Bay State Banner 3/13/2014

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Can ‘12 Years a Slave’ change Hollywood’s race problem?........ pg. 12

Main Streets director sees bright future for Grove Hall...........pg. 3

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BPS ramps up search for new superintendent Martin Desmarais After nine months with an interim school superintendent in place, city officials are ramping up the effort to hire a permanent superintendent — kicking off the search with a number of public hearings to find out what parents and the community want in the school system’s new leader. “Boston parents, students and other stakeholders have shared valuable thoughts and suggestions as we begin the process of finding a permanent school superintendent,” Mayor Martin Walsh said in a statement. “Engaging these voices is a fundamental step in this search, and our selection should be shaped by what our community believes that we need for our kids. Holding public hearings has been a successful tactic throughout my transition and in the early days of my administration. I look forward to hearing what our community members have to say as we begin to host these meetings.” Boston Public Schools officially established a search committee to find a new superintendent last month. The committee is being led by Boston School Committee member and Boston University School of Education Dean Hardin Coleman and Bank of America Massachusetts President Robert Gallery. The committee also includes

teachers, current and former school administrators, higher education leaders, student’s parents and business leaders. The committee will recommend a national search firm to assist in choosing a new superintendent, host the community meetings on the hiring of the new superintendent and narrow down the pool of possible candidates presented by the search firm with a recommendation of three finalists for the job by June. Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson said the hiring of a new superintendent presents a tremendous opportunity for moving the c i t y ’s p u b l i c s c h o o l s f o rward. “This is one of the most important roles,” Jackson said. “To me the education of our children is the most important role of the city. This job, bar none, is the most important hire that we will make in the next year or so.” According to Jackson, the new superintendent should be an experienced educator who has strong personnel skills and understands the power and importance of reaching out and building relationships in the community. “The requirements for this job are for someone who has run an urban school system and someone who understands that we need to be squarely focused on the achievement gap especially

“This job, bar none, is the most important hire that we will make in the next year or so.”

—Tito Jackson

superintendent, continued to page 9

Dudley Square Main Streets Executive Director Joyce Stanley says business innovation efforts planned for Dudley Square will lead to a greater diversity of businesses in the commercial district. (Banner photo)

Entrepreneurs float ideas for Dudley business incubator Yawu Miller Speaking to the Mass Technology Leadership Council last month, Mayor Martin Walsh urged industry leaders to look beyond the Seaport District and Kendall Square to neighborhoods like Mattapan as locations for new innovation districts. In neighborhoods across Boston, nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs and at least one economist are looking for ways to attract business innovation, from the cutting edge of hightech to neighborhood coffee shops. Proponents of business innovation have focused much of their attention on Dudley Square as a potential location for business in-

cubators and as a potential innovation district. With rents significantly lower than in the Seaport District, and with its proximity to downtown Boston, universities and public transportation, Dudley Square may be a natural fit for business innovation, according to Harvard Economist Edward Glaeser, who heads the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston. “It’s fairly close to the heart of Boston,” Glaeser said. “It has this amazing flow of bus traffic. It’s the busiest bus station in Boston.” Glaeser says there’s little need for government support to create an innovation district. A streamlined permitting process that would allow businesses to get established quickly

and with minimal cost is the key. “You could have one person who’s responsible for getting you through the permitting process,” he commented. “It’s not a huge cost. It’s just one person.” Glaeser also sees a role for local high schools and colleges to provide a pool of interns and employees who could learn business and technology with local startups. The Walsh administration’s chief of Economic Development, John Barros, says the city is considering ways to help spur innovation districts with tax breaks, grants and financing assistance, in addition to a streamlined permitting process. Dudley, continued to page 21

Latino representation seen lacking in Hub’s civic leadership Yawu Miller

Governor Deval Patrick discusses how Massachusetts is competing on the international playing field at a business summit with Massport and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. (Governor’s Office photo by Eric Haynes)

At 43 percent of the student population, Latinos are the largest group in Boston’s public schools. Yet just 10 percent of the teachers in the system are Latino. And of eight School Committee members, only one is Latino. Along with African Americans and Asians, Latinos suffer the same pattern of underrepresentation in virtually all spheres of Boston’s civic life — a high concentration at the bottom of the pay

scales and decision-making chains with little to no representation at the top. Now a group of Latino nonprofit leaders is working to break down the glass ceiling in the city’s corporate, nonprofit and government sectors. Calling themselves the Latino Network, the group has held a series of meetings with representatives of city and state government to press the case for greater Latino representation. Latinos, continued to page 19

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2 • Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER

Organization introduces youth to design field By Kassmin Williams Korn Design owner Denise Korn has been working for more than a decade to provide Boston students a way to tap into their creativity and then transform that creativity into a career with her organization, Youth Design. Youth Design exposes creative students to career possibilities they may not otherwise learn about, according to Korn. “A lot of kids know that they might be really strong at science or math or they might self-identify as a really strong athlete,” Korn said. “These are kids who self-identify as artistic or are interested in the arts, but don’t really know what to do with that.”

Youth Design offers workshops in design at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and pairs high school students with mentors from about 18 different areas in the design field including architecture, book design, graphic design and fashion. Throughout the years, the program has evolved from a seven-week summer program for juniors and seniors to a 14-month program including school year workshops, and has recently enrolled its first group of students who will go through a 27-month program starting the second half of sophomore year. “Starting two years ago, we decided we didn’t have enough time to really have a long lasting impact with those kids the way

we wanted because it was too late in their trajectory towards college,” Korn said. “Now our ideal time to engage students is in the spring of their sophomore year in high school.” To complement the program expansion, Youth Design will also be testing the Youth Design Studio, a space manned by a professional design volunteer and a studio monitor where students can go after school to work on projects. The space will be located at the United South End Settlements and will provide students a safe place to focus on academic work and an opportunity to test ideas and improve their technical skills, Korn said. Youth Design sets out to ad-

dress two issues: socioeconomic growth in urban communities and diversifying the design field as a whole. B e f o r e l a u n c h i n g Yo u t h Design in 2003, Korn served as president of the board of the New England Creative Economy Council. With the council, she looked at ways to boost opportunity and economic development through the creative economy including advertising, architecture, design, fashion and television. Through that work, Korn realized the lack of awareness and accessibility for young people in Boston neighborhoods and Boston Public Schools to learn about design as a career path. “I think there are a lot of young people out there that know they’re creative and feel they can bring a lot of added value into the world of art and creative expression, but they don’t know they can direct that into a productive career path,” Korn said. During the school year, the students receive technical training, complete assignments and

projects around design at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and explore the city to learn how design “affects all aspects of life,” Korn said. The internships serve as an extension to the classroom program, giving the students hands-on training. Students participate in meetings and presentations and hone the design skills learned in the technical training workshops. The technical training takes place in the college’s computer lab where students learn Adobe Creative Suite, a series of computer software programs vital in the world of design, including: Photoshop, a photo-editing program; Illustrator, a graphics editor program; and InDesign, publishing software. “These are vital for pretty much anyone working in any part of the design field to be familiar with and by the finish, these kids are really well versed in the Adobe Suite,” Korn said. The classroom workshops prepare students for the seven-week summer immersion program during which students are paired with mentors for a

“These are kids who self-identify as artistic or are interested in the arts, but don’t really know what to do with that.” — Denise Korn full-time paid summer internship program in the mentor’s creative office such as Boston Ballet, Harvard University Press and City Year. The 27-month program allows students to participate in the summer program for three summers.

Youth Design members, above, are high school students who get exposure to the design industry with workshops at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Members are also paired with mentor in different design field, including architecture, graphic design and fashion. The organization was launched by Denise Korn in 2003.

To learn more about Youth Design, join the program or become a mentor, visit youthdesign.org.

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Main Streets director sees bright future for Grove Hall

Grove Hall Main Streets Director Ed Gaskin tours the business district with Mayor Martin Walsh, Rafael Carbonell and Sheryce Hearns from the city’s Office of Business Development. (Photo courtesy of the Mayor’s Office) Yawu Miller When Ed Gaskin talks about Grove Hall, he sees the community’s assets first and foremost — its proximity to Franklin Park with its golf course and zoo, a newly-constructed nearby commuter rail station, the surrounding housing stock of stately one- and two-family Victorians, and commercial anchors like the One United Bank and Bank of America branches and the Grove Hall Mecca Mall. And he sees a bright future for the bustling commercial district, with sit-down restaurants, a vibrant mix of retail stores and cutting-edge high tech businesses. “Grove Hall has a diversity of cultures, “Gaskin says. “Over time, this is going to be the neighborhood of the future. A lot of other neighborhoods in Boston

don’t have the equivalent of Grove Hall’s resources. They don’t have the park. They don’t have the housing stock.” As executive director of the Grove Hall Main Streets organization it’s Gaskin’s job to revitalize the business district in a way that supports the businesses there and the residents of the surrounding neighborhoods. While many in the neighborhood have high hopes for Grove Hall, Gaskin says there is a competing negative view of the neighborhood. Gaskin cites a recent interview with a reporter who he says told him the neighborhood was best known for “shootings and trash.” “There are a lot of people who believe that,” he says. “I never think about that. I think about what do we do to make this the neighborhood of the future.”

Project RIGHT (Rebuild and Improve Grove Hall Together) Executive Director Jorge Martinez says he agrees with Gaskin’s assessment. “There’s a lot happening in this neighborhood,” Martinez says. “We’ve got new housing units, after-school programs, new jobs. We’re going to have hundreds of new families in the neighborhood in market-rate and workforce

housing. We need to do a lot more marketing and public relations.” An early step in marketing Grove Hall is already underway. Gaskin is currently raising funds to produce banners that will be affixed to light poles on the main streets in Grove Hall to mark the commercial district. Since taking the reins at Grove Hall Main Streets, Gaskins has met with business owners, community groups and local nonprofits, soliciting ideas for a new vision of Grove Hall. “We already have people coming into Grove Hall,” Gaskin says. “The challenge is how we get more people to visit the stores here. How do we make Grove Hall a destination.” Gaskin says the organization will focus on four main areas to improve the business district: recruiting a diverse mix of businesses to Grove Hall and strengthening existing businesses; attracting the technology sector to the area; fostering environmentally-friendly businesses practices; and keeping Grove Hall clean and leveraging the cultural activities in the area. In his approach to each of the four areas, Gaskin, a business consultant with a degree from MIT’s Sloan School of Management, displays an abiding belief in the potential of Grove Hall. He says that when he proposed recruiting an Apple Store to Grove Hall, many people dismissed the idea as a pipe dream. “People don’t aspire to bring certain kinds of businesses here because they don’t think they’ll come,” he says. “People never think to ask. We have to get out of that mentality.” Currently more than 20 of the 140 storefronts in the Grove Hall

area are vacant, 15 of them as part of a $2 million renovation project. Gaskins says the vacancies present an opportunity for the district to recruit businesses that break from the mold of Radio Shack, Ashley Stewart, Footlocker and cell phone stores that populate other business districts. He sees potential for a fitness center and higher-end dining. “We want to set the bar higher,” he says. “We’re looking at this as an opportunity to reshape the community. If we’re actively recruiting businesses, we can shape what the community will be.” As for the technology sector, Gaskin says Grove Hall residents expressed an interest in seeing more high-tech jobs in the area. While most people in the area are technology consumers, few if any are producers, he explains. Gaskins says local youths can learn how to produce applications for mobile phones. “It’s not something that necessarily takes a college degree,” he comments. “It’s something you can do with a laptop. You don’t need a lot of capital.” The cultural events in the Grove Hall area include the Caribbean Carnival, Puerto Rican festival and Dominican festival. Tying cultural events to the district could be as simple as inviting festival participants to patronize the local businesses, according to Gaskin. Martinez says Gaskin’s ideas mesh well with the aspirations of Grove Hall residents. “He’s been great,” Martinez says. “He started off running. He’s given us a synopsis of all the projects on the avenue. And he’s got a plan for all of them.”


