By Peter Shanley and John Ruch, Gazette Staff Local state Rep. Jeffrey Sánchez is backing a controversial shock therapy that many officials are trying to ban. Some people claim the procedure is tantamount to torture. Bill Allan, a Jamaica Plain resident and activist at the Disability Policy Consortium, said that Massachusetts is the only...
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New bar replaces the Old Stag
EGLESTON SQ.—Coco’s Bar & Lounge recently opened at 3171 Washington St., the former location of the Old Stag Tavern. Betsy Cowan, executive director of Egleston Square Main Street, said there was a soft opening on July 20 and a grand opening the next day. She said owners Jose de la Rosa and Leoni Pascasio...
BRA won’t analyze latest census data
The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) will not create a local report of the latest U.S. Census data, according to BRA spokesperson Melina Schuler. “Those facts and figures had been recently released,” said Schuler, referring to the 2010 U.S. Census, though that is not the most recent census data. The BRA will not analyze the...
Local nursing homes highly rated
With the Goddard House Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center closing, there are three remaining nursing homes in Jamaica Plain. The three nursing homes rank mostly higher than the state average, according to state Executive Office of Health and Human Services website. The Goddard House at 201 S. Huntington Ave., which recently announced it will...
New plan, same criticism for 161 S. Huntington
Opposition to the 161 S. Huntington Ave. apartment project remains high despite changes made by the developer, Boston Residential Group, after an initial round of public comment on the project. Most of the about 40 attendees who spoke during a community meeting at the Back of the Hill Apartments on Aug. 15 voiced much...
Local councilors differ on redistricting plan
The City Council approved a controversial redistricting plan by a 7-6 vote on Aug. 22, with local councilors splitting on the issue. City Councilor Matt O’Malley, who lives in and represents Jamaica Plain, voted in favor of the plan, saying it creates a “fair map.” At-Large City Councilor Felix Arroyo, a JP resident, said...
School renovation rushes to meet deadline
The roughly $4 million renovation of the old Agassiz building at 20 Child St. is nearing completion with the Boston Public Schools (BPS) opening day of Sept. 6 rapidly approaching. The renovated building will contain the Mission Hill K-8 School, which will retain its name despite moving to Jamaica Plain, and the new Margarita...
Political Notes: Sánchez to attend DNC
Local state Rep. Jeffrey Sánchez will be taking a field trip down to Charlotte, N.C. for the Democratic National Convention (DNC) as he continues to campaign for President Barack Obama. The convention will be held Sept. 4-6. “It’s incredible to hear from people from all walks of life,” Sánchez said in a Gazette interview...
Goddard House says most residents have new homes
The Goddard House Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center at 201 S. Huntington Ave., which announced in July that it would be closing forever in September, has found new homes for most of its residents and is helping find employees new work. Meanwhile, a local elected official is expected to meet with the Goddard House...
Political Notes: Chang-Díaz votes for school discipline reform bill
The state Senate recently approved a school discipline reform bill that reduces unnecessary school suspensions and expulsions, and ensures educational services for many of the state’s most vulnerable students, according to a press release. Local state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz voted for the legislation. The House also approved the bill and Gov. Deval Patrick signed...