Amy E. Smith, Georgetown Select Board

Georgetown Police and Fire Departments Invite Community to Annual Police vs. Fire Softball Game - Georgetown Fire GEORGETOWN —Police Chief Donald Cudmore and Fire Chief Matt McKay would like to invite community members to this year's annual Georgetown Police versus Fire softball game.

Fellow Select Board member Rachel Liv Bancroft and I stopped in at Family Pride Day at Camp Denison today.

https://thetowncommon.com/2023/05/30/rowley-elects-three-women-to-selectboard/

Rowley Elects Three Women to Selectboard ROWLEY — The Rowley Board of Selectmen was just that - a male dominated bastion that ran the town government. But no longer. For the first time since the to

Apparently we set a record for election turnout yesterday!

Thank you and a big shout-out to Town Clerk Kerri McManus, assistant town clerk Marie Felzani, and their team of poll workers who made yesterday's elections work so smoothly. We know it took a ton of work and planning.

Thank you, too, to everyone who put time and effort into running for town office. Your volunteerism is greatly appreciated.
Congratulations to Rob Hoover, Rachel Liv Bancroft, Stacy McMaster, and John Cancellara! Now the real work begins. :-)

And lastly, thank you to Gary Fowler and Peter Kershaw for your service on the Select Board. I learned a great deal from each of you.

The Leagues of Women Voters in Essex County, along with several partner organizations, held a Candidates Forum for the Essex County Sheriff race this past Thursday. You can view the Forum on GCTV here: http://gctv.georgetownma.gov/show/7362

A YouTube link is in the comments.

LOWV Essex County Candidates Sheriff Forum - Georgetown Community Television

Dave Curley was a longtime Georgetown resident and dear friend. Please support this any way you can!

Great one-stop shopping for all voting information on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's web site! There is a lot of disinformation out there - always go to the source for information.

Elections: What would you like to do today? The Elections Division administers state and federal elections and provides information on voting and elections to the public, candidates and government officials.

Michelle Tassinari, Director of the Elections Division in the Secretary of State’s office, will explain the impact of the VOTES Act reforms on fall elections.

There is a lot of disinformation out there about the VOTES Act - learn the facts from the person who actually runs elections in Massachusetts.

Learn exactly how the VOTES Act reforms will impact the fall elections—directly from the person who runs elections in Massachusetts!

Michelle Tassinari, Director of the Elections Division in the Secretary of State’s office, will join us on Tuesday, Aug. 2, at 3:00 p.m. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsceGhrDgrGNAyzGK3xdC8RXDPGahl74L0.

Attention advocates: urgent action needed! Tomorrow, the Massachusetts Senate is considering a critical animal protection amendment in the Senate economic development bill. Amendment 274 to bill number S. 3018 would prohibit circuses and traveling shows from using big cats, bears, elephants, giraffes, and primates in Massachusetts. This is just like the bill we have been trying to get through the legislature for over 10 years! Thank you State Senator Bruce Tarr for filing!

Please contact your state senator TODAY and ask them to co-sponsor amendment 274 in the economic development bill, S. 3018. Find your state senator's information here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

You'll remember that almost 3 years ago, Beulah the elephant was transported out of CT and brought to MA to be used for entertainment at the Big E in West Springfield. This would be her last event; she would collapse and die half way through the fair. Records would later reveal that at the time of her death she suffered from a painful infection of the uterus. Beulah spent over 50 years performing in traveling acts. Even though her owners had been cited by the USDA over 50 times for failing to adhere to the Animal Welfare Act, they were still legally able to bring her to MA. This practice needs to end in MA. Learn more about this issue at mspca.org/circus

ALL MEN AND WOMEN ARE CREATED EQUAL.
The Declaration of Sentiments: https://www.nps.gov/wori/learn/historyculture/declaration-of-sentiments.htm

Good news for fair and inclusive elections!

The has been signed into law! Here's what that means for upcoming elections:

Jasper, a member of my staff, “helping” me prepare for tonight’s Select Board meeting.

The 2020 census data results have been published, and there was an article in yesterday's Boston Globe showing how populations in each Mass. town has changed since 2010.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/08/12/metro/new-census-data-see-how-each-mass-town-has-changed/?p1=Article_Inline_Related_Link

I took a screenshot of the Georgetown data, as the Globe has a paywall. I'll try to get it more readable format soon. :-)

Thanks to Surface for posting this info!

Hi Everyone there will be one of the top Drum& Bugle Corps in the country staying at the high school. The Spirit of Atlanta will be performing in Lawrence 8/4&5. If you get chance stop by and check out how hard these young people work to be great performers. They should be in town by next weekend or by Monday.

Congratulations to Colleen Ranshaw-Fiorello and the Georgetown Council On Aging on receiving a $573 grant through the 2021 Mini Helping Hand Grant Program! This program is administered by the Mass DOT. The funds will be used to offset the purchase of four tires for the Georgetown COA’s 2010 Ford E-350 van.

