Talk of the Times: Local fishing activist earns regional honor

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Deborah Hammond/Gloucester Daily Times Former Gloucester fisherman and City Councilor Vito Calomo has been recognized by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for his work in fisheries legislation over the past 15 years. Deborah Hammond

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July 10, 2010

By All Hands The Gloucester Daily Times Sat Jul 10, 2010, 02:33 AM EDT

Former Gloucester fisherman and City Councilor Vito Calomo has been recognized by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for his work in fisheries legislation over the past 15 years.

Calomo received the Fisheries Commission's annual Legislative Award of Excellence for "fervently promoting positions beneficial to New England's commercial fishermen" and chairing the commission's legislative committee for four years.

"I was actually thrilled and did not expect it," Calomo said this week. "Sometimes you have to cross the bridge and go all the way to Washington to be recognized.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission presides over fishing regulations in state water (up to three miles from shore) from Florida to Maine.

Calomo was first involved with the commission as an industry advisor on panels dealing with northern shrimp and herring, and later became a permanent proxy on the commission for former state Rep. Anthony Verga, a Gloucester Democrat who was the Massachusetts Legislative Appointee until 2009.

Calomo is still the vice chairman for the Massachusetts Fisheries Commission.

"Outside of formal meetings, he was instrumental in bringing commissioners, staff, and scientists together, providing opportunities to meet one another personally to informally discuss issues and exchange ideas," a news release from the commission announcing the award said.

Calomo this week said he is anxious to see the Gloucester Fisheries Commission reinstated — something Mayor Carolyn Kirk has vowed to do.

A hall of presidents

As former schools administrator and education consultant Josh Arnold took the reins of the Gloucester Rotary Club this week, he could look around and draw on lots of experience from the club's past leadership.

The induction ceremony, held at Cruiseport Gloucester, drew no fewer than 13 members who now hold the title of past president, and a 14th ex-president, Michael Linquata, remains a club member though he was unable to attend the event.

Those who were on hand at the head table, and their years as president, were:

Marc Sandler, 1974-75

David Babson, 1981-82

Charlie Currier, 1982-83

Rudy Macchi, 1983-84

Steve Dexter, 1986-87

J. Brad Pierce, 1989-1990

Sue Todd, 1994-1995

Steven Kaity, 2001-2002

Joe Ciolino, 2004-2005

Don Sudbay Jr., 2006-2007

Bruce Horne, 2007-2008

Sinikka Nogelo, 2008-2009

Ruth Pino, 2009-2010

Sam Miceli, the former club secretary who served in that role for more than 30 years, was also among those in attendance, while former Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mike Costello, a Gloucester Rotary member for 25 years, served as master of ceremonies.

Ferrante earns title

Fifty state lawmakers from around the country will participate next week in the 2010 Program for Emerging Political Leaders at the University of Virginia — and the Massachusetts representative is Gloucester and Cape Ann's own Ann-Margaret Ferrante.

Ferrante, in the final months of her first term as state representative for Gloucester, Rockport and Essex, will attend the event hosted by the university's Darden School of Business.

Ferrante and her 49 colleagues were chosen from a nationwide pool of more than 180 nominees, and will be Massachusetts' lone representative.

"In Rep. Ferrante's short time in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, she has proven to be a strong advocate for her district and a compassionate voice for the people she so proudly represents," state House Speaker Robert DeLeo said, who nominated Ferrante for the program.

"I applaud Rep. Ferrante for her selection to this impressive program," DeLeo added, "and look forward to working alongside her in the Massachusetts House for years to come."

Honored veteran

The flag at the Veterans' Center will fly this week in honor of Civil War veteran Albert Center. Born July 14, 1841, he was the son of Solomon and Amanda (Currier) Center. He entered the U.S. Army on Aug. 19, 1862. The private served with Company G 8th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.

Center died in service on Feb. 26, 1863, in Newburn, N.C. He is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Lot 529, Hickory Avenue.

The flag was requested to fly in his honor by the Office of Veterans' Services.

Anyone wishing to fly a flag in honor of a deceased veteran can call the Office of Veterans' Services at 978-281-9740.