Schools

Governor Signs Education Funding Equity Bill Into Law at English High

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With English High School students gathered in a packed gym, Governor Charlie Baker signed a bill into law that boosts investment in public schools by $1.5 billion annually over the next seven years. Baker was joined by numerous elected officials and business leaders, including Mayor Marty Walsh, Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, Boston School Committee Chairman Michael Loconto, State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, City Councilors Matt O'Malley and Annissa Essaibi-George, and more on Nov. 26. The Student Opportunity Act will particularly provide new funding to school districts with high percentages of low-income students and English Language learners who often live in some of the highest-need communities. “This is a monumental moment for the future of our Commonwealth.

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Elections

Election Day: What You Need to Know — Candidates, Polling Sites, and Nubian Square

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Tuesday's At-Large Boston City Council election is the hot contest, but there is also a very interesting citywide non-binding question. Before we get into the at-large race, let's talk about that non-binding question:

Do you support renaming/changing of the name of Dudley Square to Nubian Square? The Nubian Square Coalition is leading the effort to rename the square, which is named after Thomas Dudley, a former Massachusetts governor who supported legislation promoting slavery and the slave trade. Nubian Square would be named after the Nubian Empire, which was an ancient empire that ranged from the Upper Nile to the Red Sea, according to National Geographic. The proposed renaming is supported by many organizations, individuals, present and past politicians, including Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, District 7 City Councilor Kim Janey, NAACP Boston, and more.

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Development

Review of ZBA Announced After BPDA Employee Pleads Guilty to Bribery

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Boston Mayor Martin Walsh said that the city has hired a law firm to review how the Zoning Board of Appeals conducts business after a city employee pleaded guilty to accepting bribes to influence the ZBA. On August 30, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced that John M. Lynch, 66, a former Assistant Director of Real Estate at theEconomic Development Industrial Corporation (EDIC), a division of the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA), pled guilty to accepting $50,000 in bribes from a Boston real estate developer. Lynch was supposed to use his official influence to secure a ZBA vote that favored the real estate developer on his federal tax return. The real estate development project was not in Jamaica Plain. Sullivan & Worcester LLP, a law firm outside of Boston, will conduct the review of the ZBA, starting with the rules and regulations in place that dictate how the board conducts business on behalf of residents, and those with matters before the board.

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Boston Police Department

National Night Out Entertains Hundreds in Jamaica Plain, Honors Community Members

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With many thanks to a lot of support from many community partners, the Boston Police
Department hosted the annual, “National Night Out”, in Jamaica Plain on August 5. Hundreds of friends, supporters and elected officials gathered on Metcalf Court in the South Street Apartments for an evening of food, music, awards, entertainers, games, demonstrations, education, camaraderie and more. Four local neighbors were awarded for their selfless contributions to their community. Wendy Polanco of the Mildred Hailey Tenants’ Task Force was awarded by Mayor Walsh as the Boston Crime Fighter of the Year for her constant efforts to improve the lives of her neighbors. Francisco Fernandez was awarded by District 6 City Councilor Matt O’Malley, for his Community Service to the South Street neighborhood through his hard work at the Happy Market.

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City Services

City to Pilot Curbside Food Composting and Textile Recycling Programs, Extend Residential Yard Waste Collection

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On Wednesday, the city announced a wide-ranging plan with an eventual goal of having Boston be a zero waste city. The new plan includes launching a food scrap curbside composting program, extending residential yard waste options, increasing environmental education and more. "By implementing Boston's first zero waste plan, we will be a healthier and greener city for future generations to come," said District 6 City Councilor Matt O'Malley, Chairman of the Council's Environment, Sustainability and Parks Committee. "I am proud to have spearheaded the Council's efforts to institute curbside composting and textile recycling programs in the city of Boston and I look forward to seeing these programs develop even further." O'Malley added that expanding Boston's composting program will improve Boston's recycling rate, reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions, while working toward carbon neutrality.

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Police and Fire

Two Shot Dead in Jamaica Plain Near Mozart Street

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Two men were shot and killed on Monday night in Jamaica Plain in the area of Mozart and Bolster streets. Boston Police responded to the area around 10 pm and found one victim shot dead, and another victim who was pronounced dead later at a hospital, reported the Boston Globe. According to a tweet from District 6 City Councilor Matt O'Malley, the shootings were not random. The victims appeared to be in their late 20s or 30s, said the Globe. A part of Mozart Street was closed to vehicular traffic as an investigation ensued that included a K-9 unit in the outside crime scene.

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City Services

O’Malley Proposes Curbside Textile Recycling

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Jamaica Plain's City Councilor Matt O'Malley has called for a hearing to determine the feasibility of a textile recycling program in Boston. “Curbside textile recycling is another opportunity of sound environmental policy that can generate revenue for the city of Boston. The city of Boston can reduce our waste stream, greenhouse gas emissions and receive payment for the value of the material,” said O'Malley to Jamaica Plain News. Ever the environmental politician of Boston, O'Malley points out that 40 Massachusetts municipalities, including Brookline, Somerville and Natick have implemented curbside textile recycling. Those programs have diverted more than 2.2 million pounds from their waste stream.

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Boston City Council

Free Menstrual Products in Public Buildings Proposed By Councilors O’Malley and Edwards

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Two Boston City Councilors have proposed that the city provide free menstrual products in Boston Public Schools, Boston Public Libraries, BCYF Community Centers, and in city buildings. An estimated 100 million high school students missed school because of a lack of menstrual products, according to an UNESCO report. In Boston, 78 percent of students come from low-income households and an estimated 16.5 percent of Boston's population lives in poverty. But councilors District 1 City Councilor Lydia Edwards and Jamaica Plain's City Councilor Matt O'Malley are looking to make sure more people have access to menstrual products. Having access to menstrual products will help people not miss school, not miss work, and avoid any other health, social or professional challenges that result from a lack of availability.

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Environment

Matt O’Malley is Boston’s Environmental City Councilor

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Banning plastic bags, protecting wetlands, fighting gas leaks, water-filling stations, sidewalk composting and net zero carbon buildings. There isn’t a Boston City Councilor who can lay claim to as many environmental legislative accomplishments and initiatives as Matt O’Malley. O’Malley’s environmentally friendly legislation started during his first year on the council when he literally went after paychecks. “Every other week I would get a pay stub even though I had direct pay,” said O’Malley, District 6’s City Councilor, who was first elected in 2010. “I hate paper and I hate clutter and I was raised as an environmentalist.

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From the Community

JP Event to Reclaim Inauguration Anniversary for Inclusion, Immigrant Rights

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It’s been nearly two years since the inauguration of Donald Trump as president of the United States and January 20 is the actual anniversary – and it’s when local activist group Boston For All is “reclaiming this day in the spirit of goodwill, community, and inclusion.”

With District 6 City Councilor Matt O’Malley, Boston For All is inviting the community to join them at ‘Fun For All,’ a completely free community fun fair that will include a professional storyteller, a singalong, activist art activities facilitated by local artists and circus arts training with teachers from the Commonwealth Circus Center. There will also be opportunities for participants to write and draw messages for those held in detention centers. While this event is about enjoyment and fun, it does have a serious side, as it will also serve as a fundraiser for Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), a national organization providing free legal services for immigrant children. KIND has been at the forefront of efforts to assist migrant children separated from their parents. Representatives from KIND will be on hand to provide information about their work. “I am thrilled to be partnering with Boston For All for their first Fun For All event which promotes fun, kindness and inclusion while contributing to an important cause,” said O’Malley.

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