we live and experience every day—a real city defined by its history
and diversity and by its continued story of revitalization.
Our restaurants, museums, historic district, Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, our
National Park, the Whaling Museum, our working waterfront, Bay Sox, Clippers and
other recreational activities, our libraries, parks, beaches and zoo, are draws for the
outside world. But our people are our City’s strength, the creative energy that pulsates
from the art community, our festivals, feasts and celebrations; all of our people draw
visitors to New Bedford. When they come, we are literally rolling out the best carpet to
welcome them.
The latest example of our community coming together to welcome new friends
was the 34th annual half marathon. It was a great job by the Friendly Sons of St.
Patrick, and Downtown New Bedford, Inc., which produced a premier sporting event
and a boost to our local economy.
24
THE PORT
The Port of New Bedford had a very strong year in 2010. For 10 consecutive
years, the fishing industry has maintained its ranking of the number one fishing port in
the country.
The fishing industry landed $249 Million dollars of seafood in our port in 2010.
This bounty from the sea provides over $1 billion dollars of economic vitality to our local
economy from the dockside to the dinner plate. Import-export cargo provided 28
freighters frequenting our port. Each vessel accounts for approximately $250,000 in
local economic stimulus from arrival to departure. We had 18 cruise ships visit New
Bedford with additional visits scheduled for the summer of 2011. Recreational boating
continues to thrive in our mixed use port, with 3 yachting events coming into our
harbor in 2010.
Likewise, ferry, tug and barge service continues to be an important segment of
our port’s economy. To enhance our harbor’s use, major port improvements to
infrastructure are being coordinated by the Harbor Development Commission as we
speak.
This past year, our fishing community, with the support of UMass Dartmouth,
SMAST, the City of New Bedford, our local and federally-elected officials, have
challenged NOAA and NMFS regarding their policies on fisheries management. It is our
belief and the fishing community’s belief that the federal government has lost sight of
its responsibilities under the Magnuson Stevens Act. Unfortunately, they have ignored
25
the disastrous impact of their too restrictive regulations on the fishing families and port
cities that they are mandated to help sustain.
This fight to balance fishing regulations with socio-economic impact on our
fishing families will preserve the heritage of our City. The culture and history of our
fishing families are at risk. Uncontroverted science provided by SMAST shows that the
fisheries are stable, unfortunately the people in the industry are unable to maintain
their economic stability under the current fishing regulations.
In 2011, I anticipate that the media, the Commerce Department, Inspector
General and Congressmen and Senators, our City Council and local legislative
delegation, will continue to shine a light on the policies and practices of NOAA and the
National Marine Fisheries Service. This will be very good for the port cities of New
England and the East Coast. Without the unequivocal support for the fishermen by
Cong. Barney Frank, Senator Kerry and Senator Brown, and Gov. Patrick, and our local
delegation, NOAA would have continued their practices without any accountability and
our port cities will be in serious jeopardy.
I welcome the EPA’s announcement that they will begin to utilize CAD cell
technology in the harbor superfund project. It is important, to go on record that an
additional 40 to 45 year timetable for the completion of this project is unacceptable to
the people of the City of New Bedford. This project was originally scheduled for
completion in 2011. A shortage of funding has turned this important superfund clean-
up into a seasonal project, driven by minimal funding. The federal government must
26
fully fund this project and return the Acushnet River to its original non-contaminated
status.
I am also pleased to report that the City will resolve its dispute with the New
Bedford Harbor Trustee Council regarding the fourth round of environmental
remediation funding. I expect the details of this agreement will be announced within
the next few weeks and I want to personally thank Gov. Patrick, Congressman Frank
and Secretary Sullivan, who is here today, for their advocacy on the part of New
Bedford and the Buzzards Bay Coalition, regarding this important fund.
AIRPORT
The airport is in the midst of a major safety improvement project. The F.A.A.
and the State CAB are funding a $17 million project to construct safety aprons on our
runways and to implement a vegetation management plan to ensure the safety of
airplanes landing and taking off from New Bedford Regional Airport.
The next phase of the airport modernization project will create a dedicated
access way to the airport for vehicular traffic and to expand the terminal to provide for
TSA screening. The airport continues to have an F.A.A. flight control tower and I am
pleased to report that Bridgewater State University Flight School has grown dramatically
over the past year.
CAPE WIND
New Bedford has been designated the port city for the Cape Wind project. This
undertaking will provide a new South Terminal pier infrastructure for our City and will
create hundreds of jobs during construction and during the assembly of wind turbines.
27
The effort to bring Cape Wind to New Bedford was shepherded by the NBEDC Executive
Director, Matt Morrissey and the Executive Director of the Harbor Development
Commission, Kristen Decas, our state legislative delegation and Gov. Patrick. All
deserve our thanks.