The Georgetown COA transportation program provides curb-to-curb service for older Georgetown residents, as well those living with disabilities, for weekly grocery and other essential shopping trips.

Mark your calendars - spring town meeting is one week away! I hope to see you all there!

Details and warrant information is here:
https://www.georgetownma.gov/.../annual_town_meeting...
https://www.georgetownma.gov/.../special_town_meeting...

Congratulations to the GMHS Class of 2021!!

Good morning! By now, most of you will have heard the results of last night's election, but just in case, for the select board race: Doug Dawes received 492 votes, me 395, and Daryle Lamonica got 386 votes. Tight race!

First, I'd like to congratulate Daryle for running a good race. Daryle, I sincerely hope you will consider serving Georgetown in another capacity, and I hope to be able to work with you.

Second, congratulations to Doug Dawes! I appreciate your kind welcome to the Select Board, and I look forward to working with, and learning from you.

Many, many thanks to Town Clerk Kerri McManus and her team for an exceptionally smooth Election Day. Based on what I saw as they packed up last night, the team is a well-oiled machine!

Thanks, too, to those of you who didn't support me. Your criticism is challenging, but it also helped me learn. My hope is that we can all work together for the good of our town.

Last, and certainly not least, I'm so grateful to my family, friends, volunteers, and supporters, especially Kathy Birmingham. Thank you for believing in me and dedicating time and energy to my campaign. I will work hard to be deserving of that trust.

Onward!

https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/record-citizen/2021/05/10/georgetown-election-voters-choose-selectman-school-committee/5031433001/?fbclid=IwAR3bYEqlORXRqolAi9lQAiA6EcAD5ebAjgnmgdQbAXm_BrGLd5qJDmk30B0&is-password-change-successful=True&message-key=passwordChange_tokenSuccess

Georgetown election: Voters choose for selectman, School Committee Georgetown voters headed to the polls Tuesday picked Doug Dawes and Amy Smith for Board of Selectmen and Michael Hinchliffe and Lauren King for School Committee.

Please be sure to get out and vote on Monday! 8 am - 8 pm at the Penn Brook school. Every vote counts!

I mentioned growing up in a village in upstate NY. My mother still lives there, so I am a member of the village FB community. Someone posted this to that group today, and I think it captures *exactly* the kind of experience I would like for Georgetown residents!

"Love our village! The walkability was a huge factor for me when I moved here 21 years ago! Morning walk to Hungerford Market this morning to get my kids the best bagels for their remote day. Then headed to Bella Fleur Flower and Gift. And Remedies Wine & Spirits to get a closing gift for a client, drinks for myself for Friday night and most importantly, flowers AND a gift for my Mom for Mother's Day❤ Also got to stop at Altamont Elementary School for the annual plant sale courtesy of Altamont Orchards to get some hanging baskets for my front porch."

Update: no sign-holding tomorrow morning!

Hi everyone! I'm asking for your help one last time. I'm looking for volunteers for sign-holding on Election Day on Monday at Penn Brook. Shifts are short and I will provide snacks. :-)

Sign up here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c48abad2ba7fdc70-election

Anytime you can donate is greatly appreciated!!

Election Day team We'd love to have your help on Election Day at Penn Brook! We need 2 - 3 people per 2-hour shift. Snacks, seating, and a tent will be provided. We just need people to wave at arriving and departing cars, and maybe hold a sign.  Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sig...

Thanks to the LWV of Topsfield-Boxford-Middleton for hosting last night's Candidates' forum! And thanks to fellow candidates Daryle Lamonica, Doug Dawes, Michael Hinchliffe, and Lauren Malkuns King for participating! (Bret Moyer, we missed you!)

And thanks to Georgetown Community Television for streaming and recording the forum! So if you missed it last night, you can watch the recording.

Hi everyone! Candidates who will be participating in the LWV of Topsfield-Boxford-Middleton's Georgetown Candidate's Night each get to submit a question. What question would you like to see asked? Remember, the question isn't just for me - it has to apply to all candidates running for Select Board. List your ideas in the comments and I'll pick one at random. And thanks!

Thanks to all my friends who came out to hold signs and wave at traffic this morning! We all now appreciate the Queen Elizabeth locked-elbow/cupped-hand wave.

Special thanks to my honorary spokesdog, Laddie, who traveled all the way from Norton with his person, Regan. He was a very good boi!!! (If you watch the Westminister Dog Show on June 13th, you may be able to see Laddie in the Working Dog group!)

We're sign-holding tomorrow morning in Georgetown center from 9 am - noon! Be sure to honk and wave if you drive through! Or stop by to say hello, wave fetchingly at passers-by, and hold a sign for a few minutes. 😁

Hi everyone! For those who are hosting one of my lawn signs, please let me know if yours broke or went missing as a result of the wind. We have extra signs and sign holders, and will gladly fix or replace your sign.