Contractor TJ McCartney and Painters Union honored for their volunteer efforts in renovating and improving the Boston Harbor Islands

From left to right (first row): Tom Steeves, President, TJ McCartney, Jeff Sullivan, Business Manager, IUPAT DC 35, Instructor Jim Sullivan, FTI-NE, and Tom Gunning, Executive Director, BTEA, along with FTI-NE apprentices receiving the award.

In an ongoing partnership between industry leader TJ McCartney and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 35, countless hours have been devoted towards the maintenance and upkeep of the Boston Harbor Islands.

Special guests including State Senator Nick Collins, State Representative-Elect David Biele, State Representative Dan Hunt, and Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn were in attendance at the event. 

(Boston, MA November 28, 2018) - At an awards gala hosted by Boston Harbor Now, contractor T.J. McCartney, Inc. and members from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades DC 35 were recognized for their long-standing commitment to renovate and revive facilities on the Boston Harbor Islands. 

TJ McCartney, with the help of apprentices from the Finishing Trades Institute of New England, volunteered countless hours to the maintenance of several Boston Harbor Islands, including years of pro-bono work with the creation of three gazebos on Spectacle Island and the rehabilitation of many different projects on George’s Island. 

"The Painters Union has been our partner in this initiative since the beginning. We are excited to partner together on this project because it benefits not only the people of Boston but is a wonderful experience for all those that visit this city.” Said Tom Steeves, President of TJ McCartney. “We are honored to accept this award from Boston Harbor Now for our work at the Boston Harbor Islands, and we look forward to continuing the collaboration with more projects in the near future."

“We have the best-trained apprentices in the industry. Our partnership with TJ McCartney has provided an excellent opportunity for them to gain work experience and contribute towards a better Boston," said Jeff Sullivan, Business Manager, IUPAT DC 35. 

"Our apprenticeship program recently received national accreditation as a post-secondary educational institution and we are working towards receiving college degree-conferring authority. Our students will soon be receiving Associates Degrees when they graduate from the program, increasing their ability to embark on successful careers in the finishing trades. We are thankful to Boston Harbor Now for recognizing the work of our apprentices and our partner TJ McCartney."

The volunteer efforts of TJ McCartney and IUPAT DC35 contribute immensely to Boston Harbor Now’s goal of re-establishing Boston as one of the world’s great coastal cities. These efforts also serve as a primary example of how Labor/Management partnerships in the construction industry work together to improve the parks and communities for the people of Boston. Both organizations were honored alongside The Fallon Company and Massachusetts Port Authority for their contributions to Boston Harbor.

About T.J. McCartney, Inc.: With close to 40 years of experience in the drywall industry, we provide our clients with the best project managers, estimators, and field personnel in the business. T.J. McCartney, Inc. is certified with SOMWBA, as well as with the city of Boston as a WBE. At T.J. McCartney, Inc. we have built a reputation for quality workmanship and exceptional performance.

For more information about T.J. McCartney, Inc. please visit https://www.tjminc.com/

About District Council 35: 
District Council 35 has a history of doing charity projects to support the community. Their organization branches and members have done work in public schools, organized hurricane relief, and collaborated in support of numerous community groups around New England. District Council 35 is an organization of approximately 4000 members in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island affiliated with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. District Council 35 is committed to serving the interests of members and those unrepresented workers who hope to join. The DC 35 is determined to continue to ensure the best wages and benefits in the industries. The organization's mission is to represent members for purposes of collective bargaining, to organize workers in a variety of occupations, and to advocate for workers and their families. For more information about IUPAT DC 35, please visit http://iupatdc35.org/.

December 4: Hearing on proposed Nay Street Marijuana Establishment

Notice of Public Meeting

Notice is hereby given that a Community Outreach Meeting for a Proposed Marijuana Establishment is scheduled for:

Date: Tuesday, December 4, 2018  
Time: 6:20 PM 
Location: EB High School: 86 White Street, East Boston, MA 02128

The Proposed Marijuana Establishment is anticipated to be located at: 

17 Nay Street, East Boston, MA 02128

There will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions.

