WEBVTT

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[MUSIC PLAYING]

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I think we're ready to go.

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So if it's OK with my co-chair
here, Will, you ready to go?

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Let's go.

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All right, so we will
bring this I believe

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it's our seventh public
hearing of the Committee

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on Redistricting to order.

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I'd like to thank all the
people who have signed in

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to either testify or to
watch on this hearing

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for the third
congressional district.

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I am representative
Michael Moran.

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I'm the House chair of the
Redistricting Committee.

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I am joined, as I said a few
seconds ago, by my co-chair,

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Senator Brownsberger.

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We're going to go through some
paperwork and protocol here

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first.

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I'm going to turn it over to
my colleague from the Senate

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to say a few words and
introduce the senators who

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are joined with us.

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He will send it back to me.

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I will introduce
the House members.

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We'll have a greeting from
a gentleman from Lowell, Tom

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Golden.

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And then we will pass it off
to our first person to testify,

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Congresswoman Lori Trahan.

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So at this point in
time, I will turn it over

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to Senator Brownsberger
for some comments.

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Senator Brownsberger?

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Listen, thank you everybody
for staying with us

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through this process.

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Looking forward to
the witnesses tonight.

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Looking forward to hearing
from you, Congresswoman Trahan.

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We're grateful for
you for being with us.

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Hey, I just want to flag, is
the closed captioner properly

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turned on?

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The captioner is
signaling that--

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it said something in the chat.

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I just think there may be--

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it says, "Can I please be
assigned to captioner,"

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was the chat entry there.

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OK, let me see if I
can figure that out.

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Caption writer,
let me see if I--

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All set.

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Just assigned them.

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OK, great.

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All right, we're good
to go, Mr. Chair.

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Carry on.

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All right, thank you, Senator.

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I would like to start
by introducing some

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of my colleagues that are here.

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The vice chair, the
gentleman from Lawrence

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living in this district
actually is Marcos Devers.

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Thank you, Marcos.

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The gentleman from West
Boylston, Jimmy O'Day is here.

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Thank you, Jimmy.

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The other gentleman
from Lawrence,

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gentlemen Frank Moran.

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Thank you for being here.

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All the way from Pittsfield,
Tricia Farley-Bouvier

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has joined us.

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The gentleman from
Haverhill, Andy Vargas,

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another resident of this
congressional district.

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All the way from the Cape,
Barnstable, Kip Diggs

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Thank you, Kip, for joining us.

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The ranking Republican
on this committee

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is the gentleman from Auburn,
Paul Frost is here with us.

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And another lady from Holden
is here, Kim Ferguson.

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Thank you, Kim for joining us.

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And I saw that Senator
Anne Gobi has joined us.

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Thank you, Senator
Gobi, for joining us.

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So at this point in time, I'd
like to introduce Tom Golden.

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Tom is a division
chair in the House,

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and he represents Lowell.

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He's represented them
for a number of years.

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And I would like to have
him say a few words.

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Representative Golden?

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You there, Tom?

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He texted me.

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He said he's still
trying to connect.

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So we'll give him
a few more minutes.

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And if not, we can
always come back to him.

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So I would like to
just say a few words

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while Tommy's trying to get on.

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This is our seventh hearing.

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This committee actively
encourages participation

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in the redistricting
process from federal, state,

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and municipal officials,
public interest groups,

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and concerned citizens.

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We're here to listen and learn.

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And I want to thank the
people for taking time out

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of their busy schedules
to testify here tonight.

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Your words and your guidance
are much needed in this process,

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and thank you for joining us.

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I will start the
hearing by taking

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our elected officials first
because of their schedule.

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After that, I will
move through the people

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that have signed up to
testify through the internet.

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If you are watching
this and you feel

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as if you'd like to testify,
you're not too late.

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You can go on our website,
MAlegislature.gov,

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and go through the
redistricting portal.

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And you can sign up to testify
tonight if you haven't done so.

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We do have a lot of
people signed up here.

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We have, I believe, we
have 130 people signed up.

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Something tells me that I
think some of those people

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thought they were signing
up to watch and not testify.

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So I am going to, like
the first hearing we had,

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call all of those
people's names out.

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And so it could get a little
cumbersome, a little awkward

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because I have to call all
those people's names out.

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Those of them that
actually want to testify

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will certainly be able to.

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But those of them who
simply just wanted

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to watch and see how
this process works

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can just decide not to testify.

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So I will go back to
Tom Golden one more time

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and see if he has
been able to connect.

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Tommy, are you still
having problems?

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All right, in the
interest of time,

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I will wait for Tommy to
come and give those words

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later in this hearing.

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At this time, I'd like to
call Congresswoman Trahan

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and ask her to submit
her testimony to us.

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Congresswoman Trahan?

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Well, thank you, Chairman Moran.

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Chairman Brownsberger, vice
chairs Devers and Gobi,

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distinguished members
of the Joint Committee.

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I'm so grateful
for your commitment

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to transparency in this
process and providing residents

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of the third district, like
myself, with the opportunity

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to testify this evening.

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Our democracy is strongest
when everyone, regardless

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of who they are, where
they're from, or who they love

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is included, heard, and, as
we'll talk about during today's

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hearing, represented.

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Without that, we're unable to
come together as a community,

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as a commonwealth,
and as a country

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to make progress necessary
to ensure that our nation is

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a more equal and more just
place for everyone to call home.

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That's why this redistricting
hearing is so important.

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Today is an opportunity for
people from all backgrounds

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and all walks of life to
talk about our district,

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our representation.

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I was born and raised here in
the third district in Lowell.

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It's where my dad,
a union ironworker,

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and my mom, a domestic
worker, worked

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hard to provide for my
three sisters and me.

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It's where I went
to public school

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and learned to play
basketball and volleyball.

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It's where I returned to
work after finishing college.

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And it's where I'm proud to
be raising my family today.

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The third district is made
up of 37 cities and towns,

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some urban, some
suburban, and some rural.

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But each with their own unique
history and characteristics

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that make them such incredible
places to call home.

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Each community, from Haverhill
to Gardner, Marlborough

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to Dracut, is home
to working families

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like the one I grew up in,
who strive each day to provide

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for their children.

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As the granddaughter
of Portuguese

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and Brazilian immigrants who
settled in Lowell, looking

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to build a better
life for their family,

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I know that our
district's strength

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is rooted in its diversity.

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Communities like Lowell,
Lawrence, and so many others

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have benefited from the
tremendous contributions

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of immigrants and refugees.

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That was showcased more than
ever over the past year,

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as people across the
district banded together

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to get each other through
the challenges presented

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by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Whether it was supporting
our heroic health care

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workers and first responders,
who worked around the clock

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saving lives, frequenting
family owned small businesses

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and restaurants, or even
wearing a mask in public

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to keep those around them safe,
we proved time and time again

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that we're not only
resilient, but we're also

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willing to meet
the moment head on.

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Now, as we continue working
to defeat the virus by getting

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as many shots into
arms as possible,

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communities are coming
together once again.

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A block party in Lawrence
or regional site in Devin's,

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a mobile clinic in
Fitchburg or elsewhere,

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to ensure that no one who
wants to be vaccinated

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is left behind.

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And as we work our way
down the road to recovery

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from the pandemic, communities
across the third district

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will surely lead the way,
just as places like Concord

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did during the American
Revolution and mill cities

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like Lowell and Lawrence
did during the Industrial

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Revolution.

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Members of the committee,
it has been the privilege

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of a lifetime to represent
Massachusetts' Third

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Congressional District, and I
look forward to the work ahead.

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Connecting with the
hardworking families

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I have the honor
of serving has been

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key in ensuring
that their needs are

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heard in the halls of Congress.

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And I look forward to
hearing their priorities

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during the redistricting process
as they testify before you

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this evening.

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So thank you again to each of
you, Chairman Brownsberger,

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Chairman Moran, and
all the distinguished

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members of the Special Joint
Committee on Redistricting,

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for providing us with
this opportunity.

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And for your ongoing commitment
to a transparent process that

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ensures every voice is heard.

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The third district
and the Commonwealth

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are better off because
of your efforts.

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And so I thank you,
and I yield back.

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Thank you, Congresswoman Trahan.

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I don't have any questions,
just a statement.

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Thank you for your
partnership with us.

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In the very short time
you've been there,

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you've been more than
willing to work with us

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on any number of issues.

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And that partnership
certainly helped us out

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as we got through this very
difficult year and a half we've

00:10:52.598 --> 00:10:53.350 align:middle line:90%
all been through.

00:10:53.350 --> 00:10:55.010 align:middle line:84%
Thank you for all the work
you've done down there.

00:10:55.010 --> 00:10:56.343 align:middle line:90%
It really has made a difference.

00:10:56.343 --> 00:10:58.683 align:middle line:84%
So I don't have any
questions, but let

00:10:58.683 --> 00:11:00.850 align:middle line:84%
me put it up to any of the
members of the committee.

00:11:00.850 --> 00:11:05.670 align:middle line:84%
Does anybody have any
questions for the congressman?

00:11:05.670 --> 00:11:07.350 align:middle line:90%
Just appreciate the testimony.

00:11:07.350 --> 00:11:11.310 align:middle line:84%
All right, hearing none,
thank you very much.

00:11:11.310 --> 00:11:12.190 align:middle line:90%
We appreciate it.

00:11:12.190 --> 00:11:13.380 align:middle line:84%
And you've given us
some of your time.

00:11:13.380 --> 00:11:15.338 align:middle line:84%
So enjoy the rest of your
night, whether you're

00:11:15.338 --> 00:11:18.540 align:middle line:84%
going to watch this or go
out and have a nice dinner

00:11:18.540 --> 00:11:19.826 align:middle line:90%
or something, who knows.

00:11:19.826 --> 00:11:21.060 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

00:11:21.060 --> 00:11:25.410 align:middle line:84%
All right, next up would be
the gentle lady from Stow,

00:11:25.410 --> 00:11:28.530 align:middle line:84%
our speaker pro tem in the
House of Representatives,

00:11:28.530 --> 00:11:30.900 align:middle line:84%
Representative Kate Hogan
is here to say a few words.

00:11:30.900 --> 00:11:31.400 align:middle line:90%
Kate?

00:11:31.400 --> 00:11:38.380 align:middle line:90%


00:11:38.380 --> 00:11:40.720 align:middle line:90%
You have to unmute, Kate.

00:11:40.720 --> 00:11:44.500 align:middle line:84%
Famous COVID thing we've
all learned, unmute.

00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:47.752 align:middle line:90%


00:11:47.752 --> 00:11:50.190 align:middle line:90%
Nope, still muted.

00:11:50.190 --> 00:11:51.240 align:middle line:90%
Now I've done it.

00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:51.870 align:middle line:90%
All right.

00:11:51.870 --> 00:11:52.412 align:middle line:90%
There you go.

00:11:52.412 --> 00:11:54.630 align:middle line:84%
I'll take that off
the top, I promise.

00:11:54.630 --> 00:11:59.250 align:middle line:84%
But I just want to say thank
you so much for taking testimony

00:11:59.250 --> 00:12:02.460 align:middle line:84%
here today to Chairman
Moran and Brownsberger.

00:12:02.460 --> 00:12:05.470 align:middle line:84%
I know that you guys
have a tough job.

00:12:05.470 --> 00:12:07.030 align:middle line:90%
I really appreciate it.

00:12:07.030 --> 00:12:10.470 align:middle line:84%
And I wanted to just come
here and take the opportunity

00:12:10.470 --> 00:12:15.150 align:middle line:84%
tonight to testify before you as
you start to redraw our state's

00:12:15.150 --> 00:12:17.400 align:middle line:90%
congressional districts.

00:12:17.400 --> 00:12:19.710 align:middle line:84%
The reason I come
before you today

00:12:19.710 --> 00:12:23.460 align:middle line:84%
is to emphasize the
incredible partnership that I,

00:12:23.460 --> 00:12:27.360 align:middle line:84%
along with other members of the
third congressional delegation,

00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:31.470 align:middle line:84%
have with our congresswoman
and friend, Lori Trahan.

00:12:31.470 --> 00:12:34.200 align:middle line:84%
I represent the Third
Middlesex in the House

00:12:34.200 --> 00:12:37.710 align:middle line:84%
and the towns of Bolton,
Hudson, Maynard, and Stow,

00:12:37.710 --> 00:12:40.950 align:middle line:90%
and have done so for 16 years.

00:12:40.950 --> 00:12:46.200 align:middle line:84%
When Congresswoman Trahan won
her election in 2017 and 2018,

00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:49.320 align:middle line:84%
she has become a constant
fixture in our district,

00:12:49.320 --> 00:12:51.180 align:middle line:84%
making it a point
to stress the value

00:12:51.180 --> 00:12:55.020 align:middle line:84%
of our respective communities
and the effectiveness

00:12:55.020 --> 00:12:57.870 align:middle line:84%
of a strong state and
federal partnership.

00:12:57.870 --> 00:13:00.900 align:middle line:84%
She's put that value
into action, particularly

00:13:00.900 --> 00:13:02.910 align:middle line:90%
in the age of the pandemic.

00:13:02.910 --> 00:13:06.630 align:middle line:84%
We've certainly seen so
much help from her office.

00:13:06.630 --> 00:13:08.460 align:middle line:90%
It's really been incredible.

00:13:08.460 --> 00:13:11.650 align:middle line:84%
Working with Congresswoman
Trahan and her office,

00:13:11.650 --> 00:13:13.150 align:middle line:84%
we've seen that our
communities were

00:13:13.150 --> 00:13:16.570 align:middle line:84%
able to connect with government
representatives on every level

00:13:16.570 --> 00:13:21.050 align:middle line:84%
and get the answers we needed as
we moved through the pandemic.

00:13:21.050 --> 00:13:24.130 align:middle line:84%
This is exactly the kind of
state and federal partnership

00:13:24.130 --> 00:13:25.788 align:middle line:84%
that our district
needs, and we are

00:13:25.788 --> 00:13:27.205 align:middle line:84%
so fortunate to
have Congresswoman

00:13:27.205 --> 00:13:29.470 align:middle line:90%
Trahan as our representative.

00:13:29.470 --> 00:13:32.140 align:middle line:84%
I would just like to
urge the committee

00:13:32.140 --> 00:13:34.990 align:middle line:84%
to allow the communities in
the congressional district

00:13:34.990 --> 00:13:37.390 align:middle line:84%
to remain partnered with
Congresswoman Trahan,

00:13:37.390 --> 00:13:40.540 align:middle line:84%
especially us down
we're very south.

00:13:40.540 --> 00:13:45.580 align:middle line:84%
We're the last two towns
hanging on to the third,

00:13:45.580 --> 00:13:47.990 align:middle line:84%
and just would love to
see us remain there.

00:13:47.990 --> 00:13:51.020 align:middle line:84%
So thank you so much,
everyone, for your time.

00:13:51.020 --> 00:13:54.220 align:middle line:84%
Good to see you to all of
my colleagues, Congresswoman

00:13:54.220 --> 00:13:55.180 align:middle line:90%
Trahan.

00:13:55.180 --> 00:13:57.760 align:middle line:84%
And just good luck with
everything tonight.

00:13:57.760 --> 00:13:59.330 align:middle line:84%
Thank you for
taking my testimony.

00:13:59.330 --> 00:14:09.480 align:middle line:90%


00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:12.060 align:middle line:84%
It's your turn to
unmute, Mr. Chairman.

00:14:12.060 --> 00:14:13.080 align:middle line:90%
Oh hey, look at that.

00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:15.030 align:middle line:90%
We're all unmuting.

00:14:15.030 --> 00:14:18.630 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Speaker Hogan.

00:14:18.630 --> 00:14:20.400 align:middle line:90%
And I appreciate your testimony.

00:14:20.400 --> 00:14:24.000 align:middle line:84%
I certainly have no questions,
but I will ask my colleagues

00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:24.660 align:middle line:90%
if they do.

00:14:24.660 --> 00:14:28.800 align:middle line:84%
I doubt they do,
but I'll ask anyway.

00:14:28.800 --> 00:14:32.400 align:middle line:84%
Thank you very much,
Kate, for your testimony.

00:14:32.400 --> 00:14:34.980 align:middle line:90%
So next up is Alex Vispoli.

00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:37.680 align:middle line:90%


00:14:37.680 --> 00:14:39.400 align:middle line:90%
Alex?

00:14:39.400 --> 00:14:43.390 align:middle line:84%
Alex is a Andover
Select Board, vice Chair

00:14:43.390 --> 00:14:44.650 align:middle line:90%
of the Andover Select Board.

00:14:44.650 --> 00:14:51.870 align:middle line:90%


00:14:51.870 --> 00:14:53.430 align:middle line:84%
While I'm waiting
for Alex, I wanted

00:14:53.430 --> 00:14:56.580 align:middle line:84%
to recognize a few people
that have joined us.

00:14:56.580 --> 00:15:00.810 align:middle line:84%
I saw Senator Gomez
has joined us.

00:15:00.810 --> 00:15:02.730 align:middle line:84%
Thank you for attending,
Senator Gomez.

00:15:02.730 --> 00:15:05.160 align:middle line:84%
And I saw Frank Moran, the
gentleman from Lawrence

00:15:05.160 --> 00:15:06.250 align:middle line:90%
joined us.

00:15:06.250 --> 00:15:11.520 align:middle line:84%
Thank you, Representative
Moran, for joining us.

00:15:11.520 --> 00:15:13.050 align:middle line:90%
Alex, I just saw you, so Alex?

00:15:13.050 --> 00:15:14.670 align:middle line:90%
What say you?

00:15:14.670 --> 00:15:15.900 align:middle line:90%
Yeah, thanks Chairman Moran.

00:15:15.900 --> 00:15:18.660 align:middle line:84%
And thank you, Chairman
Moran and Brownsberger.

00:15:18.660 --> 00:15:20.610 align:middle line:84%
I really appreciate
the opportunity

00:15:20.610 --> 00:15:21.960 align:middle line:90%
to have a voice here.

00:15:21.960 --> 00:15:24.330 align:middle line:90%
And my name is Alex Vispoli.

00:15:24.330 --> 00:15:28.500 align:middle line:84%
I'm speaking for myself, not the
entire Select Board of Andover.

00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:31.240 align:middle line:84%
But I've been a Select
Board member for 17 years

00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:32.640 align:middle line:90%
in the town of Andover.

00:15:32.640 --> 00:15:34.920 align:middle line:84%
And I was on the board
when the redistricting

00:15:34.920 --> 00:15:36.440 align:middle line:90%
was done last time.

00:15:36.440 --> 00:15:44.460 align:middle line:84%
And out of that, we saw
a split in our community.

00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:47.940 align:middle line:84%
Andover is a community
with 35,000 residents

00:15:47.940 --> 00:15:50.370 align:middle line:90%
and we have 10 precincts.

00:15:50.370 --> 00:15:52.830 align:middle line:84%
We're currently split
between two reps.

00:15:52.830 --> 00:15:56.640 align:middle line:84%
We have one rep that has seven
precincts, another rep that

00:15:56.640 --> 00:15:58.140 align:middle line:90%
has three precincts.

00:15:58.140 --> 00:16:00.450 align:middle line:84%
The one that has
seven is Tram Nguyen

00:16:00.450 --> 00:16:06.300 align:middle line:84%
and the one that has three
precincts is Frank Moran.

00:16:06.300 --> 00:16:08.790 align:middle line:90%
For Congress were split as well.

00:16:08.790 --> 00:16:12.900 align:middle line:84%
Lori Trahan represents
seven precincts in Andover,

00:16:12.900 --> 00:16:18.210 align:middle line:84%
and Seth Moulton represents
three precincts in Andover.

00:16:18.210 --> 00:16:21.450 align:middle line:84%
We have one state senator,
Senator Barry Finegold.

00:16:21.450 --> 00:16:23.580 align:middle line:84%
I'm requesting that as
you go through the process

00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:27.090 align:middle line:84%
of reviewing the redistricting
that you consider putting

00:16:27.090 --> 00:16:31.770 align:middle line:84%
Andover back together,
and have one state rep,

00:16:31.770 --> 00:16:34.380 align:middle line:84%
and one congressperson
representing the town.

00:16:34.380 --> 00:16:37.860 align:middle line:84%
There's no real logical
reason for Andover

00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:41.110 align:middle line:90%
to be split the way it is.

00:16:41.110 --> 00:16:43.500 align:middle line:84%
And so I would like to
request that we provide

00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:48.420 align:middle line:84%
a single voice for our
residents and unify Andover

00:16:48.420 --> 00:16:51.775 align:middle line:84%
with one state rep and
one congressperson.

00:16:51.775 --> 00:16:55.340 align:middle line:90%


00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:57.530 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Alex.

00:16:57.530 --> 00:17:01.040 align:middle line:84%
I can tell you that
from the House map

00:17:01.040 --> 00:17:05.839 align:middle line:84%
the challenges we had 10 years
ago because of the necessity

00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:10.310 align:middle line:84%
for us to draw a district
in Lawrence, because

00:17:10.310 --> 00:17:14.450 align:middle line:84%
of the growth in the Latino
population in Lawrence,

00:17:14.450 --> 00:17:20.630 align:middle line:84%
and that drawing that incumbent
free first time ever Latino

00:17:20.630 --> 00:17:23.720 align:middle line:84%
district in Lawrence put
some pressures on the towns

00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:26.093 align:middle line:90%
outside of Lawrence.

00:17:26.093 --> 00:17:28.010 align:middle line:84%
I don't know how much
you know about me, Alex,

00:17:28.010 --> 00:17:29.635 align:middle line:84%
but I'm pretty much
a straight shooter,

00:17:29.635 --> 00:17:31.160 align:middle line:90%
and that's why it happened.

00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:33.260 align:middle line:84%
And then when you start
moving around up there,

00:17:33.260 --> 00:17:36.920 align:middle line:84%
for some reason, you
have some precincts

00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:37.860 align:middle line:90%
that are pretty large.

00:17:37.860 --> 00:17:40.490 align:middle line:84%
So when you're moving
around precincts

00:17:40.490 --> 00:17:43.190 align:middle line:84%
that are 4,000 or
3,000 it becomes

00:17:43.190 --> 00:17:49.160 align:middle line:84%
challenging to get
down to that desirable,

00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:51.680 align:middle line:84%
that we all want, every
town to remain whole.

00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:54.110 align:middle line:84%
Now of course, we can't keep
every town remaining whole,

00:17:54.110 --> 00:17:59.660 align:middle line:84%
because as I'm sure you
know, the towns range

00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:03.480 align:middle line:84%
from Gosnold Mass, which is
75, to the city of Boston,

00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:05.550 align:middle line:84%
which is almost 700, and
everywhere in between.

00:18:05.550 --> 00:18:06.650 align:middle line:90%
So we try.

00:18:06.650 --> 00:18:07.850 align:middle line:90%
We do our best.

00:18:07.850 --> 00:18:10.620 align:middle line:90%
I thank you for your testimony.

00:18:10.620 --> 00:18:13.160 align:middle line:84%
And we will certainly
look at that

00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:16.130 align:middle line:84%
and take it into consideration
as we move forward.

00:18:16.130 --> 00:18:20.680 align:middle line:84%
I will offer any questions
from my colleagues.

00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:22.890 align:middle line:84%
Hearing none, thank
you for your time.

00:18:22.890 --> 00:18:25.140 align:middle line:84%
I do think it would
offer clarity, especially

00:18:25.140 --> 00:18:29.940 align:middle line:84%
in the congressional side to
find some way to put Andover

00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:33.390 align:middle line:90%
in one congressional district.

00:18:33.390 --> 00:18:35.730 align:middle line:84%
Because we've got these
three precincts that sit off

00:18:35.730 --> 00:18:39.785 align:middle line:84%
to the side, and it just
the residents, I think,

00:18:39.785 --> 00:18:41.160 align:middle line:84%
it's confusing
for the residents.

00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:42.070 align:middle line:90%
I hear you.

00:18:42.070 --> 00:18:42.750 align:middle line:90%
I hear you.

00:18:42.750 --> 00:18:43.943 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Chairman.

00:18:43.943 --> 00:18:44.610 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Alex.

00:18:44.610 --> 00:18:45.940 align:middle line:90%
I appreciate your testimony.

00:18:45.940 --> 00:18:46.860 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

00:18:46.860 --> 00:18:50.620 align:middle line:84%
Next up is Chelmsford school
committee person, Maria Santos.

00:18:50.620 --> 00:18:51.120 align:middle line:90%
Maria?

00:18:51.120 --> 00:18:57.860 align:middle line:90%


00:18:57.860 --> 00:18:58.710 align:middle line:90%
Good evening.

00:18:58.710 --> 00:19:03.270 align:middle line:84%
Thank you for allowing
me to present tonight.

00:19:03.270 --> 00:19:06.780 align:middle line:84%
And I've been on the school
committee for one term,

00:19:06.780 --> 00:19:10.520 align:middle line:90%
and I am now also a town rep.

00:19:10.520 --> 00:19:13.250 align:middle line:84%
And what I wanted
to be able to say

00:19:13.250 --> 00:19:16.520 align:middle line:84%
is that it is extremely
difficult-- we just heard

00:19:16.520 --> 00:19:19.400 align:middle line:90%
about Andover having two reps.

00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:23.120 align:middle line:90%
We have four in Chalmsford.

00:19:23.120 --> 00:19:28.340 align:middle line:84%
It is so diluted in the
sense that we are not

00:19:28.340 --> 00:19:34.520 align:middle line:84%
able to elect someone who really
represents us as a community,

00:19:34.520 --> 00:19:38.570 align:middle line:84%
because every single one
of our representatives

00:19:38.570 --> 00:19:41.020 align:middle line:84%
is going to have a
greater number of votes

00:19:41.020 --> 00:19:43.270 align:middle line:90%
in another community.

00:19:43.270 --> 00:19:47.000 align:middle line:84%
When we look for our
elected representatives

00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:50.640 align:middle line:84%
at the state level we would
like those representatives

00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:55.910 align:middle line:84%
to be able to truly represent
our community and who we are.

00:19:55.910 --> 00:20:01.350 align:middle line:84%
The four representatives,
yes, we have four votes.

00:20:01.350 --> 00:20:03.980 align:middle line:84%
But we do not have
someone that we can truly

00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:07.370 align:middle line:84%
say this person is
a part of us and is

00:20:07.370 --> 00:20:10.550 align:middle line:90%
elected by us as a community.

00:20:10.550 --> 00:20:12.560 align:middle line:84%
When it comes to
the third district

00:20:12.560 --> 00:20:14.210 align:middle line:84%
and belonging to
the third district,

00:20:14.210 --> 00:20:16.280 align:middle line:90%
it has been absolutely amazing.

00:20:16.280 --> 00:20:23.120 align:middle line:84%
The partnership with Lori
Trahan has been terrific.

00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:26.390 align:middle line:84%
And we have been able to
really have our voice heard,

00:20:26.390 --> 00:20:27.620 align:middle line:90%
in my opinion.

00:20:27.620 --> 00:20:30.770 align:middle line:84%
And I am speaking only
for myself and not

00:20:30.770 --> 00:20:33.140 align:middle line:84%
on behalf of the
school committee, where

00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:35.270 align:middle line:90%
I am a elected member.

00:20:35.270 --> 00:20:38.300 align:middle line:84%
But it has been a
great partnership.

00:20:38.300 --> 00:20:42.680 align:middle line:84%
We, as Chelmsford, have always
been historically linked

00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:45.225 align:middle line:84%
to Lowell and the
greater Lowell area,

00:20:45.225 --> 00:20:46.850 align:middle line:84%
and I think it would
be wonderful to be

00:20:46.850 --> 00:20:48.740 align:middle line:90%
able to continue that way.

00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:51.080 align:middle line:84%
But representation
at the state level

00:20:51.080 --> 00:20:55.170 align:middle line:90%
is just too diluted for us.

