Left to Right; Steve Camara, Fall River City Councilor; Joe Camara, Fall River City Councilor; Mike Rodrigues, State Senator; Shana Shufelt, Westport Board of Selectmen Chair; Carole Fiola, State Representative; Ed Markey, United States Senator; Pam Laliberte-Lebeau, Fall River City Councilor; Alan Silvia, State Representative; Paul Schmid, State Representative; Mark Costa, Fall River School Committee Member; and Paul Coogan, Candidate for Fall River Mayor and Fall River School Committee Member

FALL RIVER – Senator Markey convened a roundtable discussion with local elected officials and community leaders from Fall River on Saturday afternoon to address the most pressing issues Fall River is facing, and to talk about the future of the city. Senator Markey was joined by School Committee Member Paul Coogan, State Senator Mike Rodrigues, State Representative Carole Fiola, State Representative Paul Schmid, and State Representative Alan Silvia.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to have an open and honest dialogue with the elected and civic leaders of Fall River,” said Senator Markey. “Fall River’s public and private officials are partnering on critical issues, including clean energy, infrastructure and affordable housing. This discussion was constructive and informative, and I will continue to address the concerns of local and municipal officials at the federal level.”

“Senator Markey understands that real change starts locally,” said School Committee Member Paul Coogan. “This was a productive conversation about our community’s needs. Senator Markey showed up ready to listen to the concerns of the people who know Fall River best, and I am confident he will bring our city’s needs to Capitol Hill.”

Fall River state delegation members State Senator Rodrigues, State Representative Fiola, State Representative Schmid and State Representative Silvia added, “On behalf of the Fall River delegation, we would like to express our gratitude to Senator Markey for his proactive efforts to help better our city. Senator Markey understands the unique assets and challenges of a community like Fall River and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with him on issues from infrastructure to the environment to fighting the opioid crisis to make our city strong and its future bright. With Senator Markey advocating for our needs, we know that real, concrete, positive changes will continue to happen at every level of government.”

Senator Markey has served in the United States Senate for the last six years, and is widely regarded as the leading member of Congress on fighting climate change. He has also led legislation in addressing the opioid epidemic, internet privacy concerns and the humanitarian crisis occurring at the southern border.

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