4 • Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER

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Black culture must strengthen the community for success Some problems are so huge that they seem to be unsolvable. The dire statistics of the plight of urban black boys indicate that a lost generation is inevitable. But President Obama is not giving up. He has recently announced “My Brother’s Keeper,” a major national initiative to turn the tide. Obama has called on foundations, corporations, business leaders and entrepreneurs to develop strategies to rescue black youth from failure. Remedial programs will be less effective if flaws in the culture are not repaired. Over the decades it has become more acceptable to have children out of wedlock. In 1940, only 16.8 percent of blacks were born out of wedlock. By 1963, that number had grown to 23.6 percent, and by 2012, the rate had become 72.2 percent. This is less a moral concern than a failure to create an effective entity for raising children. If a boat is filling with water it makes good sense to bail to prevent it from sinking. However, the real solution is to repair the hole in the hull. Similarly, African Americans must analyze their culture to determine what improvements might be helpful. Perhaps it is time to revive the old African idea that “it takes a whole village to raise a child.” With all of the demands of modern life the more isolated parent-centric structure does not always work well. Another concept to be resurrected is a greater respect for elders. American society changes so fast that teenagers often look upon those only in their 30s as mere fossils. The problem with this attitude is that the adults might also find the teen sub-culture to be unpleasantly crass and disrespectful. That would create an imped-

iment for a constructive teacher-student type relationship. Young boys, infused with an abundance of testosterone, are driven by a will to win. It is up to the standards of the culture to define winning and losing. That is not an easy task because while academic success is clearly winning, the process of attaining academic achievement is so challenging and sometimes deflating, it hardly satisfies the male fantasies of heroic victories. One way to redefine success is to create role models who are not athletes or rap stars. But more importantly, students should be made to understand that academic achievers are to be respected for raising the profile of the race. They are more significant than someone whose only accomplishment is slam-dunking a basketball. The media will ultimately have considerable influence in determining the image of young blacks. Are they essentially gangbangers or are they young men with much to offer society if they are properly prepared for the task? The emphasis in the press will help to generate self-confidence in the community or create an image of young thugs to outsiders. Obama’s message is clear. He is asking Americans to provide the resources the black youth need to develop, but it is ultimately up to the individual to take advantage of the opportunities. As the president has said, there are “no excuses.” Many of the “Brother’s Keepers” involved in the program will be volunteers. They are unlikely to be willing to continue to give their time if the youth do not make a colossal effort to succeed. Indeed there can be “no excuses.”

“Man, we better go there if we want to find out how we can change for the better.” USPS 045-780

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LETTERSto the Editor

Consistent defender of civil rights

The ACLU of Massachusetts welcomes the invitation from the Bay State Banner (“An ACLU oversight in the Henriquez case?”) to join in expressing our concern at the decision by the Massachusetts House of Representatives to oust a duly elected official, whose misdemeanor conviction is still on appeal, when it voted to expel Representative Carlos Henriquez. Given that the House has declined to take such action against other representatives convicted of crimes, ranging from drunk driving to violations of campaign finance laws, the appearance of a double-standard is undeniable. Contrary to the editorial’s suggestion, however, the ACLU has never been silent on issues of voting rights, over-incarceration or the failed war on drugs. The ACLU has proven itself a strong and consistent defender of these rights. At the U.S. Supreme Court, the ACLU’s historic advocacy includes work on the landmark “Brown v. Board of Education” desegregation case, the “Loving v. Virginia” case that struck down bans on interracial marriage, and our work just last year to defend the

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Voting Rights Act in “Shelby County v. Holder.” To name just a few recent examples here in Massachusetts: the ACLU frequently challenges police practices that unfairly target Boston’s communities of color such as targeting neighborhoods such as Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan with automatic license plate readers; we have repeatedly called for inquests into police shootings of our citizens such as Malcolm Gracia and Mark Fernandes McMullen; we have challenged the disparate expulsion of students of color from our schools; documented racial disparities in arrest rates for students of color, challenged racially biased convictions; spoken out

clearly against the “three strikes” bill that would worsen racial disparities; disputed the unfair conviction of some 43,000 Massachusetts residents victimized by the Hinton drug lab scandal; and repeatedly defended voting rights for all of our citizens. The ACLU is proud of our record defending the civil rights and civil liberties of readers of the Bay State Banner and all people in our Commonwealth. Sincerely, Carol Rose Executive Director American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts

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Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 5

ROVINGCamera

OPINION For Obama, ‘Brother’s Keeper’ is personal Earl Ofari Hutchinson

President Obama made it perfectly clear why he got more than a little emotional when he announced his My Brother’s Keeper initiative. He was one of those brothers who but for his initiative, luck and a good support system could have easily slid into the spiral of poverty, drugs, violence and possibly jail or an early grave. That spiral has trapped countless other poor minorities and especially black males. Obama challenged government, corporations and foundations to kick in millions in funds and resources to deal with the minority male crisis. While he also challenged minority males to take responsibility for their lives, he recognized that no matter how motivated an at-risk male is, that won’t demolish the rock-like institutional and societal barriers that confront black males. The biggest of all is the staggering jobless rate among young black males, and much more. They are not just jobless — they are also in mortal danger of becoming job untouchables. Their Great Depression unemployment rate did not budge even during the Clinton-era economic boom in the 1990s, the unemployment rate for young black males was double, and in some parts of the country triple, that of white males. Discrimination, racial profiling, failing public schools and broken homes are the easy answers to try and explain the high unemployment numbers. But that’s not the total answer. During the past decade, the relentless cutbacks in state and federal job training and skills programs, the brutal competition for low and semi-skilled service and retail jobs from immigrants, and the refusal of many employers to hire those with criminal records have sledgehammered black communities. In the late 1990s, long before the big run up in black unemployment, the California Assembly Commission on the Status of the African-American Males reported that four out of 10 felons entering California prisons are young black males. That number is repeated in other states. Despite the slight tick up in the number of black two-parent households, less than half of lower-income black males under age 21 still live in two-parent households. The high number of miserably failing inner-city public schools also fuels the unemployment crisis. They have turned thousands of blacks into eduThe explosion of cational cripples. These students are desperately unequipped to handle gangsta rap and the the rapidly-evolving and demanding spate of Hollywood technical and professional skills in the violence-themed public sector and the business world ghetto films have of the 21st century. The educational meltdown has seeped into the colleges. convinced even more According to an American Council of Americans that the Education report, in the past decade thug lifestyle is the Latino, Asian and black female student black lifestyle. enrollment has soared while black male enrollment has slowed down. The negative racial typing has also spilled over into school discipline. Studies show that though blacks make up less than 20 percent of public school students, they comprise nearly one out of three students kicked out of the nation’s public schools. But there’s another reason for the endemic joblessness among the brothers and the attendant spin-off problems of crime, drugs and violence from the forced idleness and hopelessness that conservatives and far too many others delight in victim-blaming black males are loath to admit. While it’s true that many employers refuse to hire them because of racial fear and ignorance, the unstated but real perception is that many young black males are inherent drive-by-shooters, gang bangers or drug dealers, are lazy, have foul attitudes, are chronic underachievers and are eternal menaces to society. When some young blacks turned to gangs, guns and drugs and terrorized their communities this seemed to confirm their worst fears. The explosion of gangsta rap and the spate of Hollywood violence-themed ghetto films have convinced even more Americans that the thug lifestyle is the black lifestyle. It makes little difference whether a young black is a Rhodes Scholar, National Science medal winner or junior achievement candidate, he could easily be tagged as a gangster. The gunning down of Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis were blatant examples of how stereotypes and negative typecasting of young black males can have deadly consequences. In the past few years, a rogue’s list of rappers have been assaulted, murdered or run afoul of the law. They revel in the bad actor lifestyle and play hard on the usversus-them volcanic rage of many young blacks. They reap a king’s ransom from exploiting the violent, outlaw image of black life. Some young black men reinforce the damaging racial stereotypes by aping and exalting the thuggish bluster and behavior of gangster rappers. This further confirms the lurking suspicion among some employers that all young blacks must be criminal and derelict, and that it’s risky business to hire them. Obama’s public challenge to foundations, government and business to do more to end discrimination and create more job and training opportunities for young minority and black males is a good start. But the barriers that Obama spoke of won’t fall until Americans see the brothers whom Obama urges the nation to keep out of harm’s way are worthy to be kept and not brothers to be scorned. Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. He is an associate editor of New America Media. He is a weekly co-host of the Al Sharpton Show on American Urban Radio Network. The Banner welcomes your opinion. Email Op-Ed submissions to:

yawu@bannerpub.com ­Letters must be signed. Names may be withheld upon request.

What can be done to attract more shoppers to Dudley Square?

They need to improve the curb appeal of the stores. They’ve been looking the same way for 20 years. It’s not appealing.

We need better parking. It’s really tough on weekends when people are shopping. And a supermarket would be nice.

Better vendors and more appealing exteriors. It should have more of a village feel and be more welcoming to shoppers.

Lorraine Evans

Robert Handy

Lonaii Tolentino

They need more of a variety of stores and more restaurants.

They need to keep the area clean and have better advertising and marketing.

Dudley looks bland. There’s not enough color. It needs more colorful storefronts.

Stephen Raymond

Debbie Howard

Andre French

Executive Director Dorchester

Carpenter Roxbury

Teacher Dorchester

Site Coordinator Roxbury

Housing Manager Roxbury

Student Roxbury

INthe news

Darryl Settles

The Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action honored Darryl Settles with its distinguished Community Leadership Award at its annual meeting. JALSA first began work with Settles on the initial board for Community Servings, the hot meals program for persons homebound with acute life-threatening illness, an organization their leadership helped established in 1989. The organization today serves more than 7,000 meals each week to 18 Massachusetts cities and towns. “We are very excited to honor Darryl for his outstanding work and dedication in support of all communities,” said Sheila Decter, executive director of JALSA. “He is passionate about creating vibrant communities, embodying the values of social and economic justice which are the centerpiece of JALSA’s mission.” Settles is currently president and cofounder of WiSe Urban Development LLC, which fosters the development of multi-family affordable housing in urban communities in partnership with

local non-profit and private owners to create sustainable neighborhoods. He is also president of D’Ventures Limited LLC, a business consulting and investment company. He is also founder of the BeanTown Jazz Festival, and

founder of the Beehive Restaurant & Lounge. He entered the hospitality restaurant business in 1990 when he purchased Bob the Chef’s Restaurant and since that time has repositioned the restaurant twice.


6 • Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER

U.S. temp workers face low pay, exploitation Michael Grabell Half a century ago, the legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow came to the pancake-flat town in central New Jersey of Cranbury to document the plight of migrant farmworkers for a television special called “Harvest of Shame.” Today, many of Cranbury’s potato fields have been built up with giant warehouses that form a distribution hub off Exit 8A of the Jersey Turnpike. But amid this 21st century system of commerce, an old way of labor persists. Temporary workers make a daily migration on buses to this area, just as farmworkers did for every harvest in the 1960s. Temp workers today face many similar conditions in how they get hired, how they live and what they can afford to eat. Adjusted for inflation, many of today’s temp workers earn roughly the same amount as those farmworkers did 50 years ago. Across the country, farms full of migrant workers have been replaced with warehouses full of temp workers, as American consumers depend more on foreign products, online shopping and just-in-time delivery. It is a story that begins at the ports of Los Angeles and Newark, N.J., follows the railroads to Chicago and ends at your neighborhood box store, or your doorstep. The temp industry now employs 2.8 million workers — the highest number and highest proportion of the American workforce in history.

As the economy continues to recover from the Great Recession, temp work has grown nine times faster than private-sector employment as a whole. Overall, nearly one-sixth of the total job growth since the recession ended has been in the temp sector. Many temps work for months or years packing and assembling products for some of the world’s largest companies, including Walmart, Amazon and Nestlé. They make our frozen pizzas, cut our vegetables and sort the recycling from our trash. They unload clothing and toys made overseas and pack them to fill our store shelves. The temp system insulates companies from workers’ compensation claims, unemployment taxes, union drives and the duty to ensure that their workers are citizens or legal immigrants. In turn, temp workers suffer high injury rates, wait unpaid for work to begin and face fees that depress their pay below minimum wage. Temp agencies consistently rank among the worst large industries for the rate of wage and hour violations, according to a ProPublica analysis of federal enforcement data. It is one of our fastest-growing industries, yet one of the few in which the injury rates have been rising. A ProPublica analysis of millions of workers’ comp claims found that in five states, representing more than a fifth of the U.S. population, temps face a significantly greater risk of getting injured on the job than perma-

ANNOUNCEMENT All subcontractors, small businesses, and firms certified with SDO as a DBE/MBE/WBE and candidates for certification(s) are encouraged to attend an outreach event workshop hosted by CNR Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. (CNR CRC) relating to their participation in the MBTA RFP CAP 27-10 tender for the Orange/Red Line Car Procurement. CNR CRC is committed to maximizing utilization of Minority, and Women Business Enterprises (MBE,WBE), and will use good faith efforts to insure that underutilized businesses have the maximum practicable opportunity to compete for subcontract work under this Contract. Interested parties should register for the outreach event with Alexandra Montalvo at montalvo.alexandra@sojitz.com. Please include selected attendance date, company name and the names of those attending. Two workshops have been scheduled: Tuesday, March 18 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Springfield Marriott 2 Boland Way Springfield, Ma 01115