00:20:55.170 --> 00:20:57.440 align:middle line:84%
It's difficult for
the representatives

00:20:57.440 --> 00:21:02.540 align:middle line:84%
and it's difficult
for us as townspeople

00:21:02.540 --> 00:21:06.410 align:middle line:90%
because our vote always counts--

00:21:06.410 --> 00:21:10.490 align:middle line:84%
the vote counts more
somewhere else always.

00:21:10.490 --> 00:21:12.050 align:middle line:90%
Thank you again for the time.

00:21:12.050 --> 00:21:18.110 align:middle line:84%
And it is an enjoyable process
in many ways to redistrict,

00:21:18.110 --> 00:21:20.300 align:middle line:90%
so thank you again.

00:21:20.300 --> 00:21:21.980 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Maria.

00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:24.770 align:middle line:84%
I remember 10 years
ago, there was

00:21:24.770 --> 00:21:29.000 align:middle line:84%
a whole bunch of people
asking for the same thing

00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:30.710 align:middle line:90%
in Chelmsford.

00:21:30.710 --> 00:21:31.730 align:middle line:90%
It is challenging.

00:21:31.730 --> 00:21:35.740 align:middle line:84%
It's 35,000 people roughly,
give or take a few,

00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:37.490 align:middle line:84%
so it's not enough to
be its own district.

00:21:37.490 --> 00:21:40.730 align:middle line:90%
So that makes it challenging.

00:21:40.730 --> 00:21:43.550 align:middle line:84%
And as I said before, a lot
of the towns around there

00:21:43.550 --> 00:21:48.560 align:middle line:84%
are all 24, 32, so you
got to kind of figure

00:21:48.560 --> 00:21:52.290 align:middle line:84%
out the math on that
the best you can.

00:21:52.290 --> 00:21:55.940 align:middle line:84%
And one of the reasons
I file a bill every year

00:21:55.940 --> 00:22:00.950 align:middle line:84%
to do redistricting by census
blocks and not precincts

00:22:00.950 --> 00:22:02.900 align:middle line:84%
is because I believe
it would allow

00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:07.760 align:middle line:84%
us to make districts like yours,
towns like yours, more whole.

00:22:07.760 --> 00:22:11.450 align:middle line:84%
Because we'd be moving
around smaller blocks.

00:22:11.450 --> 00:22:14.240 align:middle line:84%
That bill has not made
it to the finish line,

00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:16.970 align:middle line:84%
but it's something I
file every year because I

00:22:16.970 --> 00:22:20.072 align:middle line:84%
think it would help us to take
care of towns like Chelmsford.

00:22:20.072 --> 00:22:21.530 align:middle line:84%
Interestingly enough
though, I want

00:22:21.530 --> 00:22:25.970 align:middle line:84%
to point out that in the
first draft 10 years ago

00:22:25.970 --> 00:22:29.270 align:middle line:84%
we actually had Chelmsford
down to three reps.

00:22:29.270 --> 00:22:33.530 align:middle line:84%
And at that point in
time, then rep Cory Atkins

00:22:33.530 --> 00:22:37.730 align:middle line:84%
was not happy that she was going
to be moving out of Chelmsford.

00:22:37.730 --> 00:22:40.850 align:middle line:84%
And she got many
of her supporters

00:22:40.850 --> 00:22:42.890 align:middle line:84%
in Chelmsford and
herself to fight

00:22:42.890 --> 00:22:45.027 align:middle line:90%
to get back into Chelmsford.

00:22:45.027 --> 00:22:46.610 align:middle line:84%
And that's one of
the changes we made.

00:22:46.610 --> 00:22:50.040 align:middle line:84%
So we had you down to
three but for Cory Atkins,

00:22:50.040 --> 00:22:53.000 align:middle line:84%
you would be at three
today, not four.

00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:55.243 align:middle line:84%
So anyway, so that's
just some of the stuff

00:22:55.243 --> 00:22:56.660 align:middle line:84%
that we went through
10 years ago.

00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:59.750 align:middle line:84%
So I will ask my
colleagues if they

00:22:59.750 --> 00:23:01.850 align:middle line:90%
have any questions for Maria.

00:23:01.850 --> 00:23:04.004 align:middle line:90%
Anyone have any questions?

00:23:04.004 --> 00:23:05.970 align:middle line:90%
Appreciate the testimony.

00:23:05.970 --> 00:23:06.730 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

00:23:06.730 --> 00:23:09.990 align:middle line:84%
Hearing none, I thank you
Maria for your testimony.

00:23:09.990 --> 00:23:12.090 align:middle line:84%
Thank you, and thank
you for that history.

00:23:12.090 --> 00:23:15.390 align:middle line:84%
Yeah, it's helpful when
you did it 10 years ago

00:23:15.390 --> 00:23:17.170 align:middle line:90%
and you're still here, you know.

00:23:17.170 --> 00:23:19.730 align:middle line:84%
So thank you, Maria,
I appreciate it.

00:23:19.730 --> 00:23:26.650 align:middle line:84%
Next up is it looks
like Joshua, is it?

00:23:26.650 --> 00:23:27.790 align:middle line:90%
Hold on a sec here.

00:23:27.790 --> 00:23:31.270 align:middle line:84%
Oh here it is, yeah, Lawrence
School Committee District

00:23:31.270 --> 00:23:33.860 align:middle line:90%
D, Joshua Alba.

00:23:33.860 --> 00:23:34.360 align:middle line:90%
Joshua?

00:23:34.360 --> 00:23:38.530 align:middle line:90%


00:23:38.530 --> 00:23:43.510 align:middle line:84%
Yes, thank you Chairs
Moran and Brownsberger.

00:23:43.510 --> 00:23:46.210 align:middle line:84%
Good to see my representatives
Devers and Moran

00:23:46.210 --> 00:23:50.005 align:middle line:84%
on the call as well and
Congresswoman Trahan.

00:23:50.005 --> 00:23:53.110 align:middle line:90%


00:23:53.110 --> 00:23:55.360 align:middle line:84%
And everybody else that's
on here, all the elected,

00:23:55.360 --> 00:23:58.330 align:middle line:90%
thank you for being here.

00:23:58.330 --> 00:23:59.605 align:middle line:90%
Yeah, my name is Joshua Alba.

00:23:59.605 --> 00:24:06.130 align:middle line:84%
I'm a Lawrence School Committee
member representing District D.

00:24:06.130 --> 00:24:09.520 align:middle line:84%
And I'm not representing the
school committee, representing

00:24:09.520 --> 00:24:12.100 align:middle line:90%
myself and my district.

00:24:12.100 --> 00:24:16.252 align:middle line:84%
But Lawrence, as perhaps
maybe all of you know,

00:24:16.252 --> 00:24:22.750 align:middle line:84%
I think is a community of
interest to keep together,

00:24:22.750 --> 00:24:24.640 align:middle line:84%
especially because
of our surviving

00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:28.180 align:middle line:84%
the Columbia Gas explosions,
and the disproportionate impacts

00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:32.290 align:middle line:90%
of COVID-19 this past year.

00:24:32.290 --> 00:24:35.710 align:middle line:84%
That has resulted in a unified
community around the mutual aid

00:24:35.710 --> 00:24:40.330 align:middle line:84%
structures, streamlined city
led emergency response efforts

00:24:40.330 --> 00:24:48.050 align:middle line:84%
that has served as a model
for cities across the state.

00:24:48.050 --> 00:24:50.170 align:middle line:84%
We are a poor working
class immigrant community

00:24:50.170 --> 00:24:53.230 align:middle line:84%
with a large percentage
of foreign born folks,

00:24:53.230 --> 00:24:56.170 align:middle line:84%
namely from the Dominican
Republic being the largest

00:24:56.170 --> 00:24:58.760 align:middle line:90%
portion of residents around 40%.

00:24:58.760 --> 00:25:02.290 align:middle line:84%
And a majority
younger population,

00:25:02.290 --> 00:25:05.050 align:middle line:90%
26% of whom are under 18.

00:25:05.050 --> 00:25:08.200 align:middle line:84%
I think it's very important
to keep Lawrence together

00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:12.610 align:middle line:84%
in this district as an
overwhelmingly majority

00:25:12.610 --> 00:25:15.070 align:middle line:84%
racialized and
marginalized community

00:25:15.070 --> 00:25:18.465 align:middle line:84%
that has a distinct experience
from our neighbors in Andover,

00:25:18.465 --> 00:25:22.300 align:middle line:84%
or Methuen, or North Andover,
who are significantly White

00:25:22.300 --> 00:25:24.280 align:middle line:90%
and have higher incomes.

00:25:24.280 --> 00:25:30.220 align:middle line:84%
Because I think
that Lawrence adds

00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:38.890 align:middle line:84%
a significant or a particular
viewpoint on policy and votes

00:25:38.890 --> 00:25:43.360 align:middle line:84%
that have helped to
improve and shape

00:25:43.360 --> 00:25:45.980 align:middle line:84%
quality of life
in the community,

00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:48.820 align:middle line:84%
especially as a labor
force for the region.

00:25:48.820 --> 00:25:54.395 align:middle line:84%
[AUDIO OUT] Worcester
to South Bridge.

00:25:54.395 --> 00:25:57.470 align:middle line:90%


00:25:57.470 --> 00:26:01.300 align:middle line:90%
And that's as far as I wrote.

00:26:01.300 --> 00:26:05.000 align:middle line:84%
But I mean, it doesn't
seem like anybody's

00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:06.950 align:middle line:84%
looking to split us up
or anything like that.

00:26:06.950 --> 00:26:08.408 align:middle line:84%
I haven't heard
anything like that.

00:26:08.408 --> 00:26:11.630 align:middle line:90%
So I want to appreciate that.

00:26:11.630 --> 00:26:15.700 align:middle line:84%
And yeah, just thank
you for your time.

00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:19.730 align:middle line:84%
Oh, we have around a little
less than 13,000 students

00:26:19.730 --> 00:26:20.960 align:middle line:90%
enrolled right now.

00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:24.290 align:middle line:84%
Above 90% of our
student population

00:26:24.290 --> 00:26:26.720 align:middle line:90%
are Hispanic or Latino.

00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:28.250 align:middle line:84%
I think that's
significant to note.

00:26:28.250 --> 00:26:31.490 align:middle line:90%


00:26:31.490 --> 00:26:36.770 align:middle line:84%
And yeah, I didn't come up with
a closing, so thank you all.

00:26:36.770 --> 00:26:40.230 align:middle line:84%
I hope we all have a
good Thursday evening.

00:26:40.230 --> 00:26:41.340 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Joshua.

00:26:41.340 --> 00:26:42.180 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Joshua.

00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:44.340 align:middle line:84%
And there's a lot of love
for the city of Lawrence

00:26:44.340 --> 00:26:45.860 align:middle line:90%
in this building.

00:26:45.860 --> 00:26:49.040 align:middle line:84%
So you got two reps
here that the vice

00:26:49.040 --> 00:26:54.080 align:middle line:84%
chair and the gentleman,
Frank Moran, no relation,

00:26:54.080 --> 00:26:54.830 align:middle line:90%
on this committee.

00:26:54.830 --> 00:26:58.310 align:middle line:84%
So one of the prouder
things, I think,

00:26:58.310 --> 00:27:00.350 align:middle line:84%
we were able to do
10 years ago was

00:27:00.350 --> 00:27:04.190 align:middle line:84%
to draw that incumbent
free district, which

00:27:04.190 --> 00:27:05.660 align:middle line:90%
gave us Frank Moran.

00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:10.280 align:middle line:84%
And now Frank serves
as a division chair

00:27:10.280 --> 00:27:11.780 align:middle line:84%
in the House and
leadership, and you

00:27:11.780 --> 00:27:14.150 align:middle line:84%
have Marcos who is the vice
chair of this committee.

00:27:14.150 --> 00:27:17.210 align:middle line:84%
So Lawrence is very well
represented in the House,

00:27:17.210 --> 00:27:21.247 align:middle line:84%
and I know that Barry Finegold
does a great job for you guys

00:27:21.247 --> 00:27:21.830 align:middle line:90%
in the Senate.

00:27:21.830 --> 00:27:25.400 align:middle line:84%
So I will offer
up some questions,

00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:27.680 align:middle line:84%
but don't be upset
if nobody has any,

00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:30.680 align:middle line:84%
because we are trying
to move through this

00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:31.970 align:middle line:90%
and have everybody testify.

00:27:31.970 --> 00:27:36.170 align:middle line:84%
So any questions
from my colleagues?

00:27:36.170 --> 00:27:38.690 align:middle line:84%
Hearing none, thank
you very much,

00:27:38.690 --> 00:27:41.000 align:middle line:90%
Joshua, for your testimony.

00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:46.310 align:middle line:90%
Next is Pat Wojtas.

00:27:46.310 --> 00:27:49.070 align:middle line:84%
I'm sorry, Pat, for
butchering your last name.

00:27:49.070 --> 00:27:51.950 align:middle line:84%
You are Selectman on the
Town Board of Chelmsford.

00:27:51.950 --> 00:27:53.690 align:middle line:84%
You're a Selectmen
from Chelmsford.

00:27:53.690 --> 00:27:56.090 align:middle line:90%
Pat, what say you?

00:27:56.090 --> 00:27:59.510 align:middle line:84%
Yes, thank you very much
for holding this hearing

00:27:59.510 --> 00:28:02.745 align:middle line:84%
and allowing us to
present testimony.

00:28:02.745 --> 00:28:04.370 align:middle line:84%
As you mentioned, I
am from Chelmsford,

00:28:04.370 --> 00:28:07.730 align:middle line:84%
so I won't go over a lot of
what Maria Santos said earlier.

00:28:07.730 --> 00:28:09.950 align:middle line:84%
But I do have a couple
of general comments

00:28:09.950 --> 00:28:13.550 align:middle line:84%
before I get to the
specifics about Chelmsford.

00:28:13.550 --> 00:28:17.900 align:middle line:84%
One has to do with something
that, Chairman, you mentioned

00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:22.160 align:middle line:84%
as you were responding
to Maria about drawing

00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:26.450 align:middle line:84%
the districts before or
after precincts are drawn.

00:28:26.450 --> 00:28:29.330 align:middle line:84%
I mean, quite frankly, I
think it would be better

00:28:29.330 --> 00:28:32.120 align:middle line:84%
for the community if
the precincts are drawn

00:28:32.120 --> 00:28:36.140 align:middle line:84%
before the districts
are drawn, and to keep

00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:40.820 align:middle line:84%
the precincts intact
regarding the districting.

00:28:40.820 --> 00:28:45.020 align:middle line:84%
I think it's confusing
enough when we have,

00:28:45.020 --> 00:28:49.370 align:middle line:84%
as Maria said, four different
reps in the town of Chelmsford.

00:28:49.370 --> 00:28:52.700 align:middle line:84%
But at least they're all
within individual precincts.

00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:56.150 align:middle line:84%
If we were then to have
some representatives that

00:28:56.150 --> 00:28:58.430 align:middle line:84%
crossed the precinct, I
think that would really

00:28:58.430 --> 00:29:02.720 align:middle line:84%
make it confusing and
difficult for voters as they

00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:08.000 align:middle line:84%
go to the polls to determine
who the candidates are

00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:09.120 align:middle line:90%
and how to vote.

00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:11.960 align:middle line:84%
So I think the
local officials know

00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:14.720 align:middle line:84%
how the neighborhoods
are formed and should

00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:16.320 align:middle line:90%
be kind of held together.

00:29:16.320 --> 00:29:20.150 align:middle line:84%
So that's my comments
on that part of it.

00:29:20.150 --> 00:29:23.780 align:middle line:84%
I know I guess you
disagree with me on that,

00:29:23.780 --> 00:29:28.080 align:middle line:84%
but I just hope you take
that into consideration.

00:29:28.080 --> 00:29:32.240 align:middle line:84%
The second thing is I
guess I don't understand

00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:36.800 align:middle line:84%
why the districts, all
House districts are formed

00:29:36.800 --> 00:29:38.810 align:middle line:84%
and then all Senate
districts are formed,

00:29:38.810 --> 00:29:40.310 align:middle line:90%
or the other way around.

00:29:40.310 --> 00:29:44.660 align:middle line:84%
It seems to me that we
have exactly four times

00:29:44.660 --> 00:29:47.660 align:middle line:84%
as many House districts as
there are Senate districts.

00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:52.730 align:middle line:84%
So why not create basically a
team, with one Senate district

00:29:52.730 --> 00:29:55.100 align:middle line:84%
and then four House
districts within it--

00:29:55.100 --> 00:29:57.830 align:middle line:84%
four complete House
districts within it.

00:29:57.830 --> 00:30:00.290 align:middle line:84%
I guess I could say not unlike
how the federal government

00:30:00.290 --> 00:30:03.980 align:middle line:84%
works, where the state
has in Massachusetts,

00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:08.420 align:middle line:84%
we have the nine House districts
and two Senate districts.

00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:11.630 align:middle line:84%
We don't have Senate districts
that cross state boundaries.

00:30:11.630 --> 00:30:13.970 align:middle line:84%
I know it's a little
bit different, but just

00:30:13.970 --> 00:30:16.760 align:middle line:84%
something I guess
I don't understand

00:30:16.760 --> 00:30:17.870 align:middle line:90%
why it's not considered.

00:30:17.870 --> 00:30:20.810 align:middle line:84%
Because if you look at some
of the Senate districts

00:30:20.810 --> 00:30:24.410 align:middle line:84%
they can touch, it seems to
me, as many as six or eight

00:30:24.410 --> 00:30:25.580 align:middle line:90%
different House districts.

00:30:25.580 --> 00:30:29.630 align:middle line:84%
Which seems it would
be harder for them

00:30:29.630 --> 00:30:33.800 align:middle line:84%
to reach some kind of consensus
about what goals there

00:30:33.800 --> 00:30:37.520 align:middle line:84%
is they're trying to
achieve for their district.

00:30:37.520 --> 00:30:40.700 align:middle line:84%
And then specifically to
the town of Chelmsford,

00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:45.270 align:middle line:84%
it's already been mentioned
that we have the four reps.

00:30:45.270 --> 00:30:47.390 align:middle line:84%
It's about the same
size as Andover.

00:30:47.390 --> 00:30:49.010 align:middle line:84%
We appreciate
everything that the reps

00:30:49.010 --> 00:30:51.842 align:middle line:84%
have done for us
that have worked

00:30:51.842 --> 00:30:53.800 align:middle line:84%
for the town of Chelmsford
in the past 20 years

00:30:53.800 --> 00:30:56.540 align:middle line:84%
that we've been
in this situation.

00:30:56.540 --> 00:30:59.950 align:middle line:84%
But it's bound to produce
some kind of conflict

00:30:59.950 --> 00:31:05.140 align:middle line:84%
when the reps have
a larger voting

00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:07.480 align:middle line:90%
block in another community.

00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:11.300 align:middle line:84%
Whatever we could do to shrink
that to make it be just--

00:31:11.300 --> 00:31:15.640 align:middle line:84%
I know some of them have just
the two, Lowell and Chelmsford.

00:31:15.640 --> 00:31:18.160 align:middle line:84%
But whatever we
could do to increase

00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:22.270 align:middle line:84%
our voice in one
or more districts

00:31:22.270 --> 00:31:24.340 align:middle line:90%
would definitely be appreciated.

00:31:24.340 --> 00:31:27.190 align:middle line:84%
And lastly, I will
say, I hope there's not

00:31:27.190 --> 00:31:29.020 align:middle line:84%
any consideration of
moving Chelmsford out

00:31:29.020 --> 00:31:31.120 align:middle line:84%
of Congresswoman
Trahan's district,

00:31:31.120 --> 00:31:35.493 align:middle line:84%
because she has been
outstanding to work with.

00:31:35.493 --> 00:31:37.660 align:middle line:84%
She had mentioned I think
before the meeting started

00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:41.380 align:middle line:84%
about attending a parade
earlier this week,

00:31:41.380 --> 00:31:43.390 align:middle line:90%
and it was a Chelmsford parade.

00:31:43.390 --> 00:31:45.910 align:middle line:84%
I'm assuming it was the
first one that she attended

00:31:45.910 --> 00:31:48.053 align:middle line:84%
this year, so we
definitely welcomed her

00:31:48.053 --> 00:31:50.030 align:middle line:90%
and were glad to see her there.

00:31:50.030 --> 00:31:52.850 align:middle line:90%
So that's all I have.

00:31:52.850 --> 00:31:54.010 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Pat.

00:31:54.010 --> 00:31:55.220 align:middle line:90%
Thank you very much.

00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:59.470 align:middle line:84%
On a couple of things, on
the reprecincting portion

00:31:59.470 --> 00:32:06.550 align:middle line:84%
of your statement, this time
around because of the Senate--

00:32:06.550 --> 00:32:10.420 align:middle line:84%
because of the US Census moving
the delivery the data back

00:32:10.420 --> 00:32:16.000 align:middle line:84%
to September 30th,
we're going to have

00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:23.080 align:middle line:84%
to do the drawing of the lines
before the reprecincting is

00:32:23.080 --> 00:32:25.810 align:middle line:90%
done for that reason.

00:32:25.810 --> 00:32:29.110 align:middle line:84%
Because it takes anywhere
between two to four months

00:32:29.110 --> 00:32:31.690 align:middle line:84%
to do reprecincting,
and you're not

00:32:31.690 --> 00:32:35.530 align:middle line:84%
going to get the data until
the 30th of September.

00:32:35.530 --> 00:32:39.460 align:middle line:84%
And we have a November 8th
obligation in our Constitution

00:32:39.460 --> 00:32:41.080 align:middle line:84%
to live in our
district for one year

00:32:41.080 --> 00:32:44.440 align:middle line:84%
prior to the actual district--
to running in the House

00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:45.310 align:middle line:90%
districts.

00:32:45.310 --> 00:32:49.000 align:middle line:84%
So for the first time ever,
we're going to have to do that.

00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:52.150 align:middle line:84%
And it's not something
that we chose to do.

00:32:52.150 --> 00:32:54.370 align:middle line:84%
It's something that
the simple moving

00:32:54.370 --> 00:32:58.510 align:middle line:84%
back of the date from April
1st to September 30th,

00:32:58.510 --> 00:33:00.940 align:middle line:84%
and then the deadline
of November 8th for us

00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:04.390 align:middle line:84%
to live in our districts
for one full year, that's

00:33:04.390 --> 00:33:08.350 align:middle line:84%
going to be a pretty quick
turnaround of the month

00:33:08.350 --> 00:33:10.870 align:middle line:84%
of October, we have
to get all this done

00:33:10.870 --> 00:33:13.270 align:middle line:84%
by the November 8th
constitutional obligation

00:33:13.270 --> 00:33:14.080 align:middle line:90%
we have.

00:33:14.080 --> 00:33:20.920 align:middle line:84%
So that's why it's going
that way this time around.

00:33:20.920 --> 00:33:24.700 align:middle line:84%
With regard to in the
future, we can just

00:33:24.700 --> 00:33:28.180 align:middle line:84%
have an honest
disagreement on that one.

00:33:28.180 --> 00:33:33.250 align:middle line:84%
But that's just two
people that don't see eye

00:33:33.250 --> 00:33:35.200 align:middle line:90%
to eye on the issue.

00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:38.320 align:middle line:84%
And again, I will repeat
that it is my goal,

00:33:38.320 --> 00:33:41.890 align:middle line:84%
hopefully, that we can at
least get Chelmsford down

00:33:41.890 --> 00:33:43.060 align:middle line:90%
to three reps.

00:33:43.060 --> 00:33:45.580 align:middle line:84%
Who knows if we can get
any lower than that.

00:33:45.580 --> 00:33:48.940 align:middle line:84%
I will repeat again, we had
that last time, 10 years ago.

00:33:48.940 --> 00:33:52.630 align:middle line:84%
We had it down to three,
but that was changed.

00:33:52.630 --> 00:33:54.910 align:middle line:84%
Now that district
is going to be empty

00:33:54.910 --> 00:33:58.270 align:middle line:84%
because Tami Gouveia is
running for higher office,

00:33:58.270 --> 00:34:00.575 align:middle line:90%
so there will not be a person.

00:34:00.575 --> 00:34:02.200 align:middle line:84%
So maybe we'll have
another opportunity

00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:04.030 align:middle line:84%
to look at that
this time around.

00:34:04.030 --> 00:34:06.080 align:middle line:84%
But I appreciate
your testimony, Pat.

00:34:06.080 --> 00:34:12.489 align:middle line:84%
And I will ask my colleagues
if they have any questions.

00:34:12.489 --> 00:34:15.415 align:middle line:84%
All right, hearing none, thank
you, Pat, for your testimony.

00:34:15.415 --> 00:34:17.770 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

00:34:17.770 --> 00:34:18.820 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:22.840 align:middle line:90%
Next step is Sam Poulten.

00:34:22.840 --> 00:34:27.280 align:middle line:84%
He is a school committee member
from the Nashoba Valley School

00:34:27.280 --> 00:34:28.000 align:middle line:90%
Committee.

00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:28.659 align:middle line:90%
Sam?

00:34:28.659 --> 00:34:29.159 align:middle line:90%
Samuel?

00:34:29.159 --> 00:34:38.960 align:middle line:90%


00:34:38.960 --> 00:34:42.199 align:middle line:84%
Yes, good evening
I'm trying to unmute.

00:34:42.199 --> 00:34:43.639 align:middle line:90%
I hope that I have.

00:34:43.639 --> 00:34:46.639 align:middle line:90%
We got you, Sam.

00:34:46.639 --> 00:34:51.139 align:middle line:84%
Thank you, and welcome to
the redistricting committee.

00:34:51.139 --> 00:34:52.670 align:middle line:84%
Well, thank you
very much, Chairman.

00:34:52.670 --> 00:34:55.940 align:middle line:84%
Good evening, Chairman
Moran, and thank you

00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:59.420 align:middle line:84%
for allowing me this
opportunity to testify.

00:34:59.420 --> 00:35:02.570 align:middle line:84%
And thanks to the committee
for ensuring that everyone

00:35:02.570 --> 00:35:05.150 align:middle line:84%
in our district is being
given the opportunity

00:35:05.150 --> 00:35:10.550 align:middle line:84%
to have his or her voice heard
on these important issues.

00:35:10.550 --> 00:35:13.970 align:middle line:84%
To start off, as a
few of my colleagues

00:35:13.970 --> 00:35:16.880 align:middle line:84%
have mentioned the
fact that Chelmsford

00:35:16.880 --> 00:35:22.370 align:middle line:84%
was drawn and quartered
in the last census.

00:35:22.370 --> 00:35:25.100 align:middle line:84%
I for one, although not
happy at the beginning,

00:35:25.100 --> 00:35:28.160 align:middle line:84%
am extremely happy
with the representation

00:35:28.160 --> 00:35:31.250 align:middle line:84%
that we've been
receiving, especially

00:35:31.250 --> 00:35:36.710 align:middle line:84%
from the dean of our delegation,
representative Tom Moran.

00:35:36.710 --> 00:35:39.320 align:middle line:84%
I would echo what
my colleagues said,

00:35:39.320 --> 00:35:44.600 align:middle line:84%
that if Chelmsford can be kept
in the third district, which

00:35:44.600 --> 00:35:49.490 align:middle line:84%
is the number one goal, and
we can come down to three reps

00:35:49.490 --> 00:35:52.710 align:middle line:84%
I think that that
would be useful for us.

00:35:52.710 --> 00:35:54.680 align:middle line:90%
So I'm adding my voice to that.

00:35:54.680 --> 00:35:57.470 align:middle line:84%
And having been
around 10 years ago,

00:35:57.470 --> 00:36:01.520 align:middle line:84%
I fully understand what
went into the decision that

00:36:01.520 --> 00:36:03.560 align:middle line:90%
was made back then.

00:36:03.560 --> 00:36:06.510 align:middle line:84%
And back then we
thank you for allowing

00:36:06.510 --> 00:36:10.250 align:middle line:90%
Cory Atkins to stay with us.

00:36:10.250 --> 00:36:15.170 align:middle line:84%
That said, as you
said, I'm Sam Poulten.

