THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022 Page 13 Thousands mourn, honor State Police Trooper Tamar Bucci A By Adam Swift sea of blue surrounded St. Anthony’s Church on Wednesday morning as more than 2,000 police officers from across the state and beyond joined family and friends to help lay State Trooper Tamar Bucci to rest. Bucci, 34, was killed on Thursday, March 3, when a tanker truck collided with her cruiser on Interstate 93 in Stoneham. Six female State Troopers who were in Bucci’s academy class served as pallbearers. Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Attorney General Maura Healey were among those standing near the entrance of the church as the procession made its way inside. Bucci’s stepfather, Jim Burditt, delivered one of the eulogies, remembering Bucci as a loving person who was both down to earth and in touch with a spiritual side. “She is now protecting all of us from above, and I am confident that we will continue to feel her presence here on earth,” Burditt said. Burditt also spoke of Bucci’s focus and commitment, which was evident even long before she became a State Trooper. “After listenTrooper Tamar Bucci’s mother and stepfather, Maral and Jim Burditt, and father Anthony Bucci (from left) watched as her coffin was brought out of St. Anthony of Padua Church on Thursday. Her pallbearers – each a female trooper who graduated from the academy with her – carried her coffin. (Advocate photo) ing to stories and laughing for hours, it is safe to say that if Tamar didn’t feel what was deep in her soul, she was not going to be 100 percent in; in fact, she was 100 percent out,” Burditt said. “What does that mean? Well, if her sister was driving her in her Barbie Corvette and she wasn’t having fun, she would jump out. “But one of the things she did feel deep in her soul was a passion for fitness. She worked out daily, ran a marathon and even did a bodybuilding competition.” State Police Colonel Christopher Mason eulogized Bucci as a trooper who had a calling to serve. “The colonel of the State Police has the privilege to speak to recruit classes directly at their graduation exercises,” said Mason. “At what was Tamar’s proudest day, I chose to speak to the 85th Troop Training Group about the responsibility to serve, to place the needs of others above their own, selflessly assist those who are vulnerable, those who are victims or survivors, those who are in need. I submit to you today that Tamar’s actions throughout her career embodied this sentiment far better than my words ever could.” State Police Chaplain Father Paul Clifford said that from the beginning of her life Tamar was involved in everything and engaging with everyone with her eyes focused on tomorrow. Clifford said Bucci was wise beyond her years and knew what it meant to serve and live for others. “Thank you for showing us how to be wise and to serve and protect,” said Clifford. “Thank you for reminding us how a light shines within us all.” Mass. Gaming Commission recognizes March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month T he Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) is pleased to recognize March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM). Established 20 years ago by the National Council on Problem Gambling, PGAM is a national outreach campaign designed to educate the public about problem gambling and the resources available. PGAM aims to generate awareness about the risks of gambling and urges action toward hope and recovery for those in need. The theme of PGAM is “Awareness + Action,” which is fitting as the MGC continues to advance the nation’s most comprehensive gambling research agenda and strives to mobilize it to reduce gambling harm. “The Commission’s ongoing research agenda has put into focus several factors that likely contribute to gambling-related harm,” said MGC Research and Responsible Gaming Director Mark Vander Linden. “With increased attention during PGAM, we aim to mobilize this research to create resources to promote safer levels of play and prevent gambling-related harm.” That robust research agenda has been underway for almost 10 years and has generated over 50 reports covering numerous aspects of gambling expansion in the Commonwealth, including social, economic and public safety impacts as well as responsible gaming evaluation. Research findings have provided vital information to inform the work of the MGC and stakeholders throughout Massachusetts. The MGC maintains a steadfast commitment to promoting responsible gaming by leveraging findings from its research agenda to create new and innovative player tools and resources. Last year the Massachusetts Gambling Impact Cohort (MAGIC), the first major cohort study of gambling conducted in the United States, was released. The findings from this study provided a framework to help develop a series of lower risk gambling guidelines which will be released this month. The MGC is also poised to release a white paper focused on gambling advertising, including a series of evidence-informed recommendations to reduce harm. The MGC research agenda is accessible on the MGC website. In recognition of a statewide commitment to increasing awareness, Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito have officially declared March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month across the Commonwealth, “urging citizens to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.” “The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is committed to promoting safe levels of play and reducing gambling-related harm by offering programs and initiatives that help understand and address problem gambling,” said MGC Chair Cathy Judd-Stein. “This is an all-hands effort and we are thrilled to partner with the Governor, Lt. Governor, stakeholders and casino operators in the Commonwealth to raise awareness.” To cap off PGAM, in late March, MGM Springfield will join Plainridge Park Casino as the first casinos in the country to offer a slot machine-based budgeting tool – called PlayMyWay – to help patrons manage their play. PlayMyWay allows patrons to voluntarily set a budget at the slot machine and receive reminders as they approach their budget. “During PGAM, it is our responsibility to raise awareness of programs, and resources for people who make the choice to gamble in the Commonwealth,” said Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health Executive Director Marlene Warner. “It is also an opportunity to remind players to focus on positive play: a demonstrated effort to increase their gambling literacy and a commitment to a predetermined amount of money and time spent gambling.” The MGC encourages all casino employees and patrons to engage with its statewide brand and on-site responsible gaming program, GameSense. GameSense staff will educate casino employees and patrons on tips to keep play safe, support player health and access community-based support resources. For additional information on MGC’s problem gambling prevention efforts, visit MassGaming.com – or for more on the GameSense program, visit GameSenseMA.com.
14 Publizr Home