Newsletters
January 2011 - Commissioner of the DCR, Winter
WELCOME TO GREEN FUTURES !
JANUARY, 2011
“Mankind will never see an end of trouble until... lovers of wisdom come to hold political power, or the holders of power... become lovers of wisdom.”
- Plato
“When politics enter into municipal government, nothing resulting therefrom in the way of crimes and infamies is then incredible. It actually enables one to accept and believe the impossible.”
- Mark Twain
“Words that do not match deeds are unimportant.”
- Ernesto “Che” Guevara
FOGHORN LEGHORN PROTECTING THE HENS …OR THE FOX IN CHARGE OF THE HENHOUSE? –
Former Fall River Mayor Edward Lambert was just appointed Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) …formerly, before its merger with the Metropolitan District Commission …the Department of Environmental Management (DEM). Lambert takes charge of the agency this coming Monday, February 7.
A career politician who came up through ranks as school committeeman, state representative and mayor, Lambert has spent the last three years as Urban Initiative Director at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.
Compared to the recent past dolts that have been mayor, here in Fall River, we found Lambert to be not what we initially expected. He’s a savvy politician, well-spoken, quick witted, and able to speak extemporaneously on urban issues.
Unfortunately, like most of his predecessors Lambert, as mayor, always supported any development scheme, no matter how environmental harmful, being promoted by one or the other of Fall River’s two private non-profit development organizations.
Fortunately, Lambert opposed the ill-conceived Hess LNG proposal …apparently right from the get-go.
The creation of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve (SMB), wouldn’t have occurred without his support …however that support came only after he used his mayoral clout to wrangle 300 acres of public open space land from the very agency he now heads and finagled a highway interchange resulting in more loss of open space acreage than agreed to in the original “memorandum of understanding” between the city and state.
We have a long list of environmentally damaging Fall River actions and proposals from his years as mayor. On the one hand, many of them Lambert inherited when he became mayor, some he proposed himself. On the other hand, he is a product of an ethnic, inner-city neighborhood with little exposure to the natural world of forests, fields and clean water as he was growing up. One usually only values what one learns about, knows, and loves as a child.
We will hold our list of past errors for now, looking to the future and hoping to see only wonderful environmental programs and land acquisition initiatives result from Lambert’s appointment to this top position at DCR.
If there is one thing a commissioner of any state environmental agency should know, it is that our state’s shared natural environment is NOT a luxury.
Here’s the press announcement from the Massachusetts Secretary of Environmental Affairs on Lambert’s appointment.-
Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. this week named Edward M. Lambert Jr., director of The Urban Initiative at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and former Mayor of Fall River, as Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) effective Feb. 7.
A Fall River resident with over two decades of experience in public policy and management, Lambert, 52, will lead the largest of EEA's six agencies, overseeing a staff of 1,140 employees and serving as chief steward of 450,000 acres of state forests, parks, greenways, historic sites and landscapes, seashores, lakes, ponds, reservoirs and watersheds.
"Ed Lambert is a seasoned and talented public manager who brings to the DCR broad experience and success in public policy and public sector leadership," said Secretary Sullivan, who led the DCR during the first term of the Patrick-Murray Administration. "Having served as DCR Commissioner, I am keenly aware of how much the public expects of the state's parks, beaches, forests, and campgrounds. I am confident that the DCR and its mission to provide recreation opportunities for the public while conserving the environment will thrive under Ed's watch."
Here’s Fall River’s ‘The Herald News’ article on the appointment-
Lambert named Dept. of Conservation and Recreation commissioner
By Derek Vital
Herald News Staff Reporter
Former Mayor Edward M. Lambert Jr. was named commissioner of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation on Friday.
As mayor of Fall River, Edward M. Lambert Jr. helped establish the state’s first bioreserve. He will now oversee that property, along with Massachusetts other natural resources.
Lambert was named commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation on Friday. He has resigned from his position as director of the Urban Initiative at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and will begin his new appointment on Monday Feb. 7. The salary for his new position will be $130,000.
“I look forward to working with the governor and lieutenant governor,” said Lambert. “This is an agency that has a scope in every corner of the commonwealth, and I believe in their mission.”
The 52-year-old Fall River resident will lead the largest of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ six agencies, overseeing a staff of 1,140 employees and serving as chief steward of 450,000 acres of state forests, parks, greenways, historic sites and landscapes, seashores, lakes, ponds, reservoirs and watersheds.