00:36:15.170 --> 00:36:19.430 align:middle line:84%
I'm a proud resident of
Chelmsford since 1979.

00:36:19.430 --> 00:36:22.550 align:middle line:84%
I'm a 1966 graduate
of Lowell High School

00:36:22.550 --> 00:36:25.800 align:middle line:84%
and a small business owner
in Lowell since 2007.

00:36:25.800 --> 00:36:28.790 align:middle line:84%
I'm also the current chair of
the Chelmsford Democratic Town

00:36:28.790 --> 00:36:32.570 align:middle line:84%
Committee, vice chair of GLAD,
and a school committee member

00:36:32.570 --> 00:36:35.450 align:middle line:84%
for the Nashoba Valley Regional
Vocational Technical High

00:36:35.450 --> 00:36:39.320 align:middle line:84%
School, whose nine
sending communities

00:36:39.320 --> 00:36:42.830 align:middle line:84%
are all in the third
congressional district.

00:36:42.830 --> 00:36:49.370 align:middle line:84%
From 1969 to 2010 I also served
with 804th Medical Brigade

00:36:49.370 --> 00:36:51.200 align:middle line:90%
headquartered in Ayer.

00:36:51.200 --> 00:36:54.170 align:middle line:84%
Also, a third
district community,

00:36:54.170 --> 00:36:57.490 align:middle line:84%
from which I retired as
a Lieutenant Colonel.

00:36:57.490 --> 00:37:01.210 align:middle line:84%
I have a deep appreciation
for our district's history,

00:37:01.210 --> 00:37:03.730 align:middle line:84%
our strengths, and
those issues where

00:37:03.730 --> 00:37:07.870 align:middle line:84%
we can continue to improve and
the cooperative atmosphere that

00:37:07.870 --> 00:37:13.070 align:middle line:84%
has been built. As you can
see, I'm not a stranger here.

00:37:13.070 --> 00:37:15.370 align:middle line:84%
I'm glad that our
community is represented

00:37:15.370 --> 00:37:17.710 align:middle line:84%
at all levels of
government by individuals

00:37:17.710 --> 00:37:22.400 align:middle line:84%
who share that same level of
appreciation and commitment.

00:37:22.400 --> 00:37:25.430 align:middle line:84%
Many of those officials that are
taking part in this evening's

00:37:25.430 --> 00:37:28.670 align:middle line:84%
hearing, including
Representative Lori Trahan, who

00:37:28.670 --> 00:37:30.560 align:middle line:84%
I've had the pleasure
of knowing long

00:37:30.560 --> 00:37:33.590 align:middle line:84%
before she held
her current role,

00:37:33.590 --> 00:37:36.710 align:middle line:84%
but who always cared
deeply about giving back

00:37:36.710 --> 00:37:39.740 align:middle line:84%
to the communities
in which she grew up,

00:37:39.740 --> 00:37:42.810 align:middle line:84%
and that she continues
to call home.

00:37:42.810 --> 00:37:50.090 align:middle line:84%
Lori joins in a long history
of representing our area.

00:37:50.090 --> 00:37:52.970 align:middle line:84%
The long history of
representatives that Chelmsford

00:37:52.970 --> 00:37:56.600 align:middle line:84%
has had in the federal,
state, and local levels,

00:37:56.600 --> 00:37:59.330 align:middle line:84%
dedicated to
getting things done,

00:37:59.330 --> 00:38:01.670 align:middle line:84%
and doing it in a way
that not only benefits

00:38:01.670 --> 00:38:05.720 align:middle line:84%
one community or another,
but our region as a whole.

00:38:05.720 --> 00:38:08.150 align:middle line:84%
She has done this and
continues to do this

00:38:08.150 --> 00:38:11.960 align:middle line:84%
by building consensus and
leading cooperative efforts

00:38:11.960 --> 00:38:16.370 align:middle line:84%
to continue our progress in
improving education, business,

00:38:16.370 --> 00:38:20.900 align:middle line:84%
culture, health care,
tourism, and quality of life

00:38:20.900 --> 00:38:23.070 align:middle line:90%
throughout our region.

00:38:23.070 --> 00:38:27.600 align:middle line:84%
This is a remarkably
diverse and exciting area.

00:38:27.600 --> 00:38:30.690 align:middle line:84%
The third district contains
one of the state's wealthiest

00:38:30.690 --> 00:38:36.600 align:middle line:84%
communities, Sudbury, and
one of its poorest, Lawrence.

00:38:36.600 --> 00:38:40.890 align:middle line:84%
But Lori Trahan has the
talent, spirit, and commitment

00:38:40.890 --> 00:38:44.700 align:middle line:84%
to our residents that addresses
the unique problems we all

00:38:44.700 --> 00:38:48.090 align:middle line:84%
encounter and leads us to
find successful solutions.

00:38:48.090 --> 00:38:50.820 align:middle line:90%
We're always moving forward.

00:38:50.820 --> 00:38:54.930 align:middle line:84%
The district itself is
uniquely constructed.

00:38:54.930 --> 00:38:57.810 align:middle line:90%
A river runs through it.

00:38:57.810 --> 00:38:59.910 align:middle line:84%
The legendary Merrimack,
whose Pawtucket

00:38:59.910 --> 00:39:04.110 align:middle line:84%
Falls in East Chelmsford,
now the city of Lowell,

00:39:04.110 --> 00:39:09.420 align:middle line:84%
helped create America's second
revolution, the Industrial

00:39:09.420 --> 00:39:10.620 align:middle line:90%
Revolution.

00:39:10.620 --> 00:39:16.130 align:middle line:84%
And also created America's
first urban national park.

00:39:16.130 --> 00:39:19.340 align:middle line:84%
I'm also an active member of the
Greater Lowell Area Democrats,

00:39:19.340 --> 00:39:22.550 align:middle line:84%
an organization that
works across jurisdictions

00:39:22.550 --> 00:39:26.510 align:middle line:84%
to advocate for progress that
benefits people in communities

00:39:26.510 --> 00:39:30.740 align:middle line:84%
from Dracut to Carlisle,
Lowell to Pepperell and Groton.

00:39:30.740 --> 00:39:34.490 align:middle line:84%
Much like our organization,
the success of our region

00:39:34.490 --> 00:39:37.760 align:middle line:84%
is tied to our ability
to band together

00:39:37.760 --> 00:39:41.630 align:middle line:84%
and advocate on behalf of
solutions and resources

00:39:41.630 --> 00:39:43.370 align:middle line:90%
that will benefit all of us.

00:39:43.370 --> 00:39:45.410 align:middle line:90%
We do it well.

00:39:45.410 --> 00:39:51.090 align:middle line:84%
And we're greatly aided by what
our district is, where it is,

00:39:51.090 --> 00:39:55.040 align:middle line:84%
who it represents, and the
common history, shared goals,

00:39:55.040 --> 00:40:00.830 align:middle line:84%
and regional investments that
led us to our many successes.

00:40:00.830 --> 00:40:04.580 align:middle line:84%
In short, as we all look
toward redistricting

00:40:04.580 --> 00:40:10.250 align:middle line:84%
after the last census, the
third is a success story

00:40:10.250 --> 00:40:13.060 align:middle line:90%
that should be left intact.

00:40:13.060 --> 00:40:17.600 align:middle line:90%
Please, don't mess with success.

00:40:17.600 --> 00:40:19.310 align:middle line:90%
It ain't broke.

00:40:19.310 --> 00:40:22.010 align:middle line:90%
We don't need any fixing.

00:40:22.010 --> 00:40:25.220 align:middle line:84%
Strengthen us if
adjustments must be made,

00:40:25.220 --> 00:40:28.490 align:middle line:84%
but the benefits afforded
our fellow citizens who

00:40:28.490 --> 00:40:31.195 align:middle line:84%
share a district that
includes Lowell, Lawrence,

00:40:31.195 --> 00:40:34.790 align:middle line:84%
Haverhill, and the
contiguous towns

00:40:34.790 --> 00:40:38.660 align:middle line:84%
not only enhances the lives
of all of us who live here,

00:40:38.660 --> 00:40:41.090 align:middle line:84%
it truly strengthens
and enhances

00:40:41.090 --> 00:40:46.370 align:middle line:84%
the entire Commonwealth, and by
extension, our great country.

00:40:46.370 --> 00:40:49.340 align:middle line:84%
I ask only that we be
allowed to maintain

00:40:49.340 --> 00:40:54.980 align:middle line:84%
the remarkable progress that
our entire region enjoys

00:40:54.980 --> 00:41:00.590 align:middle line:84%
and that requires the continued
representation by those

00:41:00.590 --> 00:41:05.300 align:middle line:84%
who understand the immense
value of regional success.

00:41:05.300 --> 00:41:08.060 align:middle line:84%
We are blessed with the
geography, resources,

00:41:08.060 --> 00:41:11.870 align:middle line:84%
educational institutions,
talent, and spirit, that

00:41:11.870 --> 00:41:14.030 align:middle line:84%
has led us toward
continued successes

00:41:14.030 --> 00:41:16.400 align:middle line:90%
in every field of endeavor.

00:41:16.400 --> 00:41:19.640 align:middle line:84%
And we're doubly blessed
with civic leaders

00:41:19.640 --> 00:41:22.820 align:middle line:84%
and elected officials who
not only share our hopes

00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:28.550 align:middle line:84%
and dreams, but are steeped in
the very essence of the region.

00:41:28.550 --> 00:41:31.670 align:middle line:84%
Preeminent among them
is our own member

00:41:31.670 --> 00:41:33.440 align:middle line:90%
of Congress, Lori Trahan.

00:41:33.440 --> 00:41:38.040 align:middle line:84%
Please allow us to keep
our river runs through it

00:41:38.040 --> 00:41:41.120 align:middle line:84%
third congressional
district and member

00:41:41.120 --> 00:41:44.740 align:middle line:90%
of Congress, Lori Trahan.

00:41:44.740 --> 00:41:47.270 align:middle line:90%
Thank you for your time.

00:41:47.270 --> 00:41:49.480 align:middle line:90%
Thanks for allowing me to speak.

00:41:49.480 --> 00:41:52.810 align:middle line:84%
But most importantly,
thanks for the good work you

00:41:52.810 --> 00:41:56.280 align:middle line:90%
are doing on our behalf.

00:41:56.280 --> 00:41:58.260 align:middle line:90%
Keep the third the third.

00:41:58.260 --> 00:42:00.400 align:middle line:90%
Thank you very much.

00:42:00.400 --> 00:42:01.780 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Sam.

00:42:01.780 --> 00:42:04.630 align:middle line:90%
I appreciate your testimony.

00:42:04.630 --> 00:42:07.600 align:middle line:84%
Again, no questions,
just a comment.

00:42:07.600 --> 00:42:13.060 align:middle line:84%
I think the Congress people who
represent the state understand

00:42:13.060 --> 00:42:14.530 align:middle line:84%
that every one of
their districts

00:42:14.530 --> 00:42:19.540 align:middle line:84%
has to change, simply because
of the growth in the state

00:42:19.540 --> 00:42:25.840 align:middle line:84%
being so different
in different places.

00:42:25.840 --> 00:42:31.390 align:middle line:84%
So every one of them has to
be apportioned and changed,

00:42:31.390 --> 00:42:34.450 align:middle line:84%
some of them very drastically,
some of them not as drastic.

00:42:34.450 --> 00:42:38.080 align:middle line:84%
But every one of our
congressmen and women

00:42:38.080 --> 00:42:40.600 align:middle line:84%
understand that that's
going to happen.

00:42:40.600 --> 00:42:43.360 align:middle line:84%
And we try to do it
as minimal as we can,

00:42:43.360 --> 00:42:46.870 align:middle line:84%
but we have to do it
nonetheless because the law says

00:42:46.870 --> 00:42:48.070 align:middle line:90%
we have to.

00:42:48.070 --> 00:42:49.850 align:middle line:90%
But I have no questions.

00:42:49.850 --> 00:42:52.540 align:middle line:84%
I will ask my colleagues
on the committee

00:42:52.540 --> 00:42:54.690 align:middle line:90%
if they have any questions.

00:42:54.690 --> 00:42:57.830 align:middle line:84%
Hearing none, we will
move to our next person

00:42:57.830 --> 00:43:03.050 align:middle line:84%
to testify, who is
Jessica Finocchiaro.

00:43:03.050 --> 00:43:06.570 align:middle line:84%
She is a City of Methuen
Councillor at Large.

00:43:06.570 --> 00:43:08.120 align:middle line:90%
Jessica, are you here?

00:43:08.120 --> 00:43:16.630 align:middle line:90%


00:43:16.630 --> 00:43:18.370 align:middle line:90%
Hi, I'm Jessica.

00:43:18.370 --> 00:43:20.260 align:middle line:90%
City Councillor in Methuen.

00:43:20.260 --> 00:43:23.650 align:middle line:84%
And thank you everybody
for being here.

00:43:23.650 --> 00:43:29.830 align:middle line:84%
And thank you also to
Chairman Moran, who actually

00:43:29.830 --> 00:43:33.520 align:middle line:84%
sent an email out
to some legislators

00:43:33.520 --> 00:43:35.360 align:middle line:90%
and we were able to take that.

00:43:35.360 --> 00:43:38.710 align:middle line:84%
I know I posted mine
on my social media

00:43:38.710 --> 00:43:40.990 align:middle line:90%
and shared it around town.

00:43:40.990 --> 00:43:45.040 align:middle line:84%
My note is just that we
take into consideration

00:43:45.040 --> 00:43:49.210 align:middle line:84%
what could possibly be done
to encourage more people

00:43:49.210 --> 00:43:50.710 align:middle line:90%
to give feedback.

00:43:50.710 --> 00:43:53.590 align:middle line:84%
Because I find these
conversations to be really

00:43:53.590 --> 00:43:56.680 align:middle line:84%
productive, and I do
believe there are going

00:43:56.680 --> 00:43:58.940 align:middle line:90%
to be some serious changes.

00:43:58.940 --> 00:44:01.810 align:middle line:84%
So what I would like
to see is I think

00:44:01.810 --> 00:44:04.690 align:middle line:84%
that the website that
you guys have is great,

00:44:04.690 --> 00:44:06.460 align:middle line:84%
and it provides a
lot of information.

00:44:06.460 --> 00:44:09.670 align:middle line:84%
And I know that over
time the committee

00:44:09.670 --> 00:44:12.130 align:middle line:84%
is going to add all
kinds of information

00:44:12.130 --> 00:44:14.830 align:middle line:84%
as it's available
to that website.

00:44:14.830 --> 00:44:19.180 align:middle line:84%
And I would just ask that there
be some additional thought

00:44:19.180 --> 00:44:23.740 align:middle line:84%
on how we can get even more
community input along the way.

00:44:23.740 --> 00:44:26.230 align:middle line:84%
And there might have
already been conversations

00:44:26.230 --> 00:44:29.440 align:middle line:84%
amongst the committee
members about that.

00:44:29.440 --> 00:44:33.220 align:middle line:84%
I know that reaching out to the
elected officials was great.

00:44:33.220 --> 00:44:35.320 align:middle line:84%
I saw some people
posting about it,

00:44:35.320 --> 00:44:37.660 align:middle line:84%
but I think that we need
to take it a step further

00:44:37.660 --> 00:44:40.630 align:middle line:84%
and see what we can get
for community engagement.

00:44:40.630 --> 00:44:44.990 align:middle line:84%
Because I think this is going
to change a lot of things.

00:44:44.990 --> 00:44:50.740 align:middle line:84%
And I think that I would love to
see more from every direction.

00:44:50.740 --> 00:44:54.820 align:middle line:84%
Whether it's sharing
on social media,

00:44:54.820 --> 00:44:56.290 align:middle line:84%
there's a lot of
different outlets

00:44:56.290 --> 00:44:59.620 align:middle line:84%
that we already have that don't
cost any money to the state

00:44:59.620 --> 00:45:01.690 align:middle line:84%
to get this
information out there.

00:45:01.690 --> 00:45:05.480 align:middle line:84%
And that's just what I
would ask to be considered.

00:45:05.480 --> 00:45:05.980 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

00:45:05.980 --> 00:45:09.590 align:middle line:90%


00:45:09.590 --> 00:45:10.620 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Jessica.

00:45:10.620 --> 00:45:12.620 align:middle line:90%
I appreciate your testimony.

00:45:12.620 --> 00:45:16.160 align:middle line:84%
And we didn't just send
it to elected officials.

00:45:16.160 --> 00:45:20.570 align:middle line:84%
We sent it to a number
of interest groups

00:45:20.570 --> 00:45:23.390 align:middle line:84%
that are involved
in this process.

00:45:23.390 --> 00:45:27.470 align:middle line:84%
There's a umbrella group
called the Drawing Democracy

00:45:27.470 --> 00:45:32.510 align:middle line:84%
Coalition, and they sent
it out to their members.

00:45:32.510 --> 00:45:36.020 align:middle line:84%
We try and push it
out as much as we can.

00:45:36.020 --> 00:45:42.950 align:middle line:84%
Last 10 years ago we
had almost 20,000 people

00:45:42.950 --> 00:45:46.880 align:middle line:84%
participate in the process
when it was said and done.

00:45:46.880 --> 00:45:49.220 align:middle line:84%
This year, we're
having more hearings

00:45:49.220 --> 00:45:50.690 align:middle line:90%
than we had 10 years ago.

00:45:50.690 --> 00:45:52.655 align:middle line:84%
We're having language
specific hearings

00:45:52.655 --> 00:45:57.200 align:middle line:84%
for people who do not speak
English as a first language.

00:45:57.200 --> 00:46:00.410 align:middle line:84%
We are doing everything
we can to entice people

00:46:00.410 --> 00:46:02.075 align:middle line:90%
to engage in this process.

00:46:02.075 --> 00:46:04.940 align:middle line:90%


00:46:04.940 --> 00:46:09.030 align:middle line:84%
While I think it's a
very interesting issue,

00:46:09.030 --> 00:46:12.648 align:middle line:84%
some people are not as jazzed
up about it maybe as you'd hope.

00:46:12.648 --> 00:46:13.940 align:middle line:90%
But we still have a lot though.

00:46:13.940 --> 00:46:17.262 align:middle line:84%
We still have a fair amount
of people that participate.

00:46:17.262 --> 00:46:18.720 align:middle line:84%
But I thank you
for your testimony,

00:46:18.720 --> 00:46:21.890 align:middle line:84%
and I thank you for your
commitment to your community.

00:46:21.890 --> 00:46:25.610 align:middle line:84%
Any questions from
my colleagues?

00:46:25.610 --> 00:46:28.580 align:middle line:84%
Hearing none, I will move to
the next person to testify.

00:46:28.580 --> 00:46:30.830 align:middle line:84%
Thank you, Jessica,
for your testimony.

00:46:30.830 --> 00:46:32.360 align:middle line:90%
Robert Swartz.

00:46:32.360 --> 00:46:33.890 align:middle line:90%
Robert Swartz, are you here?

00:46:33.890 --> 00:46:41.650 align:middle line:90%


00:46:41.650 --> 00:46:44.540 align:middle line:90%
Robert, Gardner Public Schools.

00:46:44.540 --> 00:46:50.770 align:middle line:90%


00:46:50.770 --> 00:46:52.950 align:middle line:84%
He's coming on, my staff
said, so give him a minute.

00:46:52.950 --> 00:47:46.960 align:middle line:90%


00:47:46.960 --> 00:47:48.580 align:middle line:90%
Robert, I hear you're in.

00:47:48.580 --> 00:47:51.827 align:middle line:90%
Are you joined us, Robert?

00:47:51.827 --> 00:47:52.410 align:middle line:90%
There you are.

00:47:52.410 --> 00:47:54.600 align:middle line:84%
I can see you on me--
you have to unmute.

00:47:54.600 --> 00:47:55.950 align:middle line:90%
There you go.

00:47:55.950 --> 00:47:57.760 align:middle line:90%
Mr. Chairman, I have no comment.

00:47:57.760 --> 00:47:58.680 align:middle line:90%
OK.

00:47:58.680 --> 00:48:02.400 align:middle line:84%
Compared to the other
representatives that already

00:48:02.400 --> 00:48:05.630 align:middle line:90%
spoken, we're wonderful.

00:48:05.630 --> 00:48:07.160 align:middle line:90%
We have Lori.

00:48:07.160 --> 00:48:08.430 align:middle line:90%
We have one Senator.

00:48:08.430 --> 00:48:09.860 align:middle line:90%
We have one rep.

00:48:09.860 --> 00:48:12.410 align:middle line:90%
They're all doing a super job.

00:48:12.410 --> 00:48:15.660 align:middle line:84%
Compared to the other
representatives that spoke,

00:48:15.660 --> 00:48:17.300 align:middle line:90%
I'm very happy.

00:48:17.300 --> 00:48:17.800 align:middle line:90%
Excellent.

00:48:17.800 --> 00:48:22.700 align:middle line:84%
I'm just trying to get educated
of what redistricting is about,

00:48:22.700 --> 00:48:24.040 align:middle line:90%
and I'm learning a lot.

00:48:24.040 --> 00:48:28.640 align:middle line:84%
So thank you for the
opportunity to participate.

00:48:28.640 --> 00:48:29.420 align:middle line:90%
Thank you again.

00:48:29.420 --> 00:48:30.788 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Robert.

00:48:30.788 --> 00:48:32.580 align:middle line:84%
You should talk to some
of my constituents.

00:48:32.580 --> 00:48:36.140 align:middle line:84%
I need them to do a
commercial like that for me.

00:48:36.140 --> 00:48:36.793 align:middle line:90%
Thanks, Robert.

00:48:36.793 --> 00:48:37.460 align:middle line:90%
I appreciate it.

00:48:37.460 --> 00:48:38.640 align:middle line:90%
I appreciate you watching.

00:48:38.640 --> 00:48:40.550 align:middle line:84%
I appreciate you taking
the time to listen

00:48:40.550 --> 00:48:41.633 align:middle line:90%
to what we're saying here.

00:48:41.633 --> 00:48:44.510 align:middle line:90%
So how about Judy Carvin?

00:48:44.510 --> 00:48:47.610 align:middle line:84%
All right, my staff is
saying Judy is not here,

00:48:47.610 --> 00:48:49.460 align:middle line:90%
so we'll move on.

00:48:49.460 --> 00:48:54.380 align:middle line:84%
Mary Jakes Tresaint,
Mary Jakes Tresaint.

00:48:54.380 --> 00:48:59.970 align:middle line:90%


00:48:59.970 --> 00:49:01.800 align:middle line:90%
Mary, are you here, Mary?

00:49:01.800 --> 00:49:21.160 align:middle line:90%


00:49:21.160 --> 00:49:22.600 align:middle line:90%
I don't see her here.

00:49:22.600 --> 00:49:29.586 align:middle line:90%


00:49:29.586 --> 00:49:30.590 align:middle line:90%
Oh, there you are.

00:49:30.590 --> 00:49:34.610 align:middle line:84%
Mary, you have to unmute
if you can hear my voice.

00:49:34.610 --> 00:49:38.510 align:middle line:90%


00:49:38.510 --> 00:49:39.050 align:middle line:90%
Marie.

00:49:39.050 --> 00:49:42.550 align:middle line:90%
Sorry, looks like Marie.

00:49:42.550 --> 00:49:44.270 align:middle line:90%
I can see you up there.

00:49:44.270 --> 00:50:09.910 align:middle line:90%


00:50:09.910 --> 00:50:15.710 align:middle line:84%
OK, while Marie's figuring that
out we'll call Marissa DuPont.

00:50:15.710 --> 00:50:16.460 align:middle line:90%
Marissa DuPont?

00:50:16.460 --> 00:50:28.560 align:middle line:90%


00:50:28.560 --> 00:50:30.383 align:middle line:84%
OK, as I said in
the beginning, this

00:50:30.383 --> 00:50:31.800 align:middle line:84%
may be a little
awkward because we

00:50:31.800 --> 00:50:33.300 align:middle line:84%
have a lot of people
that signed up,

00:50:33.300 --> 00:50:35.220 align:middle line:84%
and I don't think
everybody actually

00:50:35.220 --> 00:50:36.780 align:middle line:90%
was intending to testify.

00:50:36.780 --> 00:50:40.995 align:middle line:90%
So David Ebitson, David Ebitson?

00:50:40.995 --> 00:50:53.730 align:middle line:90%


00:50:53.730 --> 00:50:54.990 align:middle line:90%
David, I see you up there.

00:50:54.990 --> 00:50:56.475 align:middle line:90%
You need to unmute, David.

00:50:56.475 --> 00:50:57.330 align:middle line:90%
OK, I think I did.

00:50:57.330 --> 00:50:58.260 align:middle line:90%
There you go.

00:50:58.260 --> 00:50:58.760 align:middle line:90%
I got you.

00:50:58.760 --> 00:50:59.490 align:middle line:90%
There you are.

00:50:59.490 --> 00:51:00.600 align:middle line:90%
Great.

00:51:00.600 --> 00:51:02.520 align:middle line:84%
Thank you for the
opportunity to speak.

00:51:02.520 --> 00:51:04.920 align:middle line:84%
Basically, what I
wanted to do was

00:51:04.920 --> 00:51:08.910 align:middle line:84%
thank all of the people
who run our state with such

00:51:08.910 --> 00:51:10.150 align:middle line:90%
a great job.

00:51:10.150 --> 00:51:14.430 align:middle line:84%
I think when-- and the fact
that 85 seats in our Congress

00:51:14.430 --> 00:51:16.530 align:middle line:84%
are moving to the
south and the west,

00:51:16.530 --> 00:51:19.260 align:middle line:84%
and we managed to
save all nine seats

00:51:19.260 --> 00:51:21.330 align:middle line:84%
in our great state
of Massachusetts,

00:51:21.330 --> 00:51:23.050 align:middle line:90%
I just want to thank people.

00:51:23.050 --> 00:51:26.250 align:middle line:84%
And I also want to thank Lori
Trahan for doing a great job.

00:51:26.250 --> 00:51:29.640 align:middle line:84%
I've been living in
Westford since 1978,

00:51:29.640 --> 00:51:31.530 align:middle line:84%
served four years
in the military.

00:51:31.530 --> 00:51:33.150 align:middle line:90%
But it is a great state.

00:51:33.150 --> 00:51:36.600 align:middle line:84%
And I've been to so many
places in our country

00:51:36.600 --> 00:51:41.400 align:middle line:84%
and I just realize that
constantly that Massachusetts

00:51:41.400 --> 00:51:44.140 align:middle line:84%
is really a great state, and
it's run by great people.

00:51:44.140 --> 00:51:45.630 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

00:51:45.630 --> 00:51:47.140 align:middle line:90%
Thank you very much, David.

00:51:47.140 --> 00:51:49.440 align:middle line:84%
And thank you for your
service to our country.

00:51:49.440 --> 00:51:52.470 align:middle line:90%
We appreciate that, obviously.

00:51:52.470 --> 00:51:54.540 align:middle line:84%
And I don't think we have
any questions for you.

00:51:54.540 --> 00:51:58.290 align:middle line:84%
So we are going to move on to
our next person to testify,

00:51:58.290 --> 00:51:59.580 align:middle line:90%
Robert Walton.

00:51:59.580 --> 00:52:01.170 align:middle line:90%
Robert Walton, are you with us?

00:52:01.170 --> 00:52:12.100 align:middle line:90%


00:52:12.100 --> 00:52:13.980 align:middle line:90%
Now you say yes, I'm here.

00:52:13.980 --> 00:52:15.390 align:middle line:90%
Yes, I'm here.

00:52:15.390 --> 00:52:16.410 align:middle line:90%
There you go, Robert.

00:52:16.410 --> 00:52:17.580 align:middle line:90%
We hear you.

00:52:17.580 --> 00:52:18.420 align:middle line:90%
OK.

00:52:18.420 --> 00:52:19.860 align:middle line:90%
Welcome, welcome.

00:52:19.860 --> 00:52:21.093 align:middle line:90%
Well, thanks, Mr. Moran.

