Hello,
It's been a while since I've sent an update for the petition you signed to S.T.O.P - Stop The Operator From Passing (MA School Bus Safety). Thank you to the many news signatures we have received.
If you read nothing else in this update, please consider contacting these two leaders and urge them to pass bill number H. 4478 (An Act concerning the safety of school children embarking and disembarking school buses) which is currently with the committee on House Ways and Means. Aaron Michlewitz, Chair (617) 722-2990 and
Ann-Margaret Ferrante, Vice Chair (617) 722-2380.
It's important, that as a supporter, you should know the efforts I am making to keep the kids safe. Here's what's been happening:
MEDIA SUPPORT: I wrote an Op-ed/Letter to the Editor that was published in these newspapers so far: Salem News, Peabody Weekly News, Revere Journal, East Boston Times, Beacon Hill Times, Boston Sun, Winthrop Transcript, Everett Advocate and Revere Advocate. I have sent it to the Herald, Boston Globe, the Associated Press and still working on sending it out to other media.
Here's a link if you would like to read and share it: http://beaconhilltimes.com/2022/11/24/letter-to-the-editor-88/
What can you do to help? Share the article or your own thoughts supporting this effort, email it, post it on social media.
IN PERSON: I did my first table event at a local school’s craft fair and secured 200 signatures and hope to do more in person events.
What can you do to help? If you work for a company or are a member of a group or organization that would allow a tabling event to gather signatures, I can email you the materials or see if I or a volunteer can do it. Contact me at stopschoolbuspassing@gmail.com
GO PEABODY! I am working with Peabody's Mayor Bettencourt to create a traffic & public safety task force. Our action items include increased presence of law enforcement in high risk school zones, continuing school bus safety education to all grades, implementing traffic calming measures and urging the legislature to pass the bus stop-arm camera law and pushing for stronger penalties for illegal school bus passing and school zone violations.
What can you do to help? If you live outside of Peabody, reach out to public officials - mayor's office, school superintendent, school committee, or the principal and urge them to get on board by contacting me at: stopschoolbuspassing@gmail.com.
We have over 2,400 online+ hand-written signatures supporting this initiative but we need thousands more before our lawmakers will take notice, so please share it, talk to anyone who will listen, volunteer to do a table event if you have time, call the leaders in your district or if you have any ideas please email me at: stopschoolbuspassing@gmail.com.
Thank you so much for your help and support!
Happy & Safe Holidays to All!
Maria