[ATMoB-discuss] Light Pollution efforts in Gloucester MA

[Mario E. Motta]

Hello all,

     After many meetings, and redrafts, the effort to get light 
pollution laws passed in Gloucester MA are picking up steam. The town 
attorneys have approved of the measure. The Mayor has publicly approved 
of the measure, and that fact was reported in the town newspaper, The 
Gloucester daily Times today, on the front Page! I was interviewed on 
local access TV on light pollution last week (will be shown a few 
times), and tonight had the first step in final approval: I gave a 
presentation on a powerpoint on light pollution to the "public" before 
presenting to the City Council.
Tonight's presentation went well, had a reasonable crowd. To my 
surprise, the only comments were why the light pollution laws do not go 
far enough! The townspeople present actually want tougher laws than we 
are presenting! There were 2 business people, including an owner of a 
silversmith on Main Street, who admitted some initial skepticism from 
the newspaper, but after my presentation, states he is fully on board, 
wants me to present to the Chamber of Commerce, feels I would get full 
support.
      Next, the law will be forwarded to the city council, and sometime 
in next 4-8 weeks, will present to them and a final vote for approval.
It has been a year long process, but I am amazed at the amount of 
community support from many quarters in town!

I plan on pushing hard on state efforts next year, and... I am meeting 
with Representative Tierney (North Shore Congressman). He had recently 
attended a light pollution discussion at Sylvania 2 months ago. I will 
meet with him on Medical issues, but... I hope to convince him to draft 
and submit a light pollution law to cover Federal Highways.
The beat goes on. I will be happy to give a copy of my presentation 
available to anyone who wants it, feel free to use to move the message 
in your own locale, feel free to copy and plagiarize. The Powerpoint is 
42MB however, too large to e-mail. At the next meeting, bring a flash 
drive and copy, or I can make a few CD's. Join the fight!

Mario Motta