Boston City Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George: Small businesses need a seat at the reopening table
City Councillor at-Large Annissa Essaibi-George of Dorchester is calling for the creation of a task force and a call-in “help line” that she says would support small businesses in Boston as they begin to reopen. She filed her proposals during the council’s online weekly meeting last Wednesday. “While large industries… Read More
Emerge Alum and Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer declares racism a public health crisis, orders police to put use-of-force policies in writing
Mayor Yvonne Spicer and the city’s Board of Health declared racism a public health crisis on Tuesday amid nationwide protests calling for racial equity and police reform following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. Spicer paired the declaration with an order requiring the Framingham Police Department to… Read More
Emerge Alum and Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu: Mayor’s Budget Cuts ‘Not A Real Change’
City Councilor Michelle Wu says she plans to reject a revised version of Mayor Marty Walsh’s budget during a Boston City Council vote Wednesday, in an effort to continue negotiations over funding for police. “Earlier in the year, in February, we would have a different budget in front of us… Read More
Emerge MA Alum Boston City Councilor Andrea Campbell says Boston must do more on racial justice, response to COVID-19
Amid a global health crisis and local calls for racial justice, Boston City Councilor Andrea Campbell said Sunday in a televised interview that city leaders must do more to address systemic racism and invest more resources into Boston’s poorer neighborhoods. Campbell has criticized Mayor Martin J. Walsh for not doing… Read More
Emerge Alumnae on Boston City Council propose diverting nonviolent 911 calls away from police
A trio of Boston city councilors are proposing a crisis response system that would divert nonviolent 911 calls away from police. Councilors Michelle Wu, Lydia Edwards, and Julia Mejia said the ordinance, filed on Friday, would offer “an alternative response from non-law enforcement agencies.” According to the councilors, Boston police… Read More
A Letter To The Town of Reading From Select Board member Anne Landry
Select Board candidate says she’s eager to play an active role in ensuring Reading will be a great place to live for many years to come. A Letter to the Editor from Anne Landry: Dear fellow Reading residents, I’m seeking a seat on the Select Board and am looking… Read More
Bridget Matthews-Kane Speaks on her unopposed victory for Westfield City Council
Name: Bridget Matthews-Kane Address: 81 Court St, Westfield MA Occupation: former college instructor What experience and qualifications do you have that would be an asset to the city? I grew up in Westfield, but in my twenties and thirties I lived up and down the East Coast, from Boston to Philadelphia… Read More
Emerge Alumnae Julia Mejias mission to create ‘sanctuary safe spaces’ in Boston
Julia Mejia wants to create ‘sanctuary safe spaces’ in Boston. Here’s what to know. Julia Mejia, in her first legislative action as Boston’s newest at-large city councilor, is calling on officials to look at creating sanctuary safe spaces in places like public schools and libraries. The hearing request… Read More
Ballantyne reelected as president of Somerville Board of Aldermen as city focuses on 2019 goals
Three sharp gavel taps commenced the 2019 organizational meeting of Somerville’s Board of Alderman and School Committee. The house was packed, standing room only in the back, with residents, activists, and engaged citizens crowded the Aldermanic Chambers Monday, Jan. 7. “This is the last ever organizational meeting of the Somerville… Read More
Campaigning As A Woman: How A Newly Elected Mass. Councilor Recalibrated Her Persona For Voters
Campaigning As A Woman: How A Newly Elected Mass. Councilor Recalibrated Her Persona For Voters By: Stephanie Leydon When Stephanie Martins lost her first bid for a seat on Everett’s City Council two years ago, it was less the end of one campaign and more the beginning of her… Read More