Local state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz and state Rep. Liz Malia are seeking to reunify Jamaica Plain’s Congressional map, which would be split between two new districts in a plan that could be approved by the state legislature as early as today. Chang-Díaz told the Gazette that she and Malia are sponsoring an amendment to...
Monthly Archives: November 2011
Occupy JP movement begins
An “Occupy JP” movement is organizing as a local version of the Occupy Wall Street protest, the Gazette has learned. Organizing was slated to begin yesterday at a “general assembly” meeting at Doyle’s Café, according to an Occupy JP page on Facebook. It is unclear when or where an Occupy JP protest would be...
Opposition to Congressional district split is rising
By David Taber and John Ruch Local opposition is rising to a Congressional redistricting plan released Nov. 7 that would split Jamaica Plain and put a huge chunk of the neighborhood into a district that likely would be more politically conservative. The plan is racing toward a vote next week. The JP Progressives organization...
Incumbents win City Council races
The incumbent candidates won all of the at-large and local district Boston City Council seats in today’s election. In the at-large race, Jamaica Plain resident Felix Arroyo, John Connolly, Steve Murphy and Ayanna Pressley retained their seats. Challenger Michael Flaherty finished a close fifth in the balloting. Another JP resident, Sean Ryan, finished a...
New Congressional map splits JP
By David Taber and John Ruch Updated A huge chunk of Jamaica Plain could be cut from U.S. Congressman Michael Capuano’s district and put in a new district where two incumbent Congressmen—Stephen Lynch and Bill Keating—live, under a redistricting proposal released Nov. 7. Keating is indicated he will move out of the district into...
Whole Foods Opens Its Doors: Customers line up
With Rebeca Oliveira, Gazette Staff HYDE SQ.–Whole Foods Market opened to brisk business on Oct. 31 at 413 Centre St. after months of controversy about the grocery store chain’s arrival in Jamaica Plain. Whole Foods replaces the shuttered Hi-Lo market in a revamped building. The store will be open daily from 8 a.m. to...
At-Large candidates talk JP issues
All seven candidates for At-Large Boston City Council seats in the Nov. 8 election talked Jamaica Plain issues in response to written questions from the Gazette. Felix Arroyo, John Connolly, William Dorcena, Michael Flaherty, Stephen Murphy, Ayanna Pressley and Sean Ryan were asked to weigh in on: • Whether the Casey Overpass should be...
Whole Foods protesters wave signs
About 20 protesters—including Ben Day, the newly elected chair of the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council (JPNC)—were at Whole Foods Market at 413 Centre St. on Oct. 31, the first day the store was open, to protest the grocer’s refusal to negotiate a community benefits agreement (CBA). The protest, organized by the group Whose Foods?...
Adiós Hi-Lo, Hola Whole Foods
“Esto es increíble”: Carlos Martínez, residente de JP. “Yo no pienso entrar nunca”: Martha Rodríguez, nueva integrante del JPNC. “¡Cuánto orden! y ¡cuánta oferta!”, Reina T., residente de JP. “La tienda, que ocupa un area de 13,700 pies cuadrados, emplea un equipo de 104 empleados a tiempo completo”: Heather W. McCready, Public Relations Manager, Whole...
Ethiopian eatery opens
HYDE SQ.—The Blue Nile Ethiopian restaurant has returned to Jamaica Plain, opening quietly in a new spot at 389 Centre St. Blue Nile closed its original S. Huntington Avenue location in 2006 after 15 years. Now it’s back with more vegetarian options and take-out and delivery as well, owner Ellena Haile told the Gazette....