On Saturday, March 4th State Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro) hosted a Policy Summit for the Cape & Islands District. Over 200 constituents participated in the event held at the Tilden Arts Center at Cape Cod Community College.
“Communities on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket face unique challenges," said Cyr in his remarks at the Summit. "To move forward on housing affordability, wastewater, the opioid epidemic, and so much more, innovative policy solutions, outside of the box thinking, and public participation are what's needed."
The event – Policy Summit: An Agenda for Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket – featured six working sessions centered around different aspects of life on the Cape and Islands: Living on the Cape and Islands, Working on the Cape and Islands, Raising a Family on the Cape and Islands, Aging on the Cape and Islands, Preserving the Cape and Islands, and Serving on the Cape and Islands.
Each working session was facilitated by a local leader and featured a panel of industry experts, activists, elected officials and non-profit directors.
The non-political gathering highlighted panelists across the political spectrum, including Senator Cyr’s General Election opponent, Brigadier General (Ret.) Anthony Schiavi.
Senator Cyr welcomed attendees to the event and spoke about how the challenges facing residents of the Cape and Islands require inventive solutions.
“My hope is that participants are introduced to people and work they didn’t know about,” said Senator Cyr. “I want every person here today to commit to one tangible action they can do to become more involved in their local community and in the policy making process.”
In each of the working sessions attendees were instructed to discuss some of the major challenges facing residents of the Cape and Islands, and the types of solutions that can be found at the local, state, or federal level.
Senator Cyr encouraged attendees to commit to helping a community organization, attend upcoming town meetings, and even run for public office themselves.
A full report from the Policy Summit and each of the working groups will be posted soon here at www.SenatorCyr.com.
You can read the full presentation Senator Cyr delivered during the opening session online here.