Proposed Retail Marijuana Business Reps Making Rounds to Neighborhood Orgs

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The management team for the proposed retail marijuana business that wants to go into the old Milky Way spot on Centre Street will be speaking at two neighborhood groups in the next week.

Core Empowerment

A rendering of Core Empowerment's proposed retail marijuana store and social justice museum at 401A Centre St.

Core Empowerment's leadership has been performing its due diligence to inform the public about its proposed retail store/social justice museum. Representatives have been meeting with neighborhood groups, including the Jamaica Plain Business and Professional Association in October.

"Things have been going well. We continue to get local support for the project, so we're thrilled by the reception," said Core's Chief Operating Officer Tomas Gonzales to Jamaica Plain News. Gonzalez also already knows the landscape of Boston politics and business from previously working for the city's ISD department and most recently was the Deputy Director for the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services.

There are also other familiar faces among Core Empowerment's leadership team, including Kathie Mainzer, her opened the Bella Luna Restaurant and Milky Way at the same location in 1993. Now Mainzer has more than 25 years of experience in public policy development, communications and legislative advocacy, according to a Core Empowerment's brochure.

Derric Small, Core's counsel, is a Boston attorney for his own law practice, who worked for the city at several different departments for 20 years.

Security Consultant Daniel Linskey was formerly the Superintendent-in-Chief of the Boston Police Department and a 27-year veteran of the BPD.

Representatives of Core Empowerment will be appearing at the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council Zoning Committee on Dec. 5 at the Farnsworth House (90 South St.) at 7 pm. The company will be talking about seeking to change the allowed occupancy to include a retail cannabis establishment.

On Dec. 10 Core Empowerment reps will be attending the Jamaica Pond Association meeting (Connolly Branch Library, 422 Centre St.) and providing a presentation about wanting to go into 401A Centre St. The presentation will be followed by association members asking questions, and the public is welcome to attend and ask questions, too.

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