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nent employees. In Florida, for example, temps were about twice as likely as regular employees to suffer crushing injuries, dislocations, lacerations, fractures and punctures. They were about three times as likely to suffer an amputation on the job in Florida and the three other states for which records were available. The disparity was even worse when we looked just at dangerous occupations, such as manufacturing, construction and warehousing. In Florida, temps in blue-collar workplaces were about six times as likely to be injured as permanent employees doing similar jobs. Day Davis, 21, was crushed by a machine and killed at a Bacardi bottling plant barely 90 minutes into the first day on the first job of his life. Samir Storey, 39, suffocated from hydrogen sulfide gas on his first day when he was assigned to clean the inside of a tank at a paper mill. Mark Jefferson, 47, died after collapsing from heat stroke after a long day on a garbage route. Here too, the plight of the lowest level workers has changed little. The workers who reaped the nation’s fruit and vegetables also passed out from working in the heat or became sick from pesticides such as DDT. In “Harvest of Shame,” two Florida towns – Belle Glade and Immokalee – became symbolic of the plight of farm labor. Today, researchers have identified “temp towns,” such as New Brunswick, N.J., and Little Village in Chicago, Ill. “Temp towns” are often densely populated Latino neighborhoods teeming with temp agencies. Or they are cities where it has become nearly impossible for anyone, even for whites and African-Americans with vocational training, to find blue-collar work without going through a temp firm. New Jersey has five of the counties — Middlesex, Passaic, Burlington, Camden and Union — with the highest concentration of temp work-

ers in the country. Lou Kimmel, an organizer for New Labor, a workers advocacy center in New Brunswick, said that when he first started working there, the founder used to say, “We’re all farmworkers in a way.” For temp workers today, he said, “A lot of the conditions are the same: low wages, wage theft, unsafe conditions, working with chemicals, with no respect and dignity, and no organized effort to try to fight back.” Murrow opened his documentary with the scene of a “shape up,” in which labor contractors hawk available jobs. Temp agencies today use a similar system that researchers have called a “modern-day shape up.” Temp workers stand on street corners or arrive at agency hiring halls as early as 4 a.m. so the agency’s dispatchers can round up enough to fill an order. In New Brunswick, one agency operated for a while out of a neon-lit beauty salon. One morning last year, in Little Village, Chicago, workers lined up in

charging them for the obligatory ride to the warehouse or factory. At the end of the week, the raiteros pick up the workers’ paychecks from the agencies and bring them to check-cashing stores, where workers are charged to cash them. If they don’t have the money for the ride, dozens of workers said, they don’t get their paychecks. In “Harvest of Shame,” the farm laborers had similar brokers known as “crew leaders,” who skimmed money from workers’ wages. After ProPublica published a story on the raiteros in Chicago, some temp agencies there stopped using them and started providing free transportation for the workers. Many agencies stopped giving the paychecks to the raiteros — although others continue to operate as they have for years. The Illinois and federal labor departments have launched a joint initiative to investigate issues temp workers face on the job, and have since opened investigations into three temp agencies for issues involv-

“A lot of the conditions are the same: low wages, wage theft, unsafe conditions, working with chemicals, with no respect and dignity, and no organized effort to try to fight back.” — Lou Kimmel an alleyway behind a dentist clinic and a shop selling quinceañer adresses. They knew little of where they were going to work, except that everyone called it los peluches — Spanish for stuffed animals — and that a guy named “Rigo” told them there was work. After following the bus, I discovered the warehouse was run by Ty Inc., one of the largest makers of stuffed animals in the world. Rigo, whose full name is Rigoberto Aguilar, was what’s known in Little Village as a raitero, a Spanglish invention that roughly means “a person who gives rides.” But raiteros do more than that, essentially serving as immigrant labor brokers for the temp agencies. They recruit the workers, often charging them to apply for the job; then round up the workers in the predawn hours,

ing the transportation of workers. Raiteros, however, are barely better off than temp workers. When I knocked on Aguilar’s door one Friday night, he was holding his infant son. He was renting an apartment not much bigger than what the workers have, with peeling paint and mold in the bathroom. He spoke of his own struggles to make ends meet. At one point, his adult son Victor grew angry as we talked about how the temp agency deals with his father. “They don’t want to pay him,” his son said. “They have all the people come here. They don’t care. Screw you. You take the people. You give them the ride and you charge the fee. We don’t want to have anything to do with you.” Here again, the past mirrors the present. Officials at temp agencies and the third-party warehouses told me they are squeezed by the retailers and big-name brands at the top of the supply chain. When workers are killed or don’t receive their pay, those companies deny knowledge or responsibility, directing blame at the temp agencies at the bottom. Such was the case with migrant farmworkers. A farmer told Murrow’s correspondent that he was “trapped between what society expects and his market demands.” He, too, pointed to the supermarket chains at the top for demanding a price that didn’t allow him to improve the poor working conditions. In “Harvest of Shame,” the farmworkers traveled in buses and packed into the backs of trucks. Today, temp workers travel in buses and pack into vans. Workers say the drivers sometimes carry 22 people in a 15-passenger van. They sit on the wheel wells, in the trunk space, or on milk crates. Female workers complain that they are forced sit on the laps of men they do not know. Sometimes, workers must lie on the floor, the other passengers’ feet on top of them. As before, the products change by the season. But now, instead of picking strawberries, tomatoes and corn, the temp workers pack chocolates for Valentine’s Day, barbecue grills for Memorial Day, turkey pans for Thanksgiving, and clothing and toys temp workers, continued to page 8


Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 7

Latino groups urge Obama to ease up on deportations Banner Staff The National Council of La Raza had been one of the few remaining Latino advocacy groups to not openly criticize President Obama’s deportation policy. However its president, Janet Murguía, now has turned the lens on the president by calling him “deporter-in-chief” and accusing him of turning a “blind eye” to harm caused by a record number of deportations during his two terms in office. Murguía called out President Obama during the keynote address at the 2014 NCLR Capital Awards gala in Washington on March 4. She urged him to use executive authority to halt unnecessary deportations. “Any day now, this administration will reach the 2 million mark for deportations,” said Murguía. “It is a staggering number that far outstrips that of any of his predecessors, and it leaves behind a wake of devastation for families across America. We respectfully disagree with the president on his inability to stop unnecessary deportations. He does have the power to stop this.” Murguía said that Latino advocates have long been hearing “no” from the White House and from Congress in regards to the ability to stop the deportations. “We won’t take no for an answer, because we can’t — not while over 400,000 people a year are being deported by this administration. Not while millions continue to live in the shadows, struggling in fear, every single day

of their lives, outside the scope and protection of the law,” she said. “Nearly half of those being deported are simply hardworking people who have put down roots in their communities and have employers who count on them. Most have been here more than a decade. “One out of every four deportees is the parent of a child who is a U.S. citizen. Hundreds of thousands of these children, our children, are being deprived of their mother or father — and very often the family’s only breadwinner. It will take generations to heal the harm caused by inaction. So, yes. We respectfully disagree with the president on his ability to stop unnecessary deportations. He can stop tearing families apart. He can stop throwing communities and businesses into chaos. He can stop turning a blind eye to the harm being done. He does have the power to stop this. Failure to act will be a shameful legacy for his presidency.” While Murguía’s comments drew attention for her condemnation of the Obama administration, the NCLR was also chastened by some for being too slow to react to a situation that has long bothered the Latino public. For example, a 2012 Pew report found that a quarter of all Latinos in the United States personally knew someone who had been deported and were concerned about the current deportation policy. A Pew report released last month found that 60 percent of Latinos believe the increased deportation numbers — tabbed at 419,384 in 2012

Janet Murguia, president of the National Council of La Raza, recently criticized President Obama for his administration’s deportation policy. Murguia called the president “deporter-in-chief” during a speech to her organization. (Photo courtesy of the National Council of La Raza)

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in the same report — were bad. In her speech to the NCLR, Murguia also called on House leadership to pass immigration reform. “Only Congress can deliver a broad, inclusive and lasting solution,” Murguía said. “So, to the House of Representatives, we say take up reform now, or suffer the political consequences. There is no excuse not to. Reform will add more than a trillion dollars of economic growth, and billions more in wage increases and tax revenues. You have had more than enough time to come up with legislation to move reform forward. “It is about ending the pain and suffering of millions of real people. It is about ending a patchwork of laws where even native-born U.S. citizens are at risk of arrest and detention. It is about ending a broken immigration system that ill-serves every sector of our society.” Murguía is far from alone in her appeal to Congress. On March 6, two days after the NCLR took a stand against President Obama’s deportation policy, more than 200 hundred leaders from Latino nonprofit and civic organizations from cities across the U.S. traveled to Capitol Hill to send a strong message to House Republican leadership that failing to act on immigration reform will have political consequences. Part of the 2014 NCLR Na-

President Barack Obama has come under fire from Latino advocacy groups for the record number of deportations during his administration. Advocates are calling on the president to use executive authority to halt the deportations. (White House photo) tional Latino Advocacy Days, which brought hundreds of Latino leaders from more than 30 states to Washington for training on policy and legislative advocacy, the visit to the House targeted the office of Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va. “House Republican leadership has hidden behind excuse after excuse for why they cannot move forward with immigration reform,” said Clarissa MartínezDe-Castro, director of immigration and civic engagement at NCLR. “Political choices have consequences, and how they handle immigration reform in the next ten months will impact the political landscape over the next decade. Latinos won’t sit idly by while thousands more family members and friends get deported every day. Our com-

munity will continue to pressure House Republicans to act and the White House to intervene in unnecessary deportations. We will raise our voice at the voting booth, where we will remember who championed immigration reform and who stood in the way of progress.” Latino advocates emphasize the growing power of the community’s vote as fuel for swaying political opinion on immigration reform. More than 11 million Latinos cast a ballot in the 2012 elections. The Hispanic vote grew by 15 percent between 2008 and 2012 — compared to 10 percent for black voters and 2 percent for white voters — and that growth is expected to continue as an average of 880,000 young Latino citizens turn 18 each year and become eligible to register to vote.


8 • Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER

temp workers continued from page 6

for Christmas. Back then, the farms provided housing, often shacks with shoddy bunk beds. Temp workers rent rooms in rundown houses, sometimes in a basement or attic with not

much space other than for a bed. It is not uncommon to find a different family in every room. Rosa Ramirez, a 50-year-old temp worker, rents the living room of an old boarding house in Elgin, Ill. There is a cheap mattress on the floor, and a sheet blocks the French doors that separate her room from the hallway. A trap by her door guards against the rats that have

woken her up at night. “Harvest of Shame” reported that migrant farmworkers in 1960 worked 136 days of the year and earned just $900 — $7,087 in today’s dollars. Many temp workers struggle to find steady work. In 2010, a good year in which she wasn’t out for an injury, Ramirez earned $6,549, according to tax forms she provided.

One of the most memorable scenes in “Harvest of Shame” comes when the correspondent asks the mother of a migrant family, “What is an average dinner for the family?” Surrounded by her children, she replies, “Well, I cook a pot of beans and fry some potatoes.” Remembering this scene, I began asking the temp workers I met the

same question. A conversation with one Chicago man, whose family shares an attic with another family, underscored how very little things have changed. “Frijoles y algunas papitas,” he said. Beans and potatoes. ProPublica in collaboration with VICE News


Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 9

superintendant continued from page 1

because the Boston Public School system is 87 percent students of color,” Jackson said. “I think the person also should value and have a track record of implementing cultural sensitivity programs, as well as relevant curriculum to school systems that are in predominantly communities of color.” Jackson is also fully on board with hiring a national search firm in the hiring process, but he acknowledges that is important to consider

port that then need to achieve at the highest level.” Kim Janey, senior project director at Massachusetts Advocates for Children, emphasized the importance of experience with race disparities in a new superintendent. “We need a leader who has had experience in eliminating racial and programmatic achievement gaps and in increasing equitable access to opportunities that lead to high academic achievement,” Janey said. Search committee co-chair Coleman agrees with Jackson that

multicultural competence, be able to work effectively with a variety of partners — business, higher education and health care — and manage the operations of the district efficiently and effectively.” In the search process, BPS has also begun developing what schools officials are calling “aspirational goals” that will drive Boston’s public schools forward and be determining factors in choosing a new superintendent. These goals include: improving students’ preparedness for college or a career; improving school quality; strong district leadership and action-oriented teachers and staff; effective resource allocation; and

greater community engagement. The first of six public hearings on hiring the new superintendent was held on Tuesday night at WGBH TV in Brighton. Other community meetings will take place on March 19 at Harbor Middle School in Dorchester, on March 20 at Orchard Gardens K-8 School in Roxbury, on March 25 at the Dever-McCormack K-8 School in Dorchester and on March 27 at East Boston High School in East Boston. All hearings run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. According to Boston School Committee Chair Michael O’Neill, the public hearings will give the search committee a wide range of

input from the public — and especially parents and others who know the school system so well. John McDonough has served as interim superintendent since May 2013, when he was appointed by the Boston School Committee following the retirement of Superintendent Carol R. Johnson. Johnson led BPS for six years and is credited with increasing the graduation rates to the highest level in the city’s history at that time, and also with increasing enrollment. McDonough is a BPS veteran and served as the school system’s chief financial officer for two decades, prior to becoming interim superintendent.

