Representative Lew Evangelidis was recently chosen by the Massachusetts Recreation and Parks Association to be "Legislator of the Year". This is a very fitting tribute to Mr. Evangelidis, given his active involvement with Wachusett Mountain and Holden's White Oak Society, not to mention his participation with setting aside land at Four Corners in Princeton. Below is a press release detailing Rep. Evangelidis' recent award as well as a bit about a small piece of the work he has done to help preserve the natural environment of Central Massachusetts.
BOSTON-State Representative Lew Evangelidis (R-Holden) announced today that he has been selected as “Legislator of the Year” by the Massachusetts Recreation and Parks Association. Representative Evangelidis was selected from an extensive list of nominees for his continued dedication and advocacy for the recreational parks of the Commonwealth. Former recipients include Congressman James McGovern (D-Worcester), Congressman John Olver (D-Amherst) and the Chairman of the House Environment Committee, Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline).
Representative Evangelidis has been dedicated to the promotion, preservation and expansion of recreational attractions in Central Mass throughout his legislative career. He has secured over $100,000 in grant funding for the Mass Central Rail Trail, as well as funding for Rutland State Park and various community facilities such as the Holden town pool. He was recognized particularly for his continued support of Wachusett Mount State Reservation during this legislative session. Evangelidis secured over $8 million of funding for project renovations at the mountain in the Environmental Bond Bill which was passed earlier this year. Evangelidis is the ranking minority member of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture which played a key roll in a number of bills passed this year aimed at the preservation of our parks.
Evangelidis said, “Our national and state parks are our most treasured natural resources. My family has continuously enjoyed all o f the wonderful outdoor activities available right here in Central Mass, as well as throughout this great country, from the Mass Central Rail Trail to the Grand Canyon.”
Rutland Recreation Director Karen Goolsky, who nominated Evangelidis, said in a letter to the awards Committee, “I have to say that Lew is extremely active in the community. He is at every event, sometimes with his children in tow! He has run in local road races, presented citations, played softball games, attends dinners and functions and just shows up because he cares.”
The Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association is a non-profit membership organization committed to education, training programs and representing the membership in advocating for the betterment of their agencies with policy-makers in the Commonwealth and on a national basis.
He formally accepted his award at MRPA’s annual conference on October 28th in Westport.
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Evangelidis earns praise from national business group
Rep. Lew Evangelidis (R-Holden) recently received a 100 percent voting score from the National Federation of Independent Business, a non-profit organization that advocates for the interests of small business. Only 25 of 160 state representatives received a passing score (60 percent or better) during the 2007-08 legislative session.
"The cost of doing business in Massachusetts has driven businesses and jobs to neighboring states that have more business friendly practices," said Evangelidis. "Our small businesses are the backbone of Central Massachusetts and I will continue to advocate for those companies to promote their sustainability in these difficult economic times."
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