REP. GIFFORD ANNOUNCES PUBLIC MEETING
FOR COURT RELOCATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
July 20, 2010
Boston - State Representative Susan Williams Gifford (R-Wareham) announced today that the Trial Court’s Court Relocation Committee has set its schedule of public meetings to seek comment on its preliminary recommendations. The public meeting for Bristol, Norfolk, and Plymouth Counties will be held from 5pm-7pm on Thursday, August 12th, at Covett Courthouse, 215 Main St., Brockton. The Committee was formed to identify court locations for potential consolidation, and its efforts are one component of major cost reduction efforts underway within the Trial Court to reduce the number of layoffs due to a shortfall in the FY11 budget.
“It is of vital importance that we have great show of support for our Court at this hearing,” said Rep. Gifford. “We need to reinforce the facts that if Wareham is closed, it will have a devastating effect on the employees, local businesses and those seeking justice and various court services not to mention the increase in cost to taxpayers.”
When the proposal of closing Wareham District Court was brought to Rep. Gifford’s attention, she sponsored an amendment to the FY 2011 House Budget which contained protective language. The language was successfully included in the Final Budget and will delay but may not stop the eventual relocation of Wareham cases to Plymouth.
At a State House hearing with Chief Justice Robert Mulligan, District Court Chief Justice Lynda Connolly and Housing Court Chief Justice Steven Pierce on Tuesday, Rep. Gifford reminded the Justices that closure should not be just about dollars. “Unlike New Bedford, Fall River or Taunton, we have no public transit between Wareham and Plymouth and that will create a real hardship for many people,” she said. “I would also like to see consideration of the ratio of lease dollars to caseload given the fact that Wareham is the 28th busiest court in the Commonwealth.”
Rep. Gifford is encouraging Wareham District Court employees, local business owners, elected and law enforcement officials to make every effort to attend the hearing along with family members and friends. Anyone needing additional information should call 617-722-2976 or e-mail Rep.SusanGifford@hou.state.ma.us
A Message from Susan
Thank you for visiting my online district office! I developed this website to help you connect to your government, and hope that you find it a useful informational tool.
From my efforts on the local level as a Wareham Selectwoman to my current tenure as State Representative for the 2nd Plymouth District, I have worked hard over the years to address the needs of area communities and look forward to continuing to do so for years to come.
As always, please feel free to contact me with any issue or concern you may have, and many thanks for your continued support.
Sincerely,
To help youth constituents learn about the State House and the legislative process, Susan hosts students from the Wareham Middle School on a tour of the state capitol building. more photos >>
