Support the Pink House Kickoff Meeting a Huge Success

L to R: Jon Elcock, STPH, Senator Kathleen O'Connor Ives, Rep. James Kelcourse, Rep Lenny Mirra, Rochelle Joseph, STPH, Senator Bruce Tarr, Morgan Bell, Alison Odle, STPH, David Dempsey, STPH, Councilman Gregory Earls. Photo by Rocco Coviello

Support The Pink House’s first formal public meeting to galvanize efforts to spare the iconic Pink House was a huge success! Last night Plum Island’s PITA Hall was warm with community collaboration and good will as federal, State, and local officials joined the Support The Pink House group and 60+ caring local attendees.

All gathered to both hear the compelling behind-the-scenes story of the intense work done by the grassroots citizens group on behalf of the concerned public.  As a real vote of confidence and show of solidarity, a VIP list of elected officials were in attendance: Congressman Mouton's rep Morgan Bell, State Senators Tarr and O'Connor Ives, House Representatives Mirra and Kelcourse, as well as Chuck Wik, a Selectman from the town of Newbury, and Newburyport Councilman-At-Large Greg Earls as well as Plum Island Tax Payers Leader Ron Barrett, Greg Jardis of Amesbury Industrial, among others.

The Steering Committee has been meeting regularly, at times once a week, for the last year. They realized early on that before marshaling the interested public, that they needed to accomplish the first step: Securing the house from imminent plans to demolish it.  And they have succeeded, thanks to the help of many of the elected officials seen here.

The Pink House  is currently owned by the Parker River Wildlife Refuge, managed by Bill Peterson. Scheduled for demolition in March of this year, STPH worked with Peterson to get a stay until May -- at which time they met with Peterson to get yet another extension. All through, our Steering Committee worked overtime, calling, meeting, and writing everyone they could who might help. While the Refuge agreed to keep the Pink House up until after the summer, it was clear this was the finale -- unless Support The Pink House could come up with something significant by September 1.

We nearly needed a miracle - and it came thanks to the involvement  Senators Ives and  Tarr and ultimately a conference call between Congressman Moulton and Senators Markey and Warren's offices and the Wildlife Refuge.  The end result was that Support the Pink House was granted at least a year to work on solutions!

This meeting was held to kick off the effort. Senators Tarr and Ives spoke at the top of the  meeting.  Newer to the effort, Reps Mirra and Kelcourse were welcomed and also said a few words. Then all took their seats to watch Support the Pink House's 
​  

Representative James Kelcourse, State Senator Kathleen O'Connor Ives, Representative Lenny Mirra and Coungressman Seth Mouton's Rep Morgan Bell sit front and center at the Support The Pink House's presentation at PITA Hall.

This is the first of monthly meetings that will be held by Support The Pink House. The next is at PITA Hall on October 26, 2106 from 7-9 pm. 

Now that we have some time, and our research has produced some concrete directions to work toward, our work has begun. We have several options to explore in addition to the need to raise minimal operating funds. The Steering Committee, who works on behalf of the overwhelming interest by the public, needs folks to pitch in and help. While 40 people signed up at this meeting alone, we are rapidly growing in our needs.

​If you're interested click CONTACT US,  give us your information and check off any boxes describing your skills or what kind of things you'd most enjoy working on.  Thank you!

Documentary Filmmaker Michael Bavaro shoots as The Steering Committee of Support the Pink House giving a presentation to elected officials, local attendees and reporters.