“We need a leader who has had experience in eliminating racial and programmatic achievement gaps and in increasing equitable access to opportunities that lead to high academic achievement.” — Kim Janey possible candidates from with the Boston school system as well. “I think we need to look internally as well as externally. It is critical that we leave no stone unturned when it comes to this role,” he said. Jackson also pointed out that the new superintendent will have some important issues to address very quickly, notably the negotiation of a new teacher’s contract. However, he reiterates that the closing of the achievement gap should be the top priority for the new superintendent. Other important issues he highlighted include lowering the drop-out rate and “making sure that our young people are getting the type of sup-

any new superintendent needs to be very adept at working collaboratively with parents, teachers, students and the community to ensure that the city’s students have the opportunity to succeed. He also tabbed the achievement gap as an issue of critical importance to Boston Public Schools and for the new superintendent. “ We a r e l o o k i n g f o r a proven leader who has an evidenced-based or data-driven approach to system improvement that first eliminates the achievement gap within the district and then the gap between the district and the Commonwealth,” Coleman said. “Many believe that such a leader must have a high level of

Al McClain’s Hyde Park High School basketball number “1” was officially retired at a ceremony at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury. McClain, picture right in suit, played college basketball at the University of New Hampshire, where he still holds the scoring record. He was later drafted by the Houston Rockets. Also pictured are McClain’s sister Almand and twin brothers Billy and Bobby who are professional dancers known as The Wonder Twins.

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Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 11

Report flags executive wages for government contractors By Jazelle Hunt The CEOs of some private firms that have taken over government functions are earning as much as $8 million a year, according to a new report titled, “Exposed: America’s Highest Paid Government Workers.” The report, published by the Center for Media and Democracy, said American taxpayers have paid nearly $120 million in personal compensation to a handful of corporate CEOs running the nation’s public services. For example, George Zoley, dubbed the “highest paid corrections officer,” is the CEO of The GEO Group Inc., an international detention/corrections firm

runs virtual public charter schools and other online education programs); Richard Montoni of Maximus Inc. (which administrates federal human resources and health care programs such as Medicaid); Nicholas Moore of financial firm, Macquarie (which operates several major highways and toll roads); and Jeffry Sterba of American Water. Between 2006 and 2012, Steiner earned more than $45 million in personal compensation; tax payers paid approximately half of the company’s $13.65 billion profit in 2012 alone. Packard made more than $19 million from 2009 to 2013, with $730.8 million in revenue from public schools. Montoni

tion to carry out public services; common examples of privatized public services include electricity, gas and health care. Property, sales and state income taxes pay for these services, and when a private company is hired to provide them, that private company is paid with tax funds. The report also addresses the risks of privatization without careful planning, oversight or ac-

countability. In addition to disclosing the dollar amounts, the report highlights the companies’ relevant shareholder lawsuits, criminal investigations, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sanctions, and court settlements. Each firm headed by these top six earners has been sued, or investigated and penalized in the recent past, for harmful business practices and/or federal crimes in relation to providing public services. The report is part of a larger project called “Outsourcing America Exposed,” which aims to raise awareness about public service privatization, and how it “hinders transparency and shortchanges taxpayers.”

“Business is in business to make a profit; there is nothing inherently wrong with that,” says Shar Habibi, the research and policy director at In The Public Interest, a research organization focused on privatization, and one of Center for Media Democracy’s partners in this project. “But not when that profit comes at the expense of public health and safety. Not when taxpayers suddenly realize they no longer have control over their own schools, roads, or water systems. And not when the heads of these corporations make salaries that are literally 200 times what a dedicated public service worker makes.” New American Media

“Taxpayers have every right to be concerned whether their outsourced dollars are spent efficiently and effectively.” — “Exposed: America’s Highest Paid Government Workers” headquartered in Florida. It owns nearly 50 adult and juvenile facilities in the United States. Most are in the south and southwest, with six in southern California, six in Florida, and 11 in Texas. “Since its founding nearly 30 years ago, GEO Group profited from federal and state policies that led to a dramatic rise in incarceration and detention in the United States — an increase of more than 500 percent during the past three decades,” the report states. “In recent years, with crime rates dropping and sentencing reform spreading, GEO Group found a new way to keep its profits high: many of its contracts contain bed guarantees or ‘lock up quotas’ that require the state keep prisons full, and put taxpayers on the hook for empty beds.” According to a different Center for Media and Democracy report, the company also owns two political action committees, which annually contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Florida Republican Party, the National Republican Party, and their candidates. In the last decade, GEO Group (formerly known as Wackenhut) has faced and settled several lawsuits involving abuse, neglect, cover-ups, and mismanagement leading to inmate deaths. Despite this, the company routinely makes more than $1 billion each year in revenue from local governments (and thus, taxpayers). The other five CEOs highlighted in the report are: David Steiner of Waste Management; Ron Packard of K12 Inc. (which

earned $19 million in personal compensation from 2009 to 2013, with his business earning $1.1 billion in revenue in 2012. Moore’s compensation last year was $8.8 million, with $6.7 billion in company revenue. In his three years at American Water, Sterba has earned more than $8.3 million — last year, the company received approximately 89 percent of its $2.9 billion profit from the municipalities it serves. “These and other ‘government workers’ who head big firms in the fields of education, corrections, waste management, water treatment, transportation and even social services make billions off of taxpayers, but muddy accountability, and cut corners when it comes to public health and safety,” states the report. “Given these astronomical salaries, and evidence of higher prices, poor service and at times outright malfeasance, taxpayers have every right to be concerned whether their outsourced dollars are spent efficiently and effectively.” These companies also tend to offer their employees lower wages and fewer benefits, compared to public workers doing the same job. Often, municipalities sign contracts with these companies that either do not make provisions for existing public workers, or make arrangements that result in layoffs and/or pay cuts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 15 percent of the nation’s 6.7 million public administration workers are black. Most municipalities use some level of public-private collabora-

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Chi Chapter, the Boston-Metro affiliate of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, hosted Kappa Week 2014 from Feb. 17 to Feb. 23 with programming aimed to commemorate the chapter’s 90 years of contributions to the Boston community. Chi Chapter covers Boston and Cambridge area institutions, including several undergraduate members from Boston College, Boston University, Harvard University and Northeastern University. (Photo courtesy of Kappa Alpha Psi)


12 • Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER

Can ‘12 Years a Slave’ change Hollywood’s race problem?

Keli Goff Admirers of “12 Years a Slave” are still basking in the Academy Awards’ afterglow. The fact that a film by a black screenwriter and black director — depicting a black man’s painful but ultimately triumphant true life story — won several Oscars, including the top prize for best picture, is a dream come true, particularly for moviegoers of color. But the success of “12 Years a Slave” presents both a milestone and a challenge for those who care about diversity in Hollywood. More often than not, winning Oscars hasn’t translated into increased earning power or clout for winners, particularly those of color. Recent awardees Mo’Nique and Octavia Spencer haven’t been catapulted to headliner status since their wins. Louis Gossett Jr., the second

black man to take home an Oscar, previously told The Root of his disappointment with how little the win did for his career and the challenges that continue to exist for African Americans in Hollywood. “It’s my prayer,” Gossett said, “that Spike Lee gets his money so he can do more relevant stuff, and Antoine Fuqua, too. There are so many stories that Halle Berry could do, Forest Whitaker. And we can’t measure it with our inclusion in the Oscars and the Emmys. We just have to do it.” Gossett’s reflection raises an important question. What matters more: seeing minorities in the entertainment industry receive acclaim, or seeing more minorities ascend to positions of power behind the scenes so that they can get more of their stories told? Warrington Hudlin, who produced the comedy classic “Boo-

merang,” said the answer is clear: “Diversity in the executive suite of decision-makers is absolutely more important.” And when asked why diversity among film executives is such a critical issue, he explained that the answer is not black and white, so to speak. “There’s a presumption in your question and my answer,” Hudlin noted, “that there is going to be a sensitivity to stories that comes from your cultural and racial membership. Now, that’s a presumption. I’m not sure it’s true.” He paused before adding, “Quite frankly, we thought having an African-American president was going to make some changes, but some things didn’t change.” He then recounted a friend’s oft-repeated analogy, that “there might one day be a black man named head of the Ku Klux Klan. That doesn’t mean they’ll stop lynching blacks.” His friend’s

point, Hudlin explains, is that in movies, “the bottom line is the business is the business is the business.” But he noted that when minorities who are “conscious” ascend within the industry and gain clout, it can have a profound impact on which projects get made and which stories get told. Hudlin, who co-founded the Black Filmmaker Foundation, recounted numerous instances throughout his career in which having a minority in a senior executive post made a difference. For instance, Hudlin recalled that when Richard Parsons, who is African American, became chairman of Time Warner, he convened a meeting of Warner Bros. executives so that Hudlin and other minority filmmakers could personally meet with them about potential projects. “Clout means, do they have money at

their discretion? That’s what clout means,” Hudlin said. “There’s a pool of money to get projects made, and someone says yes and no.” To Hudlin’s point, it was only when box office superstar Brad Pitt stepped in and agreed to produce and appear in “12 Years a Slave” that the film was able to get made. “Whenever you have a person of color who is conscious, they can pull the trigger to make things happen,” Hudlin added. He also explained that if more people of color are in decision-making positions, awards for minority stories will come naturally and may not be a once-every-decade rarity. “I think having the people in positions who can make those calls and have that discretion can actually lead to more critical acclaim.” He’s likely right. A recent analHollywood, continued to page 15


Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 13


14 • Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER

intheMix with Colette Greenstein

with Colette

Harry Belafonte, center, surrounded by students from the Berklee College of Music at a concert in his honor on March 6. The students sang a retrospective of songs from Belafonte’s musical career. (Don West photos)

Female speaker series kicks off at Darryl’s Musician and activist Harry Belafonte was honored last week by the Berklee College of Music with an honorary doctorate of music degree.

D a r r y l ’s C o r n e r B a r & Kitchen kicked off National Women’s History Month on March 4 with the first in a

month-long, female-centric speaker series. Up first was Dani Monroe, president and CEO of Center Focus International and author of “Untapped Talent: Unleashing the Power of the Hidden Workforce.” She wrote the book because she saw highly skilled people not being promoted in finance or business and wanted to address this imbalance.

Monroe shared her insights and observations to the crowd of mostly African American women about the difference of having a mentor versus a sponsor, decoding the corporate culture and constantly “negotiating against fit.” If you’re looking for inspiration or just want to sharpen your networking skills, then make sure to stop by for the next series on March 25 and April 1.

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Harry Belafonte, musician, songwriter, actor, and activist, was honored at a March 6 concert held in his honor at the Berklee Performance Center. Belafonte was presented with a Berklee honorary doctor of music degree in recognition of his inspiring musical and humanitarian achievements over a career spanning 60 years. The full house of Belafonte admirers, Berklee students and faculty, and members of the comIn the Mix, continued to page 15

MAR 20 Film Screening, “The Culture” a film on Guns in America by Noube Rateu and Deconstructing the Prison Industrial Complex with C.F.R.O.P. The Committee of Friends and Relatives Of Prisoners Open Mic

MARCH 27 Poet Glenn Lucci Furman Gentrification Jujitsu & Working Toward A Unified Vision Influencing the Community Process by Christian Williams Open Mic

APR 3 The Fulani Haynes Jazz Collaborative Open Mic

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Dani Monroe, president and CEO of Center Focus International, spoke at Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen on March 4 to kick of a speaker series for National Women’s History Month.


Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 15

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CRAIG HARRIS Attendees at a recent talk by businesswoman and author Dani Monroe at Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen on March 4. The event kicked off a female-focused speaker series for National Women’s History Month.

In the Mix continued from page 14

munity were treated to over 50 Berklee students performing a retrospective of songs associated with Belafonte’s career from the “Banana Boat Song (Day-O)” to “Matilda” and “Didn’t It Rain.” The students, dressed in colorful clothing of the African Diaspora, rang their voices up to the rafters of the performance center to the delight of the audience. When it was time for the man of the hour to come to the stage, one could feel love, appreciation and admiration as he made his way down the aisle and amid a standing ovation by the 1,000plus crowd. And when it was time for him to speak, one could hear a

Hollywood continued from page 12

ysis of Academy Award voters found that they are 93 percent white and 76 percent male. Nominees have to be invited to join, which means that ensuring that minorities have a foothold in the industry is crucial to diversifying the academy’s voting ranks. The Los Angeles Times recently reported that the academy extended invitations to a new class of members that constitutes its most diverse group in history — underscoring the academy’s current lack of diversity. According to the Times, John Ridley, who won a screenwriting Oscar for “12 Years a Slave,” said that the academy’s recent efforts to change that have “been a terrific time for people of color, but black people especially have a long way to go” in gaining better representation behind the scenes. He said that the academy data prove “it will take a long time to change.” It’s worth noting that film executives of color also played a crucial role in bringing “12 Years a Slave” to American audiences. Zola Mashariki, who is black, is a senior vice president of production at Fox Searchlight Productions, and she helped shepherd not only the slavery-era epic to screens but also the recent romantic comedy “Baggage Claim” and the musical “Black Nativity,” both featuring predominantly black casts. If we want to see more diversity among Hollywood decision-makers, Hudlin said, the commitment to diversifying the executive ranks has to come from those at the top within the industry. Nicole Bernard, a Jamaican American, has made such a com-

pin drop in the auditorium as everyone waited for his speech with bated breath. Belafonte didn’t disappoint. He was charming, funny and playful as he regaled his fans and admirers with stories from his career. And he was no less inspirational as he discussed the “power of art” and how “speaking truth to power is not an easy thing in America.” After accepting the honorary doctorate, Belafonte joined students on stage for the song of the night “We Are the World.” This night won’t soon be forgotten.