If you have any questions about this meeting or have comments about the proposal please contact:

J. Jesús García 
Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services
jose.garcia-mota@boston.gov
617-635-2681

Please note, the city does not represent the owner(s)/developer(s)/attorney(s). The purpose of this meeting is to get community input and listen to the residents’ positions on this proposal. This flyer has been dropped off by the proponents per the city’s request.

Mayor Walsh, Commissioner Gross Announce Recipients of 2019 Boston Youth Development Fund: East Boston's Zumix on List with Roca's EB Youth Initiative

BOSTON - Tuesday, November 27, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross today announced the recipients of Boston's Police Youth Development Fund. The City of Boston has doubled last year's funding, and this year, $500,000 will go to the Youth Development Fund, which provides $25,000 to 20 organizations which work to provide development programs for Boston's youth, ensuring they have access to programs that give them more opportunities to thrive and succeed. In addition, the City has applied for funding through the Commonwealth's Shannon Community Safety Initiative to further support multidisciplinary approaches to curb youth violence through coordinated prevention and intervention programs.

"In Boston, we work every day to make sure our young people are lifted up, and given every opportunity to succeed. That means through education, through development programs, and through having a safe, stable environment that will give them the resources and opportunities they need," said Mayor Walsh. "The Boston Police are a major partner in this, and I'm proud that today we're able to fund 20 great organizations that will make a lasting difference in the lives of Boston's youth for years to come."

Under the leadership of Mayor Walsh, the Boston Police Department has prioritized community policing as an effective way to reduce crime, while building trust with the community. The Boston Police Department received national recognition from the Obama Administration in 2015 as being one of the top cities in the nation that is leading the way on community policing. Earlier this year, Mayor Walsh announced the formation of the Bureau of Community Engagement at the Boston Police Department, which is charged with overseeing a citywide effort to further strengthen community policing in Boston, and focused on ways to build relationships and trust between law enforcement and residents, creating new and innovative partnerships, and promoting inclusion and diversity within the department. Commissioner Gross appointed Superintendent Nora Baston to serve as Bureau Chief for the Bureau.

"As Commissioner, my number one goal to ensure all residents in Boston are safe -- and that includes Boston's young people," said Commissioner Gross. "We have the biggest opportunity to change lives by providing resources and support to Boston's youth, and through these programs, we are able to positively impact lives and create a better city for all."

As part of Boston's overall community policing strategy, the Boston Police Department prioritizes relationships with youth and the community as the key to building trust and creating safe neighborhoods. This starts with an emphasis on daily interactions on the streets and in school classrooms, and includes proactive prevention and diversion for at-risk youth and their families. In addition, the department provides positive pathways for our youth through programs such as Operation Exit and My Brother's Keeper. The BPD has strong partnerships and year-round district activities with residents through Coffee with A Cop, National Night Out, youth and police dialogues, teen police academy, flashlight walks, Shop with a Cop, and more.

"Our community is a caring one, one who seeks the best for its children, but caring for our youth comes with many responsibilities - not only from our families but through neighborhood partnerships and person to person interactions," said Candice D. Gartley, executive director All Dorchester Sports and Leadership. "All Dorchester Sports and Leadership sees their role in the community not only as a place to provide athletic activities and academic opportunities but also as a place for children to feel safe and cared for near their homes. With the City's help and the  Mayor's steadfast commitment of these grant dollars to organizations such as ADSL, we will continue to build and create more opportunities for youth and young adults in our organization and our city."      

"I was thrilled to make the Youth Development Fund my initial budget ask in my first term and am delighted to partner with Mayor Walsh to support the Fund and Shannon Grant to help dozens of programs expand their capacity to serve, empower, and educate our young people," said City Council President Andrea Campbell. "The jobs, skills, and relationships young people build through these programs are critical to breaking cycles of inequity, especially for young people of color, and ensuring they reach their God-given potentials."

