Jamaica Plain Community Centers (JPCC) chair Kerry Costello is criticizing the relationship between Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) and the local councils that run the community centers, saying the City is attempting to garner more power over the partnership. The partnership is still governed by a 1974 “Plan of Operations” document. The...
Blog Archives
Homeless census results still missing
The City has yet to release its 2011 homeless census, despite the fact it released previous census results during the winter months. The census has been conducted for 32 straight years, with the last several showing a drop in the homeless population. The City uses the census to help determine homeless programs and funding....
BHA: Drug deal sparked Bromley violence
By Peter Shanley and John Ruch, Gazette Staff The recent violence at the Bromley-Heath housing development is the result of a drug purchase gone awry, according to Boston Housing Authority (BHA) Administrator Bill McGonagle. “That’s what I’m getting from my police,” he said. “There might be other theories out there.” The BHA and other...
Medical marijuana goes on the ballot
Jamaica Plain residents will soon have an opportunity to help decide whether or not to legalize medical marijuana. The issue has been placed as a question on the state ballot for November. Supporters of the measure had to gather 79,000 signatures to get the question placed on the ballot. But local state Rep. Jeffrey...
Community centers may lack written deals
It remains unclear what, if any, operating agreement there is between the City and the local organizations that help run community centers. The only known document covering their operation dates to the 1970s. Earlier this year, a committee was formed to create a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City’s Boston Centers for Youth...
Political Notes
Councilor wants school recycling bins Next time a student uses an empty water bottle as a basketball, City Councilor At-Large Felix Arroyo wants the target to be a recycling bin. Arroyo, a Jamaica Plain resident, has introduced a hearing order to bring single-stream recycling to the Boston Public Schools system, according to a press...
BPS program provides summer meals for youths
The Boston Public Schools’ (BPS) Summer Food Service Program is once again offering free breakfast and lunch to youngsters this summer. “It’s a great program that kids don’t have to be signed up for,” said Debra Korzec-Ramirez, the nutrition education coordinator for BPS and a JP resident. “They just go in and get the...
Three lots in JP to remain open space
EGLESTON SQ.—Three City-owned lots on Dalrymple and Boylston streets in Jamaica Plain will likely remain open space, according to Department of Neighborhood Development (DND) Director Evelyn Friedman. “The overwhelming response was for the sites to be used as open space,” Friedman said of the reaction at a community meeting held June 21 on proposals...
JPNDC program helps out low-income families
With many families still suffering effects from the Great Recession, the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC) is rolling out the Family Prosperity Initiative, a program aimed at teaching families how to manage their finances. “There are a lot of JP families who are low-income and struggling,” said Anna Waldron, director of programs for...
BPL surveys parents for kids’ program
Having surveyed city youths about what they would like to see in a new after-school program, the Boston Public Library (BPL) is moving on to collect their parents’ and caregivers’ input through an online survey. “This is our current phase,” said BPL spokesperson Gina Perille. “It covers a couple of key areas of input.”...