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Rev. Groover admits misusing $850,000 Howard Manly
On June 2, Minister Don Muhammad and Muhammad’s Mosque #11 hosted The Honorable Louis Farrakhan to a packed house at the Strand Theatre in Dorchester, Mass. (Tony Irving photo)
Friends of Madison Park ask Menino to intervene at school Howard Manly In an unusual public exchange, outgoing Boston Public School (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson defended her record on improving the beleaguered Madison Park High School. In a letter published in the Boston Globe last Saturday, Johnson detailed numerous expenditures made at the vocational school over the last three years, including 1,000 ipads, laptops and computers. Johnson also said BPS spent $370,000 to transform the building into “the most technologically advanced school in the city” and $1.1 million “to expand learning time and strengthen the indus-
try partnerships that will connect classrooms to careers.” It’s just not about the money, Johnson went on, and pointed out that graduation rates at the school have jumped by 5 percent. Students scoring proficient or advanced on MCAS went up by 16 percent in English language Arts and by six points in mathematics. “We are so proud of Madison Park students,” Johnson wrote. But a group of parents, former students and community activists remain underwhelmed by Johnson’s commitment to Madison Park. They have now written a letter to her boss Mayor Thomas Menino to plead their case. “We have now reached the point where the problems of morale
and learning have deteriorated [so much] that the situation is toxic, unhealthy for students and teachers alike,” stated the letter written by the Friends of Madison Park Technical and Vocational High school. “…We cannot continue to ignore the failures in leadership and accountability which have led us to the point where our children are graduating with less hope than promise as to their future because of the lack of a quality education.” The group puts a significant part of the blame on the current leadership at the school. Earlier this year, Johnson placed acting headmaster Queon Jackson on administrative leave after disclosures that he was the School, continued to page 20
Saying he was “wrong,” Rev. Gregory S. Groover Sr. admitted on the first day of his church’s bankruptcy trial that he used $850,000 in restricted grant money to pay for day-to-day expenses at the historic Charles Street AME church over the last five years. Groover’s startling testimony underscored the pattern of financial mismanagement that has been revealed over the last year of motions, depositions and hearings before U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Frank Bailey. At issue is whether the court will accept the church’s proposed plan to repay nearly $5.2 million in loans to OneUnited bank, the nation’s largest black-owned bank, as well as additional funds to outstanding creditors. Charles Street attorneys have argued that once the bankruptcy hearings are completed, the church can then finish building its Roxbury Renaissance Center and start generating money by holding weddings receptions and community meetings to repay its debts over a 30-year period. OneUnited attorneys have opposed such repayment plans in large part because of what they have discovered are significant problems with the church’s financial statements that are being used to determine the repayment plan. Those financial statements, coupled with the testimonies of Rev. Groover Sr. and Rev. Opal Adams,
the woman who kept the financial books and authored Groover’s annual reports, demonstrate what bank attorneys characterized as “a false portrayal of its financial circumstances and purposefully [overlooking] its obligations.” The litany of financial problems goes on and on, the most recent involving the use of Lilly Foundation funds which were designated for use only to support the church’s pastoral program. Since 2003, Charles Street has received nearly $3 million in grants from Lilly to run a pastor in residence program. But on Monday, Groover explained after a thorough review of the church’s financial records, they improperly transferred $850,000 from the Lilly funds to pay for expenses. In 2007, Groover said, without telling senior members of the church or the congregation, he transferred $145,000 for “other purposes.” In 2008, the amount was $163,000. In 2009, $80,000 was used; in 2010 $162,000; in 2011, $194,000; and in 2012, $147,000. Groover insisted that he was only “borrowing” the money and had every intention of repaying “every cent.” When asked who authorized such transfers, Groover said, “I did” and then explained that the money was used to pay for “pressing obligations,” including repaying OneUnited as well as for construction related expenses.
Rev. Groover insisted that he was only “borrowing” the money and had every intention of repaying “every cent.”
Misuse, continued to page 19
Dudley Square project hits building milestone Banner Staff Surrounded by elected officials, community activists and members of the building trades, Mayor Thomas M. Menino celebrated the raising of the final piece of steel on the Ferdinand Building in Dudley Square. Monday’s ceremony represented a major milestone for the $115 million Dudley Municipal Building, which is expected to be completed by January 2015. With the final beam in place, workers will begin the next phase of construction for the new community space.
What’s Inside
“What’s happened in this neighborhood and what will continue to happen is one of the things I’m most proud of,” Menino said. “But our work is far from done. From the beginning our goal has been simple: bring more people and economic life to historic Dudley Square. And that is a job that never ends.” Upon its completion, the Ferdinand Building will house an estimated 500 municipal employees from the Boston Public School Department and will include open space for student work, school events and community gatherings.