“With a career devoted to working for residents of the SouthCoast and students of our public higher education system, it would be hard to overstate Ed Lambert’s commitment to public service,” said Gov. Deval Patrick. “I am thrilled he is joining our team to take charge of the parks, beaches and forests that make Massachusetts such a great place for people to live and visit.”
Lambert learned about the opportunity when he spoke to Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard Sullivan, whom Lambert has known since Sullivan’s days as mayor of Westfield. Sullivan told Lambert the skills necessary to be a successful mayor will serve him well in his new post.
“I am grateful for the confidence Secretary Sullivan has shown in me,” said Lambert. “There is a whole range of responsibilities for which my public management experience will be beneficial.”
The hiring is considered to be a top-level administrative appointment, for which the screening process is confidential. According to EEA spokeswoman Lisa Capone, Lambert was appointed to the post by Sullivan, with final approval coming from Patrick.
Lambert replaces Jack Murray, who has served as DCR’s acting commissioner since Sullivan’s Cabinet appointment earlier this month. Murray will return to his position as deputy commissioner of operations.
Lambert is in the process of familiarizing himself with the department. He feels it is imperative to maintain the natural resources the state currently possesses.
“Massachusetts has some great assets,” said Lambert. “We have one of the largest park systems in the nation. My first priority will be to maintain the assets we have, then think strategically for the future.”
Lambert informed UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Jean MacCormack of his decision this week. He was hired by the university in 2007. During his tenure he helped create the Massachusetts Gateway Cities coalition, established to address the challenges faced by 11 urban locations in the state. He also developed the first satellite of the National Dropout Prevention Center and taught graduate and undergraduate level courses in public policy and public management.
“I greatly appreciated my time at UMass Dartmouth,” Lambert said. “It was an incredibly enriching experience.”
Lambert served as mayor of Fall River from 1996 to 2007, during which he submitted 11 consecutive balanced city budgets. He is also a former member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, serving the 8th Bristol District from 1988 to 1995.
We find this line, from the above news article, very interesting. -
“The hiring is considered to be a top-level administrative appointment, for which the screening process is confidential. According to EEA spokeswoman Lisa Capone”
Nothing quite like transparency in government …who do they work for again?
A similar recent environmental news article announced that neighboring Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee has announced his appointment to head-up Rhode Island’s Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM).
Rhode Island’s new appointee is Janet L. Coit, an environmental attorney and former Rhode Island Director of The Nature Conservancy.
We will be watching and comparing.
Stay tuned.
SNOWTIME IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND –
We must be setting some type of snow record this winter. The ground has been white from December through right now …and another snow storm is expected the first week in February.
With all that snowy environment out there it is the perfect time for snow activities and adventures.
Cross-country skiing is one activity just about everyone can enjoy. You can slowly glide along through a winter wonderland at any of our state parks and forests, urban parks, and various nature preserves and sanctuaries controlled by area land trusts and environmental organizations.
If a complete full-body exercise is more to your liking, pick up your pace. Cross-country skiing can supply that too.
Don’t have skis? Cross-country skis and boots can be rented from most area ski shops and rentals are usually quite reasonable.
Some of us recently skied trails at Pulaski State Park in nearby Glocester, Rhode Island. That facility boasts groomed trails, heated rest rooms, and dozens of happy individuals, couples, and families enjoying our New England winter.
How about building an igloo? Conditions have never been better for igloo building than right now.
Snowshoeing, sliding/sledding, winter birding, ice skating, ice fishing, strolling a wintertime ocean beach on a sunny winter day are all things one can do only at this time of the year. Don’t get SAD …get outdoors!
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Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve at Watuppa Pond
Looking down at two skiers from the Copicut Hill Forest Fire Lookout Tower in the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve
Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening – Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
WILL SPRING COME EARLY …OR SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER? ONLY THE SHADOW KNOWS! –
With all the snow we have this year we doubt any self-respecting groundhog will leave his cozy burrow on February 2 …but we will be watching closely for the first groundhog of spring.
Although it probably won’t happen until early March, email us -info@greenfutures.org - when you first see a groundhog up and about this year.
Here’s one local ‘hog caught munching clover on a fine, warm summer day in the bluebird meadow across from the Copicut Reservoir in the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve. We’re pretty sure he or she will be dreaming of those past lush summer days this February 2.
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