The Gazette makes its twice-a-year visit to Roslindale this week. You could call it a meeting of old friends, and we tend to use the term “neighbors,” but JP and Rozzie are more like siblings joined at the hip by Arnold Arboretum. We’re both diverse neighborhoods with rich social histories but also facing—and embracing—a...
Opinion
Editorial: Where’s the debate?
JP erupted in a frenzy about Whole Foods Market last year, a debate widely decried as a vicious civil war, though it was also a long-overdue soul-searching about potential gentrification. Yet now that gentrification is here in the form of self-advertised “luxury” housing on a grand scale coming to S. Huntington Avenue—and now possibly...
Letter: Fire response shows JP’s greatness
As many by now have heard, an intense fire shortly before midnight on April 20 resulted in the immediate displacement of myself and 13 others (and multiple dogs and cats) from our homes on Paul Gore Street (“Fire leaves 14 homeless,” jamaicaplaingazette.com). As a husband, and father of a 4-month-old included in this group,...
Letter: Sorry for open house mix-up
First and foremost, Theo Koziol, our executive director, and I, the founding director of Arc-en-Ciel Day Care and Montessori School, would like to present our utmost gratitude to the Jamaica Plain residents and surroundings towns to have allowed us to be a part of your daily lives. We were overwhelmed with joy to celebrate...
Letter: T changes impact RIDE users
The full version of the letter excerpted here was sent to the MBTA prior to its decision to raise fares and reduce service: I am writing to give my feedback regarding the current fare proposals suggested by the T. My name is Cindy Higgins. I have Cerebral Palsy and use a power wheelchair. I...
Letter: Thanks for Egleston engagement
Egleston Square Main Street (ESMS) would like to thank everyone who shared their unique talents, resources, energy and enthusiasm to make Egleston Square shine this past month! First, thank you to all who made our Hot Jazz Cool Neighborhood fund-raiser such a success. For the fifth year in a row, we packed the venue,...
Editorial: Obama catches up to JP on same-sex marriage
President Obama finally caught up with Jamaica Plain today on same-sex marriage, declaring his personal support for it in a groundbreaking announcement. Same-sex marriage in the U.S. began in Massachusetts, but even more specifically in JP. The pioneering lawsuit that in 2004 led to the legalization of same-sex marriage here, and eventually in other...
JP Observer: JP’s affordable housing is diverse, plentiful
The affordable housing stock of Jamaica Plain is another diverse element of the neighborhood that is home to a well-known mix of races, ethnic groups and income levels. When the words “affordable housing” are used in JP, no specific picture should come to mind, because the housing is so varied. Also, thanks to the...
Editorial: Centers minus community?
What is a community center without the community? We’re about to find out, as ludicrous, abrupt rental hikes at the Hennigan Community Center drive successful JP youth programs out of the neighborhood, and perhaps out of business. This looks like another way to balance the books on the backs of the disadvantaged, and it...
Editorial: Leash your dogs
People are roaming free in JP’s wealth of parkland with the arrival of spring. Unfortunately, so are off-leash pet dogs. Having a dog off-leash on the street or in a park is illegal. It’s illegal because it’s irresponsible, rude and dangerous. Dogs are not miniature people. They are animals that can and will bite....