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Chelsea Pride now Hangs in the Statehouse

By Lorenzo Recupero: It all started about six months ago when Assistant Superintendent Mary Bourque's Chelsea pride raised her concerns about an issue involving our city.

The issue was our flag. Chelsea was among the few cities that didn't have a flag hanging in the Statehouse. Mary Bourque contacted Assistant Principle Patrick Schultz, who then brought the issue to our CHS history teacher David Weinberg. Mr. Weinberg announced the issue during his AP government class and hoped for a student or group of students to be aroused by the dilemma and research it. To motivate his young students, Mr. Weinberg offered an extra test grade to whomever rose to the occasion. With sheer concern and a great deal of Chelsea pride, CHS senior Joe Resnek made it his obligation to look into the issue and make a difference. Resnek made sure in time Chelsea would be represented in a better way.

During his summer days Joe Resnek gained access to Chelsea city records while working as an Assistant to City Manager Jay Ash. Searching through files, he discovered a 20-year old letter inviting Chelsea to provide a flag to hang in the Statehouse. At that time, Statehouse officials created the plan for the Great Hall to hold each of the 351 city and towns flag in Massachusetts. Letters were sent out to all of the cities, and 298 cities promptly produced a flag. Chelsea at the time had a problem; it only had one Chelsea flag, and that flag hung in the City Council chamber at City Hall. Chelsea officials eventually forgot about the invitation and the issue was put aside. With this lost document in hand, Joe got to work.

In the fall, the City of Chelsea became the 299th city in Massachusetts to hang its flag in the Great Hall at the Statehouse in Boston. On September 13, 2006, State Senator Jarrett Barrios, State Representative Eugene O'Flaherty, City Manager Jay Ash, members of both the City Council and School Committee, as well as Superintendent Thomas Kingston, Assistant Superintendent Mary Bourque, and Joe Resnek made their way to Capital Hill and watched this historic event.

This was a long time coming for the City of Chelsea. It all came together several months ago, when a copy of the flag was created and sent to the Statehouse.

The hanging of the flag was a collaborative effort by Chelsea Public Schools, the City of Chelsea and State Officials. CHS senior Joe Resnek spearheaded the effort.

At the event, Senator Barrios spoke about the meaning and significance of the raising of the flag. During this time, city historian George Ostler explained to the audience the history of the flag. Ash, Barrios, O'Flaherty, and Resnek posed for a photo with the flag, which was published in the Boston Globe the following Sunday.

Ash was extremely satisfied with the work of the Chelsea Public Schools. "The Chelsea public schools played a crucial role in the implementation of our flag," Ash told the Advocate. "It is representative of the hard work and dedication of the students in our school system."

Article posted to chs.chelseaschools.com: .

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• Use less hot water -- It takes a lot of energy to heat water. You can use less hot water by installing a low flow showerhead (350 pounds of carbon dioxide saved per year) and washing your clothes in cold or warm water (500 pounds saved per year) instead of hot.