Please take action to support S1191

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There are two important bills stuck in the state house that need local citizens to email the chairmen to get them out for a vote on the floor. Based on the experience of one of our own Holden families (Deb and Ralph Thibodeau) loss of their son from an undetected heart condition while attending soccer camp at WRHS, these bills would help to educate teachers and coaches on using a lifesaving AED, as well as provide AEDs at schools and sporting events. Please email or write to the chairs to get this bill to the floor for a vote.

The bill is S1191: An act requiring AEDs in schools. It was reported out favorably from the Public Health subcommittee and is now in the Healthcare Financing committee. We need to get it moved out of Healthcare Financing and to the Senate and House floors for a vote. Emails to the committee chairs  will help.
Jeffrey.sanchez@mahouse.gov
James.Welch@masenate.gov

Democratic State Convention on June 5

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2016-03-05 09.15.43The Democratic State Convention will be held this year on Saturday, June 5 in the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts.

The Holden Town Democratic Committee held a caucus on Saturday, March 5, 2016. Nine delegates will be sent to the convention from Holden.

Delegates are as follows: Stephanie Adams, Chair of the Holden Town Democrats Committee;

Women Delegates: Linda Long-Bellil, Karen King, Robin Van Liew, Margaret Watson

Men Delegates: James Flynn, Karl Hakkarainen, Ken Mills, Ken O’Brien

Supporting refugees in our community

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Worcester Interfaith hosted a meeting on Thursday,  March 17 to for  members from various religious houses
of worship to consider the problems of refugees coming into the Greater Worcester community every month.
Twenty-six individuals attended and shared their experiences.  Refugees require assistance,  but the
emphasis is on integration into the community and giving assistance to make them become independent
and part of our social fabric.  A second meeting is planned for May 5.  Further details will be discussed
at that time with specific information on how individuals and houses of worship can be of assistance.

Diversity training in the Wachusett schools

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Asima Silva was invited to speak to school staff about the current problem of Islamophobia in our society,  how to identify it, and how to address the problem.  She and Ahmad Abojarajeh,  Global Compliance Engineer to Avery Dennison,  met with the principal and staff of Davis Hill School recently and will plan to meet soon with teachers and staff at Mayo School in Holden and the Wachusett District High School in the near future.  Plans are also being developed for a presentation at Glenwood School in Rutland.

Ascentria Staff Member to Attend March 5 Meeting

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On Saturday, March 5, at 10 a.m. at our regularly scheduled Town Democrats meeting, Beth Singley from the Ascentria Alliance will speak to us briefly about the refugee situation in Worcester. You are welcome to ask questions and view her display. Please bring in your donation to the meeting that Saturday.
They need personal items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotions, soaps, toilet paper, etc. Remember that many of these refugees are women and about half of them are children.