Tuesday, December 21, 2010

CITY COUNCIL WATERS DOWN HENRY FAMILY RESOLUTION

The BrocktonPost
Photo courtesy of The Brockton Post
BROCKTON—The Brockton City Council Finance Committee has voted to support an amended resolution that expresses sympathy for the family of Danroy “DJ” Henry, but does not request the investigation of the Easton man’s death by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“I would call it watered down,” said Councilor-at-large Jass Stewart following Monday night’s finance committee meeting. For full article please see The Brockton Post.

STOP THE POWER PLANT VIDEO

Thursday, December 16, 2010

CITIZENS FOR A BETTER BROCKTON CALL ON GOVERNOR PATRICK

December 12, 2010

The Honorable Deval Patrick
Governor State of Massachusetts
Massachusetts State House
Office of the Governor
Room 280
Boston, MA 02133


 Dear Gov. Patrick:

We, the Citizens for a Better Brockton (CBB) and the Undersigned, respectfully request that you ban the construction of a gas-fired power plant being proposed for Oak Hill Way in Brockton.

The proposed plant is slated to be constructed on a 13.2-acre site located within view of homes, a 60-unit apartment complex, two elderly-housing hi-rise projects, a commuter-rail line, two 55-and-older mobile home parks, an elementary school, a licensed daycare center and a busy business district along a portion of the city's main street.

The large-scale project would also be located within a community determined by the state to be an environmental-justice community.

After three years of extensive research, discussion and careful observation in relation to the project, we have concluded that federal and state safeguards, policies and regulations are not adequate to protect the health and safety of the citizens of the greater Brockton area if the power plant is constructed as planned.

Enclosed you will find several examples relating to this oversight on the part of the state, as it relates to the proposed plant on Oak Hill Way in Brockton.

We feel that protection of our present quality of life and our safety far outweigh any benefits derived from the project.

We also feel that current requirements by the state, in relation to site selection, are flawed.- in relation to the environmental impact report (EIR) relating to the project and state Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) approval.

At the present time, the state requires that the proponent of projects, such as Brockton Power Company LLC, submit only one site plan for review. Alternate site plans, that might be less invasive to surrounding communities, are not required.

In the event of a catastrophic event, such as that which recently occurred at the power plant in Connecticut, it doesn't take much imagination to estimate the resulting damage and potential carnage from such an explosion at a plant such as one being proposed for the city of Brockton.

And this is not taking into account the day-to-day effect on surrounding communities as a result of emissions from the plant and regular use of duct firing.

Our studies have indicated that duct firing is considered an optional procedure by a power company and that it is used, primarily, to reduce capital costs.

According to a Major Comprehensive Plan Application (MCPA)  submitted by Brockton Power to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, duct-firing will result in a dramatic increase of  harmful air pollutants, or volatile organic compounds (VOC).

This procedure will also release high amounts of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) - in excess of guidelines established by federal national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) - and it is one of the contributors to ground-level ozone, sometimes referred to as smog, and they are highly toxic. (See: 6)

As you know, Massachusetts already exceeds NAAQS guidelines relating to ozone and that the state is now considered to be in nonattainment.

Because of this fact, the state should be working to ensure that any new power plant coming online does not exacerbate the state's already higher-than-average ozone levels.

We would like to make you aware of the fact that representatives of the proposed power plant in Brockton have stated that they plan to duct fire 2,000 hours per year, with most of this occurring during peak usage times or during the summer months when ozone levels are at their highest within the state.

Ozone is known to cause death and serious heart and lung problems according to 18 of the top health organizations within the country, including the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association.

In a letter forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency in March 2010 and signed by all 18 health organizations, EPA was urged to work harder to protect the public from the occurrence of ozone by lowering allowable limits or standards currently in place under the Clean Air Act.

The letter claimed that current ozone standards, were not protective enough of human health and the environment especially to children, seniors, outdoor workers and people with asthma and other lung diseases.

It should be noted that NAAQS standards were established to protect public health within an adequate margin of safety. But according to the letter, and a follow-up letter from the American Lung Association, current NAAQS do not adequately protect public health ( See: 1 and 2 )

It should also be noted that in Massachusetts, ozone levels are higher than current national standards.

