District Walk

Representative Balser led a walk through Newton Upper Falls. The walk was part of a series of Spring Walks with Legislators, sponsored by WalkBoston, a Boston-based organization that advocates for more pedestrian-friendly cities and towns throughout the state.

Democratic Victory Party

Representative Balser the night Deval Patrick was elected Governor. Included in this photo are Senator Karen Spilka, Newton Democratic City Committee Chair Martina Jackson, Democratic State Committeewoman Sally Rizzo, Representative Kay Khan, Democratic State Committeewoman Carol Aloisi, and others.

MOAR Recovery Day

Representative Balser and Senator Steven Tolman receive Recovery Month Appreciation Awards from the Massachusetts Coalition for Addiction Services. The awards were presented at the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction and Recovery's Recovery Day celebration for their roles as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee Co-Chairs.

Health Care Panel

Representative Balser spoke about mental health as a member of a health care panel at the spring 2005 State Democratic Convention. Moderated by State Senator Mark Montigny, the panel included former Governor Michael Dukakis and Health Care for All Director John McDonough.

 

American Psychological Association

Representative Balser has been invited by the American Psychological Association to the State Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. each year she has been in office, as she is one of very few psychologist-legislators in the nation. Here, she is addressing the conference describing her advocacy in the Massachusetts legislature on issues of concern to psychologists.

 

Echo Bridge

The Friends of Hemlock Gorge sought Representative Balser's assistance in appealing to the MWRA to repair and restore the platform under Echo Bridge and the railings on the walkway above. In response to Representative Balser's advocacy, the MWRA restored the platform. In addition, Representative Balser (along with Senator Creem and neighboring communities' Representatives Harkins and Peisch and Senator Brown)  succeeded in including an appropriation to restore the railings on the bridge in the FY07 Budget.  This photo was taken at the celebration sponsored by the Friends of Hemlock Gorge.

Hammond Pond

Representative Ruth B. Balser organized a task force to save Hammond Pond. She invited representatives from local environmental organizations, neighborhood groups, local businesses, state and municipal agencies and elected officials to participate. As a result of these efforts, the City of Newton received a federal grant to restore and protect the pond. Here she is at the press conference announcing the awarding of the grant.

 

Unity Day

With Senator Creem and Representative Khan in the lead, the Newton legislative delegation passed a bill proposed by a Zervas elementary school student. Representative Balser with fellow Newton legislators Cindy Creem, Kay Khan, and Peter Koutoujian and Governor Romney celebrated the efforts of the Zervas elementary school students who had succeeded in making law! The bill, declaring September 11 Unity Day in Massachusetts is now Chap. 68 of the Acts of 2003. Representative Balser congratulates the students at Zervas for their effective political advocacy!