A full list of recipients for the Youth Development Fund grants are as follows, with each recipient receiving a $25,000 grant:

•     All Dorchester Sports & Leadership - Educational Enrichment Programs

•     BalletRox - BalletRox

•     Boston Scores - Leadership in Action

•     Center for Teen Empowerment - Teen Empowerment Boston

•     Crossroads - Crossroads C5 Leaders

•     Dorchester Youth Collaborative - Focus and Finish After School Program

•     Friends of the Children-Boston - Long-Term, Professional Mentoring for the Highest-Risk Girls/Young Women

•     Madison Park Development Corporation - Soheil Turner Youth Leadership Institute- After School and Summer Youth Employment Programs

•     More Than Words - Youth Development Job Training for System-Involved Youth

•     Playworks New England - Playworks Junior Coach Leadership Program

•     Project RIGHT, Inc. - Grove Hall Youth Outreach Connection

•     Rehearsal for Life, Inc. - Urban Improv

•     Roca, Inc. - Roca's East Boston Central American Youth Initiative

•     Roxbury Youthworks, Inc. - Gaining Independence for Tomorrow (GIFT)

•     Shooting Touch - Getting Girls in the Game (G3)

•     Sociedad Latina - STEAM Team

•     Sportsmen's Tennis & Enrichment Center - HEY Sister

•     Teen Center at St. Peter's, Catholic Charities of Boston - Teen Center at St. Peter's, Focus Groups for Middle School Girls

•     Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center - Connections

•     ZUMIX - ZUMIX Creative Youth Development Programs

Source: Mayor's Press Office 11/27/2018

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Launch of First Tech Apprenticeship Program in Massachusetts

Innovative training program will help connect a diverse pool of applicants to high demand jobs in areas such as software development and cyber security

BOSTON, MA – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the launch of Apprenti Massachusetts, the first technology focused registered apprenticeship program in the Commonwealth. The program will work with the tech industry to identify high demand employment categories which can be filled by motivated job seekers regardless of their educational background. Applicants for the program will be recruited from a broad base of local community partners. Accepted applicants will receive up to five months of certified technical training and one year of paid on-the-job training  through one of the program’s employer partners.

“Massachusetts is home to world-class educational institutions and a dynamic workforce that serve as the foundation of the Commonwealth’s economic strength and resiliency,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “The launch of industry-specific apprenticeships, beginning with our partnership with Apprenti, enhances the state’s position as a global leader in tech and education by providing a new pathway for people who are eager to enter the tech sector but who might not otherwise have had the training or connections to pursue it.”

“Our administration has taken important steps to ensure Massachusetts’ workforce is prepared to participate in and help shape the state’s incredible innovation economy,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito . “Apprenticeship programs and partnerships with  organizations like Apprenti are necessary to supercharge workforce development and drive even more economic growth in the Commonwealth by bringing more citizens into the tech workforce and we are grateful to the Workforce Skills Cabinet for their leadership on these efforts.”

In 2015, the Baker-Polito Administration established the Workforce Skills Cabinet to align the Executive Offices of Education, Housing and Economic Development, and Labor and Workforce Development toward a comprehensive economic growth agenda focused on closing skills gaps in areas such as technology, health care, and advanced manufacturing.

To date, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded more than $50 million in Workforce Skills Capital Grants to help educational institutions purchase job ready technologies that positively impact thousands of students in the Commonwealth every year. The Fiscal Year 2019 budget was the first to include a joint workforce funding request and included money for expanding the apprenticeship model into high demand fields. This year’s economic development bill also included new tax credits for companies starting up registered apprenticeships in Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing, and Tech.

“The tech apprenticeship program will help further our efforts to align our education, economic, and workforce programs to address the potential of critical talent shortages in high demand occupations due to changing technical requirements in the coming years,” said Labor and Workforce Development  Secretary Rosalin Acosta. “This program is a great  example of the power of collaboration between private, public, philanthropic, and the nonprofit sector and I want to thank the One8 Foundation for identifying this opportunity and helping us turn it into a reality.”

“This new apprenticeship program not only strengthens our response to critical employer needs in information technology, it also aligns with our efforts to expand computer science education at all levels, while providing students with work-based learning experiences,” Education Secretary James Peyser said.