Because of this, we feel that the health of the citizens of Brockton - who already are above the state average, as far as heart and lung related emergency rooms visits and hospitalization and asthma are concerned - will be further compromised due to the proposed power plant and resulting duct firing as a regular procedure associated with the plant.

Under the Clean Air Act, the citizens of Brockton have the right to breath clean air and this right should be protected by those who have taken an oath of office to protect the health and safety of all citizens of the commonwealth regardless of social status or income.

Other grave concerns relating to the proposed Brockton power plant include:

The fact that meteorological data or modeling for the project was collected from Logan Airport, a site that lacks conditions of stagnant air such as that found at the inland site in Brockton.

Because of this, concentrated levels of pollution - released as a result of duct firing and general operation of the plant - would not disperse at the same level of safety as that existing at Logan Airport.

Please read:

Documents submitted to EFSB by Paul Eisen, CCM, principal scientist at Roux Associates, N.Y. (See: 8)

Testimony provided to EFSB by Johnathon Levy, Ph.D, of Harvard School of Public Health. (See: 3)

These documents and testimony to EFSB state that meteorological modeling data, collected from Logan Airport, and used for modeling to determine dispersion rates of emissions estimates for the Brockton project, is faulty. They point out that the modeling being used by the company does not accurately represent air conditions for the site in Brockton.

We feel that, as a result of this disparity, Brockton residents are at greater risk of harm from emissions from the proposed plant than what is being reported by the company to the state.

We feel that concerns expressed by national health organizations, in relation to ozone, and concerns expressed by local experts, in relation to the proposed power plant in Brockton, validate our concerns relating to the project.

And we feel that these concerns have been grossly minimized by the state, and, in some cases, completely ignored.

We are requesting that you, as governor of the state of Massachusetts: implement:

All aspects of the national Environmental Justice (EJ), Executive Order 12898;

All aspects of the Massachusetts EJ Policy; and

Title IV of the 1964 Civil Rights Act (See: 5)

We are requesting this in order to ensure that Brockton is not discriminated against in regards to the siting of the proposed Brockton plant and does not suffer another indignity through a disproportionate environmental burden imposed upon the citizens of the community through the siting of another stationary and major source of pollution.

On several occasions, we have requested that the state consider its current policy, as it relates to environmental justice and the decision-making process associated with the siting of a power plant within the city of Brockton.

But each time our requests have been ignored or diverted.

The state's EJ policy clearly states that no one community shall have to bear a disproportionate amount of pollution compared with other communities in the state.

Historically, the grassroots movement was to ensure that people of color, minorities and low-income communities should not have to bear a disproportionate share of industrial pollution.

In 1994, President William Clinton issued Executive Order 12898, "Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations."

The order, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, directs federal agencies to address environmental justice in their operations and in communities across the country.

The order also directs that states and municipalities develop policies and programs to address environmental-equity concerns., ensuring that minority and low-income communties are not disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards.

According to several recent studies on the unequal exposure of environmental hazards in EJ communities throughout Massachusetts, including a Brockton study entitled: The Proposed Brockton Power Plant: Disparities in Brockton, MA, the city ranked 9th most extensively environmentally overburdened out of a total of 362 communities. Based on environmental hazard points per cities and towns in the state, Brockton had a total of 709 hazard points compared to a statewide average of 166 points.  The study, dated March 2008, cited Brockton as having 43,040 industrial chemical emissions or releases per square mile compared to 12, 656 chemical releases per sqare mile in high income towns. (See: 4)

As a result of these and other findings, we ask that the proposed power plant, considered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under New Source Review (NSR) program guidelines as a new major stationary source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) pollution, not be allowed in Brockton. (See: 6)

In relation to our right to public safety, we respectfully request that you and your administration look into the process of “gas blow,” as way of clearing lines at a power plant through the use of flammable natural gas.

And we request that you review current state safety codes - relating to both construction and operation of gas plants within the state that are located within one mile of heavily-populated areas.

Gas blow, using flammable natural gas as a purging tool, is a highly risky procedure and should be stopped immediately.