Coming Up The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters take over the TD Garden with their “Fans Rule” World Tour on Saturday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. mitment her focus in her role as senior vice president of audience development at Fox Entertainment, where her diversity efforts are hands-on. Hudlin mentioned others, but if we really want to see our stories told on the screen, he emphasized, we need many more. But I would argue that there is something we can all do at the grassroots level. The next time a young boy or girl of color tells us that he or she wants to act, maybe we should ask if he or she has ever considered owning a studio as a career. Former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele has said on occasion that the original civil rights movement was about

and Sunday, March 30, at 1:00 p.m. To purchase tickets go to www.td garden.com. Jaden’s Ladder holds their annual fundraiser “Bright Lights, Big City Black & White Gala” on Saturday, April 5, at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel. The evening will feature a silent auction, a live performance by Will Champlin from NBC’s “The Voice”, music from DJ Roy Barboza and celebrity guests. Tickets: $200 each. To purchase go to www. jadensladder.org. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre returns to the Citi Performing Arts Center May 1 to May 4. For tickets and show times, go to www.citicenter.org. If you would like me to cover or write about your event, email me at inthemixwithcolette@gmail.com. integrating lunch counters but that today, African Americans need to strive to own the diners. The same philosophy could be applied to racial equality in Hollywood. It’s great that “12 Years a Slave” won. Let’s celebrate that. But now that we’ve had the chance to celebrate how beautiful Lupita looked on Oscar night, let’s focus on figuring out what we can do to ensure that there’s someone in a position at a major studio, in years to come, who can make sure that she keeps working and doesn’t become yet another black Oscar winner whose promise fades away. The Root

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16 • Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER

Community Calendar Saturday March 15

Charles Trenet, le fou chantant Starting at 12pm, at Isaac Cary Memorial Building, 1605 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, Voyages en Francophonie presents a free concert “CHARLES TRENET, le fou chantant” featuring beloved songs composed by France’s most popular singer of the 20th century. Voyages en Francophonie features a variety of cultural activities associated with French-speaking peoples the world over, including those from Algeria, Belgium, France, Haiti, Madagascar, Monaco, Morocco, and many more. Arts Marathon Somerville-based OnStage Dance Company will present an Arts Marathon from 6:30 11:30pm at its Somerville studio at 276 Broadway. For one night, the studio will be transformed into a theater, comedy club and music hall as we celebrate the arts, featuring more than two dozen acts in Dance, Music, Improv, Comedy and Visual Art. Guests must be 18 years of age to enter. A cover of $10 will go towards OnStage Dance Company, a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.onstage danceco.com/arts-marathon.html. Great Blue Hill Walk 1pm. Moderate walk, hilly terrain, 3.5 miles. Walk the green dot loop in the Great Blue Hill section via Wolcott Path. Meet at the Trailside Museum north parking lot at 1904 Canton Ave. in Milton. The Southeastern Massachusetts Adult Walking Club meets each weekend on either a Saturday or Sunday at 1pm for recreational walks. This club is open to people of 16 years of age and older, and there is no fee to join. Walks average 2 to 5 miles. New walkers are encouraged to participate. The terrain can vary. Walks will be led by a park ranger or a Walking Club volunteer leader. Occasionally, the Walking Club meets at other DCR sites. Some DCR sites charge a parking fee. The rangers recommend wearing hiking boots and bringing drinking water on all hikes.

Monday March 17

Evacuation Day Heritage Celebration State Representatives Gloria Fox, Nick Collins, The Shirley-Eustis House, The National Park Service, The Lexington Minutemen and the Evacuation Day Heritage Committee cordially invite you to the celebration of Evacuation Day. The annual Historical Exercises at Dorchester Heights will begin at 10am, featuring the Lexington Minutemen, the South Allied War Veterans Council, the children’s choir from the South Boston Catholic Academy, the Allied War Veterans, and the Major General Henry Knox Lodge of Freemasons. The commemorative exercises with the South Boston Allied War Veterans

Council will include remarks by elected officials and award-winning author, Nathaniel Philbrick as well as Boston National Historical Park Deputy Superintendent Rose Fennell. The Allied War Veterans will lay a wreath to honor the men and women of South Boston in the armed forces, and the Minutemen will fire a salute. After the exercises take place at Dorchester Heights, the Boston National Historical Park rangers will conduct a hands-on archaeology program from 11am - 12noon, where visitors can dig through two boxes of material to simulate the work that was done on the site in the 1990’s when a 200-foot-wide star-shaped earthwork was uncovered. There also will be ranger talks about the historical significance of the site. State Representative Gloria Fox will host the Historical Exercises at Fort Hill, in Highland Park, Roxbury, beginning at 11am, with ceremonies by the Minutemen and local elected officials. State Rep. Fox will then host a free luncheon at the Shirley Eustis House, 33 Shirley St., Roxbury, immediately following the Historical Exercises at Fort Hill. The Lexington Minutemen will fire a salute, and Major General Knox himself will make an appearance. Following the luncheon at the Shirley-Eustis House, author Nathaniel Philbrick will give a short talk on his latest book, “Bunker Hill.” For more information, please contact the Shirley-Eustis House at 617-4422275 or email governorshirley@ gmail.com.

Wednesday March 19

Common Scams & Identity Theft At 3:30pm. Amy Schram of the Better Business Bureau will discuss common scams and identity theft. She will show us the major red flags to watch out for and offer tactics that we can use to protect ourselves and our identities. www. bpl.org. Uphams Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library, 500 Columbia Road, Dorchester, 617265-0139.

Upcoming Spring Planting 2014 The Green Neighbors Education Committee, Inc. presents: Spring Planting 2014 Learn to grow food at your own home, in your yard, on your porch, inside your house. Free event to help people learn how to grow your own fresh, healthy nutritious foods. Information tables, displays and demonstrations. March 22, 2-5pm, St. Katherine Drexel Church, 517 Blue Hill Ave., Grove Hall in Dorchester. Contact: otoney@comcast.net, 617-4276293. Free. Jamaica Pond Vernal Equinox Celebration Saturday, March 22, 11am, Jamaica Pond Boat House, Jamaica Plain. Featuring: Sandra Storey — Poet and author. Roger S. Gottlieb — Philosopher and author. Gerry Wright — Freder-

ick Law Olmsted historical actor and park steward. Admission: FREE. Information: Gerry Wright 617-524-7070, FrederickLaw Olmsted@yahoo.com or Stephen Baird 617-522-3407, info@Friends ofJamaicaPond.org. Web site: www.friendsofjamaicapond.org. WITNESS Avant-garde sax and voice duo, KOEK, featuring soprano Aliana de la Guardia and saxophonist Kent O’Doherty, present a blindfolded concert entitled “WITNESS,” on Saturday, March 22, 8pm in Gallery 263 at 263 Pearl St., Cambridge. Admission is a $10 minimum donation and can be purchased online at www. koek.us/events or cash or card at the door. This experimental program asks the audience to remain blindfolded for the duration of the concert and features new works for voice, sax and electronics by Marti Epstein (world premiere), Kent O’Doherty (world premiere), Hilary Tann, Lars Skoklund, and Orlando di Lasso. Franklin Park: A ‘Quiet Season’ Jaunt On Sunday, March 23 at 2pm a National Park Service ranger from Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site (Olmsted NHS) will be conducting a guided walk of Franklin Park entitled “Franklin Park: A ‘Quiet Season’ Jaunt.” This roughly 90-minute tour will meet at the Resting Place picnic tables across from the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, a short distance inside Franklin Park’s Forest Hills Entrance. It is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required by Friday, March 21. To register, please email Mark_Swartz@nps. gov. Please be sure to provide the number of people in your party and contact information.

Through Barbed Wire presents 4th Friday Series: Reading of Prisoners’ Writings Monthly Reading of Prisoners’ Writings. March 28. Audience participation encouraged. Light refreshments. Created and directed by Arnie King, www. arnoldking.org. Near T bus and train lines and Amtrak. First Parish Church Dorchester, 10 Parish St., near Adams and Bowdoin Streets, #15 bus and Fields Corner Red Line Station. Rsvp: throughbarbedwire@yahoo.com or 857-492-4858. Cost: donation. Hip-Hop and the Remix of Science Education: Which Way Forward? 2014 Simmons College-Beacon Press Race, Education & Democracy Lectures. Hip-Hop and the Remix of Science Education: Which Way Forward? Lecturer: Christopher Emdin, PhD. Dr. Emdin is Professor of Science Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He is co-founder and leader of the #HipHopEd hashtag on Twitter, a movement to engage the public on the intersections of Hip-hop and education. In partnership with GZA (Gary Grice), he developed the Science Genius B.A.T.T.L.E.S, where students battle — writing and performing rap songs that

capture the beauty and complexity of science and hip-hop. Dr. Emdin is author of numerous articles and the award-winning book, Urban Science Education for the Hip-Hop Generation, Sense, 2010. LECTURES: March 29 — From Rap Battles to Science B.A.T.T.L.E.S: Toward a Grounded Theory of Practice for Science Hip-Hop Education, 10am - 12pm., Cambridge Public Library, The Lecture Hall, 449 Broadway, Cambridge. March 29 — Hip-Hop and STEM Education: Possibilities, Problematics, Research, 1-3pm., Cambridge Public Library, The Lecture Hall, 449 Broadway, Cambridge. April 1 — Reality Pedagogy: Teaching and Learning from a Student’s Standpoint, 4:30-6:30pm., Simmons College, Kotzen Center, 300 The Fenway, Boston. For information and to register visit www. raceandeducation.com or call 617-521-2570. Lectures are free and open to the public. Free parking is available at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School A complimentary lunch will be provided to Saturday participants. High school students are encouraged to attend the lectures.

Write Your Children’s Book! Writing Children’s Books 101 — Have an idea for a children’s book? Come talk to published children’s author Irene Smalls. She will tell you all you wanted to know about children’s book publishing but were afraid to ask. In three sessions you will learn the mechanics of submitting your work, the business of children’s book publishing and have a chance to share your work with other writers. The last session will feature award winning authors and illustrators sharing their experiences with YOU! April 3, 10 and 17, Dudley Square Library, Roxbury, 6:30-7:30pm. FREE All are Welcome! Contact Email: info@irenesmalls.com. Supported by a Grant from the Fellowes Athenaeum Fund of the Boston Public Library. Three Days of Rain Hub Theatre Company of Boston opens its second season with Three Days of Rain, a modern-day masterpiece by Tony Award winning playwright Richard Greenberg at the First Church in Boston April 4-19. Three Days of Rain tells the story of a dysfunctional family’s tumultuous relationships over the course of two generations. The first act, set

in 1995, finds the adult children of architect Edmund Janeway dealing with the aftermath of his death, including surprising revelations that provoke long-delayed confrontations. In the second act, in the same apartment but in 1960, young Janeway and his business partner struggle to design the house that will shape their destiny, but their tempestuous relationship — with each other as well as with a complex and troubled woman — lay an emotional minefield for the next generation to wade through. Richard Greenberg has penned such works as Take Me Out, The Violet Hour and the Broadway adaptation of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Three Days of Rain was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 1998, and was recently on Broadway featuring Bradley Cooper, Julia Roberts and Paul Rudd. Daniel Bourque directs a trio of Boston’s finest actors, Marty Seeger Mason, Tim Hoover, and the Hub’s Artistic Director, John Geoffrion. The Hub Theater Company of Boston was founded in 2012 to develop Boston’s theatre artists, and to break down barriers between audiences and arts. First Church in Boston, 66 Marlborough St. All tickets are Pay-What-You-Can and may be purchased via www.hubtheatre boston.ticketleap.com

MAKE SPEAK MAKE SPEAK: Contemporary takes on craft by seven not-so-conventional craftspeople. Thursday, April 10, 7pm, Presentations and Reception, Free Admission. Windgate Gallery. North Bennet Street School, 150 North St., Boston. For more info & to RSVP www.nbss. edu/about/news/make-speak/ index.aspx. From mathematics to mounting making, come whet your curiosity about the creative process, contemporary craftsmanship, and how things are made. Enjoy seven, 7-minute presentations by not-so-conventional craftspeople about how they work, think, and create: Brett Angell — artist and mount maker, Mary Barringer — studio potter and editor, Martin & Erik Demaine — artists/ mathematicians, Jonathan Baily Holland — composer and educator, Beth Ireland — artist and educator, Judith Leemann — artist and writer, Jeremy Ogusky — potter and fermenting evangelist. This evening of discovery and discussion is choreographed by the Commonwealth of Craft, a consortium of Massachusetts educational and cultural organizations.

