On Sept. 9, Bob celebrated the ribbon cutting of the Winslow Park "Peace Park" with elected officials, members of the Pleasant Street Neighborhood Network Center, and Women Together. This pocket park at the corner of Winslow and Pleasant streets is in memory of the young neighborhood men who have died from violent crime. The once trash-strewn vacant lot will now serve as a gathering place for the neighborhood.

FRIENDS OF NEWTON HILL RECOGNIZED WITH GRANT -
The Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration selected the Friends of Newton to receive a Recreational Trails Grant of $25,400. DCR received 60 grant applications requesting $1.7 million. They awarded 25 grants totalling $600,000. As DCR Commissioner Sullivan wrote to Bob, "We believe these projects will result in important recreational, public health and enviornomental benefits to your district."

BOB AND WAL-MART TEAM UP TO SAVE SUMMER JOBS FOR YOUTH -
When Bob heard that Worcester youth would not be able to particiapte in a summer job program because they didn't have the necessary tools, he reached out to Wal-Mart for help. While funds were in place for the jobs to clean brush and clear trails on Newton Hill, there were no monies to buy the tools. "It was the classic Catch-22," said Bob "Fortunately, Wal-Mart stepped up to the plate and now these kids can get to work, earn a good day's pay, and provide a great community benefit." Wal-Mart donated rakes, saws, hedge clippers, brush bags and other tools. Rick Miller, president of Friends of Newton Hill, thanked both Bob and Wal-Mart. "Newton Hill is a great resource for the residents of Worcester and now we can keep it up to make sure people can enjoy the park and trails."


NEED HEALTH INSURANCE?
You may qualify for free or low-cost state health coverage - even if you work. Come to two UMass Memorial Medical Center locations -- either at the Hahnemann Campus Lobby, 281 Lincoln St. or the Financial Counseling Offices at 370 Main St. -- on Saturday, June 7 from 9 am-1 pm. Enrollment counselors will meet with you privately to see if you qualify for state health insurance - with no obligation to sign up. Free parking at both locations, refershments, cash prizes, gas cards, Red Sox tickets and more!. Can't come? Call 508.334.9300 or email needinsurance@umassmemorial.org

HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD WASTE FACILITY WINS DEP GRANT - NOVEMBER 26
Working in conjunction with the Paxton Municipal Light Department, the nonprofit Wachusett Earth Day Group has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection to assist in the development of a hazardous waste facility on land owned by the Department of Conservation and Recreation off of Raymond Huntington Highway in West Boylston. Paxton Light will receive a $25,000 grant in fiscal year 2008 and another $25,000 grant in fiscal year 2009. The facility will serve the towns of Paxton, Boylston, West Boylston, Holden, Princeton, Rutland, and Sterling.

ENGINEERING DESIGN WORK TO BEGIN IMMEDIATELY AT NEWTON SQUARE - NOVEMBER 6
After months of meetings between the state and city, Bob is happy to announce that the Department of Conservation and Recreation will begin engineering design work in the Newton Square area to hopefully address why area basements and homes have been beseiged by sewer backups over the past couple of years. Read more here.

BOB HONORED BY MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS
Bob was honored with the 2007 Public Service Award at the October meeting of the Massachusetts League of Community Heath Centers.
This statewide association represents and serves the 52 nonprofit, community health centers in the Commonwealth, which provide primary and preventive health care to one out of nine residents in the state.
The Public Service Award is presented to a public official who demonstrates a commitment to the founding mission of community health centers, which is to ensure that any patient in need, regardless of health status, language, culture or ability to pay, receives high quality comprehensive primary care services. Last March, Bob was the lead sponsor in the House to pass historic community health cener omnibus legislation.
"Rep. Spellane is a rising star in Massachusetts politics," said Frances M. Anthes, Chair of the League and CEO of Family Health Center in Worcester. "And although he has been a friend to the Worcester health centers for many years, we are thrilled that the entire health center network will now have the benefit of his support and leadership."

WORCESTER RECEIVES GRANT FROM MASS. TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATIVE RENEWABLE ENERGY TRUST FUND
OCTOBER 12 2007
Continuing his efforts to explore the potential for Green Energy opportunities for the City of Worcester, Bob is pleased to announce that the City will receive up to $96,257 for a Community Wind Collaborative Feasibility Study and Business Development Award. Find out more.

FRIENDS OF NEWTON HILL RECOGNIZED - OCTOBER 10 2007
Rick Miller and the Friends of Newton Hill have been selected as a recipient of the 2007 Massachusetts Recreation and Parks Associations Special Citizens Award, givven to a person or organization that has in some special way helped to promote recreation and leisure services in the Commonwealth. The Friends were specifically selected for their role in improving Newton Hill. "Your efforts went far beyond a willingness to get involved and show the results of folks who are committed to excellence," reads the award letter. Congratulations to this grassroots group that continues to improve Newton Hill.