“Employers in Massachusetts have added over 60,000 jobs over the last year, with much of those gains concentrated in key knowledge based sectors of our economy like information technology,” said Housing and Economic Development  Secretary Jay Ash. “The launch of the first tech apprenticeship program will help Massachusetts leverage our existing talent pools and help them acquire the skills and experience to meet the needs of our  fastest growing employers.”

The announcement event was held at the global headquarters of Wayfair, a home goods e-commerce company founded in Massachusetts. Wayfair is one of Apprenti Massachusetts’ founding employer partners, and will be hiring apprentices from the first Apprenti tech apprentice cohort. Additional founding hiring partners include Cengage, CarbonBlack, Harvard University Information Technology, Partners Healthcare, and PTC.

“Wayfair is excited to partner with Governor Baker, Lt.  Governor Polito and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the launch of Apprenti Massachusetts,” said Niraj Shah, CEO, co-founder  and co-chairman of Wayfair. “Wayfair’s success is built on the strength of our workforce and our continued rapid growth as a global e-commerce leader depends on our ability to source and develop the very best tech talent. With our corporate headquarters firmly rooted in Massachusetts, we are committed  to working hand-in-hand with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and the Commonwealth to ensure the local talent pool has greater access to the tech sector and the skills and training needed to help drive our innovation economy forward. We look forward  to welcoming members of the first Apprenti class to the Wayfair team.”

The application and training certification process will be handled through the Apprenti Massachusetts online platform. Apprenti is an industry recognized, state and federally accredited program, which was created by the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA.) 

Apprenti Massachusetts will be funded by  the One8 Foundation and will reside at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech,) the state’s lead quasi-public agency to support the technology sector in Massachusetts. The One8 Foundation, a Boston-based philanthropic organization focused on increasing access to applied learning opportunities for Massachusetts students and adults, will fund the initial operations of Apprenti in the state while the organization grows its set of employer partners and expands its work with apprentices.

“We’re honored that the Administration has chosen MassTech as the Massachusetts partner and host for this critical program,” stated Pat Larkin, Director of the Innovation Institute at MassTech. “The Innovation Institute has shepherded programs that have grown tech internships, added new mentoring opportunities for entrepreneurs, and increased cybersecurity training statewide. Hosting Apprenti makes perfect sense and complements our existing programs  extremely well.”

“More than 10 percent of the Massachusetts labor force  works in tech, and that’s a higher percentage than any other state,” said Apprenti Executive Director Jennifer Carlson. “In 2017, there were more than 100,000  tech job postings in Massachusett and Apprenti wants to help the state fill these roles by providing a clear path to employment through apprenticeship.”

Applications for tech apprenticeships in Massachusetts  through the Apprenti platform are available now. More information on how to become an apprentice or a hiring partner can be found at www.apprenti.org.

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative is an innovative public agency working to enhance  economic growth, accelerate technology use and adoption, and harness the value of research by engaging in meaningful collaborations across academia, industry, and government.  From improving our health care systems and expanding high-speed internet across  the state to fostering emerging industry clusters, MassTech is driving innovation and supporting a vibrant economy across the Commonwealth. Visit masstech.org to learn more. 

The MassTech Intern Partnership connects talented college students and recent graduates to internships in the state's dynamic technology sector.

Source: Workskills Cabinet/EOWLD:  11/15/2018

Suffolk County District Attorney-Elect Rachael Rollins names transition chairs

Tidwell, Murphy bring extensive experience as prosecutors and defense attorneys at federal, state level 

BOSTON – Suffolk County District Attorney-elect Rachael Rollins has named two chairs to lead her transition team.

Rollins was overwhelmingly elected as the next Suffolk County District Attorney last week, garnering more than 80% of the vote. Today, she named Natashia Tidwell and Martin F. Murphy to lead her transition as she builds her team and lays the groundwork to take office in January. Tidwell and Murphy are experienced criminal prosecutors and defense attorneys who have served at the state and federal levels.