Mayor Thomas M. Menino attends the Topping Off Ceremony for the Ferdinand Building in Dudley Square in Roxbury, Mass. (Photo courtesy of the Mayor’s office)
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2 • Thursday, June 27, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER
BOSTON scenes Graduates from Pine Street Inn’s job training program listen to speakers during a recent graduation ceremony. The graduates, all homeless men and women, ranging in age from 20s to 60s, wore caps and gowns to celebrate the completion of the program, which featured training in food services, building maintenance and housekeeping. (Photos courtesy of Pine Street Inn)
Thursday, June 27, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER • 3
So What Just Happened to Affirmative Action? Jenée Desmond-Harris In a 7-1 decision written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, the U.S. Supreme Court sent the case back to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals for another look at the University of Texas’ consideration of race as one admissions factor to create a diverse student body. The basis of the ruling: The majority said that the lower court failed to hold UT’s admissions plan to the strict legal standard set out in the landmark case Grutter v. Bollinger. But it upheld the principle that schools can consider race in achieving diversity. So how are people who would like to see affirmative action survive supposed to feel? We pulled together reactions from legal experts, court watchers and civil rights activists who scrutinized the Abigail Fisher v. University of Texas decision and its potential impact on educational diversity and opportunity.
Victory for a Diverse America
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights called the decision “an important victory for our nation’s ongoing work to build a more inclusive, diverse America” and predicted that the UT policy “will ultimately be upheld by the Court of Appeals,” adding, “In reaffirming that a diverse learning environment benefits students, our workforce and the country as a whole, the ruling
makes it clear that now is the time to expand our commitment to diversity in all of our institutions to ensure that we are well-positioned to compete in the diverse economy of the 21st Century.”
A Check-Engine Light
David Hinojosa of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund told the Atlantic, “This is basically like a check-engine light has come on, and without looking under the hood you said, ‘Throw away the car,’” he said. “The court said, ‘No, let’s look under the hood.’ It might be a faulty light or it might just need a tune-up, but you definitely don’t need to just discard the car altogether.”
The Constitutional Accountability Center’s Civil Rights Director David Gans said the court “backed away from the edge of the cliff” with Monday’s ruling. “The court surprised most court watchers by issuing an extremely narrow decision. The justices did not decide the constitutionality of the university’s use of race in admissions, the big question at the heart of this case,” he said.
A Critical Move Toward Equal Opportunity
Roslyn M. Brock, chairman of the NAACP national board of directors, called the ruling “a critical decision toward ensuring
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Disagree, but Grateful
The Advancement Project’s Co-Director Penda Hair said in a statement: “We are grateful the Supreme Court’s decision continues to recognize that colleges and universities can use race to achieve their compelling interest in having a diverse student body.” However, she added, “the court did not have to send the case
back to the Court of Appeals, because as shown in Advancement Project’s amicus brief filed in the case, the university’s use of race was clearly necessary under even the most exacting standard.”
Applause for Diversity
Kim Keenan, the NAACP’s general counsel, said the NAACP “applauds the court’s preservation of the Grutter standard permitting universities to consider racial and ethnic diversity as one factor among many in a carefully crafted admissions policy.” Keenan says she’s “confident that 5th Circuit will uphold the policy.” Jenée Desmond-Harris is The Root’s staff writer and White House correspondent.
A Surprisingly Narrow Ruling
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equal opportunity in education. It is in our nation’s best interest to grant a fair chance to people with various backgrounds and ethnicities,” she said. “In today’s global economy, all Americans will benefit from a diverse and inclusive environment in higher education.”
for race in university admissions,” NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous said when the decision was announced. “There is a need and a benefit for our nation to ensure all students get a close look and a fair shot. We remain optimistic that colleges and universities will continue to act to keep doors open to students of all backgrounds.”