This was the same procedure used at the power plant in Middletown, CT, on February 7, 2010 that resulted in a massive explosion, six deaths and 50 injuries. If this had occurred in a densely-populated area such as Brockton, the results would have been devastating.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) report relating to the Connecticut incident, revealed that 225 of 371 safety violations associated with the explosion were found by OSHA to be willful and deliberate. As a result of this, $16.6 million in fines were issued to companies involved in construction of the plant.

In Massachusetts, there are currently no federal or state safety regulations or oversight in place relating to gas blow or any other risky procedure associated with gas-fired power plants during the construction process.

We also feel that state safety codes and oversight, during the operation of such plants, are currently too lax. They offer little in the way of protection of the general public, especially when there is little or no buffer zone between the general population and the power plant.

We respectfully request that you, like former Connecticut governor Jodi Rell, issue a temporary executive order banning the practice of gas blow at gas-fired power plants in the state until a permanent ban on the practice is in place. (See: 7)

We are urging that you, as governor in the state of Massachusetts, use your power to protect our right to say no to the proposed plant in Brockton and our right to breath clean air without interference or compromise on our part.

We are requesting that you respect and protect the rights of the citizens of an environmental-justice community - who are either uninformed about the issues surrounding construction of a fossil-fuel burning power plant in their midst, or who are unable to speak on their own behalf - while there is still time and before this plant, constructed while on your watch as governor, looms over the city as a last reminder of the use of fossil fuel.

We are respectfully requesting that this terrible injustice to the citizens of Brockton, a community typically targeted for the siting of toxic industrial sites, be halted now by those in power who are able, in good conscience, to still do so.


Respectfully,

Virginia Jeppson  Pres./CBB

Citizens for a Better Brockton and the Undersigned

Mayor Linda Balzotti
State Representative Michael Brady, 9th Plymouth District
Ronald A. Bethoney, President Campello Business Assoc.
Francis Pina, Community Organizer/ NAACP
Theresa McNulty, Chair East Bridgewater Board of Selectmen
Rev. Filipe Teixeira, Bishop Diocese of St. Francis of Assisi
Eldon Moreira, Chair West Bridgewater Board of Selectmen










1.(http://www.lungusa.org/get-involved/advocate/advocacy-documents/organizational-sign-on-for.pdf)
 2.(http://www.lungusa.org/press-room/press-releases/unacceptable-ozone-delay-puts.html)
3.(EFSB 07-7/PDU 07-58/DPU 07-59)
4.(EFSB 07-7/DPU 07-58/DPU 07-59)-(The Proposed Brockton Power Plant:Disparities in Brockton, MA).
5.( http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eoeeaterminal&L=2&L0=Home&L1=Grants+%26+Technical+Assistance&sid=Eoeea&b=terminalcontent&f=eea_sgse_env_equity&csid=Eoeea)
6.(http://www.epa.gov/oar/tribal/pdfs/nsrbasicsfactsheet103106.pdf )
7.(www.wfsb.com/25104180/detail.html)
8. p://db.state.ma.us/dpu/qorders/frmDocketSingle.asp?docknum=EFSB07-7A/07-58/59

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

MAYORS TASK FORCE REPORTS

Mayor Balzotti released 5 Task force reports that targeted Public safety, Street violence, Housing and Neighborhoods, Education and Workforce Training and Economic Growth and Development in the early months after her inauguration as Mayor. The reports are listed below with links to all of them.

Economic Growth and Development Task Force

Education and Workforce Training Task Force

Housing and Neighborhood Task Force

Public Safety Task Force

Street Violence Task Force

Friday, December 10, 2010

JASS STEWARTS WORKING GROUP EXECUTIVE SUMMARY REPORT

This week Councilor at Large Jass Stewart released the report from the Neighborhoods/Ordinace Working Group. You can link directly to his website to read the full report at Jassstewart.com or read the excert from his site with links to the full report below.

FROM THE JASS STEWART WEBSITE NEIGHBORHOODS SECTION

While the quality of life in Brockton is diminished by health and economic disparities across the board—from a high number of Brownfields to polluting industries—we are also challenged by an increasing number of residents and business owners who are not complying with ordinances designed to keep the city beautiful. The proper maintenance of private property, from cutting one’s grass to the removal of junk cars, is a critical ingredient in our effort to make Brockton an enjoyable city to live and work in.