The alternative energy field is more important today than it was prior to the
catastrophe in Japan and before gasoline prices began to spike. We intend to take
advantage of the new emphasis on the development of safe, abundant, clean and
affordable alternative energy. New Bedford is close to finalizing its nationally leading
integrated solar energy strategy. Our goal is to have 10 megawatts of solar deployed
on municipal properties within 3 years, 10 megawatts of solar deployed for our
commercial sector within 4 years, and finally will have a component for the advantage
of our residents. The cost of this energy will be lower than the cost we currently pay.
While we are focused on energy, we all note that the price of gasoline, diesel
and oil are rising as I speak. It is clear that as these fuel prices rise, our recent
economic gains are being put at risk. This is due not only to the cost of direct fuel
purchases, but the inflationary trend that rising fuel prices will have on all finished
products.
As the Mayor of New Bedford and as the Mayor of the number one fishing port, if
the fuel prices continue to climb, I would urge the federal government to impose
temporary price controls for gas, oil and diesel fuels. Allowing prices to rise without
some sort of relief, or providing tax credits for usage, will kill the economic recovery.
28
ELECTION 2011
This is an election year, and I look forward to it enthusiastically. I expect lively
races throughout our City. I have the utmost confidence that the voters will weigh the
candidates' qualifications and their records of achievement. I know the candidates’
positions on the important issues that face our City will be carefully considered. A
return to a status quo approach to problem solving will not work in New Bedford.
Strong ideas and a steady vision is the key to success for the future of our City. The
voters must challenge all candidates’ claims and statements that are not true to the
mark. The future progress of the City of New Bedford is dependent upon
comprehensive voter participation, well-intended citizen activists, and the dedication of
honest and qualified public servants.
CLOSING THOUGHTS – THE MODERN MAYOR
I have the honor of serving as the 37th elected Mayor in our City’s history. When
Abraham Howland took office in 1847, the world was an enormous, mysterious place to
most of New Bedford’s citizens. New Bedford was widely-known throughout the
continents by way of whaling and commerce, and New Bedford received its information
about the world from our fleet. Flash forward 164 years, and the world is a very
compact place and well known to our citizens. New Bedford, with its diverse
population, is truly connected to every corner of the world.
Over the years, the responsibilities of the modern mayor of the City have
expanded dramatically, driven in large part by advanced communication, technology,
and economic development demands. Today, the Mayor of New Bedford is responsible
29
for the day-to-day operations of the City government, 1,105 employees on the City side
and 2,143 employees in the school department. The Mayor’s job is to make the task of
each department head and employee easier, to enable these employees to serve the
public. The Mayor’s duty is to serve and protect the citizens regarding public safety.
The Mayor is charged with the responsibility of chairing the School Committee and to
ensure that each of our children is given the best educational opportunities. The Mayor
is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day issues that affect the quality of life of all of
our citizens. The Mayor is directly involved in economic development which provides
employment opportunities and expands the City’s tax base.
The role of the Mayor today is to represent the City in all matters concerning
federal and state government, working with all the different department heads with the
technical expertise to represent the City’s position in any relevant matter. On any given
day, the Mayor of the City of New Bedford will be called upon to work with the
congressional delegation, the state legislative delegation, the governor’s office, the
state constitutional officeholders, and the executive branch of the federal and state
governments.
Further, the Mayor is the ambassador of the City in international relations with
representatives of the governments who have special connections to the citizens of New
Bedford. These international events concern constituent matters, as well as educational
and cultural exchanges and the building of economic development ties.
The Mayor is involved in community relations in every neighborhood of the City.
30
The Mayor is assisted by thousands of citizen volunteers and countless non-profit and
charitable organizations that look to improve the life of the citizens of our City.
The Mayor’s role in the 21st century is that of a pro-active advocate for the needs
of the people of our City as well as building relationships to partner with benevolent
organizations and foundations acting in the best interest of our citizens.
I can attest that the Mayor experiences the real emotions of the City’s day-to-day
life, which can be the most joyous of occasions and, some of the most somber
moments an individual can experience. As the Mayor, I appear at a half dozen events
each day and sometimes up to a dozen. I attempt to see every man, woman and child
in our City, as regularly as possible, and somehow it seems I do. The position of Mayor
is about serving all of the people all of the time.
The modern Mayor must be able to manage a quarter of a billion dollar budget,
through good and bad, and understand the complexities of federal and state statutes
and regulations, and how they affect our City.
The Modern Mayor must love this City and by definition each of its residents.
The Mayor must fight for the peoples’ interest and the greater good of all its citizens.
The Modern Mayor must serve as an example of a fair, good and honest person to our
children and must earn the respect from all of the people of our City.
In summary, the position of Mayor in New Bedford in 2011, is the best elected
position in America. It is challenging, rewarding, exhilarating and exhausting. Thank
you for giving me the honor and privilege to serve as the Mayor of New Bedford during
31
these most challenging times. I look forward to continuing to represent the great City
of New Bedford.
