Representative John Keenan keynote speaker at
Representative Keenan, who sits on the legislature’s Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development, will speak about the role of historic preservation in stimulating the Commonwealth’s and Salem’s economy and tourism. “I was delighted to accept the association’s invitation to speak at their dinner,” said Representative Keenan, “They, like many of the other neighborhood associations in Salem, are instrumental to the civic life of our city. It is an honor to be invited to deliver this address.” Representative John Keenan’s Remarks to the Salem
Common Neighborhood Association "First of all, I want to thank Michael Coleman and Mary Ann Curtin – and congratulations on your Salem Volunteer Awards – Scott Sneddon and Roberta Clement for their kind invitation for me to come speak with you this evening. And thank you to all the members of the Common Neighborhood Association who came out to be here tonight and for all that you do. "I must say, it’s something of an honor to follow Congressman Tierney, who was the guest speaker here last year. "As many of you might know, my wife Kara and I first lived right on Washington Square after we were first married. I even served as the chair of the Salem Common Subcommittee. "The heart of Salem is the Salem Common and at the heart of our neighborhoods is the Salem Common Neighborhood Association. Whether it’s the bypass road project, the on-going improvements to Bridge Street, the MBTA garage, concerns with tourism, or the Old Salem Jail – just to name a few – your group has always been on the forefront of citizen activism in Salem. And that’s good for your neighborhood and good for the entire city. "Last year, during the spirited campaign to replace my predecessor, it was the Common Neighborhood Association that stepped up to the plate and offered to host the first all-important forum amongst the candidates. That’s representative of this neighborhood’s commitment to the welfare of our community. And during that forum, one resident asked a question about what my vision for the future of Salem was. "Salem’s future largely depends on the connected engines of history and tourism. Our maritime past is directly connected to the current plans to reinvigorate Salem Harbor with a new wharf and revived ferry service. The redevelopment of the old Salem Jail – where I briefly worked as a guard before law school – Is directly connected to the revitalization of one of our most important entrance corridors. The historic grounds of Fort Pickering and Winter Island are part of our city’s beautiful beaches and parks, which attract so many visitors every year. "Salem’s history is what makes us unique and is what will continue to define our future. So, I want to speak to you tonight about an issue that concerns the SCNA, the state legislature, and our local government alike: the issue of historic preservation. "Hannah Diozzi wrote a letter to the Salem News a few months ago, concerned that the plowing of snow around the Common was damaging the historic fence there. I don’t think a lot of people know, but in nearly three hundred years of use, Salem Common has had only three fences. The current one was built in 1850, repaired in the 1980s, and just a few years ago repainted by dozens of volunteering neighborhood families. "Ms. Diozzi was right to be concerned about the fence. As right as those who put historic preservation of our city’s treasured homes and public buildings at the forefront of their agenda. One of Salem’s most important assets is, without question, our unique history. That history – the story of where we have come from and what we have endured – exists today in the historic properties throughout Salem. "Historic preservation is as much about looking to the future as it about looking to the past, though. Done right, it will not only preserve the character of our community, but will also provide a tool for smart, appropriate economic development. "For example, Massachusetts offers a 20% tax credit for historic rehabilitation. In 2004, preservationists utilizing this credit quickly maxed out the $15 million cap. The total demand exceeded $60 million; had all of the requested demands been met, the projects would have created over 6,000 jobs and generated almost $30 million in state and local revenue. The projects would have created 1,300 units of housing – and four out of every ten of those would have been affordable units. And all from historic preservation. This is why I support lifting the cap on the preservation tax credit, so developers and preservationists can fully utilize this important tool. "The demand is clearly there. With developers realizing returns as significant as 20% after one year and 240% after five years, they are discovering the value of preservation and renovation over demolition. "And the demand exists from activists and preservationists, too. Groups like the Mass Historical Commission and the Massachusetts Preservation Coalition, and locally the Essex National Heritage Commission and Historic Salem Inc., are all helping improve our future by preserving our past. "Groups like the Salem Common Neighborhood Association are doing their part, too. Your organization has taken a leadership role on important issues like the development of the Old Salem Jail, the restoration of the 92 year old Roger Conant statue, and historic home preservation in downtown Salem. "Your activism in the Common neighborhood benefits our entire city, and that in turn benefits our entire Commonwealth. I commend you for it and I look forward to continuing to work alongside you on issues of importance like historic preservation. "I do anticipate working a great deal on this important issue, especially with my recent appointment to the legislature’s completely new Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development. The creation of this committee demonstrates the House and Senate leadership’s commitment to issues like historic preservation and tourism. Tourism is the number two industry in Massachusetts, and growing larger every year. The multiplier effect on the local economy of every single tourist dollar spent in Massachusetts, and in Salem, is enormous. As one of only two North Shore legislators on this extremely important committee, I intend to fight for our region and our city when it comes to support for tourism and cultural growth. "Finally, a request: Please call or come visit our office at the State House in Boston. Please consider my office your office. We face a lot of challenges here in Salem, but working together I’m sure we can always do what’s best for the city we all love."
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||