As your At-Large City Councilor, I formed a Neighborhoods/Ordinance Working Group to explore the best ways—through the creation of new ordinances and enforcement strategies—to encourage the maintenance of private property. The working group's findings are below.

Working Group Executive Summary
(Scroll down to access the full report)

Problem

The Ordinance Working Group voted to concentrate on the enforcement of sole proprietor auto sales/repair licenses in the city, with a specific focus on Cape Verdean businesses. From various reports and observations, there is a chronic problem where Cape Verdean auto businesses are not following city ordinances and are adding blight to local neighborhoods. The Code Enforcement Team is aggressively pursuing these individuals. However, Cape Verdean businesses report feeling harassed, "targeted," and treated unfairly based on race. The Working Group agreed that a thorough review of the process for granting and enforcing auto sales/repair licenses would assess the merits of these concerns, while offering recommendations to better promote adherence to city ordinances.

Recommendations

The Neighborhood/Ordinance Working Group urges that the City of Brockton consider the following recommendations, which place critical, new responsibilities on all parties involved:

  1. For Cape Verdean businesses—Follow the 9-step licensing system used by the three “adoption” cities, including the presentation and approval of a viable business plan before a license is granted;
  2. For the Code Enforcement Team—Initiate a constituent services program to ensure team members have the communication and listening skills to be aware of cultural differences, among other expertise; and
  3. For the City of Brockton—Launch an extensive communications and community outreach campaign to ensure that small businesses and the general public are aware of—and buy into—the city’s code enforcement efforts.

The Working Group also recommends that the city uses the auto sales/repair proposals to inform the implementation and enforcement of other ordinances.


 

    

Monday, December 6, 2010

FINANCE MEETING DECEMBER 6, 2010

Finance meeting will be held this Monday, December 6, 2010 at 7pm to 9pm. The meeting will be in the City Council Chambers at City Hall and all are welcome to attend.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

WATER COMMISSION TO MEET THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2010

CITY OF BROCKTON
WATER COMMISSION
39 MONTAUK RD
AGENDA
November 18, 2010
9:00 A.M.
1. Opening Remarks
Approval of minutes: October 14, 2010
2. Report from the DPW Commissioner – Michael Thoreson – NO REPORT
3. Report from the Superintendent of Utilities – Larry Rowley – NO REPORT
October’s Monthly Report – included in meeting information
Water Mains
4. Report from the Water Systems Manager – Brian Creedon
Staffing
Flows
5. New Business:
9:15 AM - Water Connections:
9:15 AM – Plot 79 Dover Street – Affordable Properties
9:25 AM – 214 West Elm Street – Affordable Properties
6. Old Business:
Permits Issued – next report December 2010
Current Year Budget Report
Meter Access Policy – in Finance
Irrigation Meters/systems –
7. Other Business
8. Adjourn
Meter Replacement – AMR RFP out to bid

Saturday, November 13, 2010

FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET HOPEFUL DOWNTOWN DEVELOPERS

     The Finance Committee will meet this Monday, November 15, 2010 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber to consider several resolves. You can find the agenda in our Finance meeting section. One of the Resolves is that Trinity Financial is appearing before the Committee to discuss what they plan to do with the Enterprise Development and you can read more about it on Tom Monahans site and how he met with them and about the hopeful future development of 219 apartments and commercial complex downtown. The public is encouraged to attend and show support for this development.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

TRAFFIC COMMISSION EXTENDS SCHOOLS FLASHING LIGHTS HOURS FOR STUDENTS SAFETY

     The Traffic Commission voted tonight in a special meeting in response to a student that was hit in a school crossing last month on Pearl Street in front of the Hancock Elementary School to extend the yellow flashing lights in all school zones. The matter was brought up after the student was hit in the crosswalk when the lights where off. In that accident, speed was not a factor but operator error.

     In Response to that accident the Brockton Police Department and Traffic Commission reduced the posted speed on Pearl Street in the area of the school which includes a park from 40mph to 30mph, had the school sign repainted on the road in front of the Hancock School for better visibility, increased traffic enforcement on Pearl Street and increased the time of the the flashing yellow lights from 30 minutes before to 40-45 minutes before school starts and 30 minutes after school ends according to Captain Leon McCabe speaking at the meeting.

