Latest news with #Greenman
Scoop
14-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
Planting Day At Ōrua-Pouanui/Baring Head Restores The Mauri Of The Land And People
Press Release – Greater Wellington Regional Council Restoring the park has been a collaborative effort says Greater Wellingtons Park Ranger for East Harbour, Jo Greenman. Volunteers planted locally sourced natives at Ōrua-pouanui/Baring Head in East Harbour Regional Park on Sunday, the last day of Matariki celebrations, to continue Greater Wellington's restoration of the dramatic and rugged valley that surrounds Wainuiomata Stream. Historically, the section of the park was an important source for mahinga kai (gardens) for local iwi and with official Matariki celebrations concluding on 13 July, volunteers helped plant native species for the day; practising renewal and mana taiao, the Matariki value of environmental awareness. Restoring the park has been a collaborative effort says Greater Wellington's Park Ranger for East Harbour, Jo Greenman. 'Since grazing ended we've been working with mana whenua, Friends of Baring Head and other community volunteers to restore the park and facilitate a healthy ecosystem,' says Greenman. 'We've conducted pest plant and animal control work and planted species that help reduce grass fire risk and improve the park's biodiversity. 'The plants we used on Sunday were all locally sourced from a variety of local nurseries and suppliers including Forest & Bird and He Kaha Tuatinitini Taiao.' He Kaha Tuatinitini Taiao, formerly known as the Hem of Remutaka, – previously a Jobs for Nature funded project in partnership with Greater Wellington Taranaki Whānui and Department of Conservation, is now carrying on as a commercial enterprise closely associated with Taranaki Whānui. Their involvement in restoring the land of Ōrua-pouanui is part of the kaupapa of Te Āti Awa led conservation efforts says He Kaha Tuatinitini Taiao Operations Manager, Gary Sue. 'Following on from the Hem of Remutaka project we are continuing environmental mahi throughout our takiwā of Te Āti Awa including Wainuiomata with the owners and the team of staff that are mostly iwi or whakapapa Māori,' says Sue. 'The restoration of Ōrua-pouanui using local eco-sourced plants, specific to the region, grown from our own nursery will cultivate an eco-system that is suited to our climate and soils and ensure the whenua thrives in future. He Kaha Tuatinitini Taiao is committed to Greater Wellington's Recloaking Papatūānuku and Taranaki Whānui's Toitū te taiao strategic priorities.'
Scoop
14-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
Planting Day At Ōrua-Pouanui/Baring Head Restores The Mauri Of The Land And People
Volunteers planted locally sourced natives at Ōrua-pouanui/Baring Head in East Harbour Regional Park on Sunday, the last day of Matariki celebrations, to continue Greater Wellington's restoration of the dramatic and rugged valley that surrounds Wainuiomata Stream. Historically, the section of the park was an important source for mahinga kai (gardens) for local iwi and with official Matariki celebrations concluding on 13 July, volunteers helped plant native species for the day; practising renewal and mana taiao, the Matariki value of environmental awareness. Restoring the park has been a collaborative effort says Greater Wellington's Park Ranger for East Harbour, Jo Greenman. 'Since grazing ended we've been working with mana whenua, Friends of Baring Head and other community volunteers to restore the park and facilitate a healthy ecosystem,' says Greenman. 'We've conducted pest plant and animal control work and planted species that help reduce grass fire risk and improve the park's biodiversity. 'The plants we used on Sunday were all locally sourced from a variety of local nurseries and suppliers including Forest & Bird and He Kaha Tuatinitini Taiao.' He Kaha Tuatinitini Taiao, formerly known as the Hem of Remutaka, – previously a Jobs for Nature funded project in partnership with Greater Wellington Taranaki Whānui and Department of Conservation, is now carrying on as a commercial enterprise closely associated with Taranaki Whānui. Their involvement in restoring the land of Ōrua-pouanui is part of the kaupapa of Te Āti Awa led conservation efforts says He Kaha Tuatinitini Taiao Operations Manager, Gary Sue. 'Following on from the Hem of Remutaka project we are continuing environmental mahi throughout our takiwā of Te Āti Awa including Wainuiomata with the owners and the team of staff that are mostly iwi or whakapapa Māori,' says Sue. 'The restoration of Ōrua-pouanui using local eco-sourced plants, specific to the region, grown from our own nursery will cultivate an eco-system that is suited to our climate and soils and ensure the whenua thrives in future. He Kaha Tuatinitini Taiao is committed to Greater Wellington's Recloaking Papatūānuku and Taranaki Whānui's Toitū te taiao strategic priorities.'