00:52:21.093 --> 00:52:22.010 align:middle line:90%
Thanks for the invite.

00:52:22.010 --> 00:52:24.820 align:middle line:90%
I really appreciate it.

00:52:24.820 --> 00:52:28.920 align:middle line:84%
My other fellow
Chelmsford residents

00:52:28.920 --> 00:52:31.530 align:middle line:90%
have kind of stolen my thunder.

00:52:31.530 --> 00:52:36.120 align:middle line:84%
But I just do want to
say what a great job Lori

00:52:36.120 --> 00:52:40.140 align:middle line:84%
Trahan has done for the
third district, and is doing.

00:52:40.140 --> 00:52:47.040 align:middle line:84%
And I would like to reiterate
Chelmsford's particular burden

00:52:47.040 --> 00:52:49.350 align:middle line:90%
of having four state reps.

00:52:49.350 --> 00:52:53.040 align:middle line:84%
Chelmsford and Billerica
were both incorporated

00:52:53.040 --> 00:52:57.270 align:middle line:90%
on the same day in 1655.

00:52:57.270 --> 00:53:01.620 align:middle line:84%
Billerica I think has
maybe 44, 43,000 people.

00:53:01.620 --> 00:53:04.620 align:middle line:90%
Chelmsford we've got about 35.

00:53:04.620 --> 00:53:08.640 align:middle line:84%
Bellerica has one state
rep, Mr. Lombardo,

00:53:08.640 --> 00:53:10.830 align:middle line:90%
Chelmsford we have four.

00:53:10.830 --> 00:53:14.910 align:middle line:84%
So not only was Chelmsford
completely dissected

00:53:14.910 --> 00:53:18.870 align:middle line:84%
by the Federal Highway
Administration via route

00:53:18.870 --> 00:53:25.470 align:middle line:84%
495 and Route 3, we've also
suffered with four state reps

00:53:25.470 --> 00:53:27.690 align:middle line:84%
for one community,
which is probably

00:53:27.690 --> 00:53:31.740 align:middle line:84%
a little unusual in the
entire Commonwealth.

00:53:31.740 --> 00:53:35.830 align:middle line:84%
And that I would like
to just say again,

00:53:35.830 --> 00:53:39.580 align:middle line:84%
as many other Chelmsford fellow
residents have mentioned,

00:53:39.580 --> 00:53:42.730 align:middle line:84%
that's something that
should really be considered

00:53:42.730 --> 00:53:44.570 align:middle line:90%
in changing in the future.

00:53:44.570 --> 00:53:45.470 align:middle line:90%
Thanks very much.

00:53:45.470 --> 00:53:47.630 align:middle line:90%
I appreciate the opportunity.

00:53:47.630 --> 00:53:48.520 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Robert.

00:53:48.520 --> 00:53:49.040 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

00:53:49.040 --> 00:53:52.300 align:middle line:84%
I appreciate you taking the
time out of your schedule.

00:53:52.300 --> 00:53:56.620 align:middle line:84%
The only other town to have
four reps would be Walpole.

00:53:56.620 --> 00:53:59.200 align:middle line:90%
They have four reps.

00:53:59.200 --> 00:54:03.460 align:middle line:84%
And as I said earlier,
my goal is hopefully

00:54:03.460 --> 00:54:07.180 align:middle line:84%
to get you down to three,
as we did 10 years ago.

00:54:07.180 --> 00:54:12.465 align:middle line:84%
And that kind of
in our first draft,

00:54:12.465 --> 00:54:13.840 align:middle line:84%
they asked us to
go back to four.

00:54:13.840 --> 00:54:16.660 align:middle line:84%
So that was kind of
unique and different,

00:54:16.660 --> 00:54:19.210 align:middle line:84%
but I think this
time around we got

00:54:19.210 --> 00:54:23.880 align:middle line:84%
a better shot because of the
person who is one of the reps

00:54:23.880 --> 00:54:25.280 align:middle line:90%
is running for higher office.

00:54:25.280 --> 00:54:29.290 align:middle line:84%
So hopefully we will have
that opportunity for us

00:54:29.290 --> 00:54:30.610 align:middle line:90%
to get down to three this time.

00:54:30.610 --> 00:54:33.550 align:middle line:84%
So anyways, I appreciate
your testimony.

00:54:33.550 --> 00:54:38.330 align:middle line:84%
And I would like to
call Clare Dushear.

00:54:38.330 --> 00:54:38.830 align:middle line:90%
Next.

00:54:38.830 --> 00:54:40.020 align:middle line:90%
Clare, are you with us?

00:54:40.020 --> 00:54:47.480 align:middle line:90%


00:54:47.480 --> 00:54:50.135 align:middle line:84%
Hi there, thank you
for letting me speak.

00:54:50.135 --> 00:54:51.680 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Clare.

00:54:51.680 --> 00:54:57.780 align:middle line:84%
I would like to give some
personal perspective.

00:54:57.780 --> 00:55:01.940 align:middle line:84%
I come from Ashburnham, which is
a tiny town in the western part

00:55:01.940 --> 00:55:03.770 align:middle line:90%
of CD three.

00:55:03.770 --> 00:55:07.910 align:middle line:84%
And Ashburnham, along with
the western rural towns

00:55:07.910 --> 00:55:10.250 align:middle line:84%
within this
congressional district,

00:55:10.250 --> 00:55:13.460 align:middle line:84%
have little in common
with the eastern cities

00:55:13.460 --> 00:55:18.230 align:middle line:84%
and the larger municipalities
in the rest of the Lori Trahan

00:55:18.230 --> 00:55:19.760 align:middle line:90%
district.

00:55:19.760 --> 00:55:22.640 align:middle line:84%
As we know, population
is shifting.

00:55:22.640 --> 00:55:25.730 align:middle line:84%
And the congressional
districts boundaries

00:55:25.730 --> 00:55:27.740 align:middle line:90%
are going to shift as well.

00:55:27.740 --> 00:55:30.650 align:middle line:84%
If you need a volunteer,
I would happily

00:55:30.650 --> 00:55:34.490 align:middle line:84%
suggest that Ashburnham
be moved, once again,

00:55:34.490 --> 00:55:37.340 align:middle line:84%
into a different
congressional district,

00:55:37.340 --> 00:55:39.290 align:middle line:84%
especially if it's
Jim McGovern's

00:55:39.290 --> 00:55:42.140 align:middle line:84%
congressional
district, number two.

00:55:42.140 --> 00:55:45.170 align:middle line:84%
At least we would be
with Worcester County

00:55:45.170 --> 00:55:47.600 align:middle line:84%
rather than Middlesex
County, which

00:55:47.600 --> 00:55:52.970 align:middle line:84%
would be something that we would
have some familiarity with.

00:55:52.970 --> 00:55:55.460 align:middle line:84%
But on the local
level, let's keep

00:55:55.460 --> 00:55:57.560 align:middle line:84%
Representative
Zlotnick and Senator

00:55:57.560 --> 00:56:00.770 align:middle line:90%
Gobi representing Ashburnham.

00:56:00.770 --> 00:56:03.142 align:middle line:90%
Thank you for your time.

00:56:03.142 --> 00:56:03.850 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Clare.

00:56:03.850 --> 00:56:05.110 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Clare.

00:56:05.110 --> 00:56:07.620 align:middle line:84%
I'm sure Anna Gobi is
very happy to hear that,

00:56:07.620 --> 00:56:08.900 align:middle line:90%
as she is on this call.

00:56:08.900 --> 00:56:12.020 align:middle line:84%
I'm extremely
happy to hear that.

00:56:12.020 --> 00:56:13.810 align:middle line:90%
And we love Clare back.

00:56:13.810 --> 00:56:16.400 align:middle line:84%
And it's always good
to hear her comments.

00:56:16.400 --> 00:56:18.340 align:middle line:90%
Thanks, Clare.

00:56:18.340 --> 00:56:19.000 align:middle line:90%
You bet.

00:56:19.000 --> 00:56:19.800 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Clare.

00:56:19.800 --> 00:56:21.842 align:middle line:84%
I appreciate you taking
time out of your schedule

00:56:21.842 --> 00:56:26.800 align:middle line:84%
to come and join us and
give us your thoughts.

00:56:26.800 --> 00:56:30.670 align:middle line:84%
I will call the next
person to testify,

00:56:30.670 --> 00:56:33.880 align:middle line:90%
which would be Marie Sweeney.

00:56:33.880 --> 00:56:35.490 align:middle line:90%
Marie Sweeney, are you with us?

00:56:35.490 --> 00:56:50.388 align:middle line:90%


00:56:50.388 --> 00:56:52.930 align:middle line:84%
And Marie, you are with us, but
I think I need you to unmute.

00:56:52.930 --> 00:56:56.167 align:middle line:90%
Mr. Chairman, did you call me?

00:56:56.167 --> 00:56:56.750 align:middle line:90%
Marie Sweeney.

00:56:56.750 --> 00:56:57.113 align:middle line:90%
Yes, I did, Marie.

00:56:57.113 --> 00:56:58.155 align:middle line:90%
Thank you for joining us.

00:56:58.155 --> 00:57:00.790 align:middle line:90%
Sorry, I had a technical glitch.

00:57:00.790 --> 00:57:02.650 align:middle line:84%
Good evening, Mr.
Chairman, and members

00:57:02.650 --> 00:57:04.270 align:middle line:90%
of the Redistricting Committee.

00:57:04.270 --> 00:57:05.980 align:middle line:84%
I'm really happy
that you're allowing

00:57:05.980 --> 00:57:08.690 align:middle line:90%
me to make a statement tonight.

00:57:08.690 --> 00:57:12.040 align:middle line:84%
My name is Marie Sweeney,
and I am a native of Lowell,

00:57:12.040 --> 00:57:15.970 align:middle line:84%
a 50 year resident of Tewksbury,
and a lifelong resident

00:57:15.970 --> 00:57:17.470 align:middle line:90%
of the Merrimack Valley.

00:57:17.470 --> 00:57:21.370 align:middle line:84%
And I've lived in the old fifth
district, the seventh district,

00:57:21.370 --> 00:57:23.590 align:middle line:90%
and now in the sixth district.

00:57:23.590 --> 00:57:25.900 align:middle line:84%
And while many might
connect me with politics

00:57:25.900 --> 00:57:29.800 align:middle line:84%
as the longtime chair, now
emeritus, of Greater Lowell

00:57:29.800 --> 00:57:33.850 align:middle line:84%
Area Democrats, and a member
of the Massachusetts Democratic

00:57:33.850 --> 00:57:37.930 align:middle line:84%
State Committee serving
the second Essex Middlesex

00:57:37.930 --> 00:57:41.230 align:middle line:84%
district we're so served
by Barry Finegold,

00:57:41.230 --> 00:57:44.170 align:middle line:84%
it's really my decades as
a community activist that

00:57:44.170 --> 00:57:47.060 align:middle line:90%
spurned me to comment tonight.

00:57:47.060 --> 00:57:50.060 align:middle line:84%
My activities and
issues and concerns

00:57:50.060 --> 00:57:55.490 align:middle line:84%
include advocacy for education,
history, preservation,

00:57:55.490 --> 00:57:59.870 align:middle line:84%
volunteerism, cultural
affairs, affordable housing,

00:57:59.870 --> 00:58:01.490 align:middle line:90%
and social services.

00:58:01.490 --> 00:58:05.030 align:middle line:84%
And I do see the big picture
of congressional districts,

00:58:05.030 --> 00:58:08.660 align:middle line:84%
and I see the closer local
challenges of Senate and Rep

00:58:08.660 --> 00:58:09.800 align:middle line:90%
districts.

00:58:09.800 --> 00:58:11.390 align:middle line:84%
I'm here this evening
because I have

00:58:11.390 --> 00:58:16.480 align:middle line:84%
seen how big picture decisions
affect the regular citizen.

00:58:16.480 --> 00:58:18.885 align:middle line:84%
The commonality of interest
of the core communities

00:58:18.885 --> 00:58:22.240 align:middle line:84%
of the currently
configured third district

00:58:22.240 --> 00:58:26.800 align:middle line:84%
go way beyond politics, into
its history, its geography,

00:58:26.800 --> 00:58:29.740 align:middle line:84%
its ethnicity and
diversity, as well as

00:58:29.740 --> 00:58:33.730 align:middle line:84%
shared values, experience,
goals, commitment,

00:58:33.730 --> 00:58:36.510 align:middle line:90%
and economic reality.

00:58:36.510 --> 00:58:40.050 align:middle line:84%
My particular concern is
the federal designation

00:58:40.050 --> 00:58:42.900 align:middle line:84%
and the funding approaches
that affect such programs

00:58:42.900 --> 00:58:47.470 align:middle line:84%
as Head Start, fuel assistance,
homelessness prevention,

00:58:47.470 --> 00:58:51.750 align:middle line:84%
early childhood education,
affordable housing

00:58:51.750 --> 00:58:56.790 align:middle line:84%
and services, workforce and job
development, youth programs,

00:58:56.790 --> 00:58:58.650 align:middle line:84%
small business
assistance, and more.

00:58:58.650 --> 00:59:01.620 align:middle line:84%
I sound like I serve on the
board of a community action

00:59:01.620 --> 00:59:02.820 align:middle line:90%
agency, and I do.

00:59:02.820 --> 00:59:06.600 align:middle line:84%
I've been on the board
of Community Teamwork

00:59:06.600 --> 00:59:09.120 align:middle line:90%
since the early '90s.

00:59:09.120 --> 00:59:12.280 align:middle line:84%
These are systems and programs
critical to the people

00:59:12.280 --> 00:59:14.640 align:middle line:84%
of the Greater Lowell
Merrimack Valley area.

00:59:14.640 --> 00:59:18.030 align:middle line:84%
It's the core corridor
of the third district.

00:59:18.030 --> 00:59:21.930 align:middle line:84%
The partnerships,
collaborations, and focused

00:59:21.930 --> 00:59:24.330 align:middle line:84%
commitment existing
in this core,

00:59:24.330 --> 00:59:28.380 align:middle line:84%
along with the clout of the
district congressperson,

00:59:28.380 --> 00:59:32.130 align:middle line:84%
and of course, I can't say
enough about Lori Trahan.

00:59:32.130 --> 00:59:34.860 align:middle line:84%
This directly impacts life
in the Merrimack Valley

00:59:34.860 --> 00:59:36.150 align:middle line:90%
and beyond.

00:59:36.150 --> 00:59:40.170 align:middle line:84%
I testified 10 years ago
when I feared a sell off

00:59:40.170 --> 00:59:42.010 align:middle line:84%
of the pieces of
the fifth district.

00:59:42.010 --> 00:59:45.280 align:middle line:84%
And fortunately,
that didn't happen.

00:59:45.280 --> 00:59:47.520 align:middle line:84%
Tonight I ask that
you continue to be

00:59:47.520 --> 00:59:51.090 align:middle line:84%
sensitive to all concerns
of district residents

00:59:51.090 --> 00:59:55.260 align:middle line:84%
as you consider your options and
make your very tough decisions.

00:59:55.260 --> 00:59:58.710 align:middle line:84%
Keeping the core of the third
district intact is important.

00:59:58.710 --> 01:00:02.820 align:middle line:84%
It's real, it's relevant,
it's vital to the well-being

01:00:02.820 --> 01:00:04.830 align:middle line:84%
and the future and
the quality of life

01:00:04.830 --> 01:00:07.860 align:middle line:84%
of the residents of
Massachusetts third district,

01:00:07.860 --> 01:00:11.490 align:middle line:84%
particularly in the Historic
Greater Lowell, Greater

01:00:11.490 --> 01:00:13.530 align:middle line:84%
Lawrence core of the
Merrimack Valley.

01:00:13.530 --> 01:00:17.540 align:middle line:84%
And I thank you for
listening to me.

01:00:17.540 --> 01:00:21.210 align:middle line:90%
Marie, thank you very much.

01:00:21.210 --> 01:00:22.730 align:middle line:84%
I really appreciate
your testimony

01:00:22.730 --> 01:00:25.340 align:middle line:84%
and your years of
advocacy, it sounds like,

01:00:25.340 --> 01:00:28.910 align:middle line:90%
in the Merrimack Valley area.

01:00:28.910 --> 01:00:30.620 align:middle line:84%
My wife is from the
Merrimack Valley,

01:00:30.620 --> 01:00:32.600 align:middle line:84%
so I got to show some
love to the valley,

01:00:32.600 --> 01:00:33.642 align:middle line:90%
you know what I'm saying.

01:00:33.642 --> 01:00:35.577 align:middle line:84%
Show a lot of love,
Mr. Chairman, please.

01:00:35.577 --> 01:00:38.140 align:middle line:90%


01:00:38.140 --> 01:00:40.280 align:middle line:84%
Their family came and
settled in Lawrence,

01:00:40.280 --> 01:00:42.020 align:middle line:84%
and then and then she
grew up in Andover.

01:00:42.020 --> 01:00:44.750 align:middle line:84%
And then she found a guy like
me and moved to Brighton.

01:00:44.750 --> 01:00:48.600 align:middle line:84%
So I like to think she's
a social climber, but--

01:00:48.600 --> 01:00:51.573 align:middle line:90%
She did well.

01:00:51.573 --> 01:00:53.240 align:middle line:84%
Listen, I appreciate
you taking the time

01:00:53.240 --> 01:00:55.520 align:middle line:90%
to come out tonight and testify.

01:00:55.520 --> 01:00:57.920 align:middle line:84%
And enjoy the rest
of your night,

01:00:57.920 --> 01:00:59.300 align:middle line:90%
whatever you're going to do.

01:00:59.300 --> 01:00:59.630 align:middle line:90%
Thank you very much.

01:00:59.630 --> 01:01:01.730 align:middle line:84%
I'm going to call that
next person to testify.

01:01:01.730 --> 01:01:06.200 align:middle line:90%
It's Myra Paral.

01:01:06.200 --> 01:01:06.875 align:middle line:90%
Myra Paral?

01:01:06.875 --> 01:01:17.840 align:middle line:90%


01:01:17.840 --> 01:01:19.240 align:middle line:90%
I can see you on there, Myra.

01:01:19.240 --> 01:01:21.850 align:middle line:90%


01:01:21.850 --> 01:01:23.380 align:middle line:90%
Let's see if you need to mute.

01:01:23.380 --> 01:01:24.400 align:middle line:90%
No, you're on there.

01:01:24.400 --> 01:01:39.530 align:middle line:90%


01:01:39.530 --> 01:01:45.210 align:middle line:84%
All right, Myra, while
Myra's figuring that out

01:01:45.210 --> 01:01:48.150 align:middle line:84%
I'm going to call somebody
from the Chelmsford School

01:01:48.150 --> 01:01:51.400 align:middle line:90%
Board, Kenneth Lefebvre.

01:01:51.400 --> 01:01:56.030 align:middle line:90%


01:01:56.030 --> 01:01:56.660 align:middle line:90%
Kenneth?

01:01:56.660 --> 01:01:59.077 align:middle line:84%
Kenneth, are you with us from
the Chelmsford School Board?

01:01:59.077 --> 01:02:05.700 align:middle line:90%


01:02:05.700 --> 01:02:07.660 align:middle line:90%
There you are.

01:02:07.660 --> 01:02:09.850 align:middle line:90%
Yes, how are you?

01:02:09.850 --> 01:02:11.377 align:middle line:90%
Kenneth, nice to meet you.

01:02:11.377 --> 01:02:13.210 align:middle line:84%
What do you have to say
about redistricting?

01:02:13.210 --> 01:02:15.660 align:middle line:84%
We want to hear what
you have to say.

01:02:15.660 --> 01:02:17.315 align:middle line:84%
Sure, so first
off I'm just going

01:02:17.315 --> 01:02:20.370 align:middle line:84%
to start by saying I'm on
the Chelmsford Select Board.

01:02:20.370 --> 01:02:21.690 align:middle line:90%
Yep.

01:02:21.690 --> 01:02:24.100 align:middle line:84%
So thank you for
having me tonight.

01:02:24.100 --> 01:02:26.490 align:middle line:84%
And thank you for
holding the hearings.

01:02:26.490 --> 01:02:28.075 align:middle line:84%
And I'll just keep
my words brief.

01:02:28.075 --> 01:02:29.700 align:middle line:84%
I don't really have
a lot of experience

01:02:29.700 --> 01:02:32.370 align:middle line:84%
of speaking in forums
like this, so I'll just

01:02:32.370 --> 01:02:33.855 align:middle line:90%
keep it short and sweet.

01:02:33.855 --> 01:02:35.730 align:middle line:84%
I just want to start
off by saying Chelmsford

01:02:35.730 --> 01:02:37.680 align:middle line:90%
is represented by four reps.

01:02:37.680 --> 01:02:40.020 align:middle line:90%
We appreciate the work they do.

01:02:40.020 --> 01:02:42.550 align:middle line:90%
They're very responsive.

01:02:42.550 --> 01:02:44.850 align:middle line:90%
They're fantastic to work with.

01:02:44.850 --> 01:02:47.370 align:middle line:84%
Each and every one of them,
when we reach out to them,

01:02:47.370 --> 01:02:48.930 align:middle line:90%
they respond.

01:02:48.930 --> 01:02:49.860 align:middle line:90%
They'll meet with us.

01:02:49.860 --> 01:02:53.040 align:middle line:84%
And they're great,
they do a great job.

01:02:53.040 --> 01:02:57.240 align:middle line:84%
However, the town is
divided with four reps.

01:02:57.240 --> 01:03:00.750 align:middle line:84%
And sometimes the
residents here,

01:03:00.750 --> 01:03:04.080 align:middle line:84%
and specifically some of
the other boards in town

01:03:04.080 --> 01:03:05.970 align:middle line:84%
and our board, we
sometimes wonder

01:03:05.970 --> 01:03:08.910 align:middle line:84%
how a rep can make a decision
for Chelmsford if it's

01:03:08.910 --> 01:03:10.500 align:middle line:84%
at the detriment
to one of the towns

01:03:10.500 --> 01:03:14.100 align:middle line:84%
they represent with a
much larger population.

01:03:14.100 --> 01:03:18.920 align:middle line:84%
And so we appreciate that
this year is an opportunity

01:03:18.920 --> 01:03:21.830 align:middle line:90%
for redistricting.

01:03:21.830 --> 01:03:24.780 align:middle line:84%
Chelmsford has a lot
of growing needs.

01:03:24.780 --> 01:03:30.440 align:middle line:84%
We would appreciate a voice of
either a single rep or a split

01:03:30.440 --> 01:03:32.310 align:middle line:90%
rep.

01:03:32.310 --> 01:03:35.580 align:middle line:84%
And I think that would
really, hopefully, benefit us

01:03:35.580 --> 01:03:36.330 align:middle line:90%
in the future.

01:03:36.330 --> 01:03:38.280 align:middle line:84%
Again, there's nothing wrong
with reps that we have now.

01:03:38.280 --> 01:03:39.180 align:middle line:90%
They're doing a great job.

01:03:39.180 --> 01:03:40.638 align:middle line:84%
Very, like I said,
very responsive,

01:03:40.638 --> 01:03:43.510 align:middle line:90%
been wonderful to work with.

01:03:43.510 --> 01:03:47.015 align:middle line:84%
But we're just trying to
get more representation

01:03:47.015 --> 01:03:47.640 align:middle line:90%
for Chelmsford.

01:03:47.640 --> 01:03:49.020 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

01:03:49.020 --> 01:03:51.210 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Kenneth.

01:03:51.210 --> 01:03:53.910 align:middle line:84%
Incidentally, I have
a district that I

01:03:53.910 --> 01:03:58.590 align:middle line:84%
represent one small precinct
in the town of Brookline.

01:03:58.590 --> 01:04:02.040 align:middle line:84%
They actually have
four reps as well.

01:04:02.040 --> 01:04:06.030 align:middle line:84%
It can be challenging,
but we do the best we can.

01:04:06.030 --> 01:04:07.950 align:middle line:84%
And if you're
attentive and listen

01:04:07.950 --> 01:04:10.650 align:middle line:84%
and you work with
your other colleagues

01:04:10.650 --> 01:04:14.940 align:middle line:84%
you can really move the
needle, as they say.

01:04:14.940 --> 01:04:17.940 align:middle line:84%
But I have no questions
for you, Kenneth.

01:04:17.940 --> 01:04:20.616 align:middle line:84%
I will ask my colleagues if they
have any questions for Kenneth?

01:04:20.616 --> 01:04:24.020 align:middle line:90%


01:04:24.020 --> 01:04:28.160 align:middle line:84%
All right, hearing none I
will move to Deb Busser.

01:04:28.160 --> 01:04:31.200 align:middle line:90%


01:04:31.200 --> 01:04:31.700 align:middle line:90%
Deb?

01:04:31.700 --> 01:04:38.040 align:middle line:90%


01:04:38.040 --> 01:04:38.670 align:middle line:90%
There you are.

01:04:38.670 --> 01:04:39.312 align:middle line:90%
I can see you.

01:04:39.312 --> 01:04:41.020 align:middle line:84%
You just got to unmute
and we're all set.

01:04:41.020 --> 01:04:44.700 align:middle line:90%


01:04:44.700 --> 01:04:48.180 align:middle line:84%
Yes, thank you Chairman
Moran, Chairman Brownsberger,

01:04:48.180 --> 01:04:51.330 align:middle line:84%
and the rest of the committee
for holding these hearings

01:04:51.330 --> 01:04:53.940 align:middle line:84%
and for the opportunity
to speak tonight.

01:04:53.940 --> 01:04:55.110 align:middle line:90%
Again, I'm Deb Busser.

01:04:55.110 --> 01:04:58.410 align:middle line:84%
I was the Democratic candidate
for state rep for the First

01:04:58.410 --> 01:05:00.810 align:middle line:90%
Middlesex district in 2020.

01:05:00.810 --> 01:05:03.840 align:middle line:84%
And as such, just
have some observations

01:05:03.840 --> 01:05:07.590 align:middle line:84%
around this district
in particular.

01:05:07.590 --> 01:05:09.840 align:middle line:84%
First, I know there
are other towns that

01:05:09.840 --> 01:05:11.760 align:middle line:90%
are split between precincts.

01:05:11.760 --> 01:05:16.650 align:middle line:84%
But in the First Middlesex House
district that town is Ayer.

01:05:16.650 --> 01:05:18.900 align:middle line:84%
There are two
precincts in Ayer that

01:05:18.900 --> 01:05:20.130 align:middle line:90%
comprise the House district.

01:05:20.130 --> 01:05:23.310 align:middle line:84%
And there are common issues
around drinking water,

01:05:23.310 --> 01:05:26.100 align:middle line:84%
working with the army at
Devens, that I believe

01:05:26.100 --> 01:05:28.860 align:middle line:84%
are made more difficult without
a single point of contact

01:05:28.860 --> 01:05:30.990 align:middle line:90%
at the House level.

01:05:30.990 --> 01:05:33.570 align:middle line:84%
So I'm asking for
some consideration,

01:05:33.570 --> 01:05:36.960 align:middle line:84%
I guess, around what
happens with Ayer.

01:05:36.960 --> 01:05:39.090 align:middle line:84%
The other thing that
I'd just like two

01:05:39.090 --> 01:05:42.450 align:middle line:84%
raise to the committee, is that
the western part of the First

01:05:42.450 --> 01:05:45.420 align:middle line:84%
Middlesex House district, so
those are the towns of Ashby,

01:05:45.420 --> 01:05:48.630 align:middle line:84%
Townsend, and Pepperell, all
comprise the North Middlesex

01:05:48.630 --> 01:05:50.520 align:middle line:90%
Regional School District.

01:05:50.520 --> 01:05:53.670 align:middle line:84%
And each one of those towns
has a different state Senator.

01:05:53.670 --> 01:05:56.480 align:middle line:84%
Very fortunate to
have Senator Gobi.

01:05:56.480 --> 01:05:59.370 align:middle line:84%
Newly elected Senator
Cronin, and Senator Kennedy.