Tidwell is a former police lieutenant who went on to serve as a federal prosecutor in both the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office here in Boston. She is currently in private practice at Hogan Lovells in Boston. Murphy served as the First Assistant District Attorney in the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and as a federal prosecutor, and currently serves as a trial lawyer at the Boston law firm Foley Hoag. Murphy is also Vice President of the Boston Bar Association and a member of the Board of Directors for the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts.

“The voters sent a clear message that the status quo in our criminal justice system is not good enough and it is time for a change,” Rollins said. “That work starts today. Natashia and Marty bring a diverse set of experiences to these leadership roles, and I’m so thankful that they have agreed to help us build a high-quality, dedicated team that will reflect the communities we serve. Together we are going to build a smarter, more compassionate criminal justice system for everyone.”

Rollins’ election reflects a widespread demand for change in a criminal justice system that for too long has not worked fairly for everyone. Rollins has promised to bring new solutions to the office that will break down wealth and racial disparities, keep communities safe and treat all people with dignity and respect.

As Suffolk County District Attorney she will keep communities safe and ensure justice for victims. Rollins is committed to improving our criminal justice system through best-practices and data-driven programs. That includes focusing on treatment, not prosecution, for those swept up in the justice system for minor crimes. This will also allow prosecutors to focus more resources on the serious crimes that truly undermine public safety, like domestic violence, sexual assault, gun violence, and homicides. Rollins is looking forward to working with community partners, law enforcement, and the residents of Suffolk County to transform the District Attorney’s office.

Natashia Tidwell

Natashia Tidwell is an attorney in the Investigations, White Collar, and Fraud practice group of Hogan Lovells US LLP’s Boston office.  She began her legal career as a federal prosecutor in both the Department of Justice (DOJ) Public Integrity Section and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Natashia handled a wide variety of investigations, enforcement proceedings, and trials related to conspiracy, extortion, narcotics, and organized crime. At DOJ, she prosecuted and supervised investigations of serious misconduct by public officials throughout the United States and its territories.  Natashia’s interest in criminal justice took root during her tenure as a police officer in Cambridge.  While there, she rose through the ranks to become the first female lieutenant in the department's history. Currently, she applies her specialized knowledge of policing and court practices to her work as the Lead Monitor in Ferguson, Missouri where she oversees implementation of a federal consent decree following a DOJ investigation of unconstitutional police and municipal court practices. 

Martin F. Murphy

Martin F. Murphy is trial lawyer at Foley Hoag LLP, where he represents, individuals, companies, universities, and other institutions in civil and criminal proceedings. Marty has served as the First Assistant District Attorney of Middlesex County, where he prosecuted homicide, domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, civil rights and financial crimes cases, as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, and as a State Ethics Commissioner. He is the Vice-President of the Boston Bar Association,  a member of the Board of Regents of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. Marty lives in South Boston.

Construction starts for Phase 2 Redevelopment of Orient Heights Projects in East Boston

BOSTON - Wednesday, November 14, 2018 ­- Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that Phase Two of the Orient Heights redevelopment in East Boston has officially begun, a $51.6 million investment that is part of a larger effort to transform the 331-unit public housing development, originally built in 1951. The Boston Housing Authority (BHA), the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and the developers of Trinity Financial and East Boston Community Development Corp., last week began rebuilding 88 units at the site.

Following the successful completion of Phase One, a $51.2 million investment which created 120 units of new affordable rental housing, Phase Two will leverage $10 million in proceeds from the sale of the Winthrop Square Garage, as well as $1.83 million in Inclusionary Development Policy Funds, secured from the Davis Companies' 99 Sumner Street development in East Boston.

"Today we celebrate another significant milestone in the revitalization of Orient Heights," said Mayor Walsh. "This effort will continue to improve the lives of our residents, while creating a community that more appropriately fits in with the surrounding neighborhood."

Phase One of the project, which was completed in the spring of 2018, consisted of the demolition of 90 existing public housing units and the construction of 120 units in a combination of townhouse and mid rise buildings. The units are spread across four town homes containing 32 units and one mid-rise building containing 88 units and on-site property management offices. All 120 units will receive an operating subsidy - 75 percent of the units will receive state public housing operating subsidy and 25 percent of the units will receive project-based subsidy through the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program. The Phase One project achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification.

