Representative Daniel E. Bosley (D-North Adams) announced today that he has filed a bill that would create the “Commonwealth Creative Economy Council†within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. The “creative economy†includes areas such as arts, culture, and tourism, but also high technology industries such as software development and web design, publishing, architecture, advertising, and a broad range of related and interconnected industries that have their origin in individual creativity.
“This legislation reflects the legislature’s commitment to supporting and encouraging the growth of the creative economy, which is an integral part of the Commonwealth’s economic future†said Bosley. “The Creative Economy Council will help the state recognize and measure this industry’s contribution, and will develop a strategic plan that both attracts and retains the individuals and companies engaged in this sector.â€
"The Commonwealth Creative Economy Council underscores the importance of investment and the growth potential of the creative cluster," said Laurie Norton Moffatt, co-chair of the Berkshire Creative Economy Project and director/CEO of the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA. "Art means business in the Berkshires was the key finding of the Berkshire Creative Economy Project. Creativity is a core competency and competitive advantage of a vibrant Berkshire economy that is recognized internationally for its creative brand."
The key points of the bill are as follows:
* The Council’s mission is to develop a statewide strategy for the enhancement, encouragement, and growth of the creative economy in the Commonwealth, and to promote through public and private means responsive public policies and innovative private sector practices;
* The Council will reflect the depth and breadth of experience and intelligence that we have in the Commonwealth, including stakeholders from all the diverse sectors of the creative and innovative economy and key members of state government;
The Council will also:
Research and evaluate studies done in other states to locate and identify best practices that easily transfer to the Commonwealth;
Build upon the recommendations of the “Innovation Agenda: Growing the Creative Economy in Massachusetts†statewide conference of May 3, 2006, and the Berkshire Creative Economy Report, in order to develop a state wide strategy for enhancement of the creative economy;
Provide recommendations on restructuring economic programs within state government to enhance our creative economy efforts; and
Provide strategies and proposed legislation where necessary to provide linkage between programs to enhance the creative economy.
Patricia Zaido, Executive Director of The Salem Partnership commented that "Christine Sullivan, Executive Director of the Enterprise Center at Salem State College and I greatly appreciate Representative Bosley taking the lead on this most important economic initiative. Last year, we coordinated the first state-side conference on the Creative Economy and published a final report and an action plan for the Commonwealth. Representative Bosley has taken this innovative agenda to the next level which will allow a coordinated effort across the state and make Massachusetts a model for the rest of the country.
This bill was filed today with the House Clerk’s office.
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Traffic Commission granted stop signs and downtown parking requests during its recent regular meeting.
A petition from Ward 7 Councilor Kathy Moody to install stop signs at the corner of Thomas Road and Thomas Island Road was approved. One sign will be installed at Thomas Road and Thomas Island Road, and one at the corner of Thomas Island Road and Pecks Road.
Moody said for some reason, people don't understand they need to stop at the "very clear" intersection into the neighborhood alongside Onota Lake off Peck's Road.
"It's really difficult to see right there. Because of the corners, people are not stopping, and I have several phone calls from constituents that live on Thomas Island who have nearly been in very bad accidents there," she explained about the corner of Thomas Road and Thomas Island Road.
"If we could put a stop sign there, that would be terrific. It would help improve the safety of the neighborhood. It's a very small neighborhood. The roads are narrow. There are pedestrians everywhere. Having a stop sign to protect people at that almost blind corner would be very useful."
Police Sgt. David Hallas couldn't recall any significant vehicle accidents in that area, but said that speeding on that section of Peck's Road is "quite an issue."
Other commissioners commented that the roads on the island are very narrow, and it is one of the few places with mirrors so that drivers can see around corners.
Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren's request for a stop sign at the intersection of Partridge Road and Oak Hill Road was also approved. He said it is a similar situation to Thomas Island.
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
Jason Codey struck out 13, walked two and allowed just an infield single as the Generals earned a 7-1 win over Wahconah to claim their third straight regional title. click for more
Gracelyn Wright struck out eight, and Genevieve Lagess went 3-for-5 with four runs batted in as the Hurricanes beat Monson, 17-3, to claim their first Western Mass title in four years. click for more
For the boys, Ward Bianchi helped lead the way with a win in the shot put and a second place in the javelin as the Mounties finished 16 points ahead of runner-up Pittsfield (pending the results of the pole vault, which were unavailable at 11 p.m. Friday night). click for more
