From: Houghs Neck Garden Club and Wollaston Garden Club

RE: Up-Dated Bottle Bill (HR890/S1650) – Resolution of Support by Quincy City Council

Date: December 5, 2011

 

Background: The National Garden Club and the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, of which our two garden clubs are affiliated members, encourages us to support and advocate for the Up-Dated Bottle Bill in Massachusetts (HR890/S1650). We garden club members have seen the difference the current bottle bill has made when we participate in local clean-up efforts (Cleaner Greener Quincy) and anti-littering campaigns in our neighborhoods. During the past two months members of both the Wollaston Garden Club and the Houghs Neck Garden Club have contacted their councilors and asked for their support of the Up-dated Bottle Bill. City Council President Kevin Coughlin re-submitted the Resolution to “Support the Up-Dated Bottle Bill” and most eloquently introduced the reasons why the Council should support such a resolution. Councilors Gutro and Keenan both spoke in favor of the resolution and Councilor Laforest moved the question. On December 5, 2011 the Quincy City Council voted 7 – 1 to support a Quincy City Council Resolution “Supporting the Up-Dated Bottle Bill (HR890/S1650)

Action: Members of the garden club and other Quincy citizens should contact their councilors and thank them for their support. Now we need to contact our State Legislators and make sure they are in support.

 

Quincy City Councilor

Contact Info

Supports City Resolution

Thank you needed

Coughlin (Ward 3)

kcoughlin@quincyma.gov

Yes

Yes

Finn (At Large)

jfinn@quincyma.gov

Yes

Yes

Gutro (Ward 5)

dgutro@quincyma.gov

Yes

Yes

Keenan (At Large)

jkeenan@quincyma.gov

Yes

Yes

LaForest (Ward 1)

mlaforest@quincyma.gov

Yes

Yes

Orlando (Ward 2)

forlando@quincyma.gov

Yes

Yes

McMamee (Ward 6)

bmcnamee@quincyma.gov

No

 

McFarland (At Large)

mmcfarland@quincyma.gov

Yes

Yes

Palmucci (Ward 4)

bpalmucci@quincyma.gov

Yes

Yes

 

12/5/2011

 

Click here for the Bottle Bill web site...

 

Federation representatives attended the Bottle Bill hearing on July 20, voicing their support.

 

Thursday, May 5, 2011

 

GCFM was instrumental in getting the first Bottle Bill passed and supports this update to the bill. Members of GCFM were in attendance at the July 20th hearing. Below is information from the League of Woman Voters "Action Alert" on the bill.
Bottle Bill Hearing a huge success!


Time for the next Step!


A big "Thank you" to all who attended the July 20th hearing of the updated Bottle Bill at the State House, called their representatives to urge their support, and/or sent letters of support from their local Leagues to legislators. Gardner Auditorium was "standing room only" with champions for the bill, including a large group of senators and representatives who arrived en bloc, in an awesome demonstration of support. All reports are that the large numbers and expert testimony before the Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy Committee (TUE), including that by LWVMA Environmental Specialist, Lynn Wolbarst, made a strong, positive impression.


Now is the time to build on that success by called TUE Committee Chairs and members, asking them to vote favorably on HB 890/Sb 1650 An Act Updating the Bottle Bill and bring it to the floor for a vote as soon as possible. (http://www.malegislature.gov/Committees/Joint/J37). With no predetrmined schedule for Committee consideration, the more calls for Committee action the sooner the bill may move. Also, call Governor Patrick, thank him for his leadership and urge his continued support of the bill.

Governor Deval Patrick: 617-725-4005
"I'm contacting Governor Patrick's office to thank him for his support of HB 890/SB 1650: An Act Updating the Bottle Bill and ask for his help to move the bill along. This bill updates one of the most successful recycling bills in the state's history. It will save cities and towns money and reduce litter responsibly. A large majority of residents in MA, a strongly bipartisan 77%, support passage of this bill. Please ask the Governor to do all he can to make the update a part of his legacy of leadership in MA."

House Chair: Representative John D. Keenan 617-722-2263
"I'm contacting Representative Keenan's office because he is the House Chair of the Committee holding HB 890/SB 1650: An Act Updating the Bottle Bill and ask that he do all he can to move the bill out of committee with a favorable vote. This bill updates one of the most successful recycling bills in the state's history. It will save cities and towns money and reduce litter responsibly. I also aske that he work to report the bill out of committtee soon so it can be voted on the floor as soon as possible."

Senate Chair: Senator Benjamin Downing (a supporter) 617-722-1625
"I'm contacting Senator Downing's office to thank him for his support of HB 890/SB 1650: An Act Updating the Bottle Bill and urge him as senate Chair of the committee holding the bill to do all he can to move the bill out of committee. This bill updates one of the most successful recycling bills in the state's history. It will save cities and towns money and reduce litter responsibly. I aks that Senator Downing please report the bill favorably out of committee so it can be voted on the floor as soon as possible."

Click on the link above for contact information for members of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. If you live in their district, call them as a constituent who feels HB 890/SB 1650: An Act Updating the Bottle Bill is very important and needs to be passed.

Let's keep working to make An Act Updating the Bottle Bill law this season!