Civics
Civics
Census count confirms Mass. to lose House seat
Dec. 21, 2010
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, DEC. 21, 2010…. As widely predicted, Massachusetts will lose at least one of its 10 seats in Congress during the 2012 election cycle based on population counts collected during the 2010 Census, according to data released from the U.S. Census Bureau.
During a conference call with reporters, Census Bureau officials confirmed Tuesday morning that Massachusetts is among ten states to be losing at least one U.S. House seat. Read more
With House seat on the line, redistricting strategists eyeing possibilities
Dec. 20, 2010
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, DEC. 20, 2010... As leaders on Beacon Hill anxiously awaited the Tuesday release of 2010 Census population totals, those soon to be involved in the complicated and likely contentious process of carving up the state’s political districts took stock of what awaits and the debates, both political and practical, that loom.
The U.S. Census Bureau plans on Tuesday to release national and state population figures providing key data to states charged with redrawing the boundaries of Congressional districts, including ten in Massachusetts that are all held by Democrats. Read more
Preliminary election to replace Turner likely set for Feb. 15; final election on March 15
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The preliminary special election to replace former City Councillor Chuck Turner will be held on Feb. 15, with a final election set for March 15, under an order the City Council is expected to approve tomorrow.
Turner, District 7's representative on the 13-member body, was expelled from the council by an 11-1 vote on Dec. 1 after a federal jury found him guilty of corruption charges. District 7 includes Dorchester, Roxbury, Lower Roxbury, and parts of the Fenway, and the South End. Read more
‘Over the Bridge’ signals break with longtime Savin Hill civic group
Dec. 9, 2010
A new neighborhood group that says it wants to serve the “Over the Bridge” (OTB) portion of Savin Hill is making waves on both sides of the Expressway. But a local state representative and others say the group is unnecessary if it’s aiming to be a civic group, citing the present existence of the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association.
According to organizers, the Historic Savin Hill Advocates, a group of residents centered around that neighborhood’s historic district east of Route I-93, is banding together to promote the interests of their enclave. Read more
Mattahunt Task Force begins outreach work
Dec. 8, 2010
Wheelock College has taken its first steps in a community process that residents hope will bring extensive programming options to Mattapan’s Mattahunt Community Center, one of eight city-owned facilities targeted by city officials — who pulled their staff from the Mattahunt last spring. A new task force headed by Colorado Street civic leader Gareth Kinkead and a Wheelock College official held a brainstorming session with members of the community on Dec. 7 at the community center. A larger public meeting is set for tonight, Dec. 9. Read more
Mattahunt partnership kicks off with United Way donation
Dec. 3, 2010
United Way supports Mattahunt CenterWheelock College officially launched the Community Engagement Process at Mattahunt Community Center in Mattapan on December 2 with a reception at the center. The partnership for the Mattapan neighborhood between the City of Boston and Wheelock College will support academic achievement in young people, youth leadership and development, and offer adult and family programs for people supporting children and youth.
At yesterday's event, United Way CEO Mike Durkin presented a $30,000 donation to help subsidize the programming at the center. A public meeting to discuss the partnership will be held next Thursday, Dec. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the center on Hebron Street. Pictured above, left to right, are Wheelock College president Jackie Jenkins-Scott, United Way CEO Mike Durkin, State Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry and her daughter, Madeline. Read more
Editorial: Common-sense reforms for ‘Sober Homes’; Chuck Turner's fall
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A Reporter story published last month after a multi-week probe into the operation of so-called sober homes in the city raises important policy questions that demand answers from the industry and from our city and state governments. The report— done in partnership with Northeastern University’s Initiative For Investigative Reporting — found that local authorities have virtually no regulatory controls over these homes. Alarmingly, neither city nor state government officials could tell us with any level of certainty just how many such homes exist in our neighborhoods. Read more
Report: Agreements with nonprofits are potential govt. revenue source
Nov. 30, 2010
Some cities and towns burdened by diminished state aid may want to look toward agreements with non-profits, universities and other charitable organizations currently exempt from paying property taxes for an additional source of revenue, according to a new report.
A study released Tuesday by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy found that some, but not all, communities could find an untapped revenue stream in PILOT programs, or payment-in-lieu-of taxes, to help pay for public services that have been stretched thin during the recession. Read more
Melville-Park group pushes to shift polling place
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A correction has been attached to this article.
The Melville Park Neighborhood Association is petitioning the city’s elections department to change their present polling location at Oliver Wendell Holmes School, citing little available parking and low turnout. Read more
Mystery rock: Was memorial meant to honor WWI hero?
Nov. 24, 2010
The plaque-less stone monument in Savin Hill’s McConnell Park. Ed Forry photo
Savin Hill resident Heidi Moesinger has probably walked by the mysterious stone in McConnell Park hundreds of times, never knowing why it was there.
The stone, which sits about 50 feet from the park’s playground, is surrounded by a low, black fence and rests on a small hill overlooking the beach.
On the side facing the ocean, a faint, oval-shaped shadow and drill holes remain, suggesting that the stone was adorned with a plaque in the past. According to local residents, the rock has been sitting there for more than 60 years, but despite the fact that it looks to be some kind of monument, no one seems to be sure what it is meant to honor. Read more
