July 2, 2015 — The bully pulpit for the commercial fishing industry was a crowded place on Wednesday, when past and present Massachusetts attorneys general made their way to Gloucester to meet with one of their most fervent and beleaguered constituencies.
The event at the offices of the Northeast Seafood Coalition, largely organized by state Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante with the help of the coalition, was a show of force and appreciation for the efforts of former Attorney General Martha Coakley and current Attorney General Maura Healey in helping the Gloucester fishing community as it continues to wrestle against the clutches of the ongoing fishing disaster.
But it was more than that. For more than an hour, the gathering had the feel of a reunion and the vibe of comrades who waged — and continue to wage — battle together.
“Usually, we’re referred to as ‘General’ because of our position,” Coakley said to the two dozen fishermen, public servants and other stakeholders gathered in the coalition’s board room above the Institution for Savings building on Parker Street. “But when we come to Gloucester, we’re happy to be called ‘Captain’.”
This was a lighter, more relaxed citizen Coakley than the candidate who lost to Charlie Baker in last November’s hard-fought Massachusetts gubernatorial election. The meeting was set to begin at 10 a.m., but Coakley wandered off course on her way up from Boston and didn’t arrive until 10:26 a.m.
“I’m getting a built-in GPS in my car next week,” Coakley said, laughing easily. “For 16 years, I didn’t drive myself around.”
Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times