Phase Two will include the demolition of 87 existing units in four buildings and the construction of 88 replacement state-funded public housing units in two townhouse buildings and one mid rise building. The redevelopment will also include improvements to the existing infrastructure and open spaces, and is anticipated to be completed in 2020.

"It is amazing to see the changes in our community since the completion of Phase One," said resident Carol Johnson. "The residents of Orient Heights are pleased and enthusiastic about what is to follow with Phase Two."

The Orient Heights public housing development is owned and managed by the BHA, which undertook a planning process in 2008, funded by DHCD, to consider redevelopment options for the site. The BHA commissioned a master plan with an overall design concept and established the goals for the site's redevelopment-to transform the site into an attractive, energy-efficient and healthy housing community modeled on the successful transformations of previous public housing redevelopment efforts at sites such as West Broadway, Maverick, and Old Colony.

In January 2015, the BHA selected the development team of Trinity Financial and East Boston Community Development Corp. to work with BHA and DHCD and finalize a redevelopment strategy for the site. This development team will secure financing to implement the redevelopment, and will own and manage the buildings post-redevelopment. The BHA will continue to own the land and will lease it to Trinity.

"We look forward to continuing our work with Trinity Financial, our development partners, to revitalize the Orient Heights public housing community," said BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle.

The total development cost for Orient Heights Phase Two will be approximately $51.6 million. The financing plan includes $19.4 million in private equity raised through an allocation of federal 4 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credits; tax-exempt bonds for construction financing; $16.75 million in state public housing capital funds from BHA and DHCD; and $11.8M affordable housing resources from the City of Boston. DHCD also provided $32.7 million in state public housing capital funds for Orient Heights Phase One.

"We are proud to support this transformational project that will benefit the residents of Orient Heights and the larger East Boston neighborhood, with our largest capital commitment ever of nearly $50 million for a state-aided public housing development," said Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Janelle Chan. "I want to recognize Boston Housing Authority's creative leadership, Trinity's partnership, and the City of Boston's unprecedented commitment of funds to make this project work."

BHA and the development team continue to hold meetings with residents and the neighborhood, meetings with the Resident Task Force and various meetings with City and State officials. BHA, Trinity, and the East Boston Community Development Corp. will continue to meet with the residents and the broader neighborhood on an on-going basis throughout the project's stages.

Current Phase Two residents of the site worked with a relocation team regarding which relocation options best meet their needs. Relocation options included moving to another BHA public housing development of their choice or moving to privately-owned housing with a state-subsidized Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP). Residents may choose to return to the redeveloped site when construction is complete or remain in place after initial relocation.  

About the Boston Housing Authority
The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) is a public agency that provides subsidized housing to low and moderate income individuals and families. In addition to conventional public housing communities throughout Boston, BHA offers rental assistance programs. BHA receives federal and state funding in order to provide housing programs to individuals and families. BHA's mission is to provide stable, quality affordable housing for low and moderate income persons; to deliver these services with integrity and mutual accountability; and to create living environments which serve as catalysts for the transformation from dependency to economic self-sufficiency.

Source: Mayor's Press Office

Climate Art on the Greenway! – Friends of the East Boston Greenway

More here. 

More election results from EastBoston.com: How Eastie voted in last week's state election

Attorney General

Secretary of State 

Auditor

IDEA Boston impresses with first sold-out event

Italian-inspired cultural festival draws large crowds, lays groundwork for recurring annual celebration   

A celebration of Italian and Italian-American culture was on full display last weekend, as the IDEA Boston festival kicked off its inaugural annual event at the Dante Alighieri Cultural Center in Cambridge, Mass., on Nov. 2-3. 

 “It was a tremendous success,” said Nicola Orichuia, the festival’s director and president of I AM Books, the Boston-based independent bookstore at the heart of IDEA Boston’s organization. “We had 24 events packed in two days and hundreds of people participate in the festival. There are definitely all the premises to do it again next year.” 

