Lifelong JP Resident Beltran Named New Jamaica Plain Liaison by Mayor Wu

Melissa Beltran is the new Jamaica Plain liaison for the city's Office of Neighborhood Services, and will serve as the primary contact for constituents and businesses wanting to connect for city services. “As a lifelong resident of Jamaica Plain, I've seen firsthand the difference that having equitable access to essential city services can make in our community and I'm extremely thankful for the opportunity to continue to bridge the gap for not only underrepresented populations, but all of Jamaica Plain,” said Beltran via press release. “Melissa and Manuela [Villa Gomez, the new East Boston liaison] were raised in the neighborhoods they will now be serving, and bring this personal connection to their work,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Melissa has proven experience advocating for vulnerable populations in our city...I look forward to working with both of them to better address the daily concerns of our residents.”
Neighborhood Services liaisons help connect residents to city services and resources by facilitating citizen input through service requests, attending neighborhood meetings, and emergency responses. “Melissa and Manuela are already passionate about their roles as liaisons because of their strong ties to their neighborhoods,” said Brianna Millor, Chief of Community Engagement.

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Boston Public Health Commission Advisory Related to CUPKIN Stainless Steel Children’s Cups

The Boston Public Health Commission has issued a public health advisory related to the danger of lead exposure from certain CUPKIN double-walled stainless steel children’s cups.  

The Boston Public Health Commission advises anyone who owns these cups to stop using them immediately. The 8 oz and 12 oz cups were recalled on July 20, 2023 after it was found that they exceeded the federal lead content ban. No incidents or injuries are yet reported. Cups are sold in pairs and include a matching straw.

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City Councilor Lara Pleads Not Guilty to Multiple Charges Related to Car Crash

District 6 City Councilor Kendra Lara pled not guilty on Wednesday to numerous charges due to her crashing an unregistered and uninsured car while driving without a driver's license. Lara was arraigned at the West Roxbury Municipal Court for charges related to a June 30 accident in which a Boston Police auto investigator determined she was allegedly going at least 53 mph in a 25 mph zone. Among the charges against the first-term city councilor who represents Jamaica Plain, included operating a motor vehicle after suspension, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and assault and battery on a child with injury. She was also cited for a booster seat violation, due to her 7-year old not being in a booster seat in the back seat despite legally being required for him to be in booster seat due to his height, said Boston Police. The accident left her son bloodied with a cut around his eye,  and he needed stitches at Boston Children's Hospital.

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Police Say Councilor Lara Was Driving Twice Speed Limit Before Crash; Despite Revoked License, Lara Tweeted About Driving

District 6 City Councilor Kendra Lara was driving more than twice the speed limit when she crashed her car into a Jamaica Plain house June 30, according to a Boston police auto investigator. The investigator, who examined the scene of the accident that occurred at 803 Centre St., said that at a minimum Lara was driving at a minimum of 53 miles per hour on Centre Street, according to a police report. Lara's 7-year-old son was taken to Boston Children's Hospital after the accident due to a cut to his face. The report said that multiple blood stains were found on the front armrest in between the driver's and passenger's sides, and a small spot on the rear passenger seat side near the headrest. Lara did not appear to have any physical injuries, nor did she report any at the scene, said a police report.

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Driving with Revoked License, City Councilor Lara Crashes Into Jamaica Plain House

District 6 City Councilor Kendra Lara was the driver in a car accident that sent her 7-year old son to the hospital after she allegedly crashed into a Centre Street home in Jamaica Plain on Friday afternoon. https://twitter.com/LiveBoston617/status/1674968869885157377

Lara's son was taken to Boston Children's Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and received several stitches, reported The Boston Globe. Boston Police released a redacted report of the incident that occurred around 4:25 pm when the car she was driving hit a house at 803 Centre St., which is near the Soldier's Monument. The car was unregistered and Lara was operating with a revoked license, no insurance, and an expired inspection sticker. Lara was to be summonsed to appear in West Roxbury Division of Municipal Court on charges of operating a motor vehicle after suspension, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle, reported The Globe.

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Politicians and Organizational Leaders React to SCOTUS’ Affirmative Action Decision

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision declaring that race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and UNC were unlawful caused many Massachusetts leaders to reject the court's ruling. The court voted along partisan lines, 6-3, with the three liberal judges dissenting. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu took aim at the court's overturning decades of settled law. https://twitter.com/MayorWu/status/1674497638740160515

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-7th) said the decision is the "latest white supremacist assault on equity and access in education." "For decades, affirmative action has been a critical tool for confronting the deep and lasting legacy of anti-Black racism and discrimination that’s still all too present in our higher education system," said Pressley.

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Franklin Park Advocates Want You to Contact Councilors to Ask Them to Override Mayor’s Budget

The Franklin Park Coalition (FPC) is imploring Bostonians to contact the six city councilors who are not supporting the budget package that includes an amendment for additional Franklin Park maintenance. And time is short because the last city council budget vote is Wednesday at noon (City Hall, 5th Floor). In an email newsletter, FPC said District 7 City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, who has the whole park in her District 7 and chairs the Ways & Means (Budget) Committee, " ...asked us to show up for one last chance to pass the City budget with funding for Franklin Park maintenance and management." Due to the sale of downtown's Winthrop Square Garage, the city provided $28 million to Franklin Park Coalition. $5 million will remain as the principal while the interest it generates will be available as cash every year: 70% for maintenance and 30% for programming. The maintenance projects and cultural/recreational programs are chosen via a vote by the trustees of Franklin Park.

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Update Meeting: Arborway Electric Bus Facility Project on June 22

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is holding an in-person public meeting on June 22 to provide an overview of 15% of the design plans to create a facility to support a 100% battery electric bus fleet. The MBTA is designing a new facility at the Arborway Bus Yard in Forest Hills at the corner of Washington Street and Arborway to support a 100% battery electric bus (BEB) fleet. BEBs will reduce emissions and improve the air quality around the facility and routes served. The new facility will expand the MBTA's fleet size to serve additional routes in Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan. The new facility will also provide capacity for 60-foot buses that carry greater numbers of riders on busy routes.

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Talk with Mayor Wu at Mozart Playground on Friday

Mayor Michelle Wu Neighborhood Coffee Hours will bring her to Jamaica Plain's Mozart Playground on Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 am. The coffee hours is a mayoral tradition that provides a unique opportunity to speak directly with the mayor and staff from city departments such as the Boston Planning & Development Agency, Boston Transportation Department, and more. Come talk to the mayor about open space, bike lanes, composting, or does she like cats and/or dogs. As always, Dunkin’ will provide iced coffee, Munchkins, lawn games and gift card giveaways. Fresh fruit will be provided by Star Market, and each family in attendance will receive a free flowering plant provided by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, while supplies last.

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Until Further Notice: DCR Says Ongoing Repairs Happening on Southwest Corridor Bike Path

Starting today, and continuing until further notice, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will be repairing the Southwest Corridor Park's bike path.  

DCR repairs will include the removal of cobblestone strips and path resurfacing from 6 am to 4:30 pm. The bike path will remain open for the duration of work, and detours may be in effect. Where applicable, DCR is advising users to walk on adjacent sidewalks, and that cyclists should dismount and walk bicycles. DCR said the schedule and scope of repairs will be posted on its website, and updated on an ongoing basis.

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