01:05:59.370 --> 01:06:01.950 align:middle line:84%
But again, I think when it
comes to coordinating around

01:06:01.950 --> 01:06:04.200 align:middle line:84%
issues that impact
those three towns, which

01:06:04.200 --> 01:06:07.890 align:middle line:84%
are very connected, I think the
coordination can be difficult.

01:06:07.890 --> 01:06:09.900 align:middle line:84%
And I think just the
last thing that I

01:06:09.900 --> 01:06:13.260 align:middle line:84%
would say again, in looking
at the First Middlesex House

01:06:13.260 --> 01:06:16.590 align:middle line:84%
district, is that
these 5 and 1/2 towns

01:06:16.590 --> 01:06:18.540 align:middle line:84%
actually have four
state senators.

01:06:18.540 --> 01:06:21.810 align:middle line:84%
And again, I know there was
a comment earlier around sort

01:06:21.810 --> 01:06:25.530 align:middle line:84%
of which comes first,
drawing the House lines

01:06:25.530 --> 01:06:27.450 align:middle line:90%
or the Senate lines?

01:06:27.450 --> 01:06:30.480 align:middle line:84%
But I do again, feel like
this particular district would

01:06:30.480 --> 01:06:34.200 align:middle line:84%
be better served if somehow
that number was a bit smaller.

01:06:34.200 --> 01:06:36.630 align:middle line:84%
And I think just
lastly, I do want

01:06:36.630 --> 01:06:39.060 align:middle line:84%
to say, as a resident of
Groton I am incredibly

01:06:39.060 --> 01:06:42.523 align:middle line:84%
grateful for Congresswoman
Trahan's leadership

01:06:42.523 --> 01:06:43.065 align:middle line:90%
and advocacy.

01:06:43.065 --> 01:06:46.298 align:middle line:84%
Please don't do anything
about moving Groton or any

01:06:46.298 --> 01:06:47.340 align:middle line:90%
of the surrounding towns.

01:06:47.340 --> 01:06:49.173 align:middle line:84%
I think we are incredibly
well served there,

01:06:49.173 --> 01:06:52.630 align:middle line:90%
and I'm very grateful.

01:06:52.630 --> 01:06:53.770 align:middle line:90%
That's excellent.

01:06:53.770 --> 01:06:54.420 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Deb.

01:06:54.420 --> 01:06:57.785 align:middle line:84%
I appreciate it, taking
the time to testify here.

01:06:57.785 --> 01:06:59.410 align:middle line:84%
Do my colleagues,
any of my colleagues,

01:06:59.410 --> 01:07:01.068 align:middle line:90%
have any questions for Deb?

01:07:01.068 --> 01:07:02.860 align:middle line:84%
And again, Anne Gobi
gets another shoutout.

01:07:02.860 --> 01:07:05.088 align:middle line:90%


01:07:05.088 --> 01:07:06.130 align:middle line:90%
What are you doing, Anne?

01:07:06.130 --> 01:07:07.990 align:middle line:90%
You're doing great, I guess.

01:07:07.990 --> 01:07:08.790 align:middle line:90%
Thanks, Deb.

01:07:08.790 --> 01:07:11.750 align:middle line:90%


01:07:11.750 --> 01:07:12.250 align:middle line:90%
Great.

01:07:12.250 --> 01:07:14.980 align:middle line:84%
Thanks, Deb, I appreciate
your testimony.

01:07:14.980 --> 01:07:17.860 align:middle line:84%
I will call our next
person, which is Mary Robb.

01:07:17.860 --> 01:07:19.330 align:middle line:90%
Mary, I see that you're on.

01:07:19.330 --> 01:07:22.480 align:middle line:90%


01:07:22.480 --> 01:07:23.505 align:middle line:90%
Good evening.

01:07:23.505 --> 01:07:25.630 align:middle line:84%
Thank you very much, Mr.
Chairman, Mr Vice Chairman

01:07:25.630 --> 01:07:27.820 align:middle line:90%
for this opportunity.

01:07:27.820 --> 01:07:29.980 align:middle line:84%
Part of my reason
for joining tonight

01:07:29.980 --> 01:07:32.090 align:middle line:90%
is to better educate myself.

01:07:32.090 --> 01:07:37.570 align:middle line:84%
I am a 28 year veteran
high school teacher

01:07:37.570 --> 01:07:39.910 align:middle line:84%
in Massachusetts,
the largest portion

01:07:39.910 --> 01:07:43.000 align:middle line:84%
of those years in
Andover, Massachusetts.

01:07:43.000 --> 01:07:45.970 align:middle line:84%
And one of the courses I teach
is called democracy and media

01:07:45.970 --> 01:07:46.720 align:middle line:90%
literacy.

01:07:46.720 --> 01:07:51.580 align:middle line:84%
And each time I start a
class with my students

01:07:51.580 --> 01:07:54.910 align:middle line:84%
I realize it's my goal to
help them develop faith

01:07:54.910 --> 01:07:56.810 align:middle line:90%
in our system.

01:07:56.810 --> 01:08:00.467 align:middle line:84%
And I should say systems, in
the town government of Andover,

01:08:00.467 --> 01:08:02.050 align:middle line:84%
the state government
of Massachusetts,

01:08:02.050 --> 01:08:03.760 align:middle line:90%
and our national government.

01:08:03.760 --> 01:08:06.490 align:middle line:84%
And one of the things
that always trips them up

01:08:06.490 --> 01:08:08.080 align:middle line:84%
is the concept of
gerrymandering.

01:08:08.080 --> 01:08:10.364 align:middle line:84%
And Mr. Chairman, you
made a comment earlier

01:08:10.364 --> 01:08:11.822 align:middle line:84%
that made me chuckle
about when you

01:08:11.822 --> 01:08:14.500 align:middle line:84%
head up north there to that
Merrimack Valley things

01:08:14.500 --> 01:08:15.570 align:middle line:90%
get kind of crazy.

01:08:15.570 --> 01:08:18.040 align:middle line:84%
It's the birthplace
of gerrymandering,

01:08:18.040 --> 01:08:23.890 align:middle line:84%
with Andover, Haverhill,
Salisbury, Methuen, Amesbury,

01:08:23.890 --> 01:08:25.569 align:middle line:84%
Lynnfield, Middleton,
all of those

01:08:25.569 --> 01:08:31.149 align:middle line:84%
included in that original
gerrymandered district.

01:08:31.149 --> 01:08:33.490 align:middle line:84%
But there's a couple of
things that I observed

01:08:33.490 --> 01:08:35.720 align:middle line:90%
that I wanted to point out.

01:08:35.720 --> 01:08:37.870 align:middle line:84%
One of them was
Jessica, and I want

01:08:37.870 --> 01:08:40.090 align:middle line:84%
to make sure I say
her name correctly,

01:08:40.090 --> 01:08:44.020 align:middle line:84%
Finocchiaro, mentioning getting
more people from the community

01:08:44.020 --> 01:08:44.620 align:middle line:90%
involved.

01:08:44.620 --> 01:08:51.370 align:middle line:84%
And I can't speak
more enthusiastically

01:08:51.370 --> 01:08:53.010 align:middle line:90%
about doing exactly that.

01:08:53.010 --> 01:08:54.819 align:middle line:84%
Oh, there we go, now
I found my video feed.

01:08:54.819 --> 01:08:57.600 align:middle line:90%
There it is.

01:08:57.600 --> 01:08:59.600 align:middle line:84%
I would urge you going
forward-- if I'm correct,

01:08:59.600 --> 01:09:01.100 align:middle line:84%
you said your
deadline is November?

01:09:01.100 --> 01:09:02.990 align:middle line:90%
Is that accurate?

01:09:02.990 --> 01:09:05.790 align:middle line:84%
November 8th is we have
to live in our district.

01:09:05.790 --> 01:09:06.800 align:middle line:90%
So that's--

01:09:06.800 --> 01:09:09.095 align:middle line:84%
OK, so I'm sorry I
misunderstood that deadline.

01:09:09.095 --> 01:09:10.040 align:middle line:90%
That is a deadline.

01:09:10.040 --> 01:09:11.540 align:middle line:90%
That is a deadline.

01:09:11.540 --> 01:09:13.399 align:middle line:84%
But I meant in terms
of redistricting,

01:09:13.399 --> 01:09:16.205 align:middle line:90%
I would urge you to reach out--

01:09:16.205 --> 01:09:18.080 align:middle line:84%
and I'm not quite sure
how you would do this,

01:09:18.080 --> 01:09:19.788 align:middle line:84%
but I'd be happy to
work with you on it--

01:09:19.788 --> 01:09:23.359 align:middle line:84%
to schools, particularly high
schools in the Commonwealth.

01:09:23.359 --> 01:09:25.580 align:middle line:84%
My students are 17
and 18 years old,

01:09:25.580 --> 01:09:28.010 align:middle line:84%
and they are either just
becoming registered voters

01:09:28.010 --> 01:09:29.840 align:middle line:84%
or they're about to
be registered voters.

01:09:29.840 --> 01:09:32.899 align:middle line:84%
And they need to have an
understanding of this.

01:09:32.899 --> 01:09:36.740 align:middle line:84%
They need to have a
way to wrap their minds

01:09:36.740 --> 01:09:38.750 align:middle line:84%
around what redistricting
means and what it will

01:09:38.750 --> 01:09:39.875 align:middle line:90%
mean for their communities.

01:09:39.875 --> 01:09:41.930 align:middle line:84%
And the issues that have
been brought up tonight

01:09:41.930 --> 01:09:44.840 align:middle line:84%
are certainly ones that I
will share about communities

01:09:44.840 --> 01:09:47.720 align:middle line:90%
like Chelmsford with four reps.

01:09:47.720 --> 01:09:52.040 align:middle line:84%
The comments that Joshua
Alba from the Lawrence School

01:09:52.040 --> 01:09:55.940 align:middle line:84%
Committee mentioned about the
uniqueness of that community

01:09:55.940 --> 01:09:58.130 align:middle line:90%
that he serves.

01:09:58.130 --> 01:10:01.160 align:middle line:84%
But there is one thing
that I did struggle with.

01:10:01.160 --> 01:10:03.840 align:middle line:90%


01:10:03.840 --> 01:10:06.120 align:middle line:84%
This is an opportunity
for community input,

01:10:06.120 --> 01:10:09.270 align:middle line:84%
and I understand that it's
difficult to make outreach.

01:10:09.270 --> 01:10:11.970 align:middle line:84%
But I do want to
note this observation

01:10:11.970 --> 01:10:17.160 align:middle line:84%
that the first people to speak
were all elected officials.

01:10:17.160 --> 01:10:20.370 align:middle line:84%
And they absolutely
must be heard.

01:10:20.370 --> 01:10:23.940 align:middle line:84%
Their voice is as important
as everyone else's.

01:10:23.940 --> 01:10:26.190 align:middle line:84%
But elected
officials have access

01:10:26.190 --> 01:10:31.410 align:middle line:84%
to speaking opportunities more
so than an average citizen.

01:10:31.410 --> 01:10:33.860 align:middle line:84%
And in my experiences, at
the town and the state level,

01:10:33.860 --> 01:10:36.010 align:middle line:90%
our input is timed.

01:10:36.010 --> 01:10:38.010 align:middle line:84%
We have three minutes to
say this or two minutes

01:10:38.010 --> 01:10:39.025 align:middle line:90%
to say that.

01:10:39.025 --> 01:10:41.400 align:middle line:84%
And quite often, our elected
officials get the last word.

01:10:41.400 --> 01:10:44.160 align:middle line:84%
So just going
forward, I would urge

01:10:44.160 --> 01:10:51.330 align:middle line:84%
you to consider allowing regular
citizens, voters, to speak

01:10:51.330 --> 01:10:55.170 align:middle line:84%
first, or maybe mix
them up together.

01:10:55.170 --> 01:10:56.640 align:middle line:90%
Everybody's time is valuable.

01:10:56.640 --> 01:10:59.490 align:middle line:90%
Everybody's time is important.

01:10:59.490 --> 01:11:02.070 align:middle line:84%
I'd just be curious as
to how many of the folks

01:11:02.070 --> 01:11:06.210 align:middle line:84%
that already spoke are
still here paying attention

01:11:06.210 --> 01:11:09.790 align:middle line:90%
an hour and 15 minutes later.

01:11:09.790 --> 01:11:14.220 align:middle line:84%
And then finally, just about
the necessity of redistricting

01:11:14.220 --> 01:11:17.220 align:middle line:90%
and how important it is.

01:11:17.220 --> 01:11:20.700 align:middle line:84%
To end my US history
courses, because we

01:11:20.700 --> 01:11:23.070 align:middle line:84%
talk about some really
unpleasant aspects

01:11:23.070 --> 01:11:28.210 align:middle line:84%
of our history, I try to end
with some of the very positive

01:11:28.210 --> 01:11:30.820 align:middle line:90%
about our country's history.

01:11:30.820 --> 01:11:35.590 align:middle line:84%
And I show them video
images from 9/11,

01:11:35.590 --> 01:11:37.268 align:middle line:84%
both a documentary
from firefighters

01:11:37.268 --> 01:11:38.560 align:middle line:90%
who were actually on the scene.

01:11:38.560 --> 01:11:39.935 align:middle line:84%
But one of them
in particular was

01:11:39.935 --> 01:11:42.370 align:middle line:84%
about the 9/11
boatlift, when much

01:11:42.370 --> 01:11:45.130 align:middle line:84%
like after the Battle of
Dunkirk an all call was put out

01:11:45.130 --> 01:11:48.160 align:middle line:84%
by the Coast Guard and
literally hundreds of vessels,

01:11:48.160 --> 01:11:52.390 align:middle line:84%
private vessels, sailed into
Manhattan, picked people up,

01:11:52.390 --> 01:11:58.880 align:middle line:84%
and evacuated about 500,000
people in about nine hours.

01:11:58.880 --> 01:12:00.610 align:middle line:84%
And I explained to
them that something

01:12:00.610 --> 01:12:03.820 align:middle line:84%
that didn't happen that
day, as people were getting

01:12:03.820 --> 01:12:06.580 align:middle line:84%
onto these boats nobody stopped
and said oh wait a minute,

01:12:06.580 --> 01:12:08.710 align:middle line:84%
are you a Democrat or
are you a Republican?

01:12:08.710 --> 01:12:10.300 align:middle line:90%
Wait, what's your religion?

01:12:10.300 --> 01:12:12.730 align:middle line:84%
I'm sorry, I don't
like your color.

01:12:12.730 --> 01:12:14.470 align:middle line:90%
Nobody did that.

01:12:14.470 --> 01:12:16.180 align:middle line:84%
And Representative
Trahan mentioned

01:12:16.180 --> 01:12:20.110 align:middle line:84%
about how our community came
together in a time of crisis

01:12:20.110 --> 01:12:21.680 align:middle line:84%
around COVID, and
we certainly did.

01:12:21.680 --> 01:12:24.310 align:middle line:84%
And I think Americans have
a particular knack for that,

01:12:24.310 --> 01:12:26.780 align:middle line:84%
for coming together
in difficult times.

01:12:26.780 --> 01:12:30.460 align:middle line:84%
But redistricting and making
it possible for communities

01:12:30.460 --> 01:12:34.540 align:middle line:84%
to best come together to
interact with their elected

01:12:34.540 --> 01:12:38.320 align:middle line:84%
officials, that's how
we manage to be active

01:12:38.320 --> 01:12:42.220 align:middle line:84%
and to exhibit our very best
when we're not in a crisis.

01:12:42.220 --> 01:12:46.700 align:middle line:84%
When it's the day to day stuff
that's not really exciting.

01:12:46.700 --> 01:12:51.220 align:middle line:84%
It's not something that reaches
way down deep inside of us,

01:12:51.220 --> 01:12:53.050 align:middle line:90%
but it's so, so vital.

01:12:53.050 --> 01:12:55.660 align:middle line:84%
So I appreciate the time
and effort that all of you

01:12:55.660 --> 01:12:58.210 align:middle line:84%
have put into this,
because I think

01:12:58.210 --> 01:13:01.360 align:middle line:84%
redistricting is one
of the things that

01:13:01.360 --> 01:13:04.570 align:middle line:84%
helps us come together in
effective and cooperative

01:13:04.570 --> 01:13:05.510 align:middle line:90%
communities.

01:13:05.510 --> 01:13:07.330 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

01:13:07.330 --> 01:13:09.670 align:middle line:90%
Thank you very much, Mary.

01:13:09.670 --> 01:13:16.630 align:middle line:84%
I would also note that
those high school kids

01:13:16.630 --> 01:13:20.740 align:middle line:84%
that you were referring to,
you should encourage them

01:13:20.740 --> 01:13:24.010 align:middle line:84%
to preregister, because we
can do that in Massachusetts.

01:13:24.010 --> 01:13:25.610 align:middle line:90%
We did that--

01:13:25.610 --> 01:13:27.370 align:middle line:84%
We do registration
drives every year.

01:13:27.370 --> 01:13:30.670 align:middle line:84%
We've got about, if I'm correct,
our last estimate was about 2/3

01:13:30.670 --> 01:13:33.760 align:middle line:84%
of our school population who
can be preregistered are.

01:13:33.760 --> 01:13:37.600 align:middle line:84%
I was the chair of the election
laws committee at the time when

01:13:37.600 --> 01:13:38.390 align:middle line:90%
we did that bill.

01:13:38.390 --> 01:13:41.470 align:middle line:84%
And so we were able to make
sure that kids that are

01:13:41.470 --> 01:13:42.797 align:middle line:90%
in high school can preregister.

01:13:42.797 --> 01:13:44.005 align:middle line:90%
Thank you very much for that.

01:13:44.005 --> 01:13:45.290 align:middle line:90%
It's greatly appreciated.

01:13:45.290 --> 01:13:48.400 align:middle line:84%
So anyways, I will ask my
colleagues on the committee

01:13:48.400 --> 01:13:50.517 align:middle line:84%
if they have any
questions for Mary?

01:13:50.517 --> 01:13:51.350 align:middle line:90%
That would be great.

01:13:51.350 --> 01:13:54.875 align:middle line:84%
If not, I will move on to
the next person to testify.

01:13:54.875 --> 01:13:56.900 align:middle line:90%
Thank you for your testimony.

01:13:56.900 --> 01:13:57.580 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Mary.

01:13:57.580 --> 01:13:59.380 align:middle line:90%
I appreciate your testimony.

01:13:59.380 --> 01:14:03.130 align:middle line:90%
We will now move to Rob Zidek.

01:14:03.130 --> 01:14:03.940 align:middle line:90%
Rob Zidek?

01:14:03.940 --> 01:14:16.732 align:middle line:90%


01:14:16.732 --> 01:14:20.425 align:middle line:84%
I don't see Rob, so I will
give him a few more minutes.

01:14:20.425 --> 01:14:21.300 align:middle line:90%
A few seconds, sorry.

01:14:21.300 --> 01:14:24.230 align:middle line:90%


01:14:24.230 --> 01:14:25.070 align:middle line:90%
There I am.

01:14:25.070 --> 01:14:25.990 align:middle line:90%
Here you go.

01:14:25.990 --> 01:14:28.200 align:middle line:90%
Yeah, thank you very much.

01:14:28.200 --> 01:14:32.000 align:middle line:84%
For some reason,
Zoom recycled on me.

01:14:32.000 --> 01:14:35.210 align:middle line:84%
I really joined in
to learn the process.

01:14:35.210 --> 01:14:38.420 align:middle line:90%
I'm fairly new to Massachusetts.

01:14:38.420 --> 01:14:45.170 align:middle line:84%
I've only been here since
2017, and I appreciate you

01:14:45.170 --> 01:14:48.530 align:middle line:90%
letting me speak, Mr. Chairman.

01:14:48.530 --> 01:14:51.890 align:middle line:84%
I would also like to echo
what others have said,

01:14:51.890 --> 01:14:54.950 align:middle line:84%
and that is an
intense desire to--

01:14:54.950 --> 01:15:00.290 align:middle line:84%
I live in Lancaster-- to
stay in Lori's district.

01:15:00.290 --> 01:15:03.515 align:middle line:84%
I got to meet her at a
Bolton town hall right

01:15:03.515 --> 01:15:05.420 align:middle line:90%
before the COVID hit.

01:15:05.420 --> 01:15:09.720 align:middle line:84%
And I feel like she's
almost part of the family.

01:15:09.720 --> 01:15:12.560 align:middle line:84%
So if there's any way to
keep us in her district,

01:15:12.560 --> 01:15:13.820 align:middle line:90%
I'd appreciate it.

01:15:13.820 --> 01:15:15.830 align:middle line:84%
But otherwise,
thank you very much.

01:15:15.830 --> 01:15:19.260 align:middle line:84%
And I wish everyone a
happy and safe evening.

01:15:19.260 --> 01:15:19.760 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

01:15:19.760 --> 01:15:33.190 align:middle line:90%


01:15:33.190 --> 01:15:34.980 align:middle line:84%
You're still muted,
Mr. Chairman.

01:15:34.980 --> 01:15:35.480 align:middle line:90%
There we go.

01:15:35.480 --> 01:15:37.180 align:middle line:84%
I kept hitting it
and it wouldn't go.

01:15:37.180 --> 01:15:37.870 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Rob.

01:15:37.870 --> 01:15:41.200 align:middle line:84%
I appreciate you taking the
time to learn about the process

01:15:41.200 --> 01:15:44.050 align:middle line:90%
and to give us your thoughts.

01:15:44.050 --> 01:15:46.330 align:middle line:90%
It's important.

01:15:46.330 --> 01:15:49.540 align:middle line:84%
Lancaster is a
mecca that we need

01:15:49.540 --> 01:15:52.990 align:middle line:84%
to keep into Trahan's
district, into Lori's district.

01:15:52.990 --> 01:15:55.450 align:middle line:84%
So we hear that, and
we will try to do

01:15:55.450 --> 01:15:56.900 align:middle line:90%
that our very best to do that.

01:15:56.900 --> 01:16:02.332 align:middle line:84%
So I will call the next
person to testify, Wendy Rock.

01:16:02.332 --> 01:16:03.790 align:middle line:84%
Thank you, Rob,
for your testimony.

01:16:03.790 --> 01:16:04.290 align:middle line:90%
Wendy?

01:16:04.290 --> 01:16:11.740 align:middle line:90%


01:16:11.740 --> 01:16:15.050 align:middle line:90%
There you are, I can see you.

01:16:15.050 --> 01:16:16.670 align:middle line:90%
Here I am.

01:16:16.670 --> 01:16:20.750 align:middle line:84%
I wanted to thank you very much
for the opportunity to join.

01:16:20.750 --> 01:16:25.310 align:middle line:84%
I think most of my questions
have already been addressed.

01:16:25.310 --> 01:16:29.150 align:middle line:84%
I would like to say, though,
that as a special education

01:16:29.150 --> 01:16:31.400 align:middle line:84%
teacher who is in
session year round

01:16:31.400 --> 01:16:35.840 align:middle line:84%
and was in person learning
through the entire pandemic,

01:16:35.840 --> 01:16:39.780 align:middle line:84%
my kids would love the challenge
of trying to figure out

01:16:39.780 --> 01:16:41.030 align:middle line:90%
where to put all these people.

01:16:41.030 --> 01:16:44.600 align:middle line:84%
Because I do not envy
the task ahead of you.

01:16:44.600 --> 01:16:48.140 align:middle line:84%
I'm trying to do summer
activities right now,

01:16:48.140 --> 01:16:50.400 align:middle line:90%
and it's a challenge.

01:16:50.400 --> 01:16:53.480 align:middle line:90%


01:16:53.480 --> 01:16:55.760 align:middle line:90%
I hear you, Wendy, I hear you.

01:16:55.760 --> 01:16:59.460 align:middle line:84%
And thank you for
you know, it was

01:16:59.460 --> 01:17:01.040 align:middle line:84%
scary in the beginning
for teachers.

01:17:01.040 --> 01:17:05.962 align:middle line:84%
They wanted to teach, and we
didn't know enough about what

01:17:05.962 --> 01:17:07.170 align:middle line:90%
was going on with this thing.

01:17:07.170 --> 01:17:11.840 align:middle line:84%
And especially the kids that
really needed special education

01:17:11.840 --> 01:17:13.470 align:middle line:90%
is very important.

01:17:13.470 --> 01:17:16.250 align:middle line:84%
So thank you for your
commitment to that

01:17:16.250 --> 01:17:18.063 align:middle line:90%
and working through that.

01:17:18.063 --> 01:17:19.730 align:middle line:84%
Hopefully, we're in
better times for you

01:17:19.730 --> 01:17:22.490 align:middle line:84%
and everybody else at this
point in time in this process.

01:17:22.490 --> 01:17:26.120 align:middle line:84%
Hey, it was pretty
smooth, I got to say.

01:17:26.120 --> 01:17:29.240 align:middle line:84%
The state was here
for us, backing us up.

01:17:29.240 --> 01:17:32.000 align:middle line:84%
Because we are a residential
program with DCF kids.

01:17:32.000 --> 01:17:34.670 align:middle line:84%
So we can't really put
them on the street.

01:17:34.670 --> 01:17:39.410 align:middle line:84%
No, those are the stories
that are so challenging.

01:17:39.410 --> 01:17:41.580 align:middle line:84%
And you don't hear enough
of those sometimes.

01:17:41.580 --> 01:17:45.707 align:middle line:84%
That people, they come
together and just figure out

01:17:45.707 --> 01:17:46.790 align:middle line:90%
how to get it done, right.

01:17:46.790 --> 01:17:47.780 align:middle line:90%
That's right.

01:17:47.780 --> 01:17:49.363 align:middle line:90%
You got to do it.

01:17:49.363 --> 01:17:50.780 align:middle line:84%
Because there is
no option, right?

01:17:50.780 --> 01:17:51.380 align:middle line:90%
That's right.

01:17:51.380 --> 01:17:52.820 align:middle line:90%
That's right.

01:17:52.820 --> 01:17:55.340 align:middle line:84%
Well, listen, I appreciate
your taking time, Wendy,

01:17:55.340 --> 01:17:56.510 align:middle line:90%
to come and join us.

01:17:56.510 --> 01:17:59.370 align:middle line:84%
Very much appreciated, and
I appreciate your comments.

01:17:59.370 --> 01:18:00.000 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

01:18:00.000 --> 01:18:02.333 align:middle line:84%
And I will ask my colleagues
if they have any questions.

01:18:02.333 --> 01:18:06.110 align:middle line:84%
I doubt they will,
but I will ask.

01:18:06.110 --> 01:18:09.530 align:middle line:84%
Hearing none, thank you,
Wendy, for your testimony.

01:18:09.530 --> 01:18:13.340 align:middle line:84%
I now would like to announce
a few other people that

01:18:13.340 --> 01:18:14.030 align:middle line:90%
have joined us.

01:18:14.030 --> 01:18:19.310 align:middle line:84%
The gentleman from
the great city of--

01:18:19.310 --> 01:18:21.770 align:middle line:84%
Billy Strauss,
help me out, Billy.

01:18:21.770 --> 01:18:22.940 align:middle line:90%
Where are we at?

01:18:22.940 --> 01:18:25.670 align:middle line:84%
Mattapoisett, that's
right, Mattapoisett.

01:18:25.670 --> 01:18:28.280 align:middle line:90%
I almost said Fall River.

01:18:28.280 --> 01:18:29.593 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Mr. Chair.

01:18:29.593 --> 01:18:32.010 align:middle line:84%
The gentleman from Mattapoisett,
Billy Strauss is with us.

01:18:32.010 --> 01:18:34.260 align:middle line:84%
Thank you, Billy, for taking
time out of your schedule

01:18:34.260 --> 01:18:35.720 align:middle line:90%
to join us on this.

01:18:35.720 --> 01:18:39.080 align:middle line:84%
I know you have a conference
budget that you're working on,

01:18:39.080 --> 01:18:42.680 align:middle line:84%
and I appreciate you taking
time to come to this.