Boston Globe
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Adam Greenman is running for Pawtucket mayor
Advertisement 'So much has changed about Pawtucket in the last 14 years, but the leadership hasn't,' Greenman told the Globe over the weekend. Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up The bigger picture: Greenman is not a pushover, even as a first-time candidate. He's a smart and thoughtful community leader who shouldn't have trouble raising money, and his wife, Erin, was on the school committee for a decade. Then again, Grebien is having a bit of a moment right now. The Advertisement Greenman acknowledged that he faces an uphill battle against Grebien, who is generally well-liked by the voters and his colleagues in government. It's also never easy to beat an incumbent, as Grebien learned in 2008 when he lost to then-mayor James Doyle. But Greenman maintains that 'there has never been a campaign about competing visions for the city' in Grebien's 14 years in office. It's true. Grebien has won every election by comfortable margins. 'I think this is about the past versus future,' Greenman said. 'Being nice isn't enough to move the city forward.' This story first appeared in Rhode Map, our free newsletter about Rhode Island that also contains information about local events, links to interesting stories, and more. If you'd like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, Dan McGowan can be reached at
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A 'wake-up call': State lawmakers are fearful after Minnesota shootings expose lack of security
State lawmakers across the country say they are deeply concerned about the lack of security they receive in the wake of the targeted shooting of two Minnesota legislators, even as local officials attempt to ramp up some safety measures. Outside of their state capitol complexes, state legislators have little to no security protection. No state offers proactive security to members of its legislature, though law enforcement will typically step in if there are credible threats. And despite the renewed attention to the issue, lawmakers fear little will ultimately be done that can make a meaningful difference, given that in many states, such positions are effectively part-time jobs with small budgets. Democratic Minnesota state Rep. Emma Greenman, who was a close colleague of this weekend's shooting victims, said the attack in her state would almost certainly have to serve as a 'wake-up call' around the lack of safety measures for state lawmakers, but that solutions remained sparse. 'I think a lot of us are going through this,' Greenman told NBC News in an interview. 'We are normal people in normal neighborhoods.' 'What does this mean now for part-time legislators?' she added. 'We are not members of Congress, who have a lot more resources. Frankly, there's just been a lot more thinking about how to protect members of Congress, or a governor, probably even a mayor.' The safety concerns following the Minnesota shootings have also extended to members of Congress. Only a handful of federal lawmakers receive 24-hour protection from Capitol Police security details, though members may ask for extra protection. Still, that level of protection goes far beyond what is available to state legislators. Like Greenman, Arizona state Rep. Stephanie Simacek, a Democrat, said she receives no security outside of her state Capitol complex. 'We are constantly out there, vulnerable. Whether I'm volunteering somewhere, knocking doors for someone, starting to run my own campaign, I'm out there, vulnerable,' Simacek said. In Simacek's home state, then-Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot in the head while she was meeting with constituents in 2011. Simacek, who makes $24,000 annually as a state representative, said there is no appetite to fund a security apparatus for legislators. 'I don't see any path for that,' she said. 'And that's so frightening, considering the circumstances right now.' So Simacek is taking matters into her own hands. She said she's already started the process of installing cameras on her home property, which she is paying for herself, not with campaign funds. Kansas state Sen. Tory Marie Blew, a Republican, also said she doesn't receive any security protection after she leaves the state Capitol building in Topeka. She also said she has no hope for a legislative path that might fund added safety measures. 'It would be expensive, obviously, and we'd have to have a budget item for it,' she said. There are also logistical complications, especially in larger states, Blew noted. 'I live three hours away from the state capital. I don't think we'd even know where to start for all these lawmakers who live far [away],' she said. Blew and her family have a Ring security device on their door at home, 'but we can't afford a massive security system,' she said. Authorities said the Minnesota shooting suspect, Vance Boelter, visited the homes of four elected officials early Saturday, impersonating a police officer. Authorities allege he shot and killed state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband at their home, shortly after, they say, he seriously wounded state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife in a separate shooting at their home. Like Greenman, Simacek and many others serving in state government, Blew has been on the receiving end of threatening emails and somewhat regularly gets 'yelled at' in public. 'It's part of the job,' she said. 'More and more, it's nerve-wracking.' A number of state officials in recent days have attempted to take some additional steps to protect lawmakers. Wisconsin officials announced increased security at their state Capitol on Monday as lawmakers look to continue their legislative session. New Hampshire officials did the same. In Colorado, officials paused public access to the state's campaign finance database. Campaign finance filings in every state almost always require a candidate to list their home address, making it publicly searchable for anyone. Legislators in Minnesota, New Mexico and North Dakota took similar actions, The Associated Press reported, removing lawmakers' home addresses from state government websites and databases where they are listed or searchable. Elsewhere, other actions to ensure lawmaker safety marked a clear interruption in what have typically been mundane legislative procedures. For example, following the shooting, lawmakers in one state postponed the unveiling of at least one bill that was expected to receive a lot of attention politically while they evaluated whether proper security protocols were in place for its release, an operative in that state said. In the meantime, lawmakers NBC News spoke with said they're not taking any chances with their home safety. Simacek said she 'makes sure the door is always locked' and reminds her children 'that we don't open it when anybody knocks — we see who it is first.' Greenman, who was forced to shelter in place throughout the weekend as law enforcement officials frantically searched for the Minnesota suspect, said she remains fearful. 'Even now that this guy's caught, there is going to be a worry about copycats,' she said. 'We all feel much more vulnerable now.' This article was originally published on