SEE MORE UPCOMING EVENTS ONLINE BayStateBanner.com/events

The Community Calendar has been established to list community events at no cost. The admission cost of events must not exceed $10. Church services and recruitment requests will not be published. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF PUBLICATION. To guarantee publication with a paid advertisement please call advertising at (617) 261-4600 ext. 7797 or email sandra@bannerpub.com. NO LISTINGS ARE ACCEPTED BY TELEPHONE, FAX OR MAIL. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Deadline for all listings is Friday at noon for publication the following week. E-MAIL your information to: calendar@bannerpub.com. To list your event online please go to www.baystatebanner.com/events and list your event directly. Events listed in print are not added to the online events page by Banner staff members. There are no ticket cost restrictions for the online postings.

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Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 17

Mayor Walsh taps firm for Boston Fire Department Commissioner search Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced this week the hiring of FACETS, a management consulting firm, to select the permanent Boston Fire Department Commissioner. “Following the departure of Roderick Fraser, I made a commitment to conduct a national search for his permanent replacement,” said Mayor Walsh. “FACETS brings significant experience to this task, and has previous experience working with the Boston Fire Department. I’m confident in their skills; this process will ensure that no stone is left unturned as we seek the best possible fit for our department.” FACETS will conduct information-gathering, communication with the community, vetting of qualified candidates from all over the country, and creating a short list of candidates for selection by Mayor Walsh — all by late spring of this year. Founded in 2006, FACETS provides management-consulting services to various organizations including the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the International City/ County Management Association and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, among others. In 2010, FACETS conducted a safety review of the Boston Fire Department. The consultants conducting the search for BFD commissioner have extensive ex-

NEWSBriefs

perience in fire departments and within city government operations in peer cities to Boston.

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Mobile health tour stops off in Boston Common Cause Massachusetts pushes for voter rights

Last Thursday, state-of-theart vans from Harvard Medical, Dana Farber, New England Optometry and more were on display in Mattapan as the Institute for Healthcare Improvement kicked off its three-city mobile health tour of Boston, New York and the District of Columbia to demonstrate how mobile health clinics can offer under-served communities high-quality and accessible health care through screenings, preventions and linkages to primary care. “Our aim with this three-city tour is to highlight the innovative approaches mobile clinics use, and to make this information more widely known in the health care community overall,” IHI’s president and CEO Maureen Bisognano said. “Improving the health of populations is rapidly becoming part of the same mission that also includes safe, effective, person-centered care. Mobile health clinics can help forge this integration. The clinics provide great value

Common Cause Massachusetts, a nonprofit voter advocacy group and one of 35 state affiliates of Common Cause, is hoping that the early voting and online voter registration reforms that it has championed, and which have passed the state House and Senate, will be signed into law this year. The group supports legislation seeking to expand opportunities to vote, make voter registration more efficient, convenient and accessible, and to better ensure the accuracy of election results. Voters in 32 other states and the District of Columbia can participate in early voting which, according to Common Cause, increases the number of options voters have to cast a ballot. In 2012, approximately 32 million citizens cast early votes. The group believes

that early voting benefits working people, families, election workers and commuters stuck in traffic. In states where citizens are offered the option of registering on Election Day, voter turnout was on average 12 percent higher compared to states that did not. According to a 2012 study by the Pew Center, Election Day registration allows eligible voters greater flexibility in registering to vote and prevents disenfranchisement by helping election administrators maintain more accurate records. Election Day registration also greatly reduces the use of provisional ballots — a significant percentage of which go uncounted, according to the U.S. Election Administration Commission. If all of these pro-voter acts were passed together, Massachusetts would become a beacon of voter rights reform, according to Common Cause Massachusetts.

Regis College panel to examine health care reform March 23 marks the fourth anniversary of the federal Affordable Care Act. Massachusetts led the way with its own version in 2006. At both

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the state and federal level, problems with implementation, especially with website enrollment, have dominated the headlines. But Massachusetts has increased access so that today more than 98 percent of people are covered. Preventive strategies have increased, and trips to the emergency room have declined. ACA is also effecting the health-care system, with young adults staying longer on their parents’ policies and exclusions for pre-existing conditions barred. These changes will be the focus of an upcoming panel at Regis College in Weston titled, “State and Federal Health Care Reform: What Lies Beyond the Bumps in the Road?” — one of a series of free and open to the public panel discussions hosted in partnership with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. Moderator Antoinette Hays, Ph.D., RN, president of Regis College has assembled a panel of experts to discuss how we are doing and where we are going; what can we expect with the implementation of ACA; what reforms will occur in payment, delivery and quality of care as Massachusetts seeks greater transparency, efficiency and innovation; and how will patients, families and health care providers feel anticipated changes on March 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Upper Student Union Lounge in Alumnae Hall. For more information, call 781768-7001 or e-mail presidents.lectureseries@regiscollege.edu.

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Consumers of color pay more for dealer-financed car loans Charlene Crowell

C O MME NTA R Y New research by the Center for Responsible Lending finds that consumers of color still report paying higher interest rates on dealer-financed car loans than other consumers. This disparity is even more disturbing given that black and Latino consumers report making more of an effort than whites to negotiate their interest rates. Thirty-nine percent of Latinos and 32 percent of blacks reported negotiating their interest rate, compared to only 22 percent of White buyers. CRL’s new report, “Non-Negotiable: Negotiation Doesn’t Help African-American and Latinos on Dealer-Financed Car Loans,” is the first research on the impact of shopping habits as well as information consumers report receiving from car dealers and disparities related to “addon” products. Findings were based on an October 2012 phone survey of 946 consumers.

The report identifies three specific sales practices as the main culprits behind higher financing costs for buyers of color: • Dealer interest rate markups, sometimes called “dealer reserves” or “dealer participation” can and do raise interest rates above those charged by financial institutions. Lenders bidding to buy the auto loan contract from

dealers which are not justified by objective measures, such as credit history. • Misleading sales information is a second cause of higher costs. For example, many consumers report they were told that they were offered the “best interest rate available,” when it was not. Other consumers surveyed shared that they were told that certain

Thirty-nine percent of Latinos and 32 percent of blacks reported negotiating their interest rate, compared to only 22 percent of white buyers. Charlene Crowell dealers allow the dealer to add to the interest rate for compensation. Dealers then pocket most or all of the difference. As with a similar practice once allowed for mortgage brokers, this discretion to raise interest rates can facilitate discrimination. Previous research shows that people of color get higher interest rates from

additional items were mandatory for the purchase when, in truth, the items were not. Misrepresentations, when accepted by consumers, can increase the total purchase price and then lead to higher default rates. • Similarly, “add-on” products sometimes known as “loan-packing” also increase the amount of

financing. Non-essential items such as optional insurance and warranties become part of the financing package at highly-inflated costs. Multiple add-on products were sold to black customers nearly double the rate sold to whites – 30 percent versus only 16 percent. Since the report’s Jan. 23 release, auto dealer representatives have criticized CRL’s research for being based on a survey. However, the industry to date has withheld their own data which would allow better side-by-side comparisons – the same kind that consumers deserve when shopping for a vehicle. “As long as dealers can manipulate interest rates, car loans are a gamble for consumers,” said Chris Kukla, senior vice president at CRL. “Car buyers can do their best to negotiate; but they are at the mercy of dealers whose compensation is tied to hidden interest rate increases. That’s a formula for abuse.” CRL has called on regulators to prohibit compensation for dealers that is tied to the interest rate of the loan. Until regulators enact rules to better protect consumers, here are a few useful tips: Get pre-approved loan financing. Historically credit unions and banks offer better deals than loans obtained from car dealers. And even if the dealer offers a lower rate, the dealer

will look to make up the difference in sales of add-on insurance and other items. Remember that those items are not required and that all of them can be purchased later. Don’t shop by monthly payment. Dealers have many tricks, such as making the loan term longer, that can make a monthly payment look affordable. Understand the entire cost of the loan, not just the monthly payment. Av o i d s h o w r o o m f e v e r. Buying a car is often the second most costly consumer purchase — after that of buying a home. Know the cost of insurance, registration tags and regular preventive maintenance. Every cost associated with a car should be anticipated and estimated. Decide how much of a car loan you can afford. If your budget has little flexibility for a long-term debt, it could be better to begin a dedicated savings account to lessen the amount of a loan you will need. Taking these steps will place consumers in a stronger bargaining position. You’ll know when to walk away from a bad deal or close on a good one. Consumers can save significant stress and costs with thorough planning and preparation. Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending.

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Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 19

Latinos

continued from page 1

The genesis of the group came a year ago after the national organization Hispanics in Philanthropy released a report which found that Latino-led organizations received just 1 percent of philanthropic dollars in the United States. “We don’t have enough voices at decision-making tables to point out the issues that impact our communities,” said Vanessa Calderon Rosado, executive director of Inquillinos Boricuas en Accion, the community development corporation that built the Villa Victoria housing development. The members of the network are representatives from Latino-led organizations in Boston, Chelsea and Somerville, including the Latino political organization ¿Oiste?, the Chelsea Collaborative, Sociedad Latina, Centro Presente, the Hyde Square Task Force, La Alianza Hispana and

nizations that advocate on behalf of industry in the Greater Boston area and the state — the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the Massachusetts High Technology Council, Associated Industries of Massachusetts — have no Latino representation. “When you look around at the representation we have, it’s always the same people,” says Alexandra Oliver-Davila, executive director at Sociedad Latina, a Mission Hill-based youth services organization. “I think this notion that there’s not enough Latinos to fill board positions is ridiculous.” With little Latino representation in key decision-making positions, Latino organizations get short shrifted when funding is distributed and the needs of their mostly Latino constituencies are often not given thorough consideration. Calderon Rosado says that lack of consideration may have led to the Department of Justice finding in 2010 that the Boston Public Schools failed

“I think this notion that there’s not enough Latinos to fill board positions is ridiculous.” — Alexandra Oliver-Davila the East Boston Ecumenical Community Council. The network has commissioned a study to look at Latino representation in civic life in Boston, Chelsea and Somerville. Calderon Rosado says the study will better enable the group to advocate for Latino representation. “When you look at corporations and quasi-public agencies that have a lot of power in Massachusetts and look at their boards and structures, there’s no color, no blacks, no Latinos, no Asians.” They’ve met with city and state officials and later this month are scheduled to meet with Boston Mayor Martin Walsh. “Our first step is dialogue,” says Juan Leyton, interim executive director of ¿Oiste?. Latinos make up 17 percent of the population of Boston, 62 percent in Chelsea and 10 percent in Somerville. But people of color make up just 6 percent of board members of publicly traded companies in Massachusetts, according to Commonwealth Magazine. And many of the councils and orga-

to provide adequate educational services to thousands of English Language Learners. “It’s my opinion that not having that kind of voice at the school committee level and up and down the ranks led to that,” she says. Oliver-Davila says the teens who Sociedad works with in high school and college often have trouble finding jobs in Boston after graduating. “They graduate, they’re looking for jobs, but they don’t have networks,” she says. “The job situation is not good, whether you’re white, black or Latino. But for Latinos it particularly tough because they don’t have the networks.” Leyton says ensuring Latinos are represented in City Hall is among the group’s more urgent tasks, given that the Walsh administration is still filling positions. “The city changed a long time ago to 50 percent people of color,” he says. “That has to be reflected in City Hall. We have to make that happen. It’s something we have to work for, not just for Latinos, but for all people of color.”

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20 • Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER


Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 21

Dudley

continued from page 1

“We received some amazing suggestions in our economic development hearings,” he said. “There was a lot of emphasis on small business development.” Barros also emphasizes that the administration wants to support minority- and locally-owned businesses. “The mayor is serious about making sure minority-owned businesses are at the table and participating in our economy,” he said. “We want home-grown businesses as much as we want to attract new businesses to the city.”

Startup labs Taking another business innovation tack, several nonprofits have been focusing on the commercial district as a location for a small business incubator. Nuestra Comunidad Execu-

tive Director David Price envisions a space in Dudley Square were startups can rent space and access resources ranging from copy machines and wifi access to technical assistance. “You have to create spaces where different kinds of people engaged in different kinds of en-

sprouting up around the city,” Price said. Price says Nuestra could help a business secure funding and a space for an incubator space. “We’re not sure we’d be the right people to own it, but we certainly want to be part of the conversation,” he said.