01:18:42.680 --> 01:18:45.290 align:middle line:84%
So now leads me to my
next person to testify,

01:18:45.290 --> 01:18:46.460 align:middle line:90%
Judith Durant.

01:18:46.460 --> 01:18:48.110 align:middle line:90%
Judith Durant, are you here?

01:18:48.110 --> 01:18:52.853 align:middle line:90%


01:18:52.853 --> 01:18:55.440 align:middle line:90%
There you are.

01:18:55.440 --> 01:18:55.940 align:middle line:90%
Hi.

01:18:55.940 --> 01:18:57.840 align:middle line:90%
Hi, Judith.

01:18:57.840 --> 01:18:58.340 align:middle line:90%
OK?

01:18:58.340 --> 01:19:00.500 align:middle line:90%
Yeah, hi, how are you.

01:19:00.500 --> 01:19:01.820 align:middle line:90%
Hi, thanks.

01:19:01.820 --> 01:19:04.280 align:middle line:84%
First, I'd like to thank the
committee for the opportunity

01:19:04.280 --> 01:19:07.660 align:middle line:84%
to participate in this hearing
regarding redistricting.

01:19:07.660 --> 01:19:09.980 align:middle line:84%
I learned firsthand
over the years

01:19:09.980 --> 01:19:12.650 align:middle line:84%
how important it is to
bring communities together

01:19:12.650 --> 01:19:16.640 align:middle line:84%
to discuss issues that have real
and immediate effect on our day

01:19:16.640 --> 01:19:17.900 align:middle line:90%
to day lives.

01:19:17.900 --> 01:19:20.360 align:middle line:84%
My name is Judith Durant
and I grew up in Tewksbury,

01:19:20.360 --> 01:19:22.520 align:middle line:84%
went to college in
Boston, then lived

01:19:22.520 --> 01:19:26.870 align:middle line:84%
in New York City and Colorado
before coming back in 2001

01:19:26.870 --> 01:19:28.760 align:middle line:90%
and buying a house in Lowell.

01:19:28.760 --> 01:19:31.250 align:middle line:84%
I confess that it was
not my first choice,

01:19:31.250 --> 01:19:35.460 align:middle line:84%
but I have come to love my
city and the greater community.

01:19:35.460 --> 01:19:37.610 align:middle line:84%
I became an activist
immediately.

01:19:37.610 --> 01:19:40.040 align:middle line:84%
Two weeks after we
moved into our house

01:19:40.040 --> 01:19:42.900 align:middle line:84%
we went to visit my
husband's family and friends.

01:19:42.900 --> 01:19:45.620 align:middle line:84%
Upon return, we saw
paper notices attached

01:19:45.620 --> 01:19:48.170 align:middle line:84%
to every tree on
our block, notices

01:19:48.170 --> 01:19:50.540 align:middle line:84%
that the trees
were to be removed.

01:19:50.540 --> 01:19:52.730 align:middle line:84%
With no real idea
of how to do it

01:19:52.730 --> 01:19:55.310 align:middle line:84%
I thought as hard as I
could against this action,

01:19:55.310 --> 01:19:57.200 align:middle line:90%
but was not able to stop it.

01:19:57.200 --> 01:19:59.900 align:middle line:84%
I vowed there and then
to keep abreast of what

01:19:59.900 --> 01:20:02.150 align:middle line:90%
goes on at the local level.

01:20:02.150 --> 01:20:04.370 align:middle line:84%
I have been a member of
the Lowell Democratic City

01:20:04.370 --> 01:20:08.210 align:middle line:84%
Committee since 2014,
and have served as chair

01:20:08.210 --> 01:20:11.090 align:middle line:90%
of the committee since 2017.

01:20:11.090 --> 01:20:13.100 align:middle line:84%
This role has given
me the opportunity

01:20:13.100 --> 01:20:15.620 align:middle line:84%
to work with elected
officials, many of whom

01:20:15.620 --> 01:20:17.670 align:middle line:84%
are participating
here this evening,

01:20:17.670 --> 01:20:20.780 align:middle line:84%
including our Congresswoman
Lori Trahan, who

01:20:20.780 --> 01:20:23.960 align:middle line:84%
does a great job representing
and advocating for all of us

01:20:23.960 --> 01:20:25.220 align:middle line:90%
in the third.

01:20:25.220 --> 01:20:28.250 align:middle line:84%
I've worked with various
campaigns, nonprofits,

01:20:28.250 --> 01:20:30.170 align:middle line:84%
fellow activists,
and many others who

01:20:30.170 --> 01:20:33.290 align:middle line:84%
strive to make Lowell better
for everyone who lives here.

01:20:33.290 --> 01:20:36.380 align:middle line:84%
I'm also a member of the
Greater Lowell Area Democrats,

01:20:36.380 --> 01:20:40.430 align:middle line:84%
and it is clear that Lowell
is not an island, but part

01:20:40.430 --> 01:20:44.660 align:middle line:84%
of a larger community that
includes Chelmsford, Dracut,

01:20:44.660 --> 01:20:47.180 align:middle line:84%
Tyngsborough,
Westwood, and beyond.

01:20:47.180 --> 01:20:49.940 align:middle line:84%
The pandemic showed us
that our strength depends

01:20:49.940 --> 01:20:51.410 align:middle line:90%
on the entire community.

01:20:51.410 --> 01:20:53.930 align:middle line:84%
When our neighbors
need help, we're there.

01:20:53.930 --> 01:20:57.020 align:middle line:84%
When we need help, our
neighbors can be relied upon.

01:20:57.020 --> 01:20:59.070 align:middle line:90%
And that is why I'm here today.

01:20:59.070 --> 01:21:02.000 align:middle line:84%
I understand the necessity
of redistricting,

01:21:02.000 --> 01:21:03.830 align:middle line:84%
but I would like to
stress the importance

01:21:03.830 --> 01:21:05.630 align:middle line:90%
of keeping our region together.

01:21:05.630 --> 01:21:10.430 align:middle line:84%
And most importantly, not
dividing the city of Lowell

01:21:10.430 --> 01:21:13.880 align:middle line:84%
by moving any precincts
into another district, as

01:21:13.880 --> 01:21:17.750 align:middle line:84%
has been done in other
Massachusetts cities and towns,

01:21:17.750 --> 01:21:21.035 align:middle line:84%
such as Andover, as we heard
at the start of this hearing.

01:21:21.035 --> 01:21:24.080 align:middle line:84%
Lowell's form of government
and election process

01:21:24.080 --> 01:21:26.390 align:middle line:84%
will change
dramatically this year.

01:21:26.390 --> 01:21:30.170 align:middle line:84%
I firmly believe that this
is for the better of Lowell,

01:21:30.170 --> 01:21:33.320 align:middle line:84%
but the transition involves
breaking up wards and precincts

01:21:33.320 --> 01:21:36.200 align:middle line:84%
and is providing to
be a real challenge.

01:21:36.200 --> 01:21:39.260 align:middle line:84%
In the interest of stability
for the entire region,

01:21:39.260 --> 01:21:42.590 align:middle line:84%
and for our coming closer
together as a very diverse

01:21:42.590 --> 01:21:45.650 align:middle line:84%
population, I hope
that this process

01:21:45.650 --> 01:21:49.980 align:middle line:84%
will keep at least our city, and
hopefully our region, together.

01:21:49.980 --> 01:21:53.390 align:middle line:84%
Thank you again, Chairs
Brownsberger and Moran,

01:21:53.390 --> 01:21:56.750 align:middle line:84%
and the entire committee for
giving us the opportunity

01:21:56.750 --> 01:21:59.930 align:middle line:84%
to participate in this
most important hearing.

01:21:59.930 --> 01:22:01.480 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

01:22:01.480 --> 01:22:02.570 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Judith.

01:22:02.570 --> 01:22:04.330 align:middle line:90%
Thank you for your testimony.

01:22:04.330 --> 01:22:08.112 align:middle line:84%
I will ask my colleagues
if they have any questions.

01:22:08.112 --> 01:22:10.530 align:middle line:84%
All right, hearing
none, Judith thank

01:22:10.530 --> 01:22:14.583 align:middle line:84%
you very much for being patient
and waiting for some time now.

01:22:14.583 --> 01:22:16.750 align:middle line:84%
It's almost an hour and a
half before we got to you,

01:22:16.750 --> 01:22:20.040 align:middle line:90%
so I appreciate your patience.

01:22:20.040 --> 01:22:24.690 align:middle line:84%
I will call the next person
to testify, Aurora Erickson.

01:22:24.690 --> 01:22:25.440 align:middle line:90%
Aurora Erickson?

01:22:25.440 --> 01:22:40.540 align:middle line:90%


01:22:40.540 --> 01:22:42.790 align:middle line:90%
Well, here you are.

01:22:42.790 --> 01:22:43.320 align:middle line:90%
All right.

01:22:43.320 --> 01:22:45.930 align:middle line:90%


01:22:45.930 --> 01:22:47.580 align:middle line:90%
Thank you so much.

01:22:47.580 --> 01:22:49.740 align:middle line:84%
It's wonderful that I
am following Judith.

01:22:49.740 --> 01:22:52.965 align:middle line:90%
I am also from Lowell.

01:22:52.965 --> 01:22:54.090 align:middle line:90%
My name is Aurora Erickson.

01:22:54.090 --> 01:22:56.700 align:middle line:84%
I'm here representing Coalition
for a Better Acre in Lowell.

01:22:56.700 --> 01:22:58.890 align:middle line:84%
We're a membership based
community development

01:22:58.890 --> 01:22:59.610 align:middle line:90%
corporation.

01:22:59.610 --> 01:23:04.620 align:middle line:84%
And I'm also here as part of
the Drawing Democracy Coalition.

01:23:04.620 --> 01:23:06.330 align:middle line:84%
Like Judith, I want
to speak briefly

01:23:06.330 --> 01:23:09.610 align:middle line:84%
to Lowell's unique position
at this moment in time.

01:23:09.610 --> 01:23:11.820 align:middle line:84%
This fall will be Lowell's
first election following

01:23:11.820 --> 01:23:14.220 align:middle line:84%
a lawsuit that ruled that our
city councilors and school

01:23:14.220 --> 01:23:17.160 align:middle line:84%
committee needed to be changed
from all at large to now

01:23:17.160 --> 01:23:19.350 align:middle line:90%
serving specific districts.

01:23:19.350 --> 01:23:22.320 align:middle line:84%
Lowell is a very diverse
city, and on a local level,

01:23:22.320 --> 01:23:25.602 align:middle line:84%
that diversity has not
been well reflected.

01:23:25.602 --> 01:23:27.810 align:middle line:84%
That and other barriers have
made good representation

01:23:27.810 --> 01:23:30.480 align:middle line:84%
crucial to rebuild trust in
our democratic system going

01:23:30.480 --> 01:23:31.960 align:middle line:90%
forward.

01:23:31.960 --> 01:23:33.640 align:middle line:84%
On the bright side,
on the state level,

01:23:33.640 --> 01:23:35.500 align:middle line:84%
we have some representatives
we're very proud of.

01:23:35.500 --> 01:23:37.708 align:middle line:84%
We appreciate our three
state reps and State Senator,

01:23:37.708 --> 01:23:39.790 align:middle line:90%
as well as our congresswoman.

01:23:39.790 --> 01:23:43.160 align:middle line:84%
We're especially proud that
two of our state reps are,

01:23:43.160 --> 01:23:45.850 align:middle line:84%
we believe, the first and
second ever Cambodian Americans

01:23:45.850 --> 01:23:49.820 align:middle line:90%
to reach state office in the US.

01:23:49.820 --> 01:23:54.520 align:middle line:84%
Generally speaking, Lowell
has a dense inner urban core

01:23:54.520 --> 01:23:58.000 align:middle line:90%
and a less dense outer core.

01:23:58.000 --> 01:24:00.520 align:middle line:84%
That inner core tends
to be more diverse.

01:24:00.520 --> 01:24:05.350 align:middle line:84%
And then as the housing
gets less dense,

01:24:05.350 --> 01:24:08.260 align:middle line:84%
the income goes up a little
bit in the surrounding

01:24:08.260 --> 01:24:09.315 align:middle line:90%
ring of Lowell.

01:24:09.315 --> 01:24:10.690 align:middle line:84%
And then we're
kind of surrounded

01:24:10.690 --> 01:24:13.820 align:middle line:84%
by a ring of towns that
are a little more suburban.

01:24:13.820 --> 01:24:18.050 align:middle line:84%
Those have fewer immigrants
and fewer People of Color,

01:24:18.050 --> 01:24:20.260 align:middle line:84%
but we do share a lot
of community concerns

01:24:20.260 --> 01:24:21.930 align:middle line:84%
and common interests,
and we naturally

01:24:21.930 --> 01:24:23.305 align:middle line:84%
tend to work
together more often.

01:24:23.305 --> 01:24:26.790 align:middle line:90%


01:24:26.790 --> 01:24:28.720 align:middle line:84%
Lowell has many
strong neighborhoods

01:24:28.720 --> 01:24:31.300 align:middle line:84%
that have their own
traditional residences,

01:24:31.300 --> 01:24:33.610 align:middle line:84%
as well as newer groups
that have arrived.

01:24:33.610 --> 01:24:35.500 align:middle line:84%
For example, the Back
Central neighborhood

01:24:35.500 --> 01:24:38.200 align:middle line:84%
was traditionally
Portuguese, but more recently

01:24:38.200 --> 01:24:41.620 align:middle line:84%
Brazilian communities have
moved in as well, united

01:24:41.620 --> 01:24:43.540 align:middle line:84%
by the Portuguese
language and some shared

01:24:43.540 --> 01:24:44.980 align:middle line:90%
cultural traditions.

01:24:44.980 --> 01:24:47.020 align:middle line:84%
The Acre neighborhood
has a long tradition

01:24:47.020 --> 01:24:49.390 align:middle line:84%
as a destination
for new immigrants.

01:24:49.390 --> 01:24:51.730 align:middle line:84%
Most dominant currently
there are a broad mix

01:24:51.730 --> 01:24:54.220 align:middle line:84%
of Latino communities,
with Puerto Ricans

01:24:54.220 --> 01:24:57.090 align:middle line:90%
being the most prominent.

01:24:57.090 --> 01:24:58.980 align:middle line:84%
The Lower Highlands
neighborhood is

01:24:58.980 --> 01:25:01.380 align:middle line:84%
the heart of the
Cambodian community

01:25:01.380 --> 01:25:02.880 align:middle line:84%
and smaller South
Asian communities

01:25:02.880 --> 01:25:05.460 align:middle line:90%
are represented there as well.

01:25:05.460 --> 01:25:07.440 align:middle line:84%
South Centralville
and lower Belvidere,

01:25:07.440 --> 01:25:09.810 align:middle line:84%
we see a broad mix of
first and second generation

01:25:09.810 --> 01:25:14.220 align:middle line:84%
immigrant communities, including
African and Latino communities.

01:25:14.220 --> 01:25:16.920 align:middle line:84%
I would ask that when possible,
those traditional neighborhoods

01:25:16.920 --> 01:25:20.340 align:middle line:90%
be held together and not split.

01:25:20.340 --> 01:25:23.250 align:middle line:84%
Those neighborhoods are
recognized by local residents

01:25:23.250 --> 01:25:25.560 align:middle line:84%
and they do tend
to act as units.

01:25:25.560 --> 01:25:29.670 align:middle line:90%


01:25:29.670 --> 01:25:34.290 align:middle line:84%
I also want to make sure you
know that Lowell is similar,

01:25:34.290 --> 01:25:36.300 align:middle line:84%
though distinct, from our
sister gateway cities,

01:25:36.300 --> 01:25:39.240 align:middle line:90%
like Lawrence and Haverhill.

01:25:39.240 --> 01:25:41.437 align:middle line:84%
Like them, we have many
different communities.

01:25:41.437 --> 01:25:43.020 align:middle line:84%
We don't have two
or three groups that

01:25:43.020 --> 01:25:44.312 align:middle line:90%
comprise most of the community.

01:25:44.312 --> 01:25:48.330 align:middle line:84%
We have a lot of
different residents.

01:25:48.330 --> 01:25:51.060 align:middle line:84%
We have probably less in common
with our neighboring towns that

01:25:51.060 --> 01:25:54.300 align:middle line:84%
are higher income, and
very little in common

01:25:54.300 --> 01:25:56.250 align:middle line:84%
with some of the more
rural areas to the west.

01:25:56.250 --> 01:25:58.990 align:middle line:90%


01:25:58.990 --> 01:26:00.640 align:middle line:84%
We really need
representation that

01:26:00.640 --> 01:26:03.130 align:middle line:84%
is attuned to the needs
of immigrants, refugees,

01:26:03.130 --> 01:26:05.090 align:middle line:90%
and undocumented people.

01:26:05.090 --> 01:26:06.910 align:middle line:84%
And we also need
representation that

01:26:06.910 --> 01:26:10.360 align:middle line:84%
understands the challenges of
low income and working people.

01:26:10.360 --> 01:26:12.765 align:middle line:84%
And in particular, the urgent
need for affordable housing

01:26:12.765 --> 01:26:14.890 align:middle line:84%
to make sure that all the
people who live in Lowell

01:26:14.890 --> 01:26:16.888 align:middle line:90%
can afford to stay here.

01:26:16.888 --> 01:26:18.430 align:middle line:84%
So those are just
some of the factors

01:26:18.430 --> 01:26:20.513 align:middle line:84%
that I would hope that you
take into consideration

01:26:20.513 --> 01:26:23.560 align:middle line:84%
in this very, very
complex process.

01:26:23.560 --> 01:26:25.840 align:middle line:84%
And I really appreciate
having the time

01:26:25.840 --> 01:26:29.320 align:middle line:84%
to be able to share a little
bit about Lowell with you.

01:26:29.320 --> 01:26:30.790 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Aurora.

01:26:30.790 --> 01:26:32.740 align:middle line:84%
I will tell you
that 10 years ago I

01:26:32.740 --> 01:26:38.650 align:middle line:84%
was proud to chair
this process, and we

01:26:38.650 --> 01:26:43.240 align:middle line:84%
drew the very first majority
minority district in Lowell,

01:26:43.240 --> 01:26:52.060 align:middle line:84%
myself and then Representative
Murphy, Tom Golden, and David

01:26:52.060 --> 01:26:53.560 align:middle line:90%
Engel.

01:26:53.560 --> 01:26:55.420 align:middle line:84%
During the
reprecincting process,

01:26:55.420 --> 01:26:59.210 align:middle line:84%
we reconfigured some
of the borders there.

01:26:59.210 --> 01:27:03.130 align:middle line:84%
And it was the first ever
majority minority district

01:27:03.130 --> 01:27:04.300 align:middle line:90%
that Lowell ever had.

01:27:04.300 --> 01:27:06.790 align:middle line:84%
And eventually, it
gave us Randy Mo.

01:27:06.790 --> 01:27:11.030 align:middle line:84%
And that's really
what this is about.

01:27:11.030 --> 01:27:13.630 align:middle line:84%
It's about a way where you
have those opportunities

01:27:13.630 --> 01:27:19.430 align:middle line:84%
to empower people that have been
sort of maybe voices haven't

01:27:19.430 --> 01:27:19.930 align:middle line:90%
been heard.

01:27:19.930 --> 01:27:22.388 align:middle line:84%
You give them a chance to at
least have their voices heard.

01:27:22.388 --> 01:27:25.270 align:middle line:84%
That doesn't mean they're
going to vote a particular way,

01:27:25.270 --> 01:27:27.182 align:middle line:84%
but at least have
their voices heard.

01:27:27.182 --> 01:27:29.140 align:middle line:84%
It absolutely does not
mean that they're always

01:27:29.140 --> 01:27:31.580 align:middle line:84%
going to vote a particular
way, that's for sure.

01:27:31.580 --> 01:27:35.500 align:middle line:84%
But yeah, I think Lowell
really appreciates

01:27:35.500 --> 01:27:40.310 align:middle line:84%
the time that was taken to make
that happen last time around.

01:27:40.310 --> 01:27:42.290 align:middle line:84%
Well, thank you very
much for your testimony

01:27:42.290 --> 01:27:43.450 align:middle line:90%
and your insight.

01:27:43.450 --> 01:27:48.670 align:middle line:84%
And I will call the
next person to testify.

01:27:48.670 --> 01:27:49.750 align:middle line:90%
Thank you again.

01:27:49.750 --> 01:27:51.477 align:middle line:90%
Allison Lamey.

01:27:51.477 --> 01:27:52.060 align:middle line:90%
Allison Lamey?

01:27:52.060 --> 01:28:04.480 align:middle line:90%


01:28:04.480 --> 01:28:05.840 align:middle line:90%
Hi, good evening.

01:28:05.840 --> 01:28:07.090 align:middle line:90%
Hi, how are you doing?

01:28:07.090 --> 01:28:07.927 align:middle line:90%
Good, how are you?

01:28:07.927 --> 01:28:08.510 align:middle line:90%
I'm all right.

01:28:08.510 --> 01:28:10.810 align:middle line:90%
Thanks for joining us.

01:28:10.810 --> 01:28:11.480 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

01:28:11.480 --> 01:28:14.290 align:middle line:84%
Thanks for the opportunity
to speak tonight.

01:28:14.290 --> 01:28:15.940 align:middle line:84%
As you said, my name
is Allison Lamey.

01:28:15.940 --> 01:28:19.510 align:middle line:84%
I'm the executive director of
the Lowell Plan and the Lowell

01:28:19.510 --> 01:28:22.180 align:middle line:84%
Development and
Financial Corporation.

01:28:22.180 --> 01:28:24.310 align:middle line:84%
We're two distinct
non-profit organizations

01:28:24.310 --> 01:28:27.790 align:middle line:84%
that share a common goal of
advancing economic development

01:28:27.790 --> 01:28:29.890 align:middle line:84%
opportunities in
the city of Lowell.

01:28:29.890 --> 01:28:32.440 align:middle line:84%
And we have a vested
interest in redistricting

01:28:32.440 --> 01:28:36.370 align:middle line:84%
and how it could impact
access to critical resources

01:28:36.370 --> 01:28:39.077 align:middle line:84%
that cities like
Lowell badly need.

01:28:39.077 --> 01:28:40.535 align:middle line:84%
As many of you
already know, Lowell

01:28:40.535 --> 01:28:43.420 align:middle line:84%
is the largest city in the
third congressional district.

01:28:43.420 --> 01:28:46.180 align:middle line:84%
Arguably, one of the
most diverse, as Aurora

01:28:46.180 --> 01:28:48.730 align:middle line:90%
pointed out just before me.

01:28:48.730 --> 01:28:52.240 align:middle line:84%
More than 60 distinct languages
are spoken in our high school.

01:28:52.240 --> 01:28:55.570 align:middle line:84%
We are a regional hub
for arts and culture,

01:28:55.570 --> 01:28:58.780 align:middle line:84%
home to two distinguished
institutions of higher ed,

01:28:58.780 --> 01:29:01.270 align:middle line:84%
and we're supported by
really strong health care

01:29:01.270 --> 01:29:04.240 align:middle line:90%
and social service providers.

01:29:04.240 --> 01:29:06.280 align:middle line:84%
Lowell is one of several
important gateway

01:29:06.280 --> 01:29:08.290 align:middle line:84%
cities in the third
congressional district.

01:29:08.290 --> 01:29:10.960 align:middle line:84%
And this past June
marked the completion

01:29:10.960 --> 01:29:12.970 align:middle line:84%
of our cross sectoral
leadership program,

01:29:12.970 --> 01:29:15.310 align:middle line:84%
called LEADS, that
brought leaders

01:29:15.310 --> 01:29:17.740 align:middle line:84%
from three of these
gateway cities,

01:29:17.740 --> 01:29:21.490 align:middle line:84%
Haverhill, Lawrence, and Lowell,
together for the first time

01:29:21.490 --> 01:29:23.530 align:middle line:84%
for a nine month
experience that focused

01:29:23.530 --> 01:29:25.840 align:middle line:84%
on social and
economic challenges

01:29:25.840 --> 01:29:28.180 align:middle line:90%
that our cities face.

01:29:28.180 --> 01:29:29.740 align:middle line:84%
Finding opportunities
for communities

01:29:29.740 --> 01:29:31.960 align:middle line:84%
to collaborate and
develop regional solutions

01:29:31.960 --> 01:29:34.570 align:middle line:84%
to the challenges
we face is vital,

01:29:34.570 --> 01:29:36.190 align:middle line:84%
and LEADS was a
great example of how

01:29:36.190 --> 01:29:38.710 align:middle line:90%
regional partnerships can work.

01:29:38.710 --> 01:29:41.740 align:middle line:84%
Congresswoman Lori Trahan was
a champion of the program,

01:29:41.740 --> 01:29:45.195 align:middle line:84%
and of regional
collaboration in general.

01:29:45.195 --> 01:29:47.320 align:middle line:84%
I've had the pleasure of
working with Congresswoman

01:29:47.320 --> 01:29:50.020 align:middle line:84%
Trahan and her team
since she was elected.

01:29:50.020 --> 01:29:53.557 align:middle line:84%
I've known her to be responsive,
engaged, and hands-on.

01:29:53.557 --> 01:29:55.390 align:middle line:84%
She's incredibly committed
to the community,

01:29:55.390 --> 01:29:58.840 align:middle line:84%
visits new businesses
and nonprofits regularly,

01:29:58.840 --> 01:30:01.270 align:middle line:84%
hosts listening sessions and
meetings with stakeholders

01:30:01.270 --> 01:30:03.970 align:middle line:84%
often, and disseminates
information

01:30:03.970 --> 01:30:06.910 align:middle line:84%
broadly so that her
constituents are informed.

01:30:06.910 --> 01:30:09.040 align:middle line:84%
And I can't say
enough about her team.

01:30:09.040 --> 01:30:12.820 align:middle line:84%
They've been incredibly
responsive to phone calls

01:30:12.820 --> 01:30:13.900 align:middle line:90%
and emails.

01:30:13.900 --> 01:30:16.480 align:middle line:84%
This past year especially,
I saw firsthand

01:30:16.480 --> 01:30:18.220 align:middle line:84%
how they served
as key connectors

01:30:18.220 --> 01:30:22.000 align:middle line:84%
between small businesses
and the critical technical

01:30:22.000 --> 01:30:25.997 align:middle line:84%
and financial resources that
they needed to remain open.

01:30:25.997 --> 01:30:28.330 align:middle line:84%
So just in closing, I want
to thank Congresswoman Trahan

01:30:28.330 --> 01:30:29.997 align:middle line:84%
for all that she's
done for the district

01:30:29.997 --> 01:30:31.120 align:middle line:90%
since coming to office.

01:30:31.120 --> 01:30:34.300 align:middle line:84%
And I also respectfully ask
that the entire city of Lowell

01:30:34.300 --> 01:30:36.640 align:middle line:84%
remain in the third
Congressional District,

01:30:36.640 --> 01:30:39.370 align:middle line:84%
and that our current
communities in the district

01:30:39.370 --> 01:30:41.320 align:middle line:84%
be able to continue
to work together

01:30:41.320 --> 01:30:43.990 align:middle line:84%
to ensure that the region
remains an affordable,

01:30:43.990 --> 01:30:46.928 align:middle line:84%
equitable, and sustainable
place to live and work.

01:30:46.928 --> 01:30:48.970 align:middle line:84%
Thank you again for hosting
this evening tonight,

01:30:48.970 --> 01:30:50.650 align:middle line:90%
and for taking my testimony.

01:30:50.650 --> 01:30:52.130 align:middle line:90%
I appreciate it.

01:30:52.130 --> 01:30:53.110 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Allison.

01:30:53.110 --> 01:30:55.150 align:middle line:84%
We appreciate you
taking time out

01:30:55.150 --> 01:30:57.340 align:middle line:90%
of your schedule to join us.

01:30:57.340 --> 01:31:00.507 align:middle line:84%
And we have a member
of the House leadership

01:31:00.507 --> 01:31:02.340 align:middle line:84%
team, Tom Golden, who
is from Lowell and who

01:31:02.340 --> 01:31:03.215 align:middle line:90%
is on this committee.

