Congressional Meetings and Staff News

Meeting with Congresswoman Tsongas

Several weeks ago, the leadership of the Essex Heritage Commission met with Congresswoman Tsongas who represents the four most northern communities in the Area. The meeting focused on bringing the Congresswoman current on the activities currently underway in the area and more particularly in the communities she represents. The meeting was most beneficial to all who attended, and we left her Lowell office feeling that the Congresswoman had a greater understanding of the work of ENHC, and that we continue to have her support. That support along with the ongoing commitment of Congressman John Tierney who represents the other thirty communities in the Essex National Heritage Area is essential to our continuing success.
The relationship with the Tsongas family goes back a long way as her deceased husband, Paul Tsongas the former Congressman and United Senator was an early champion of the Essex
. In the late 1980's a meeting was set up by former Sixth District Congressman Michael Harrington to bring the then serving Senator Tsongas to Salem for an informational meeting. As a result of that meeting the Salem Partnership was formed, and then from that initiative the
Essex National Heritage Commission was founded in 1996. All of us that have been connected with the Essex Heritage for these last dozen or so years have always thought that the meeting i
Salem at the Hawthorne Hotel organized by Mike Harrington was the catalyst for what is now in
place in this region.

ENHC Losing a Valuable Staff Member

Today I learned that a wonderful and talented member of the Essex Heritage staff will be leaving us for a most important regional position. Ms Sheilah Doerfler has agreed to become the Operations Manager for Essex County Green Belt in early August. We will miss Sheilah very much, but is is comforting to know that her efforts will be directed to promoting this region for one of our most dedicated partners, Essex County Green Belt. We wish Sheilah all the best and we know how fortunate Green Belt will be to have her talents in their organization.

Hospice of the North Shore Informational Meeting Tonight

This evening I will be attending an informational meeting in Danvers where the Hospice group will be unveiling expansion plans for their site in Danvers. The folks at Hospice do so much wonderful work in this region, and we are anxious to hear of their plans and the timetable for those activities. I will provide more information as the plans are unveiled.