 Among the more than 50 speakers and panelists that participated in this year’s event were award-winning children’s books’ author Tomie dePaola, celebrity chef Mary Ann Esposito, Europa Editions editor-in-chief Michael Reynolds and actress and author Marianne Leone. Also among the attendees were Italian Consul General in Boston Federica Sereni and Italian Senator Francesca Alderisi, who flew in from Rome for the special occasion. 

 “I AM Books is a small jewel that reproduces a precious outlook on Italy,” said Senator Alderisi. “From this initiative, Nicola Orichuia has come up with an exciting festival full of events that celebrate our cultural heritage through books, arte and authors.” 

 Events spanned from panel presentations on immigration, literature, film, and language, and also included a sold-out theater play by Boston-based company ImproNati. “There is a lot that has been accomplished, but there’s also a lot that still needs to be done,” said Orichuia at the end of the festival. 

“There is a strong and growing love for Italian culture in the Boston area. Next year we’ll have more time to plan the festival and to organize ourselves. I know it will be even better than this year’s event!” 

 For more information, hi-res photos or interview requests, please contact Nicola Orichuia: 617-230-7495 nicola@iambooksboston.com

How Eastie voted Questions 2 & 3

How East Boston voted on Question 1: Patient limits for Nurses

Question 1: Patient limits - How East Boston voted on November 6, 2018

Mayor Walsh to Sign Ordinance to Help Older Residents with Their Property Taxes

BOSTON - Wednesday, November 7, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced he will sign an ordinance passed by the Boston City Council, sponsored by Councilors Lydia Edwards and Ed Flynn, which will provide assistance to older homeowners in Boston. With the passage of this ordinance, the City of Boston will opt into Massachusetts General Law Ch. 60 §62A, which gives municipalities the ability to offer payment agreements to older homeowners who are behind on their tax payments.

"In Boston, we are committed to taking care of everyone who wants to live in our City, including older residents who help make Boston the world-class city it is today. With this ordinance, we're working to further create a supportive city where all residents, regardless of age or ability, can thrive," said Mayor Walsh. "I thank Councilors Edwards, Flynn and the rest of the Boston City Council for their collaboration."

The ordinance will allow property tax payment agreements and interest relief for eligible senior homeowners with low-income in the City struggling to repay their overdue taxes. Payment agreements of up to five years that forgive 50% of the accrued interest will be granted to eligible, low-income seniors in Boston. In order to be eligible, people must meet the requirements for the residential and senior exemptions.

This legislation will also improve the accessibility of tax-related documents by providing residents with details about how to access their property tax information in multiple languages. This effort is being coordinated as part of the City of Boston's Office of Language and Communication Access citywide implementation plan.

"As a city, it's critical we take every step possible to keep our elders housed and to support Bostonians in building and retaining wealth over generations," said Councilor Edwards. "This ordinance is a win-win, helping economically vulnerable taxpayers keep their homes while meeting tax obligations to the city. I appreciate the partnership of the Mayor, city staff and my colleagues on the council in crafting this ordinance and I look forward to its signing."

"It is great to work with the Walsh Administration to provide more tools for our elderly residents and increase accessibility for non-English speaking Bostonians." said co-sponsor Ed Flynn, District 2 City Councilor, "Tax bills can be intimidating and this ordinance will make things easier for the taxpayers of Boston. I look forward to having this ordinance signed into law."

This ordinance continues to build on Boston's age-friendly work. Including its work to support senior homeowners. In 2016, Mayor Walsh announced an extension of the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Abatement program. The tax work-off abatement law allows a city or town to establish a program giving property owners 60 years or older the opportunity to volunteer services to their city or town in exchange for a reduction in property tax.

Across Boston, the Age-Friendly Boston initiative was launched in 2014 when Mayor Walsh joined the network of the World Health Organization age-friendly cities through AARP, the United States affiliate. In May of 2017, the City of Boston's Commission on Affairs of the Elderly released the Age-Friendly Action Plan, a comprehensive plan with 75 action items to create an environment where older adults continue to lead healthy and productive lives in Boston.

Source: Mayor's Press Office

How East Boston voted for U.S. Senate and Governor on November 6, 2018

Link here