01:31:03.215 --> 01:31:08.900 align:middle line:84%
So Lowell has as a voice
on this committee, even.

01:31:08.900 --> 01:31:10.900 align:middle line:84%
But I appreciate you
taking the time to testify.

01:31:10.900 --> 01:31:13.280 align:middle line:84%
And thank you for
all the work you do.

01:31:13.280 --> 01:31:17.290 align:middle line:84%
I would like to bring up
next to testify Jeff Foster.

01:31:17.290 --> 01:31:18.130 align:middle line:90%
Jeff Foster?

01:31:18.130 --> 01:31:25.280 align:middle line:90%


01:31:25.280 --> 01:31:26.045 align:middle line:90%
Hey, Jeff.

01:31:26.045 --> 01:31:29.220 align:middle line:84%
Hey, good evening, Chairs and
honorable committee members.

01:31:29.220 --> 01:31:31.280 align:middle line:84%
Thanks so much for
having me tonight.

01:31:31.280 --> 01:31:32.210 align:middle line:90%
I'm going to go quick.

01:31:32.210 --> 01:31:36.450 align:middle line:84%
A lot of the things I planned to
share have already been raised.

01:31:36.450 --> 01:31:37.730 align:middle line:90%
But just real quick, I'm Jeff.

01:31:37.730 --> 01:31:40.970 align:middle line:84%
I'm the executive director at
Common Cause Massachusetts,

01:31:40.970 --> 01:31:43.595 align:middle line:84%
in addition to being a
proud resident of Lowell.

01:31:43.595 --> 01:31:46.430 align:middle line:84%
I'm testifying tonight in part
as a member of the Drawing

01:31:46.430 --> 01:31:48.740 align:middle line:84%
Democracy Coalition
Steering Committee,

01:31:48.740 --> 01:31:52.040 align:middle line:84%
but also as a dad with two kids
who are growing up in an ever

01:31:52.040 --> 01:31:54.020 align:middle line:90%
changing Merrimack Valley.

01:31:54.020 --> 01:31:56.000 align:middle line:84%
It's not lost on me that
my kids and our family

01:31:56.000 --> 01:31:58.010 align:middle line:84%
will be directly
impacted by the districts

01:31:58.010 --> 01:32:01.250 align:middle line:84%
that you all draw on our
region for the decade ahead.

01:32:01.250 --> 01:32:03.920 align:middle line:84%
In regard to population growth
and communities of interest

01:32:03.920 --> 01:32:05.510 align:middle line:84%
in the Merrimack
Valley region, I'm

01:32:05.510 --> 01:32:09.070 align:middle line:84%
really going to center equity
in my testimony tonight.

01:32:09.070 --> 01:32:12.670 align:middle line:84%
First, as you've heard,
Lowell continues to change.

01:32:12.670 --> 01:32:15.580 align:middle line:84%
As a destination community for
diverse immigrant and refugee

01:32:15.580 --> 01:32:19.550 align:middle line:84%
populations, Lowell's diversity
has become our greatest asset.

01:32:19.550 --> 01:32:22.300 align:middle line:84%
And it's not just been
exclusive to the city limits.

01:32:22.300 --> 01:32:24.190 align:middle line:84%
It's also been pretty
common over the years

01:32:24.190 --> 01:32:27.130 align:middle line:84%
to see second, third, or
subsequent generations

01:32:27.130 --> 01:32:29.560 align:middle line:84%
move out of the city into
the surrounding communities

01:32:29.560 --> 01:32:33.400 align:middle line:84%
of Chelmsford, Westford,
Dracut, Tewksbury, and more.

01:32:33.400 --> 01:32:35.530 align:middle line:84%
Lowell's growingly
diverse populations

01:32:35.530 --> 01:32:37.750 align:middle line:84%
have been well served by
previous redistricting

01:32:37.750 --> 01:32:40.390 align:middle line:84%
processes, especially
last cycle, Mr. Chair,

01:32:40.390 --> 01:32:44.260 align:middle line:84%
as you mentioned, where the
legislator created the minority

01:32:44.260 --> 01:32:47.830 align:middle line:84%
majority 18th Middlesex
district, That resulted

01:32:47.830 --> 01:32:50.440 align:middle line:84%
in, as was mentioned, the
first ever Cambodian American

01:32:50.440 --> 01:32:53.770 align:middle line:84%
elected to state
office in the country.

01:32:53.770 --> 01:32:55.780 align:middle line:84%
Most recently,
Lowell also elected

01:32:55.780 --> 01:32:58.660 align:middle line:84%
its first female Cambodian
American to the 17th Middlesex

01:32:58.660 --> 01:33:00.580 align:middle line:90%
district seat as well.

01:33:00.580 --> 01:33:02.140 align:middle line:84%
Lowell and our
diverse population

01:33:02.140 --> 01:33:04.540 align:middle line:84%
is well served, as our
state delegation is now

01:33:04.540 --> 01:33:06.550 align:middle line:90%
50% People of Color.

01:33:06.550 --> 01:33:08.950 align:middle line:84%
I would ask you all to
consider this growth to date

01:33:08.950 --> 01:33:11.620 align:middle line:84%
and to protect these districts
as you consider redistricting

01:33:11.620 --> 01:33:13.570 align:middle line:90%
in and around Lowell.

01:33:13.570 --> 01:33:15.760 align:middle line:84%
I'd also like to point
out that as we anticipate

01:33:15.760 --> 01:33:17.260 align:middle line:84%
the potential for
the map leading

01:33:17.260 --> 01:33:22.690 align:middle line:84%
to expand from west to east
because of population changes,

01:33:22.690 --> 01:33:25.450 align:middle line:84%
this could mean that communities
like Pepperell, Groton,

01:33:25.450 --> 01:33:28.180 align:middle line:84%
and Dunstable may need to
be drawn out of the First

01:33:28.180 --> 01:33:29.840 align:middle line:90%
Middlesex Senata district.

01:33:29.840 --> 01:33:31.360 align:middle line:84%
And if this were
to happen, then you

01:33:31.360 --> 01:33:34.210 align:middle line:84%
should consider communities
like Chelmsford and Dracut

01:33:34.210 --> 01:33:37.490 align:middle line:84%
to be of more common interest
with Lowell than others.

01:33:37.490 --> 01:33:40.060 align:middle line:84%
It's also important to note
that Chelmsford has been divided

01:33:40.060 --> 01:33:42.280 align:middle line:84%
into two of the three
Lowell House districts,

01:33:42.280 --> 01:33:45.370 align:middle line:84%
and it might make a lot of sense
to see that connection play out

01:33:45.370 --> 01:33:47.840 align:middle line:90%
on the Senate side as well.

01:33:47.840 --> 01:33:49.630 align:middle line:84%
Next, I want to
mention is Lawrence.

01:33:49.630 --> 01:33:52.570 align:middle line:84%
And as we all know, it's the
highest concentration of Latinx

01:33:52.570 --> 01:33:54.190 align:middle line:90%
population in the Commonwealth.

01:33:54.190 --> 01:33:56.020 align:middle line:84%
And because of the
redistricting process,

01:33:56.020 --> 01:33:58.720 align:middle line:84%
we've seen a positive increase
in Latinx representation

01:33:58.720 --> 01:34:00.280 align:middle line:90%
on the House side.

01:34:00.280 --> 01:34:02.350 align:middle line:84%
While we're still not yet
sure of the population

01:34:02.350 --> 01:34:04.750 align:middle line:84%
growth in the 2020
census data, I

01:34:04.750 --> 01:34:07.930 align:middle line:84%
do anticipate we'll want to
pay close attention to Lawrence

01:34:07.930 --> 01:34:11.050 align:middle line:84%
to both protect the progress
to date, in addition,

01:34:11.050 --> 01:34:13.750 align:middle line:84%
as it could be an opportunity
for potentially new BIPOC

01:34:13.750 --> 01:34:15.820 align:middle line:90%
majority Senate district.

01:34:15.820 --> 01:34:17.410 align:middle line:84%
While I'm very
supportive of the goal

01:34:17.410 --> 01:34:19.810 align:middle line:84%
to not divide up
communities, I do

01:34:19.810 --> 01:34:22.750 align:middle line:84%
want to make sure you're all
aware of Methuen's precinct

01:34:22.750 --> 01:34:26.170 align:middle line:90%
two, which is over 72% Hispanic.

01:34:26.170 --> 01:34:29.440 align:middle line:84%
It's currently a critical
component of the 17th Essex

01:34:29.440 --> 01:34:32.680 align:middle line:84%
district, and it's a unique
community of interest.

01:34:32.680 --> 01:34:35.680 align:middle line:84%
This precinct and its
unique representative needs

01:34:35.680 --> 01:34:37.480 align:middle line:84%
should be carefully
considered, including

01:34:37.480 --> 01:34:40.540 align:middle line:84%
the potential of including the
Methuen and Lawrence together

01:34:40.540 --> 01:34:43.320 align:middle line:90%
in a potential Senate district.

01:34:43.320 --> 01:34:45.750 align:middle line:84%
Next, it goes without
saying that there continues

01:34:45.750 --> 01:34:47.790 align:middle line:84%
to be an increase
in Latinx population

01:34:47.790 --> 01:34:50.280 align:middle line:84%
in Haverhill, which
resulted in the first ever

01:34:50.280 --> 01:34:52.680 align:middle line:84%
Latino being elected
to both city council

01:34:52.680 --> 01:34:54.932 align:middle line:84%
and then to the House
of Representatives.

01:34:54.932 --> 01:34:56.640 align:middle line:84%
I think it'll be really
important for you

01:34:56.640 --> 01:34:58.770 align:middle line:84%
all to consider Haverhill's
Hispanic population

01:34:58.770 --> 01:35:01.770 align:middle line:84%
growth in a city which currently
includes four different house

01:35:01.770 --> 01:35:02.580 align:middle line:90%
districts.

01:35:02.580 --> 01:35:05.130 align:middle line:84%
And that the political power
of its Hispanic population

01:35:05.130 --> 01:35:08.580 align:middle line:84%
is only beginning, and
should be preserved.

01:35:08.580 --> 01:35:11.040 align:middle line:84%
Thank you again for your focus
on the third Congressional

01:35:11.040 --> 01:35:11.880 align:middle line:90%
District tonight.

01:35:11.880 --> 01:35:14.400 align:middle line:84%
And most importantly, to
Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill,

01:35:14.400 --> 01:35:16.860 align:middle line:84%
and the surrounding towns
in the Merrimack Valley.

01:35:16.860 --> 01:35:18.240 align:middle line:84%
There's great
opportunity up here

01:35:18.240 --> 01:35:20.850 align:middle line:84%
to continue to facilitate
stronger and more equitable

01:35:20.850 --> 01:35:23.688 align:middle line:84%
representation of the
communities of color.

01:35:23.688 --> 01:35:25.980 align:middle line:84%
Finally, I just want to take
a quick point of privilege

01:35:25.980 --> 01:35:28.200 align:middle line:84%
on behalf of our
nearly 40,000 members

01:35:28.200 --> 01:35:31.230 align:middle line:84%
across Massachusetts to again
just publicly thank you,

01:35:31.230 --> 01:35:32.970 align:middle line:84%
Chairman Moran and
Chair Brownsberger

01:35:32.970 --> 01:35:35.850 align:middle line:84%
for your leadership on this
very transparent process,

01:35:35.850 --> 01:35:38.020 align:middle line:84%
and by maximizing
the public input.

01:35:38.020 --> 01:35:39.660 align:middle line:84%
We're really proud
to partner with you

01:35:39.660 --> 01:35:40.910 align:middle line:90%
and everyone on the committee.

01:35:40.910 --> 01:35:43.530 align:middle line:84%
And we remain committed
to being a resource to you

01:35:43.530 --> 01:35:45.210 align:middle line:84%
all in the weeks
and months to come.

01:35:45.210 --> 01:35:46.830 align:middle line:90%
Thanks again.

01:35:46.830 --> 01:35:47.670 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Jeff.

01:35:47.670 --> 01:35:51.810 align:middle line:84%
And thank you, because you guys
have been very helpful to us

01:35:51.810 --> 01:35:53.110 align:middle line:90%
as well.

01:35:53.110 --> 01:35:55.920 align:middle line:84%
I learned that 10
years ago that it's

01:35:55.920 --> 01:36:00.720 align:middle line:84%
a better process when more
people are in it and active.

01:36:00.720 --> 01:36:02.190 align:middle line:90%
And you'll get a better result.

01:36:02.190 --> 01:36:06.270 align:middle line:84%
And also, thank you for pointing
out that Methuen precinct,

01:36:06.270 --> 01:36:09.870 align:middle line:84%
because while
people always don't

01:36:09.870 --> 01:36:17.250 align:middle line:84%
like when towns are split up,
sometimes to keep cohesiveness

01:36:17.250 --> 01:36:24.780 align:middle line:84%
when it comes to ethnicity,
you have to sometimes make

01:36:24.780 --> 01:36:25.680 align:middle line:90%
decisions like that.

01:36:25.680 --> 01:36:28.350 align:middle line:84%
And while you want to
keep a community whole,

01:36:28.350 --> 01:36:30.420 align:middle line:84%
you also want to lend
a voice to people

01:36:30.420 --> 01:36:33.730 align:middle line:84%
that maybe haven't had one for
a long time and deserve one.

01:36:33.730 --> 01:36:37.140 align:middle line:84%
So thank you for pointing
that out as well.

01:36:37.140 --> 01:36:39.570 align:middle line:84%
I will ask my colleagues
if they have any questions

01:36:39.570 --> 01:36:43.280 align:middle line:90%
or comments for Jeff?

01:36:43.280 --> 01:36:45.440 align:middle line:84%
All right, hearing
none thanks, Jeff.

01:36:45.440 --> 01:36:48.770 align:middle line:84%
We'll call the next
person to testify.

01:36:48.770 --> 01:36:50.950 align:middle line:84%
Patty Coffey Patty,
are you with us?

01:36:50.950 --> 01:37:10.140 align:middle line:90%


01:37:10.140 --> 01:37:11.124 align:middle line:90%
There you are.

01:37:11.124 --> 01:37:12.745 align:middle line:90%
Patty, I can see on my screen.

01:37:12.745 --> 01:37:13.870 align:middle line:90%
You just got to unmute now.

01:37:13.870 --> 01:37:15.440 align:middle line:90%
Hi, am i here?

01:37:15.440 --> 01:37:16.730 align:middle line:90%
There you are.

01:37:16.730 --> 01:37:18.260 align:middle line:90%
Oh, good.

01:37:18.260 --> 01:37:19.827 align:middle line:84%
Thank you, Patty,
for joining us.

01:37:19.827 --> 01:37:20.660 align:middle line:90%
Thank you very much.

01:37:20.660 --> 01:37:24.060 align:middle line:90%
And what say you?

01:37:24.060 --> 01:37:27.350 align:middle line:84%
So my name is Patty
Coffey, and I'm

01:37:27.350 --> 01:37:30.650 align:middle line:84%
the director of community
relations at UMass Lowell.

01:37:30.650 --> 01:37:33.540 align:middle line:84%
Thank you to the committee
chairs, vice chairs,

01:37:33.540 --> 01:37:36.890 align:middle line:84%
and members of the committee
for the opportunity to testify,

01:37:36.890 --> 01:37:40.520 align:middle line:84%
and for transparency in
this redistricting process.

01:37:40.520 --> 01:37:44.060 align:middle line:84%
I was very happy to see several
of the previous speakers

01:37:44.060 --> 01:37:44.840 align:middle line:90%
before me.

01:37:44.840 --> 01:37:46.910 align:middle line:90%
They're partners of ours.

01:37:46.910 --> 01:37:48.050 align:middle line:90%
They're friends.

01:37:48.050 --> 01:37:49.850 align:middle line:90%
They're my neighbors.

01:37:49.850 --> 01:37:54.410 align:middle line:84%
So I feel like I'm at a little
reunion, that's wonderful.

01:37:54.410 --> 01:37:56.150 align:middle line:84%
I'm providing this
statement today

01:37:56.150 --> 01:37:58.220 align:middle line:90%
on behalf of the university.

01:37:58.220 --> 01:38:02.930 align:middle line:84%
But on a personal note, as
a first generation college

01:38:02.930 --> 01:38:05.690 align:middle line:84%
student I received a
bachelors and masters

01:38:05.690 --> 01:38:09.440 align:middle line:84%
from the university, and I have
lived in the Merrimack Valley

01:38:09.440 --> 01:38:12.650 align:middle line:90%
for half of my life.

01:38:12.650 --> 01:38:16.190 align:middle line:84%
I've worked at the university
for almost the same amount

01:38:16.190 --> 01:38:17.120 align:middle line:90%
of time.

01:38:17.120 --> 01:38:21.140 align:middle line:84%
And I've been a resident
of Lowell for 11 years.

01:38:21.140 --> 01:38:23.990 align:middle line:84%
In my role as community
relations director

01:38:23.990 --> 01:38:25.940 align:middle line:84%
at the university,
I've had the pleasure

01:38:25.940 --> 01:38:29.690 align:middle line:84%
of working alongside people
from all walks of life,

01:38:29.690 --> 01:38:32.460 align:middle line:84%
neighborhoods, business,
and nonprofit partners,

01:38:32.460 --> 01:38:35.450 align:middle line:84%
including officials
in Lowell city hall,

01:38:35.450 --> 01:38:38.330 align:middle line:84%
the state house, and in
our federal delegation

01:38:38.330 --> 01:38:41.840 align:middle line:84%
to strengthen UMass Lowell's
presence not just in the city,

01:38:41.840 --> 01:38:44.510 align:middle line:84%
but throughout the
Merrimack Valley.

01:38:44.510 --> 01:38:48.050 align:middle line:84%
It's thanks to their
advocacy and their work,

01:38:48.050 --> 01:38:53.160 align:middle line:84%
and the work of our executive
leadership, faculty, staff,

01:38:53.160 --> 01:38:55.850 align:middle line:84%
our talented students
and alumni that we've

01:38:55.850 --> 01:38:58.820 align:middle line:84%
emerged as a leading
research institution,

01:38:58.820 --> 01:39:01.790 align:middle line:84%
renowned for attracting
experts and innovators

01:39:01.790 --> 01:39:05.180 align:middle line:84%
from diverse sectors
and across the globe.

01:39:05.180 --> 01:39:07.460 align:middle line:84%
UMass Lowell has
played a key role

01:39:07.460 --> 01:39:10.250 align:middle line:84%
in the revitalization
of the city of Lowell,

01:39:10.250 --> 01:39:13.970 align:middle line:84%
and we are one of the top
employers in the city.

01:39:13.970 --> 01:39:18.080 align:middle line:84%
And whether it's a UMass
Lowell basketball game--

01:39:18.080 --> 01:39:21.530 align:middle line:84%
I'm sorry, UMass Lowell
baseball game at LaLacheur Park,

01:39:21.530 --> 01:39:24.320 align:middle line:84%
a River Hawks hockey game
at the Tsongas Center,

01:39:24.320 --> 01:39:27.950 align:middle line:84%
or a basketball run to the
America East Conference Finals,

01:39:27.950 --> 01:39:31.010 align:middle line:84%
people across the region have
rallied around the school

01:39:31.010 --> 01:39:34.370 align:middle line:84%
and understand River
Hawk pride and talent.

01:39:34.370 --> 01:39:37.370 align:middle line:84%
That's especially true of our
representative in the United

01:39:37.370 --> 01:39:40.010 align:middle line:90%
States Congress, Lori Trahan.

01:39:40.010 --> 01:39:42.260 align:middle line:84%
She's seen the development
of UMass Lowell

01:39:42.260 --> 01:39:46.100 align:middle line:84%
up close for a long time, first
as a Lowell native, and then

01:39:46.100 --> 01:39:49.550 align:middle line:84%
as a congressional
staffer who worked closely

01:39:49.550 --> 01:39:52.430 align:middle line:84%
with past leaders
of the institution,

01:39:52.430 --> 01:39:56.180 align:middle line:84%
and now in her current
role as our congresswoman.

01:39:56.180 --> 01:39:59.570 align:middle line:84%
UMass Lowell is grateful
for the strong partnership

01:39:59.570 --> 01:40:02.570 align:middle line:84%
that we have forged with
Representative Trahan, who

01:40:02.570 --> 01:40:05.750 align:middle line:84%
knows that with continued
investments in cutting

01:40:05.750 --> 01:40:08.420 align:middle line:84%
edge research happening
here in the mill city,

01:40:08.420 --> 01:40:10.870 align:middle line:90%
the sky is the limit.

01:40:10.870 --> 01:40:16.720 align:middle line:84%
That's why this redistricting
process is so important,

01:40:16.720 --> 01:40:18.880 align:middle line:84%
and why once again
your UMass Lowell

01:40:18.880 --> 01:40:21.860 align:middle line:84%
is grateful to the committee
for this opportunity.

01:40:21.860 --> 01:40:25.780 align:middle line:84%
Lowell and the communities
that surround our city

01:40:25.780 --> 01:40:29.080 align:middle line:84%
are a key part of the
Commonwealth's history.

01:40:29.080 --> 01:40:32.770 align:middle line:84%
But the region also represents
the incredible promise

01:40:32.770 --> 01:40:35.560 align:middle line:84%
that our institution is
working in coordination

01:40:35.560 --> 01:40:38.500 align:middle line:84%
with our elected representatives
and local partners

01:40:38.500 --> 01:40:40.540 align:middle line:90%
to achieve in the coming years.

01:40:40.540 --> 01:40:42.820 align:middle line:84%
Our community is buzzing
with opportunities

01:40:42.820 --> 01:40:46.900 align:middle line:84%
for innovators, researchers,
and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

01:40:46.900 --> 01:40:49.660 align:middle line:84%
And the Nexus between that
and UMass Lowell cannot be

01:40:49.660 --> 01:40:52.750 align:middle line:84%
overstated enough as this
committee begins its work

01:40:52.750 --> 01:40:56.230 align:middle line:84%
determining our representation
for the next decade.

01:40:56.230 --> 01:40:58.210 align:middle line:84%
Thank you again
for your leadership

01:40:58.210 --> 01:41:01.240 align:middle line:84%
and for your engagement with
residents of the Commonwealth

01:41:01.240 --> 01:41:03.880 align:middle line:84%
to speak on this very
important matter.

01:41:03.880 --> 01:41:07.000 align:middle line:84%
And we would be happy
to host any of you

01:41:07.000 --> 01:41:09.730 align:middle line:84%
and the committee
at the university,

01:41:09.730 --> 01:41:14.120 align:middle line:84%
or provide more information
if you need it from us.

01:41:14.120 --> 01:41:16.210 align:middle line:90%
Thank you so much.

01:41:16.210 --> 01:41:17.140 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Patty.

01:41:17.140 --> 01:41:18.170 align:middle line:90%
Go River Hawks.

01:41:18.170 --> 01:41:20.950 align:middle line:90%


01:41:20.950 --> 01:41:23.930 align:middle line:84%
Appreciate you taking
the time to testify.

01:41:23.930 --> 01:41:33.670 align:middle line:84%
And I am also a first
generation college student,

01:41:33.670 --> 01:41:36.040 align:middle line:90%
and graduated UMass Boston.

01:41:36.040 --> 01:41:40.930 align:middle line:84%
So I have some
symmetry with you.

01:41:40.930 --> 01:41:43.240 align:middle line:84%
But anyways, I will
ask my colleagues

01:41:43.240 --> 01:41:47.740 align:middle line:84%
if they have any
questions for Patty.

01:41:47.740 --> 01:41:50.830 align:middle line:84%
Hearing none, thank you
for your testimony, Patty.

01:41:50.830 --> 01:41:54.820 align:middle line:84%
And I will move to the next
person to come and testify.

01:41:54.820 --> 01:41:58.770 align:middle line:84%
Orlando Pachecho, Orlando
Pacheco, are you with us?

01:41:58.770 --> 01:42:10.240 align:middle line:90%


01:42:10.240 --> 01:42:10.740 align:middle line:90%
Orlando?

01:42:10.740 --> 01:42:17.390 align:middle line:90%


01:42:17.390 --> 01:42:18.790 align:middle line:90%
We can see you there.

01:42:18.790 --> 01:42:19.310 align:middle line:90%
There we go.

01:42:19.310 --> 01:42:29.090 align:middle line:90%


01:42:29.090 --> 01:42:30.950 align:middle line:84%
Sorry, Mr Chairman,
can you hear me?

01:42:30.950 --> 01:42:32.170 align:middle line:90%
Yes, I can, Orlando.

01:42:32.170 --> 01:42:32.670 align:middle line:90%
Welcome.

01:42:32.670 --> 01:42:35.500 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

01:42:35.500 --> 01:42:39.980 align:middle line:84%
Time is money, so I'll
try to be quick here.

01:42:39.980 --> 01:42:42.910 align:middle line:84%
Orlando Pacheco,
town administrator

01:42:42.910 --> 01:42:44.920 align:middle line:90%
for the town of Lancaster.

01:42:44.920 --> 01:42:48.340 align:middle line:84%
A close friend of Representative
Andy Vargas, please

01:42:48.340 --> 01:42:51.580 align:middle line:90%
don't hold that against me.

01:42:51.580 --> 01:42:55.600 align:middle line:84%
I just wanted to
say that Lancaster

01:42:55.600 --> 01:42:58.210 align:middle line:84%
is in a very interesting
and unique position.

01:42:58.210 --> 01:43:01.390 align:middle line:84%
It kind of straddles three
different congressional

01:43:01.390 --> 01:43:07.390 align:middle line:84%
districts between it's sort of
location in the North Central

01:43:07.390 --> 01:43:08.980 align:middle line:90%
Mass area.

01:43:08.980 --> 01:43:11.770 align:middle line:84%
But we certainly
continue to advocate

01:43:11.770 --> 01:43:14.650 align:middle line:84%
for staying in the third
congressional district

01:43:14.650 --> 01:43:15.610 align:middle line:90%
with Lori Trahan.

01:43:15.610 --> 01:43:18.760 align:middle line:84%
We feel like our interests
are very much aligned

01:43:18.760 --> 01:43:20.770 align:middle line:84%
in the defense sector,
because we are still

01:43:20.770 --> 01:43:24.220 align:middle line:84%
the one community that is in
the active part of Devens.

01:43:24.220 --> 01:43:28.180 align:middle line:84%
And with her seat on the House
Armed Services Committee,

01:43:28.180 --> 01:43:31.330 align:middle line:84%
there is a synergy there
that happens regionally

01:43:31.330 --> 01:43:38.260 align:middle line:84%
that I don't think really
gets seen on a larger scale.

01:43:38.260 --> 01:43:41.590 align:middle line:84%
There is a certain level
of operating harmony

01:43:41.590 --> 01:43:46.330 align:middle line:84%
and socioeconomic
relationship between Lancaster

01:43:46.330 --> 01:43:48.790 align:middle line:84%
and some of the other
surrounding communities,

01:43:48.790 --> 01:43:53.740 align:middle line:84%
Shirley, and the Bolton as you
go a little bit to the east.

01:43:53.740 --> 01:43:56.620 align:middle line:84%
So we just wanted
to make sure we

01:43:56.620 --> 01:44:01.120 align:middle line:84%
highlighted that
relationship as you're

01:44:01.120 --> 01:44:02.380 align:middle line:90%
trying to make decisions.

01:44:02.380 --> 01:44:06.700 align:middle line:84%
We know every 10 years the
one thing that is inevitable

01:44:06.700 --> 01:44:08.230 align:middle line:90%
is some sort of change.

01:44:08.230 --> 01:44:11.140 align:middle line:84%
We just want to make sure that
the committee is aware when

01:44:11.140 --> 01:44:12.580 align:middle line:90%
it's doing its redistricting.

01:44:12.580 --> 01:44:15.167 align:middle line:84%
Obviously, we are very
pleased with both our new rep

01:44:15.167 --> 01:44:16.000 align:middle line:90%
and our new senator.

