MUSEUM
UPDATE - DECEMBER, 2006
LEGISLATIVE REPORT:
As you are aware, on August 7, 2002 Governor Jane Swift
signed into law Chapter 224 of the Acts of 2002 conveying the land and
building at Grafton to the MSPMLC when that facility is declared surplus. In
the interim an opinion rendered by the MSP Legal Department calling
attention to the necessary steps to be taken in the disposition of state
property has caused an amended version of the original bill to be filed by
our strong ally, Senator Steve Brewer. As we speak, this bill is winding its
way through the legislative process. It has a new number, S-2526, and is
sponsored by Senators Brewer and Edward Augustus of Worcester and Rep.
George Peterson of Grafton. It should also be reported that Rep. John
Binienda, the Senior State Representative from the Worcester area. has been
most helpful in keeping the bill moving through two House committees. It is
now in the Senate Ways and Means Committee awaiting their action. Senator
Brewer is a member of that committee.
Just to give you an idea how much effort Senator Brewer
has put in to this endeavor over the past 6-8 years, we should share this
point with you. It was felt that the current bill, S-2526, needed some
support from top management in the legislature. On October 24,2006 Senator
Brewer, Dick Barry and this writer met with Senate President Robert
Travaglini in his office. He is genuinely interested in the Museum and when
he learned that it will be built with "private money" he was even more
pleased. In a photo opportunity Senator Travaglini was presented with an
edition of Enforcement Odyssey and in return he has pledged his support in
accelerating S-2526 to passage in the Senate. Well done - Senator Steve
Brewer.
PAYROLL DEDUCTION PROGRESS REPORT:
On September 16th Dick Barry and Ron Guilmette delivered a
presentation to the 79th RTT at the State Police Academy in New Braintree.
Ron shared the power-point presentation. put together by him and Ed
Montague, with the graduating class. It had to be good because it resulted
in recruiting 85% of the class to sign on as volunteer donors through the
payroll deduction plan. Each trooper received a signed per\onnl "Thank-you
note" from the MSPMLC Committee. This is made possible through the effort of
Lisa Richards. Secretary for the Command Staff at GHQ. Our number of
volunteers is now at 357 and counting toward our goal of 1.000. On another
topic in the vein of financial support Charlie Coe reported that
approximately $15,000 was raised for the museum from FMSTA members with the
recent membership renewal program. It should also be reported that two of
our members went way above and beyond the call by sending in checks for the
museum along with their membership renewal. One check was for $500 and the
second one was for $1,000! Two great examples of our brothers stepping up to
the plate.
BIG E REPORT
I'm certain many of our members have been assigned to the
Big E detail over the many years that the largest exposition in New England
has been held. It may even go back to the days of the MSP Trick Riding team
who put on their displays of daring and skilled horseback riding. The team
also performed at other Fall Fairs in Topsfield, Brockton, Great Barrington
and Northampton. Names that come to mind include: Corporal George Rapport,
one of the founders of the FMSTA, Arnold "Ollie" Olsson, Hollis C. "Sam"
Beattie, Lt. Jim Hughes, and Karl Howe to mention a few.
The past two years the MSPMLC Committee has shared a booth
with the MSP in the Massachusetts building displaying various items and
memorabilia. The primary purpose of this is to publicize the museum campaign
and generate interest in it. Over 1,100,000 people visited the Big E and it
is estimated 60% of this number walked through the Mass. Building during the
18 day event. The OIC of the MSP detail this year was Tpr. Chris Sanchez, an
eighteen year veteran trooper assigned to the CAT Team out of SP
Northampton. Chris had invited the MSPMLC Committee to participate with the
active troopers in promoting what they do on a daily basis combined with
historical memorabilia depicting the proud history of the oldest State
Police organization in the country. Ed Montague met with Chris Sanchez on
several occasions prior to the opening of the Big E and ultimately provided
him with an abundance of material to fill the. newly acquired display cases
that Chris resurrected from the storage area at the SP Academy. On September
15th and 16th (Massachusetts Day) Bill Gearin worked with Chris Sanchez in
the booth and the display areas around the building. This year's MSP
presence and commitment to this PR opportunity was, in large measure,
attributed to the support of our legislative "guardian angel," Senator Steve
Brewer. He communicated with Colonel Delaney and expressed his interest in
enhancing the departments presence at the Big E, where in year's past other
agencies, Connecticut SP in particular, had upstaged the MSP in their own
back yard. Colonel Delaney responded and filled every request included in
Tpr. Sanchez's written plan submitted to GHQ. To ensure the success of the
MSP enhanced detail Lt. Col. Robert Smith, GHQ and Major Gary Lemay, B Troop
CO visited the Big E on Massachusetts Day. The new command vehicle was on
hand for Massachusetts Day along with eight members of the mounted unit, a
four man color guard led the parade on the Big E grounds on Mass. Day. the
195 1 cruiser driven by Tpr. Sanchez with Bill Gearin riding shot gun led
the parade and the coupe de gras was a fly-over during the parade by the MSP
helicopter. Needless to say it was a most impressive display put on by the
men and women wearing the French and Electric Blue. Speaking of that and to
give you an idea of how dedicated Tpr. Sanchez was to making this a
memorable day for the MSP and the MSPMLC, he appeared on Massachusetts Day
wearing breaches, boots, and old Sam Brown belt with covered ammo pouch,
shoulder strap. and the old swivel holster. He located a collector of old
police equipment in Boston who loaned it to him. In addition he borrowed a
S&W.38 calibre with a 6" barrel from the Smith and Wesson Company. The
enthusiasm and effort put in to this detail by Tpr. Sanchez was outstanding.
His leadership qualities were "electric" and motivated all of the troopers
working the 18 day detail. You should also be aware that Senator Brewer put
an "earmark" for $10,000 in the SP supplementary budget specifically for the
Big E MSP presentation. The money was utilized to buy 5,000 miniature SP
badges which were pinned on youngsters visiting with their parents and/or
grandparents. It was truly a great PR opportunity for the MSP. Semper Fi.
