Accomplishments
Here are a few of the significant undertakings I've been involved in as your Bristol County Commissioner over the last few years. We've accomplished much, and I'm asking for your vote to accomplish even more as your Commissioner.
Bristol County Agricultural High School's Building Committee
As chairman of Bristol County Agricultural High School’s Building Committee, John worked for years to oversee and guide to completion that school’s building project of four new buildings and three full renovations. All done to give our students state-of the-art facilities and to increase their enrollment by 200+ students, so more of our County’s talented youth can get a Bristol Aggie education. This is one reason why the school is Massachusetts’ top-rated vocational technical / agricultural high school, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Bristol Aggie Educational Foundation, Inc.
John is a co-founder and president of the Bristol Aggie Educational Foundation, Inc., which has raised some $300,000 in the last seven years for grants to students and staff for many extracurricular uses, including helping the numerous students who have started or want to improve their own businesses.
Foundation Dinner
The Bristol Aggie Educational Foundation recently held its 7th Annual Farm-to-Table Fundraiser. The dinner event, which began in 2017, has raised some $70,000 in each of the last two years. The money is used only to pay for the fundraiser, and to support Aggie students and staff in the endeavors for which they apply for grants.
Last year, the Foundation gave out nearly $40,000 in grants, largely to students who run their own businesses in fields such as landscaping, floral design, equestrian services, and animal tending. Other uses
go to clubs and staff who need equipment or want their students to attend certain programs.
Our thanks to our many sponsors. They have been great supporters throughout the years, and provide continuing support as the Foundation grows and attracts more alumni, supporters of the school, and the Bristol County Aggie/Horticulture community.
Looking forward to next year’s event, and more importantly, to the grant requests students will start submitting in early 2025.
If you know an Aggie student, encourage them to apply for a Foundation grant!
Taunton Superior Court Torch Restoration
With his fellow Commissioners, John worked cooperatively to allocate the County’s $111 million federal COVID grant to Taunton and other Bristol County cities and towns, and to use funds received by the County to fix up the County’s court houses and registries of deeds.
We are working through these federal and state funds to restore the Torch to its pinnacle atop the Superior Court on the Taunton Green, taking pride in the County’s presence in Taunton.
Greater Fall River's Children's Museum Relocation
With his fellow Commissioners, John worked cooperatively to allocate the County’s $111 million federal COVID grant to Fall River and other Bristol County cities and towns, and to use funds received by the County to fix up the County’s court houses and registries of deeds.
John helped spearhead the Greater Fall River Children’s Museum Locating in the former Fall River Superior Court on North Main Street. where the Museum has grown and thrived, working with the County as its Landlord in that building.
History Re-Imaged
Judges once sat here. Now our children do. Where once murders were tried, civil disputes fought over, and all manner of other cases litigated for nearly 100 years, our children play, dream, and imagine in the Space Station Room.
When the Bristol County Superior Court was closing a decade ago, then-County Commissioners, including John Mitchell, worked with the Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River to bring that museum, with all its cultural benefits and activities for our children, to its current location.
Did You Know?
Just under half of the building at North Main Street is still home to the Bristol County Fall River Registry of Deeds. However, the greatest portion of the building is our beloved Children’s Museum. Aside from the Space Room, there are rooms to explore trains, dinosaurs, music, and many other activities. Included are opportunities for families to host birthday parties and other events at the Museum.
New Bedford Superior Court Cupola Restoration
With his fellow Commissioners, John worked cooperatively to allocate the County’s $111 million federal COVID grant to Fall River and other Bristol County cities and towns, and to use funds received by the County to fix up the County’s court houses and registries of deeds.
In New Bedford, we’ve secured funding to restore the cupola and facade of Superior Court, so prominent on County Street.