01:44:16.000 --> 01:44:19.990 align:middle line:84%
We miss Hank Naughton
dearly, but Meghan Kilcoyne

01:44:19.990 --> 01:44:22.990 align:middle line:84%
has already stepped in and
done well in his place.

01:44:22.990 --> 01:44:24.782 align:middle line:84%
And we feel like
Senator Cronin is

01:44:24.782 --> 01:44:26.740 align:middle line:84%
going to be a very strong
advocate for the town

01:44:26.740 --> 01:44:28.900 align:middle line:90%
of Lancaster and the region.

01:44:28.900 --> 01:44:31.960 align:middle line:84%
And we noticed just
there is an operating

01:44:31.960 --> 01:44:34.250 align:middle line:90%
synergy between those as well.

01:44:34.250 --> 01:44:37.270 align:middle line:84%
We can't say enough
about all the good things

01:44:37.270 --> 01:44:40.420 align:middle line:84%
Lori Trahan has
done for Lancaster,

01:44:40.420 --> 01:44:44.420 align:middle line:84%
both when she was Marty's chief
of staff and as a congresswoman

01:44:44.420 --> 01:44:44.920 align:middle line:90%
today.

01:44:44.920 --> 01:44:48.670 align:middle line:84%
She's just been an
incredible advocate.

01:44:48.670 --> 01:44:51.760 align:middle line:90%
And that's it, Mr. Chairman.

01:44:51.760 --> 01:44:54.860 align:middle line:84%
We wanted to be brief, and let
you move on with your evening.

01:44:54.860 --> 01:44:56.360 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Orlando, very much.

01:44:56.360 --> 01:44:57.402 align:middle line:90%
Andy, it's been too long.

01:44:57.402 --> 01:44:59.110 align:middle line:90%
I miss you, buddy.

01:44:59.110 --> 01:45:04.215 align:middle line:84%
Andy, you know, what's horrible,
Orlando, is that they get here,

01:45:04.215 --> 01:45:05.590 align:middle line:84%
they're great,
and then they want

01:45:05.590 --> 01:45:07.673 align:middle line:84%
to go over to the other
side and go in the Senate.

01:45:07.673 --> 01:45:09.270 align:middle line:90%
I don't know.

01:45:09.270 --> 01:45:11.350 align:middle line:90%
I mean, stay a while.

01:45:11.350 --> 01:45:12.200 align:middle line:90%
It's nice here.

01:45:12.200 --> 01:45:12.700 align:middle line:90%
It's nice.

01:45:12.700 --> 01:45:15.200 align:middle line:84%
In all disclosure, Mr.
Chairman, I used to be--

01:45:15.200 --> 01:45:18.110 align:middle line:84%
and I still do advise the mayor
of Haverhill from time to time.

01:45:18.110 --> 01:45:22.540 align:middle line:84%
So I do get to see
Representative Vargas quite

01:45:22.540 --> 01:45:23.080 align:middle line:90%
a bit.

01:45:23.080 --> 01:45:25.330 align:middle line:84%
Well, listen, we're happy
to have him on the committee

01:45:25.330 --> 01:45:28.600 align:middle line:84%
and wish him the best luck
in his future endeavors.

01:45:28.600 --> 01:45:30.850 align:middle line:84%
Listen, I appreciate you
taking the time to testimony.

01:45:30.850 --> 01:45:33.760 align:middle line:84%
I hear you're the second person
to testify from Lancaster.

01:45:33.760 --> 01:45:37.570 align:middle line:84%
And the person before you
had similar things to say.

01:45:37.570 --> 01:45:39.490 align:middle line:90%
So we're hearing you.

01:45:39.490 --> 01:45:40.630 align:middle line:90%
We're writing that down.

01:45:40.630 --> 01:45:44.260 align:middle line:84%
We'll be looking at that
as we get the numbers in

01:45:44.260 --> 01:45:45.970 align:middle line:84%
and we start to
draw these lines.

01:45:45.970 --> 01:45:48.080 align:middle line:84%
But thank you, Orlando,
I appreciate your time.

01:45:48.080 --> 01:45:48.580 align:middle line:90%
My pleasure.

01:45:48.580 --> 01:45:49.600 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

01:45:49.600 --> 01:45:52.715 align:middle line:90%
OK, next up is Karen Frederick.

01:45:52.715 --> 01:45:53.215 align:middle line:90%
Karen?

01:45:53.215 --> 01:46:16.150 align:middle line:90%


01:46:16.150 --> 01:46:17.160 align:middle line:90%
I'm here.

01:46:17.160 --> 01:46:17.660 align:middle line:90%
I'm on.

01:46:17.660 --> 01:46:18.220 align:middle line:90%
There you are.

01:46:18.220 --> 01:46:18.845 align:middle line:90%
I can hear you.

01:46:18.845 --> 01:46:23.930 align:middle line:90%
OK, but you can't see me.

01:46:23.930 --> 01:46:26.150 align:middle line:90%
Turn the light on.

01:46:26.150 --> 01:46:27.020 align:middle line:90%
Let's try this.

01:46:27.020 --> 01:46:27.520 align:middle line:90%
How's that?

01:46:27.520 --> 01:46:29.050 align:middle line:90%
There you go.

01:46:29.050 --> 01:46:32.090 align:middle line:90%
It's been a long night.

01:46:32.090 --> 01:46:36.100 align:middle line:84%
So thank you, Mr. Chairman,
and members of the committee.

01:46:36.100 --> 01:46:38.980 align:middle line:84%
I really appreciate the
opportunity to say a few words

01:46:38.980 --> 01:46:41.530 align:middle line:84%
and the transparency, as
people have mentioned,

01:46:41.530 --> 01:46:45.130 align:middle line:84%
is really critical to all
of us in the district.

01:46:45.130 --> 01:46:48.940 align:middle line:84%
Karen Frederick, I'm the
CEO at Community Teamwork.

01:46:48.940 --> 01:46:51.640 align:middle line:90%
We're a regional agency.

01:46:51.640 --> 01:46:56.170 align:middle line:84%
I have lived in the district for
my whole life except the three

01:46:56.170 --> 01:46:56.750 align:middle line:90%
years.

01:46:56.750 --> 01:46:58.690 align:middle line:84%
I'm currently a
resident of Dracut,

01:46:58.690 --> 01:47:02.910 align:middle line:84%
and I've been at Community
Teamwork for over 40 years.

01:47:02.910 --> 01:47:07.210 align:middle line:84%
I'm not going to say how
many years over 40 anymore.

01:47:07.210 --> 01:47:09.550 align:middle line:84%
Community Teamwork
serves tens of thousands

01:47:09.550 --> 01:47:11.560 align:middle line:90%
of people each year.

01:47:11.560 --> 01:47:16.150 align:middle line:84%
Last year, 54,000, and we've
done that for 56 years.

01:47:16.150 --> 01:47:20.230 align:middle line:84%
We work to help people
mobilize resources,

01:47:20.230 --> 01:47:22.300 align:middle line:84%
and these are folks
who are low income,

01:47:22.300 --> 01:47:24.880 align:middle line:84%
and they're individuals
and families.

01:47:24.880 --> 01:47:27.970 align:middle line:84%
We provide opportunities for
stability in their lives,

01:47:27.970 --> 01:47:32.260 align:middle line:84%
and to have an active voice in
the decisions that affect them.

01:47:32.260 --> 01:47:35.650 align:middle line:84%
In my role at Community
Teamwork as CEO,

01:47:35.650 --> 01:47:38.620 align:middle line:84%
I've had the honor of working
with incredible people

01:47:38.620 --> 01:47:41.530 align:middle line:84%
and families across
the district.

01:47:41.530 --> 01:47:44.980 align:middle line:84%
Partnership is really the
hallmark of all that we do.

01:47:44.980 --> 01:47:48.130 align:middle line:84%
I've been fortunate to work
alongside incredible people who

01:47:48.130 --> 01:47:50.530 align:middle line:84%
recognize that when we
give people the resources

01:47:50.530 --> 01:47:53.680 align:middle line:84%
and tools to succeed, our
communities are better,

01:47:53.680 --> 01:47:57.860 align:middle line:84%
our region is better, and
our Commonwealth can succeed.

01:47:57.860 --> 01:48:00.640 align:middle line:84%
That's true of our federal
representative, Congresswoman

01:48:00.640 --> 01:48:04.270 align:middle line:84%
Lori Trahan, who has been an
essential part of our success

01:48:04.270 --> 01:48:05.500 align:middle line:90%
over her tenure.

01:48:05.500 --> 01:48:07.960 align:middle line:84%
It's true of our state
delegation across the Merrimack

01:48:07.960 --> 01:48:11.350 align:middle line:84%
Valley, and officials at
the local level, all of whom

01:48:11.350 --> 01:48:13.870 align:middle line:84%
help us provide the
support necessary to be

01:48:13.870 --> 01:48:16.370 align:middle line:90%
successful in our efforts.

01:48:16.370 --> 01:48:19.780 align:middle line:84%
Especially as we work
to keep families afloat

01:48:19.780 --> 01:48:24.100 align:middle line:84%
during the duration of the COVID
pandemic and its aftermath,

01:48:24.100 --> 01:48:27.010 align:middle line:84%
and we want to set
them up to thrive.

01:48:27.010 --> 01:48:28.840 align:middle line:84%
It's really imperative
that we continue

01:48:28.840 --> 01:48:32.710 align:middle line:84%
to leverage these strong
partnerships to maximize

01:48:32.710 --> 01:48:36.820 align:middle line:84%
our impact and shorten our
communities' road to recovery.

01:48:36.820 --> 01:48:40.330 align:middle line:84%
Just for a quick
example, last week

01:48:40.330 --> 01:48:42.775 align:middle line:84%
we distributed over
three million dollars

01:48:42.775 --> 01:48:46.120 align:middle line:84%
of rental assistance
with our partners

01:48:46.120 --> 01:48:49.420 align:middle line:84%
in Greater Lawrence, Greater
Haverhill, and Greater Lowell.

01:48:49.420 --> 01:48:52.480 align:middle line:84%
That's more than we
distributed in a whole year

01:48:52.480 --> 01:48:55.210 align:middle line:90%
prior to the pandemic.

01:48:55.210 --> 01:48:58.000 align:middle line:84%
Our continued representation
by the elected officials

01:48:58.000 --> 01:49:01.600 align:middle line:84%
who know us and know what
we do day in and day out

01:49:01.600 --> 01:49:05.780 align:middle line:84%
and support us is
key in our success.

01:49:05.780 --> 01:49:07.960 align:middle line:84%
That's why I am
grateful, and every one

01:49:07.960 --> 01:49:11.320 align:middle line:84%
at Community Teamwork, is
grateful to you, Chairman Moran

01:49:11.320 --> 01:49:15.160 align:middle line:84%
and Brownsberger, for
scheduling this hearing tonight.

01:49:15.160 --> 01:49:18.820 align:middle line:84%
We've already heard how
diverse the Third Congressional

01:49:18.820 --> 01:49:20.860 align:middle line:84%
District is and that
we work together

01:49:20.860 --> 01:49:23.560 align:middle line:90%
across the communities.

01:49:23.560 --> 01:49:26.770 align:middle line:84%
That's really an
incredible benefit,

01:49:26.770 --> 01:49:29.290 align:middle line:84%
and it's the strength
of our district.

01:49:29.290 --> 01:49:31.990 align:middle line:84%
As you take on the challenge
of updating our Commonwealth

01:49:31.990 --> 01:49:34.330 align:middle line:84%
district, Community
Teamwork is hopeful

01:49:34.330 --> 01:49:36.520 align:middle line:84%
that you'll consider
this regional impact

01:49:36.520 --> 01:49:40.420 align:middle line:84%
of our public, private,
nonprofit partnerships

01:49:40.420 --> 01:49:44.770 align:middle line:84%
that stand to be even more
successful in the coming years.

01:49:44.770 --> 01:49:45.850 align:middle line:90%
I thank you all.

01:49:45.850 --> 01:49:47.630 align:middle line:90%
I know it's been a long evening.

01:49:47.630 --> 01:49:51.250 align:middle line:84%
Thank you all so much for
this opportunity tonight.

01:49:51.250 --> 01:49:52.180 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Karen.

01:49:52.180 --> 01:49:53.320 align:middle line:90%
Thank you very much.

01:49:53.320 --> 01:49:55.160 align:middle line:90%
Thank you for your testimony.

01:49:55.160 --> 01:49:59.810 align:middle line:84%
I will ask my colleagues if they
have any questions for Karen?

01:49:59.810 --> 01:50:02.160 align:middle line:84%
Hearing none I will thank
you for your testimony,

01:50:02.160 --> 01:50:06.060 align:middle line:84%
and enjoy the rest
of your night.

01:50:06.060 --> 01:50:07.760 align:middle line:84%
Want to check back
in, I think we're

01:50:07.760 --> 01:50:12.890 align:middle line:84%
going to be here around 10:00
if you want to come back.

01:50:12.890 --> 01:50:14.882 align:middle line:84%
We're going to move on
to the next person now.

01:50:14.882 --> 01:50:15.590 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Karen.

01:50:15.590 --> 01:50:17.180 align:middle line:90%
I appreciate it.

01:50:17.180 --> 01:50:19.325 align:middle line:90%
Sherman Horton, Sherman Horton.

01:50:19.325 --> 01:50:28.510 align:middle line:90%


01:50:28.510 --> 01:50:29.878 align:middle line:90%
There you are, Sherman.

01:50:29.878 --> 01:50:36.352 align:middle line:90%


01:50:36.352 --> 01:50:39.350 align:middle line:90%
Am I being expected to speak?

01:50:39.350 --> 01:50:41.430 align:middle line:84%
You don't have to if
you don't want to.

01:50:41.430 --> 01:50:42.190 align:middle line:90%
That's fine.

01:50:42.190 --> 01:50:43.440 align:middle line:90%
If you'd like to, you can.

01:50:43.440 --> 01:50:47.280 align:middle line:84%
I wanted to be a
watcher of this.

01:50:47.280 --> 01:50:49.050 align:middle line:84%
And when I went to
the website they

01:50:49.050 --> 01:50:52.590 align:middle line:84%
asked me for information,
which I provided gleefully.

01:50:52.590 --> 01:50:55.060 align:middle line:84%
And now, I guess
I'm on the list.

01:50:55.060 --> 01:50:57.918 align:middle line:90%
I wish you all the best of luck.

01:50:57.918 --> 01:50:58.710 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Sherman.

01:50:58.710 --> 01:51:00.420 align:middle line:84%
And I hope everyone
gets what they want.

01:51:00.420 --> 01:51:01.632 align:middle line:90%
I appreciate it, Sherman.

01:51:01.632 --> 01:51:02.590 align:middle line:90%
Thank you for watching.

01:51:02.590 --> 01:51:05.010 align:middle line:90%
Thank you for tuning in.

01:51:05.010 --> 01:51:08.160 align:middle line:90%
Simon Cataldo, Simon Cataldo?

01:51:08.160 --> 01:51:15.380 align:middle line:90%


01:51:15.380 --> 01:51:19.360 align:middle line:84%
Simon, my co-workers
here just told me

01:51:19.360 --> 01:51:24.040 align:middle line:84%
that Simon has left so we
will move on past Simon.

01:51:24.040 --> 01:51:26.830 align:middle line:90%
And we will go to--

01:51:26.830 --> 01:51:28.840 align:middle line:90%
we'll go back to Myra.

01:51:28.840 --> 01:51:29.500 align:middle line:90%
Myra Purel?

01:51:29.500 --> 01:51:32.662 align:middle line:90%


01:51:32.662 --> 01:51:33.870 align:middle line:90%
I can still see you up there.

01:51:33.870 --> 01:51:35.662 align:middle line:84%
I don't know if you
want to testify or not.

01:51:35.662 --> 01:51:37.987 align:middle line:84%
If you don't, just
unmute and tell me

01:51:37.987 --> 01:51:39.070 align:middle line:90%
you don't want to testify.

01:51:39.070 --> 01:51:39.670 align:middle line:90%
That'll be fine.

01:51:39.670 --> 01:51:40.610 align:middle line:90%
If you do, that's great.

01:51:40.610 --> 01:51:41.277 align:middle line:90%
You can testify.

01:51:41.277 --> 01:51:46.090 align:middle line:90%


01:51:46.090 --> 01:51:49.284 align:middle line:84%
All right, how about
Marie Jakes Tresaint?

01:51:49.284 --> 01:51:52.510 align:middle line:90%


01:51:52.510 --> 01:51:53.640 align:middle line:90%
Marie Jakes Tresaint?

01:51:53.640 --> 01:52:00.164 align:middle line:90%


01:52:00.164 --> 01:52:05.790 align:middle line:84%
OK, we will move
on to Mouli Ramani.

01:52:05.790 --> 01:52:20.080 align:middle line:90%


01:52:20.080 --> 01:52:20.680 align:middle line:90%
All right.

01:52:20.680 --> 01:52:53.000 align:middle line:90%


01:52:53.000 --> 01:52:54.500 align:middle line:90%
OK, Mouli, you need to unmute.

01:52:54.500 --> 01:52:55.160 align:middle line:90%
I can see you.

01:52:55.160 --> 01:53:01.510 align:middle line:90%


01:53:01.510 --> 01:53:02.010 align:middle line:90%
How's that?

01:53:02.010 --> 01:53:03.450 align:middle line:90%
Can you guys see me and hear me?

01:53:03.450 --> 01:53:04.750 align:middle line:90%
Hey, there you go.

01:53:04.750 --> 01:53:07.950 align:middle line:90%
Nice ride.

01:53:07.950 --> 01:53:13.650 align:middle line:84%
So I profusely apologize
for my location,

01:53:13.650 --> 01:53:16.290 align:middle line:84%
but COVID and life
gets in the way.

01:53:16.290 --> 01:53:18.280 align:middle line:90%
Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman.

01:53:18.280 --> 01:53:19.960 align:middle line:90%
Thank you.

01:53:19.960 --> 01:53:21.940 align:middle line:84%
So I heard a couple
of minutes ago

01:53:21.940 --> 01:53:23.790 align:middle line:84%
we threw Andy Vargas
under the bus.

01:53:23.790 --> 01:53:26.150 align:middle line:84%
I want to do exactly the
same thing with Tom Golden.

01:53:26.150 --> 01:53:28.660 align:middle line:90%


01:53:28.660 --> 01:53:34.180 align:middle line:84%
He is a fine gentleman, and
I think the world of him.

01:53:34.180 --> 01:53:35.650 align:middle line:90%
So my name is Mouli Ramani.

01:53:35.650 --> 01:53:40.030 align:middle line:84%
I am the CEO and president
of a company in Lowell

01:53:40.030 --> 01:53:42.160 align:middle line:90%
called Horsepower Technologies.

01:53:42.160 --> 01:53:46.870 align:middle line:84%
We are a venture backed
startup and consequently, I

01:53:46.870 --> 01:53:52.120 align:middle line:84%
may be able to offer a slightly
different perspective on what

01:53:52.120 --> 01:53:55.390 align:middle line:90%
Congresswoman Trahan offers us.

01:53:55.390 --> 01:53:58.720 align:middle line:84%
I know we've heard a lot of
great, great and very important

01:53:58.720 --> 01:54:01.450 align:middle line:84%
stories about what she's
done for the community

01:54:01.450 --> 01:54:08.440 align:middle line:84%
at the grassroots level, at
the level with driving forth

01:54:08.440 --> 01:54:11.740 align:middle line:84%
a lot of the values that
we want as a society.

01:54:11.740 --> 01:54:14.050 align:middle line:84%
But I want to focus just
on the business point.

01:54:14.050 --> 01:54:18.250 align:middle line:84%
And again, for brevity, and so
I don't repeat everyone else,

01:54:18.250 --> 01:54:21.580 align:middle line:84%
she does all of those in spades,
but what Congresswoman Trahan

01:54:21.580 --> 01:54:23.260 align:middle line:84%
has done for Horsepower
Technologies,

01:54:23.260 --> 01:54:25.600 align:middle line:84%
along with
Representative Golden,

01:54:25.600 --> 01:54:30.080 align:middle line:84%
is really listen to our voice
to lead through entrepreneurship

01:54:30.080 --> 01:54:30.640 align:middle line:90%
for all.

01:54:30.640 --> 01:54:32.920 align:middle line:84%
Through her support for
what we've done here

01:54:32.920 --> 01:54:35.230 align:middle line:84%
and all of the work we've
done in the third district,

01:54:35.230 --> 01:54:37.540 align:middle line:84%
she's been absolutely
spectacular.

01:54:37.540 --> 01:54:40.990 align:middle line:84%
I can't speak more
highly of her.

01:54:40.990 --> 01:54:44.890 align:middle line:84%
I had great, great interactions
with Congresswoman Sangas

01:54:44.890 --> 01:54:48.340 align:middle line:84%
back in that era, but
Congresswoman Trahan

01:54:48.340 --> 01:54:50.140 align:middle line:90%
has done even more for us.

01:54:50.140 --> 01:54:52.900 align:middle line:84%
I will say this, that if we
can keep the third district

01:54:52.900 --> 01:54:54.370 align:middle line:90%
together and we can do--

01:54:54.370 --> 01:54:56.665 align:middle line:84%
Weather alert,
tropical storm warning.

01:54:56.665 --> 01:54:58.480 align:middle line:90%
Sorry, my car is yelling at me.

01:54:58.480 --> 01:55:00.340 align:middle line:90%
From current location.

01:55:00.340 --> 01:55:01.520 align:middle line:90%
My car is yelling at me.

01:55:01.520 --> 01:55:04.030 align:middle line:90%


01:55:04.030 --> 01:55:05.530 align:middle line:84%
I couldn't have
planned that better.

01:55:05.530 --> 01:55:09.490 align:middle line:84%
I'm literally the last
person in [INAUDIBLE] Mills

01:55:09.490 --> 01:55:13.270 align:middle line:84%
right now as I'm
leaving out of my lot.

01:55:13.270 --> 01:55:15.040 align:middle line:84%
And Congresswoman
Trahan is literally

01:55:15.040 --> 01:55:17.710 align:middle line:84%
the last person who leaves
Congress because she's

01:55:17.710 --> 01:55:18.705 align:middle line:90%
out there helping us.

01:55:18.705 --> 01:55:20.080 align:middle line:84%
I'll leave it at
that, and I want

01:55:20.080 --> 01:55:21.520 align:middle line:84%
to thank you for
this opportunity

01:55:21.520 --> 01:55:24.010 align:middle line:90%
to address this, [INAUDIBLE].

01:55:24.010 --> 01:55:27.040 align:middle line:84%
And I appreciate
your time, Chairman.

01:55:27.040 --> 01:55:31.420 align:middle line:84%
Thank you very much, although
we may differ on Tom Golden,

01:55:31.420 --> 01:55:33.250 align:middle line:90%
but that's OK.

01:55:33.250 --> 01:55:34.640 align:middle line:90%
I'm just kidding.

01:55:34.640 --> 01:55:36.610 align:middle line:90%
No, thank you very much.

01:55:36.610 --> 01:55:38.140 align:middle line:90%
And I appreciate your testimony.

01:55:38.140 --> 01:55:41.088 align:middle line:84%
I appreciate you
taking time, and I

01:55:41.088 --> 01:55:42.880 align:middle line:84%
know it's a difficult
situation in the car.

01:55:42.880 --> 01:55:48.160 align:middle line:84%
But that means a lot when
you take the time to do that.

01:55:48.160 --> 01:55:50.500 align:middle line:84%
All right, I will
ask my colleagues

01:55:50.500 --> 01:55:53.620 align:middle line:90%
if there's any question?

01:55:53.620 --> 01:55:57.070 align:middle line:84%
All right, I don't see or
hear any, so thank you again.

01:55:57.070 --> 01:56:00.250 align:middle line:84%
And I just want to take
a minute now, if I could,

01:56:00.250 --> 01:56:04.630 align:middle line:84%
just to thank not on this
screen is a lot of staff that

01:56:04.630 --> 01:56:05.500 align:middle line:90%
make this happen.

01:56:05.500 --> 01:56:10.240 align:middle line:84%
And they've done a great job
putting this stuff together

01:56:10.240 --> 01:56:13.150 align:middle line:84%
during COVID and
during this process.

01:56:13.150 --> 01:56:15.280 align:middle line:84%
We have people at
our LIS department,

01:56:15.280 --> 01:56:17.680 align:middle line:84%
and I have staff here,
I have three people here

01:56:17.680 --> 01:56:20.262 align:middle line:84%
that are trying painlessly
to get people on

01:56:20.262 --> 01:56:21.220 align:middle line:90%
and get them hooked in.

01:56:21.220 --> 01:56:24.370 align:middle line:84%
And get them so that they can
give us their testimonies.

01:56:24.370 --> 01:56:28.770 align:middle line:84%
So I just want to take a second
to thank them for that work.

01:56:28.770 --> 01:56:32.140 align:middle line:84%
And also, they tell me
that there was no one left

01:56:32.140 --> 01:56:33.460 align:middle line:90%
in the queue to testify.

01:56:33.460 --> 01:56:36.610 align:middle line:84%
So I thought it might be a
little longer night tonight,

01:56:36.610 --> 01:56:38.740 align:middle line:90%
but I guess it isn't.

01:56:38.740 --> 01:56:40.960 align:middle line:90%
We have no one left to testify.

01:56:40.960 --> 01:56:44.800 align:middle line:84%
So Mouli would be the last
person to testify tonight.

01:56:44.800 --> 01:56:46.938 align:middle line:84%
So I'd like to
thank my colleagues

01:56:46.938 --> 01:56:48.730 align:middle line:84%
for sticking with me
for the last two hours

01:56:48.730 --> 01:56:50.260 align:middle line:90%
and on this hearing.

01:56:50.260 --> 01:56:55.580 align:middle line:84%
And I'd like to thank my
co-chair, Senator Brownsberger,

01:56:55.580 --> 01:56:58.540 align:middle line:84%
for his hard work and commitment
to keeping this process

01:56:58.540 --> 01:57:00.640 align:middle line:90%
transparent and open.

01:57:00.640 --> 01:57:03.760 align:middle line:84%
And at this point in time,
I would make a motion

01:57:03.760 --> 01:57:04.930 align:middle line:90%
to adjourn this committee.

01:57:04.930 --> 01:57:07.643 align:middle line:84%
And I would accept a
second if I could get one.

01:57:07.643 --> 01:57:08.450 align:middle line:90%
Second.

01:57:08.450 --> 01:57:11.590 align:middle line:90%
Second, thank you all.

01:57:11.590 --> 01:57:16.540 align:middle line:84%
We will adjourn this meeting
of the Redistricting Committee.

01:57:16.540 --> 01:57:19.630 align:middle line:84%
And I will remind you that the
next meeting is on July 12th,

01:57:19.630 --> 01:57:21.580 align:middle line:90%
Monday, at 10:00 AM.

01:57:21.580 --> 01:57:24.550 align:middle line:84%
And that is the
redistricting meeting

01:57:24.550 --> 01:57:26.570 align:middle line:84%
for the 7th
congressional district.

01:57:26.570 --> 01:57:28.300 align:middle line:90%
So thank you all.

01:57:28.300 --> 01:57:29.500 align:middle line:90%
I will see you.

01:57:29.500 --> 01:57:31.960 align:middle line:84%
Have a good weekend, and
I will see you on Monday

01:57:31.960 --> 01:57:33.490 align:middle line:90%
at that hearing.

01:57:33.490 --> 01:57:34.960 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, guys.

01:57:34.960 --> 01:57:37.450 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, Mr. Chair.

01:57:37.450 --> 01:57:39.350 align:middle line:90%
Thank you, good night.

01:57:39.350 --> 01:57:39.850 align:middle line:90%
Good night.

01:57:39.850 --> 01:57:42.550 align:middle line:90%


01:57:42.550 --> 01:57:45.900 align:middle line:90%
[MUSIC PLAYING]

01:57:45.900 --> 01:57:52.000 align:middle line:90%