Blue Mass Group

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Talk to Rep. Tsongas live — TODAY at 11 a.m.

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We’re pleased to welcome Representative Niki Tsongas (MA-05) to Blue Mass. Group tomorrow today at 11 for a live chat using the fabulous Cover It Live tool.  Starting at 11 a.m., we’ll be asking Rep. Tsongas questions about the goings-on in our nation’s capital and in Massachusetts’ 5th congressional district, and we’ll be taking your questions and comments as well.  It’s just like talk radio, except in writing and without the racism.  đŸ˜‰

So please check in at BMG tomorrow today at around 11.  The chat window will appear automatically – you don’t need any special software.

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Comments

  1. I’m going to ask about extending the Lowell Line to Concord, NH and what benefits to MA5 it could bring?

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    p>http://www.nhbti.org/

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    p>Also, a little twist on Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses:

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    p>From the VFW’s 2009 Priority Goals:

    Urge Congress to amend P.L. 106-50 to state that the 3%government-wide procurement goal for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses will be enforced. This will require agencies to report their procurement levels and be held accountable if they fail to meet a 3% procurement requirement.

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    p>P.L. 106-50

    The purpose of this Act is to expand existing and establish new assistance programs for veterans who own or operate small businesses.

    This Act accomplishes this purpose by–
    (1) expanding the eligibility for certain small business assistance programs to include veterans;
    (2) directing certain departments and agencies of the United States to take actions that enhance small business assistance to veterans; and
    (3) establishing new institutions to provide small business assistance to veterans or to support the institutions that provide such assistance.

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    p>Assistance for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses

    Multiple Award Schedules, Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), and PBS Construction and Service Contracts are all avenues that service-disable veteran-owned small businesses can use to work with GSA and the rest of the federal government. GSA offers the following solutions for service-disabled veteran-owned small business owners looking for federal government business opportunities.

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    p>

  2. but I wonder why she didn’t choose a 5th district BLOG to do this with. Is it all about exposure, or is it about the 5th district?

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    p>There’s only like 10 blogs in the Lowell area. But hey.

    • Is Lowell the whole 5th district?

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      p>Maybe she is opting to avoid being labled Lowell centric?

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      p>You should chat with Susanne Curry of OFA – Greater Lowell, btw.

      • If I could think of any blogs in the Acton area I’d have listed that. ;-P~ However, so far as I know, the blogs in the 5th cluster in Lowell, Dracut, etc.

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        p>I’d LOVE to have blogs blogging around other places…I wish.

  3. Not sure how this would fit into Cover It Live:

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    p>Thank you Representative Tsongas for considering my question and thank you for your efforts helping the people of the 5th District. I will attest to your good work, specifically your assistance in aiding Lowell neighborhood associations that are struggling towards relief from the constant threat of flooding by the Merrimack River.

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    p>Just over the border in NH, there is a significant effort to extend the existing commuter rail, the Lowell Line, up through Nashua, Manchester, and on, up to Concord. Proponents maintain that a continuous rail, from Boston to Concord, NH will bring, “significant and measurable economic stimulus, providing the basis for ancillary development in real-estate, commercial ventures and public services,” providing “a system that is self-sustaining, paying for itself through a measureable increase in economic activity and local revenue sources.” Senator Shaheen, Rep. Hodes and Rep. Shea-Porter are on board. (pardon the pun) This project is the initial phase of a proposed high speed corridor that will extend all the way to Montreal. Estimated construction value is $300 million, with the application for funding due late Summer/early Fall.

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    p>Will you help invigorate efforts on this side of the state line, as the commuter rail currently stops in Lowell? Also, as this is a major outlay of federal dollars, would you help ensure that P.L. 106-50 is enforced, which requires a set-aside goal of 3% government-wide procurement for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses.

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    p>This proposed project will be a quick shot of stimulus with sustainable benefits. It can also be a well deserved “Welcome Home” for our returning servicemembers and those that have served before.

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    p>Thank you for your consideration and your service to the 5th Congressional District.

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    p>Jack Mitchell
    Lowell, MA
    sleeping.giant.stirs AT gmail

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