     Those measures were voted on and approved October 28th by the Traffic Commission. The day before, the Security/Safety/Transportation Subcommittee of the Brockton School Committee met and in that meeting they wanted the yellow flashing lights in all school zones on from 7 a.m.-9:30 a.m and from 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. and have the request at the Commission's October 28th meeting but because the meeting were so close together the information didn't cross path in time so this meeting was called to clarify what the Subcommittee of the Brockton School requested.

     The Brockton School Committee recommended those hours based on factors that have changed over the past 3 years according to Bill Carpenter of the School Committee."3 years we had 4 junior high schools. Today we have 8 middle schools, 8 schools that have middle grade schools in them, 6 middles and 2 K-8, Our walk zone is 2 miles for middle schools students, so if you take those 8 schools on the map and draw two mile radius's around all 8 schools, it basically blanket's the whole city." Another reason given for the longer hours are because Brocktons schools start at different times in the morning and end at different times, so a blanket effect would cover everyone.

     The decision to have the flashing yellow lights on that long was open to discussion. One of the main concerns of the traffic commission was if those lights are on too early before school starts and too late after school ends, the public would start ignoring those lights. Captain McCabe got in touch with Massachusetts Department of Transportation and in an email back to him they recommend the yellow flashing lights should only be in operation when children are going to or leaving, if the lights were simply left on all day, their effectiveness would be compromised as they would typically be ignored for the most part by motorist.

     Massachusetts law allows for the yellow flashing lights to be on for one hour before school and half hour after school. The intent is if you are driving and see the yellow lights on there are children in the area but if the yellow lights are flashing and you see no children then the yellow lights don't have validation.

     After discussion for about 20 minutes about what would be the best hours for the lights, City Councilor Tom Monahan suggested to look at each school and go to the maximum limit of one hour in the morning for each school and its start time and in the afternoon to go 30 minutes for each school and its end time. The discussion continued about educating the parents and the kids about crossing with the yellow lights because some kids might get up early to go to school when the lights are not on at all.

     Councilor-at-Large Todd Petti made an interesting point and got some laughter going in the meeting when he said "I found it pretty Ironic today when I was working in Newton" and one of the members answered back "Ironic that you were working or ironic that you were in Newton." Mr. Petti held up the Newton Tab and he said  "Two students struck by cars in Newton in 2 minutes, a young girl according to the story was walking with her mother and the crossing guard was 50 yards down the street and this girl according to the story darted out between 2 cars and was hit and in the commotion after the accident the car hit another girl, so tying this in with educating the students, its happening elsewhere, in one town 2 kids being hit, thankfully they are OK."

      The Traffic Commission passed the motion to have the hours of the school crossing lights for a one hour window in the morning and a one half hour window in the afternoon based upon the start and end time of the school day for that particular school. The measure was passed and the Board was satisfied. One other matter that was attended to was 3 schools need lights, the Ashfield School, Goddard School and the BB Russell. Recommendations were made to purchase solar lights and to look at the needs of those specific schools because one of the schools uses transportation.

      A motion was voted to look at this matter on a later date. So in one night and with swift decision making our children will hopefully be better protected. We all need to do our part by paying attention to those lights and teaching the children to look both ways and cross with the yellow lights. The lighting changes are expected to go into effect within a month so slow down and save a life.

SPECIAL TRAFFIC MEETING TONIGHT

Thursday, October 28, 2010

WATER COMMISSION TOURING THEIR FACILITIES ON NOVEMBER 1ST.

Water Commission touring facilities


Monday, November 01, 2010 - Monday, November 01, 2010
Starts: 8:30 AM
Ends: 4:00 PM
The Water Commission will be touring their facilities on November 1st.
Water Department, 45 Montauk Road
Contact Information:
Alisa Hambly
ahambly@cobma.us

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

JASS STEWART LETS THE RESIDENTS KNOW WHERE HE STANDS

   

      Councilor-at-Large Jass Stewart doesn't hold anything back when it comes to letting the residents know where he stands on the issues. The electronic media lets us cover everything in less than a blink of an eye and today with the growing power of the web its easy to be mislead and read articles about politicians views and quotes when they never even said them. Two-Thumbs up to Jass for his updated site and listening to the residents of Brockton and what they wanted as a means of communicating with our Councilor.
     His site www.JassStewart.com informs the readers where he stands on the issues and who he is backing for candidates that are running next week. So take a look at his site and send him an email and let him know what you think and if you have any idea's about moving Brockton forward, I am sure he would want to hear them too.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