“The mayor is serious about making sure minority-owned businesses are at the table and participating in our economy.” — John Barros terprises can run into each other and meet,” Price said. Typically, business incubators, sometimes called work bars, feature open floor plans, with individual offices for rent and conference rooms. “There are a lot of them

Architect and urban planner Gilead Rosenweig, who heads a nonprofit organization called Smarter in the City, told the Boston Globe in January that he plans to have an incubator space up in running in Dudley Square

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NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Sealed General Bids for MPA Contract No. L1336-C1, BREMEN ST PARK AND PIERS PARK IMPROVEMENTS, EAST BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, will be received by the Massachusetts Port Authority at the Capital Programs Department Office, Suite 209S, Logan Office Center, One Harborside Drive, East Boston, Massachusetts 02128-2909, until 11:00 A.M. local time on WEDNESDAY APRIL 2, 2014 immediately after which, in a designated room, the bids will be opened and read publicly. NOTE: PRE BID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT THE CAPITAL PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT (ABOVE ADDRESS) AT 9:00 AM LOCAL TIME ON FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014. The work includes BREMEN STREET PARK: REMOVAL OF ALL EXISTING SURFACES FOR ALL PLAY AREAS AND WATER PLAY AREA AND REPLACE WITH NEW RESILIENT RESURFACING. REMOVE EXISTING SPRAY NOZZLES FOR THE WATER PLAY AREA AND REPLACE WITH NEW NOZZLES. CUT AND CAP WATER FILTRATION/CHLORINATION SYSTEM, REMOVAL OF RECIRCULATION PUMP AND ADD NEW METER. PIERS PARK: REMOVAL OF ALL EXISTING SURFACES FOR ALL PLAY AREAS, EXERCISE EQUIPMENT AREAS, AND WATER PLAY AREA AND REPLACE WITH NEW RESILIENT RESURFACING. REMOVE ALL EXISTING EXERCISE EQUIPMENT AND REPLACE WITH NEW EQUIPMENT. REPLACE EXISTING DRAIN IN FOUNTAIN AREA WITH NEW DRAINS, FRAME, AND GRATES. Bid documents will be made available beginning FRIDAY MARCH 14, 2014. Bid Documents in electronic format may be obtained free of charge at the Authority’s Capital Programs Department Office, together with any addenda or amendments, which the Authority may issue and a printed copy of the Proposal form. The estimated contract cost is $600,000. A proposal guaranty shall be submitted with each General Bid consisting of a bid deposit for five (5) percent of the value of the bid; when sub bids are required, each must be accompanied by a deposit equal to five (5) percent of the sub bid amount, in the form of a bid bond, or cash, or a certified check, or a treasurer’s or a cashier’s check issued by a responsible bank or trust company, payable to the Massachusetts Port Authority in the name of which the Contract for the work is to be executed. The bid deposit shall be (a) in a form satisfactory to the Authority, (b) with a surety company qualified to do business in the Commonwealth and satisfactory to the Authority, and (c) conditioned upon the faithful performance by the principal of the agreements contained in the bid. The successful Bidder will be required to furnish a performance bond and a labor and materials payment bond, each in an amount equal to 100% of the Contract price. The surety shall be a surety company or securities satisfactory to the Authority. Attention is called to the minimum rate of wages to be paid on the work as determined under the provisions of Chapter 149, Massachusetts General Laws, Section 26 to 27G, inclusive, as amended. The Contractor will be required to pay minimum wages in accordance with the schedules listed in Division II, Special Provisions of the Specifications, which wage rates have been predetermined by the U. S. Secretary of Labor and / or the Commissioner of Labor and Industries of Massachusetts, whichever is greater. The successful Bidder will be required to purchase and maintain Bodily Injury Liability Insurance and Property Damage Liability Insurance for a combined single limit of $1,000,000 Said policy shall be on an occurrence basis and the Authority shall be included as an Additional Insured. See the insurance sections of Division I, General Requirements and Division II, Special Provisions for complete details. This contract is subject to a Minority/Women Owned Business Enterprise participation provision requiring that not less than SEVEN AND FOUR TENTHS PERCENT (7.4%) of the Contract be performed by minority and women owned business enterprise contractors. With respect to this provision, bidders are urged to familiarize themselves thoroughly with the Bidding Documents. Strict compliance with the pertinent procedures will be required for a bidder to be deemed responsive and eligible. This Contract is also subject to Affirmative Action requirements of the Massachusetts Port Authority contained in Article 84 of the General Requirements and Covenants, and to the Secretary of Labor’s Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Opportunity and the Standard Federal Equal Opportunity Construction Contract Specifications (Executive Order 11246).

nesses in Dudley.” But Price says Nuestra is currently working with people interested in opening a wide range of businesses including a cafe, an optometry shop and art gallery. The CDC is currently hosting an eight-week training program for entrepreneurs seeking to start or grow a business. As part of the second cycle of Nuestra’s Innovation Challenge, 19 entrepreneurs are honing their business plans before they make their pitch to a panel of investors. The diversity of businesses interested in opening in the Dudley area will go a long way toward improving the Dudley business district, Stanley says. “We need destination kinds of businesses, like cafes, computer labs, a jazz club,” she commented. “We need people staying in Dudley after 5 o’clock. Once you get one business to make that investment, it will spin off other types of businesses.”

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MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY

by June. On his website, he lists The Boston Foundation among his supporters. The Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation is planning to launch a tech startup called The Dream Factory in a 22,000-square-foot building under renovation on Quincy Street, not far from Dudley Square. Other prospective businesses and nonprofits have approached Dudley Square Main Streets Executive Director Joyce Stanley with plans to open business innovation centers, she says. “Everybody heard it when the mayor said he wants business innovation districts,” she commented. Price says an innovation center would help entrepreneurs with a diverse range of businesses to set up shop in Dudley Square. “Some people outside the community are skeptical that there are large numbers of entrepreneurs in Roxbury,” Price said. “You don’t see a diversity of busi-

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The General Contractor is required to submit a Certification of Non Segregated Facilities prior to award of the Contract, and to notify prospective subcontractors of the requirement for such certification where the subcontract exceeds $10,000. Complete information and authorization to view the site may be obtained from the Capital Programs Department Office at the Massachusetts Port Authority. The right is reserved to waive any informality in or reject any or all proposals.

Documents. Strict compliance with the pertinent procedures will be required for a bidder to be deemed responsive and eligible. This Contract is also subject to Affirmative Action requirements of the Massachusetts Port Authority contained in Article 84 of the General Requirements and Covenants, and to the Secretary of Labor’s Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Opportunity and the Standard Federal Equal Opportunity Construction Contract Specifications (Executive Order 11246).

MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY THOMAS P. GLYNN CEO & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The General Contractor is required to submit a Certification of Non Segregated Facilities prior to award of the Contract, and to notify prospective subcontractors of the requirement for such certification where the subcontract exceeds $10,000.

MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY

A Contractor having fifty (50) or more employees and his subcontractors having fifty (50) or more employees who may be awarded a subcontract of $50,000 or more will, within one hundred twenty (120) days from the contract commencement, be required to develop a written affirmative action compliance program for each of its establishments.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Sealed General Bids for MPA Contract No. H239-C1 PINE HILL T-HANGAR TAXILANE RECONSTRUCTION, L. G. HANSCOM FIELD, BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, will be received by the Massachusetts Port Authority at the Capital Programs Department Office, Suite 209S, Logan Office Center, One Harborside Drive, East Boston, Massachusetts 02128-2909, until 11:00 A.M. local time on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014 immediately after which, in a designated room, the proposal will be opened and read publicly. NOTE: PRE BID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT THE 3RD FLOOR CONFERENCE, CIVIL AIR TERMINAL, L. G. HANSCOM FIELD, BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS AT 1:00 PM (LOCAL TIME) ON THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014. The work includes: THE RECONSTRUCTION OF PINE HILL T-HANGAR TAXILANE AND APRON AREA WHICH INCLUDES THE RECLAMATION OF THE EXISTING BITUMINOUS CONCRETE FOR USE AS BASE MATERIAL, MINOR WIDENING OF TAXILANE, NEW BITUMINOUS CONCRETE, PAVEMENT MARKINGS, RESETTING OF UTILITY STRUCTURE FRAMES AND GRATES/ COVERS, RELOCATION OF A SECTION OF PERIMETER CHAIN LINK FENCE AND A GATE, REMOVAL OF UNUSED PAVEMENT, LOAMING AND SEEDING AND OTHER INCIDENTAL WORK. Bid documents will be made available beginning WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014. Bid Documents in electronic format may be obtained free of charge at the Authority’s Capital Programs Department Office, together with any addenda or amendments, which the Authority may issue and a printed copy of the Proposal form.

Compliance Reports - Within thirty (30) days of the award of this Contract the Contractor shall fitle a compliance report (Standard Form [SF 100]) if: (a) The Contractor has not submitted a complete compliance report within twelve (12) months preceding the date of award, and (b) The Contractor is within the definition of “employer” in Paragraph 2c(3) of the instructions included in SF100. The contractor shall require the subcontractor on any first tier subcontracts, irrespective of the dollar amount, to file SF 100 within thirty (30) days after the award of the subcontracts, if the above two conditions apply. SF 100 will be furnished upon request. SF 100 is normally furnished Contractors annually, based on a mailing list currently maintained by the Joint Reporting Committee. In the event a contractor has not received the form, he may obtain it by writing to the following address: Joint Reporting Committee 1800 G Street Washington, DC 20506 Complete information and authorization to view the site may be obtained from the Capital Programs Department Office at the Massachusetts Port Authority. The right is reserved to waive any informality in or reject any or all proposals. MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY THOMAS P. GLYNN CEO & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The estimated contract cost is $900,000. A proposal guaranty shall be submitted with each General Bid consisting of a bid deposit for five (5) percent of the value of the bid; when sub bids are required, each must be accompanied by a deposit equal to five (5) percent of the sub bid amount, in the form of a bid bond, or cash, or a certified check, or a treasurer’s or a cashier’s check issued by a responsible bank or trust company, payable to the Massachusetts Port Authority in the name of which the Contract for the work is to be executed. The bid deposit shall be (a) in a form satisfactory to the Authority, (b) with a surety company qualified to do business in the Commonwealth and satisfactory to the Authority, and (c) conditioned upon the faithful performance by the principal of the agreements contained in the bid. The successful Bidder will be required to furnish a performance bond and a labor and materials payment bond, each in an amount equal to 100% of the Contract price. The surety shall be a surety company or securities satisfactory to the Authority. Attention is called to the minimum rate of wages to be paid on the work as determined under the provisions of Chapter 149, Massachusetts General Laws, Section 26 to 27G, inclusive, as amended. The Contractor will be required to pay minimum wages in accordance with the schedules listed in Division II, Special Provisions of the Specifications, which wage rates have been predetermined by the U. S. Secretary of Labor and / or the Commissioner of Labor and Industries of Massachusetts, whichever is greater. The successful Bidder will be required to purchase and maintain Bodily Injury Liability Insurance and Property Damage Liability Insurance for a combined single limit of $5,000,000. Said policy shall be on an occurrence basis and the Authority shall be included as an Additional Insured. See the insurance sections of Division I, General Requirements and Division II, Special Provisions for complete details. This contract is subject to a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation provision requiring that not less than 12.6% of the Contract be performed by disadvantaged business enterprise contractors. With respect to this provision, bidders are urged to familiarize themselves thoroughly with the Bidding

Legal Notice – Request for Proposals for MBTA Public Awareness Consulting Services – Fairmount Line, Boston Contract Term:

Approx. 6 months

Proposal Due Date:

April 18, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. At the TRA offices

Written questions or comments are due: March 21, 2014 by 5:00 p.m. Evaluation and selection are based on best value (per criteria set forth in the Request for Proposals) and not necessarily on the lowest financial offer. The MBTA may, in its’ sole discretion, request best and final offers. To obtain a copy of the Request for Proposals and become a registered proposer go to www.transitrealty.com.or contact Transit Realty Associates, LLC 77 Franklin St. 9th Floor Boston, MA 02110 Attn: Rayna Rubin Telephone 617-502-1409, Fax 617-482-0210 Email: rzrubin@transitrealty.com For information on this and other MBTA opportunities visit www.transitrealty.com.


22 • Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER

Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department SUFFOLK Division

Docket No. SU14D0189DR

Divorce Summons by Publication and Mailing Beverly Farr

vs.

Randolph Farr

To the Defendant: The Plaintiff has filed a Complaint for Divorce requesting that the Court grant a divorce for irretrievable breakdown of the marriage under G.L. c. 208, Section 1 B. The Complaint is on file at the Court. An Automatic Restraining Order has been entered in this matter preventing you from taking any action which would negatively impact the current financial status of either party. SEE Supplemental Probate Court Rule 411. You are hereby summoned and required to serve upon: Beverly Farr, 49 Mountain Ave, Dorchester, MA 02124 your answer, if any, on or before 04/24/2014. If you fail to do so, the court will proceed to the hearing and adjudication of this action. You are also required to file a copy of your answer, if any, in the office of the Register of this Court. Witness, Hon. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: February 10, 2014 Patricia M. Campatelli Register of Probate

Affordable Housing Sudbury, MA Landham Crossing (MassHousing) 2 Bedroom units – $180,200 (one condominium)

Sudbury Home Preservation Program (Local Action Units)

Single-Family Detached Homes (one to two units) Maximum $198,200 (3BR house with land)

Docket No. SU14C0060CA

In the matter of Gabriella Rose Giles and Layla Katarina Giles, Both of Mattapan, MA NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

A petition has been presented by Gina Coletti requesting that Gabriella Rose Giles and Layla Katarina Giles be allowed to change their name as follows: Gabriella Rose Coletti Layla Katarina Coletti IF YOU DESIRE TO OBJECT THERETO, YOU OR YOUR ATTORNEY MUST FILE A WRITTEN APPEARANCE IN SAID COURT AT BOSTON ON OR BEFORE TEN O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING (10:00 AM) ON 05/01/2014. WITNESS, HON. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: February 21, 2014 Patricia M. Campatelli Register of Probate

55 Library St Chelsea, Ma

158-164 Shawmut St Chelsea, Ma

COMING SUMMER 2014 7 New Affordable Apartments for Homeless Families or Families at Risk of Homelessness All apartments have rental assistance through Section 8 Project Based Vouchers. Both buildings are a short walk from downtown Chelsea, public transportation, a grocery store, a public library, banks, and restaurants. All selected applicants will receive supportive case management from Housing Families, Inc.