NBC News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
A 'wake-up call': State lawmakers are fearful after Minnesota shootings expose lack of security
State lawmakers across the country say they are deeply concerned about the lack of security they receive in the wake of the targeted shooting of two Minnesota legislators, even as local officials attempt to ramp up some safety measures. Outside of their state capitol complexes, state legislators have little to no security protection. No state offers proactive security to members of its legislature, though law enforcement will typically step in if there are credible threats. And despite the renewed attention to the issue, lawmakers fear little will ultimately be done that can make a meaningful difference, given that in many states, such positions are effectively part-time jobs with small budgets. Democratic Minnesota state Rep. Emma Greenman, who was a close colleague of this weekend's shooting victims, said the attack in her state would almost certainly have to serve as a 'wake-up call' around the lack of safety measures for state lawmakers, but that solutions remained sparse. 'I think a lot of us are going through this,' Greenman told NBC News in an interview. 'We are normal people in normal neighborhoods.' 'What does this mean now for part-time legislators?' she added. 'We are not members of Congress, who have a lot more resources. Frankly, there's just been a lot more thinking about how to protect members of Congress, or a governor, probably even a mayor.' The safety concerns following the Minnesota shootings have also extended to members of Congress. Only a handful of federal lawmakers receive 24-hour protection from Capitol Police security details, though members may ask for extra protection. Still, that level of protection goes far beyond what is available to state legislators. Like Greenman, Arizona state Rep. Stephanie Simacek, a Democrat, said she receives no security outside of her state Capitol complex. 'We are constantly out there, vulnerable. Whether I'm volunteering somewhere, knocking doors for someone, starting to run my own campaign, I'm out there, vulnerable,' Simacek said. In Simacek's home state, then-Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot in the head while she was meeting with constituents in 2011. Simacek, who makes $24,000 annually as a state representative, said there is no appetite to fund a security apparatus for legislators. 'I don't see any path for that,' she said. 'And that's so frightening, considering the circumstances right now.' So Simacek is taking matters into her own hands. She said she's already started the process of installing cameras on her home property, which she is paying for herself, not with campaign funds. Kansas state Sen. Tory Marie Blew, a Republican, also said she doesn't receive any security protection after she leaves the state Capitol building in Topeka. She also said she has no hope for a legislative path that might fund added safety measures. 'It would be expensive, obviously, and we'd have to have a budget item for it,' she said. There are also logistical complications, especially in larger states, Blew noted. 'I live three hours away from the state capital. I don't think we'd even know where to start for all these lawmakers who live far [away],' she said. Blew and her family have a Ring security device on their door at home, 'but we can't afford a massive security system,' she said. Authorities said the Minnesota shooting suspect, Vance Boelter, visited the homes of four elected officials early Saturday, impersonating a police officer. Authorities allege he shot and killed state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband at their home, shortly after, they say, he seriously wounded state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife in a separate shooting at their home. Like Greenman, Simacek and many others serving in state government, Blew has been on the receiving end of threatening emails and somewhat regularly gets 'yelled at' in public. 'It's part of the job,' she said. 'More and more, it's nerve-wracking.' A number of state officials in recent days have attempted to take some additional steps to protect lawmakers. Wisconsin officials announced increased security at their state Capitol on Monday as lawmakers look to continue their legislative session. New Hampshire officials did the same. In Colorado, officials paused public access to the state's campaign finance database. Campaign finance filings in every state almost always require a candidate to list their home address, making it publicly searchable for anyone. Legislators in Minnesota, New Mexico and North Dakota took similar actions, The Associated Press reported, removing lawmakers' home addresses from state government websites and databases where they are listed or searchable. Elsewhere, other actions to ensure lawmaker safety marked a clear interruption in what have typically been mundane legislative procedures. For example, following the shooting, lawmakers in one state postponed the unveiling of at least one bill that was expected to receive a lot of attention politically while they evaluated whether proper security protocols were in place for its release, an operative in that state said. In the meantime, lawmakers NBC News spoke with said they're not taking any chances with their home safety. Simacek said she 'makes sure the door is always locked' and reminds her children 'that we don't open it when anybody knocks — we see who it is first.' Greenman, who was forced to shelter in place throughout the weekend as law enforcement officials frantically searched for the Minnesota suspect, said she remains fearful. 'Even now that this guy's caught, there is going to be a worry about copycats,' she said. 'We all feel much more vulnerable now.'