CITY COUNCIL JUST KEEPS THE MOMENTUM MOVING

The Brockton City Council will be meeting Monday, October 25th for its bi-monthly meeting. On the nights agenda will be the staffing of eight city firefighters. The firefighters are a mixture of replacing vacant retirement spots and additional firemen that are funded by local and state money. Eight new city firefighters all from Brockton are set to be hired Monday night at the meeting.
     This has been an exciting week in Brockton with Lt.Governor Murray in Town on Thursday to kick off new businesses and existing ones like Montillio's expanding. Bernardi Dealership will create 125 permanent jobs and Neighborhood Health Center recieved an 11.3 million dollar federal grant to add a 4 floor addition onto its urgent care center.
     With all the new business starting up the Council will also be addressing major business concerns with repairs to the downtown parking garage on Main Street and Crescent Street and Brockton 21st Corporation making small business loans available, along with Brockton Redevelopment Authority helping to rehabilitate and buy houses in the city.
    Funds for the projects will become available by revenues from the parking authority meter enforcement and a bond by the federal Community Development Block Grant. BrocktonBeat in the Business section is featuring new businesses that have opened downtown recently and later in the week will feature and article on 2 new businesses that opened on Main Street. The meeting will start at 8pm at Brockton City Hall in the Council Chambers.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Water Department Money, Open Meeting Law Charges Still Swirl

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON— When several potential bidders for a company to complete an independent audit of water and sewer department meter reading and billing procedures meet with city officials Friday for a pre-bid question-and answer session, a review of the department’s so-called Enterprise account is a part of specifications, but not a priority for review.
“If there’s enough money—it depends on the bids--but our primary focus is on the main problem…we’re doing this because something is drastically wrong with our metering and billing system,” said Councilor-at-Large Thomas Brophy. For full story please see The Brockton Post.

Monday, October 18, 2010

PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING FOR WATER AUDIT

     This Friday, October 22, at 11:00 a.m., there will be a briefing session/pre-proposal meeting at Brockton City Hall, 2nd floor, G.A.R. Room, 45 School Street. The meeting is open to the public and will involve questions from the prospective consultants looking to make a bid on the audit. The deadline for submitting a proposal for the audit is November 2, 2010. The entire RFP can be read above by clicking on the RFP for Water Audit tab.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR WATER AUDIT

     The City will be accepting bids for a Comprehensive Independent Audit/Review Services of Policies, Practices and Procedures of the City of Brockton's Water and Sewer Department. Audit Companies have until November 2, 2010 to submit their proposals to Michael Morris the Chief Procurement Officer for Brockton. The request is available online and can be read above by clicking on the RFP for Water Audit.

Monday, October 11, 2010

VOTE SMART & VOTE EASY



BROCKTONBEAT has teamed up with VOTE SMART and VOTE EASY. An organization that started in 1992 and is not affiliated with any political party at all. They receive donations and are a volunteer group that has a database on all the politicians in government and active candidates that are seeking election. Our political section contains a program called VOTE SMART a program where you can obtain who is currently in office in your county from the state level to the federal level and your elected officials voting record, any legislation that they might of authored, biographical and contact information, public statements, issue positions, interest group ratings and campaign contributions(follow the money and follow the votes). VOTE SMART will enable you to obtain records about current politicians and candidates and VOTE EASY is a site that will allow you to match your political issues and beliefs with those who believe the same as you, in effect its a one stop place for obtaining information that is public in state and federal records all in one place. This is a non-biased and non-political affiliated organization for you to make up your own mind based on the candidate and politicians record. Both of these programs are available on our political section and are link on the right side, please use them to become informed of the candidates and our current politicians so you can make the best informed decision with the facts and not the ads that attack the candidates at every corner. If you want to see how State Representative Canavan voted, just type in our zip code or Canavan and her name will come up. Click on her name and you will be able to see her voting record and any legislation she might of authored, along with political contributors and other important information for you to make decisions for our November elections.