Applications available March 17 Applications can be picked up in person or found online at www. tndinc.org - Deadline: May 19 by 5pm • For more information or reasonable accommodations, call Winn Residential at (617) 884-0692 • Open Mon. - Fri., 9:00am - 5pm - 4 Gerrish Ave. Rear, Chelsea, MA Households in need of accessible housing have preference for an accessible apartment and a sensory impaired unit • Use and occupancy restrictions apply • Selection by lottery • Section 8 Voucher Holders are welcome to apply • Full set of tenant selection criteria available upon request

Max. Income per Household (HH) HH size

30% of AMI

1

$19,800

2

$22,600

3

$25,450

4

$28,250

5

$30,550

6

$32,800

Project-Based Section 8 Voucher* Max. Income = 30%,AMI Type

2 BR

3 BR

# of Apts.

4

3

Rent Eligible households pay 30% of their income toward rent and utilities Eligible households pay 30% of their income toward rent and utilities

A senior/disabled/ handicapped community

Goodnow Library

heated

Call Sandy Miller,

OWNER

Property Manager

#888-691-4301

Application and Information: Housing@Sudbury.Ma.US

617-835-6373 Brokers Welcome

Program Restrictions Apply.

278 Old Sudbury Road, Sudbury, MA 01776, 978-639-3373 Income and Asset Limits, Use and Resale Restrictions

Parker Hill Apartments

SENIORS LIVE ROYALLY AT CASTLE COVE Castle Cove Cooperative Apartments

A unique community of seniors managed by CSI Support & Development Services of Malden. A cooperative apartment is a building controlled by the members. All major operating decisions are voted on by the members. Coop apartments help to keep quality housing affordable. We Have: • Our own separate apartment • A non-profit organization; any profits are put back into coop services to benefit its members • Open voluntary membership without social, political, racial or religious discrimination • A building democratically controlled by the residents.

We have: A library, game room, community room, lounges on each floor, our own laundry room The success of a Cooperative depends on the active participation of its members

If you would like more information or to apply please call

1-800-225-3151

The Style, Comfort and Convenience you Deserve!

Heat and Hot Water Always Included Modern Laundry Facilities Private Balconies / Some with City Views Plush wall to wall carpet Adjacent to New England Baptist Hospital Secured Entry, Elevator Convenience Private Parking Near Public Transportation and much more ...

Available 1 bedroom $1600

SUBSCRIBE

to the banner

call:

617-261-4600 baystatebanner.com

Call Today for more details and to schedule a visit...

888-842-7945

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS APARTMENTS 86 Crawford Street, Dorchester, Ma 02121

Effective March 15, 2014, Washington Heights Apartment will not accept applications for 1BR, 2BR, 3BR and 4BR apartments due the extremely lengthy list of applicants on the waitlist; it will take a long time before we can assist applicants already on the waiting list. The waiting list is closed. For additional information, contact the office at 617-445-7889.

PINE OAKS VILLAGE PHASES 1 AND 2 61 JOHN NELSON WAY, HARWICH, MA 02645 ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR PLACEMENT ON WAIT LIST Pine Oaks Village is sponsored by MidCape Church Homes Inc. Phase 1 is an apartment community designed for elderly (62 and over) persons. Phase 2 is designed for elderly (62 and over) and also for disabled persons who may be under 62. Phase 1 is subsidized by the HUD Section 8 Program. Phase 2 is subsidized by the USDA Rural Development Rental Assistance Program. Most residents pay 30% of their adjusted annual income for rent. Some residents may pay more than 30% based on availability of subsidy and on income. PHASE 1 INCOME LIMITS: 1 Person 2 Persons

VERY LOW $30,100 $34,400

PHASE 2 INCOME LIMITS: 1 Person 2 Persons

VERY LOW $30,100 $34,400

LOW $44,750 $51,150

Pine Oaks Village Phases 1 and 2 are beautifully landscaped communities close to beaches, shops, doctors, churches, police and fire stations and public transportation. All units are ground level.

Interested parties may call (508) 432-9611 or TDD 1-800-545-1833 x 132 or may write to the address listed above. THIS INSTITUTION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER.

Developed and owned by: The Neighborhood Developers Managed by: Winn Residential The Neighborhood Developers and Winn Residential do not discriminate because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, handicap, disability, national origin, familial status, or marital status in the leasing, rental, sale or transfer of apartment units, buildings, and related facilities, including land that it owns or controls.

Senior Living At It’s Best

1st Class Office Space Corner of Gallivan Blvd and Washington St ample parking.

Applications accepted through: Wednesday May 12, 2014 1:00PM

Information Session: Tuesday April 22, 2014, 7:30 p.m

Each building has their own activities run by a committee of residents such as entertainment, bingo, gift case

Bellingham Hill Family Homes

DORCHESTER/ MILTON

91 Clay Street Quincy, MA 02170

0 BR units = $1,027/mo 1 BR units = $1,101/mo All utilities included.

225 West Second Street

To all persons interested in a petition described:

Wollaston Manor

$375/mo. $695/mo. $1000/mo. $1395/mo.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department SUFFOLK Division

OFFICE SPACE

ADVERTISE YOUR CLASSIFIEDS (617) 261-4600 x 7799 • ads@bannerpub.com Find rate information at www.baystatebanner.com/advertise

Burton F. Faulkner Tower 25 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA (617) 628-2119

Section 8 subsidized housing for elderly and handicapped. 1&2 bedroom apartments, some wheelchair adapted. All apartments have fully appliance kitchens, wall-to-wall carpeting. A/C tiled baths, recessed patios and more. Modern 12 story building located on bus line, steps away from Central Public Library. Apartments available on an open occupancy basis. Waiting list maintained. Call for an application and eligibility requirements weekday mornings. Minorities are encouraged to apply. SMOKE FREE

Equal Housing Opportunity Handicapped Accessible


Thursday, March 13, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 23

WINTER VALLEY

Assistant Property Manager — Boston

Winter Valley Residences for the Elderly, Inc., a 160-unit complex financed by HUD for those 62 and older or physically disabled, is now accepting applications.

Seeking an enthusiastic assistant property manager in the management of a Section 8 development. Responsibilities include the full range of property management functions, but not limited to recertification, and tenant relations — COS certification and Tax Credit experience are required. Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective communication both oral and written with employees and clients alike — bilingual English/Spanish is a plus. Transportation is a must.

RESIDENCES FOR THE ELDERLY, INC.

Winter Valley Residences has studios, one and two bedroom and barrier free units. They are owned and managed by Milton Residences for the Elderly, Inc., 600 Canton Avenue, Milton, MA 02186

Contact: Sharon Williams, Manager

617-698-3005

Forward resumes, no later than March 21, 2014, to United Housing Management LLC, 530 Warren Street, Dorchester, Ma 02121 – Fax: 617-442-7231. No phone calls please! United Housing Management LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer

CHELSEA APARTMENT

4+ bdrms Newly renovated, 2000+ sq ft apt in 3 fam, no smkng/pets, hrdwd flrs, eat-in kit, pantry, lg master bedroom, din and lv rm, laundry rm, enclosed frnt/bck prchs, off street prkng, T access, min to Bost. Sec 8 OK

617-283-2081

Notice of two-bedroom apartment available at James Steam Mill The James Steam Mill apartment building for elderly/disabled persons has a two bedroom apartment available. Applicants must be age 62 or over, and applicants UNDER age 62 must be handicapped or disabled to qualify. Applicant must also qualify by income (annual income must be less than $37,650). JSM is a Section 8 building, and residents pay 30% of their income toward rent. Close to down-town Newburyport. Non-smoking building, limited parking.

Grace Christian Academy is Growing!!

GCA now enrolling for Summer and Fall. We are hiring a bus driver and a gifted pre-school teacher/lead teacher (interested in children’s technology) for Christian curriculum! If you are interested please call 617-825-6757 ext.103. GCA, an equal opportunity employer, hiring the best qualified person, regardless of race, culture, religion, gender, age.

Grace Christian Academy@ Grace Church of All Nations, 451 Washington St., Dorchester MA 02124 Happy, Healthy, Engaged Children! Moving along! Come Join us!

Healthcare CAREER?

• We refer people to jobs that pay $20,000 — $30,000 and offer benefits. • We mentor people who accept jobs through our referrals for two years.

Project Hope, in partnership with Partners HealthCare is currently accepting applications for a FREE entry level healthcare employment training program. Program eligibility includes: Have a high school diploma or equivalent Have a verifiable reference of 1 year from a former employer Pass assessments in reading, language, and computer skills Have CORI clearance Be legally authorized to work in the United States

For more information and to register for the next Open House please visit our website at www.prohope.org/openhouse.htm or call 617-442-1800 ext. 218.

If you are a low-income adult who is: • Looking for a full-time permanent job; • Willing to participate in our two-year mentoring program; • Age 22 to 55; • Legal to work in the U.S.; • Able to succeed in an English-speaking workplace, then… Orientation Every Thursday, 1:00 PM. Call us to see if you qualify at (617) 424-6616. • You will need to bring your résumé • If you do not have a résumé, bring a list of: 4 Jobs and military service since high school; 4 Education and training. 4 Be sure to include month and year; be sure that all dates are correct. We look forward to working with you!

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Qualifications: An advanced degree in public administration, management, business administration, planning or a related field, plus a minimum of five years’ relevant work experience. Deep knowledge of municipal government, procurement laws and practices, and regional collaboration; existing or prior certification as a Massachusetts Public Purchasing Official is a plus. This is a full time position with an excellent state employee benefits package. Starting salary: $80-100,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the USA and a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC is an EOE/AA Employer. MAPC takes pride in the diversity of its workforce and encourages all qualified persons to apply. The position is open until filled. Review of applications will begin immediately. SEE COMPLETE POSTING AT WWW. MAPC.ORG (JOBS AT MAPC) AND APPLY ON-LINE THERE.

(617) 261-4600 x 7799 • ads@bannerpub.com Rate information at www.baystatebanner.com/advertise

Are you interested in a

• • • • •

Duties include: Operate public procurement programs; market our procurement expertise and develop new opportunities to expand procurement services to municipalities and other allies; provide guidance on state procurement laws to all MAPC departments; provide technical assistance to municipalities that are pursuing collaborative solutions; develop inter-municipal agreements and practices. Supervise Municipal Collaboration staff of approximately eight (8); provide guidance and support to department staff; assist with problem solving, relationship management, and program development; develop and oversee department budget.

ADVERTISE YOUR CLASSIFIEDS WITH THE BAY STATE BANNER

BAY STATE BANNER

Free job-search and career development help: • Most people who complete our 60hour job-search workshop qualify for free, individual job-search help.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), the regional planning agency for Metro Boston, seeks a Director of its Municipal Collaboration Department. The department operates a comprehensive group purchasing program for municipalities and other buyers; coordinates joint procurements for the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts and the Greater Boston Police Council; serves as fiduciary agent for homeland security programs throughout the Commonwealth; oversees training, research, and procurement projects for the Northeast Homeland Security Regional Advisory Council; helps cities and town to collaborate in the delivery of municipal services; and works toward improved public safety for our region.

Thomas E. Hauenstein, HR Manager. Posted 3-4-14

James Steam Mill 1 Charles Street Newburyport, MA 01985 Phone: (978) 465-5166 TDD: (978) 465-7598

We Help People Get and Succeed at Good Jobs

DIRECTOR – MUNICIPAL COLLABORATION

PITTSFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS Pittsfield, Massachusetts

The Pittsfield Public Schools is a small-urban district located in the beautiful Berkshires of Western Massachussetts. The district is dedicated to reaching and teaching every single child, every single day. The PPS is seeking highly skilled and culturally competent principal leaders for Conte Community School (k-5), Allendale Elementary School (k-5) and Herberg Middle School (6-8).

Professionals with the following are preferred: • A Master’s degree and Massachusetts Principal Certification • Demonstrated leadership in creating and sustaining an optimistic and disciplined academic culture • A minimum of 5 years of teaching and 3 years of administrative experience (preferably in an urban setting) Application review will be ongoing until the positions are filled. Salaries are regionally competitive.

Apply online at www.pittsfield.net The Pittsfield Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer



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