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Wheelock College hosted a special awards celebration, International Partners in Leadership Award for the Advancement of Early Childhood Education, at the JFK Presidential Library and Museum in Boston on June 20. The event recognized world leaders who impact the lives of children and families each and every day across the globe. Photo (L-R): Karen Ansara, co-founder of the Haiti Fund and New England International Donors; Kerry Kennedy, president of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights; singing sensation Maya Azucena; Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, former Minister of State, Singapore; Jackie JenkinsScott, president of Wheelock College; Musimbi Kanyoro, president and CEO ofThe Global Fund for Women; Marta Rosa, special assistant to the president for government and external affairs at Wheelock College. (Don West photo)
4 • Thursday, June 27, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER
Established 1965
U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz’ confused rationale in sentencing recommendations U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz sought a prison term of 33 to 41 months when Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner was convicted of accepting a bribe of $1,000 for constituent services. However, Ortiz accepted a guilty plea in exchange for a one-year sentence from Michael E. McLaughlin, who as head of the Chelsea Housing Authority took unauthorized compensation of up to $366,000 per year. Both the Turner and McLaughlin cases were before U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock, who gave Turner a three year prison sentence. At the sentencing hearing, Woodlock indicated that he was influenced by the fact that Turner “perjured himself at trial” when he supposedly testified falsely. At the McLaughlin sentencing hearing on June 14, Woodlock rescheduled until July 17 in order to provide an opportunity for the court to hear new evidence that might affect the sentencing decision. Federal probation officers had uncovered information that McLaughlin may have destroyed evidence that would affect the sentence. The federal sentencing guidelines prevent the U.S. attorney’s office from introducing additional evidence after accepting a plea agreement. However, Woodlock has asserted that there may be ad-
ditional information indicating more criminality that he deems relevant to his sentencing decision, and he has engaged the Nixon Peabody law firm to develop the case. The judge is astute to have some question about a plea in the McLaughlin case. Prosecutors accept pleas with modified sentences when there is some difficulty about obtaining a conviction. But the McLaughlin case is a slam dunk. It would be relatively easy to establish that McLaughlin took the money and his exorbitant salary was not authorized. There was little rationale for such a moderate sentence. Apparently Ortiz believes that it is significantly more damaging to the state for Chuck Turner, a city councilor, to accept a $1,000 payment from a constituent purportedly for services rendered, than for McLaughlin to abscond with funds intended for the maintenance of Chelsea public housing. Woodlock is clearly disinclined to accept Ortiz’s peremptory view of the McLaughlin case. It would obviously be unjustifiable to incarcerate Turner for three years, even if one believes he is guilty as charged, while McLaughlin is sentenced to only one year for a pattern of criminality that involves substantially more financially than Turner’s $1,000 offense.
“If justice means sentencing Chuck Turner to three years for supposedly taking $1,000, then former Chelsea Housing Authority Executive Director Michael E. McLaughlin should get life.” USPS 045-780
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NEWS REPORTING
Avoidance of obesity is a personal responsibility Americans once believed that obesity resulted from continual overeating. That was before medical science examined the issue. Recently the American Medical Association declared that obesity is a disease. Now people carrying a few extra pounds can behave unselfconsciously like other Americans suffering from an illness. They can pop pills to cure the malady. This is bad news for African Americans. Low income blacks have a very high rate of obesity and they are less likely to be able
to afford the magic medication for the cure. While it is true that some people can eat a meager diet of fruit and vegetables and still put on weight, that is not what normally happens. A lack of exercise and little dietary discipline conspire to cause people to graduate to the next clothes sizes. The consequences of obesity are severe: heart disease, diabetes and an early death. No policy on obesity should induce people to lose sight of the fact that they are personally responsible for their good health by adhering to sound lifestyle practices.
Lettersto the Editor
Madison Park debate rages on
I would like to be the first to congratulate the Bay State Banner on the good job it has done on highlighting the extent to which Madison Park and Vocational Technical High School has become an embarrassment and disservice to the student population that it serves. This coverage has prompted the “mainstream” media to sit up and take notice, so much so, that one major Boston newspaper recently ran an extensive story on the issues facing Madison. The Banner is to be commended for being a voice in the community, when such vocalization is conspicuously absent. As Madison attempts to search for a new headmaster in the coming weeks, scrutiny must be paid to the process and to the end result. It is vital that this systematic operation be done in a transparent and mindful form, so that any questions of impropriety be avoided. The input of students, staff, and the community must be heard, so that the individual who is chosen becomes a representative of the vast diver-
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sity that exists within the Madison Park family. He/she cannot be a hire based on political affiliations or the shenanigans of an administration that is accountable to no one in its current state. The headmaster must have the staunch support of his students and parents and command the complete confidence of his staff. One of the first and most crucial jobs of a new headmaster must be to investigate and have members of the administration account for the hundreds of thousands of dollars that were allocated to the school but seems to be missing at this point. The entire state of Massachusetts,
must be given a satisfactory answer as to where all of their tax money was spent, and if it is impossible to determine where and how the funds were appropriated, then heads must roll, including firings and jail time. He must send the message that our students are not to be exploited for the financial gain of a few. Once again, congratulations to the Banner for its community service in being a voice for the otherwise voiceless. Mavis Pointe Parent/Former Student/ Community member
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The Boston Banner is published every Thursday. Offices are located at 23 Drydock Ave., Boston, MA 02210. Telephone: 617-261-4600, Fax 617-261-2346 Subscriptions: $48 for one year ($55 out-of-state) Web site: www.baystatebanner.com Periodicals postage paid at Boston, MA. All rights reserved. Copyright 2010.
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Thursday, June 27, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER • 5
RovingCamera
Opinion More GOP Mythmaking on the Border Earl Ofari Hutchinson GOP House Speaker John Boehner recently called border security “laughable.” Boehner was not being funny. That sentiment could have a major blowback effect in the House on the deal that the four GOP Senators crafted to take the issue of border security off the contentious table and move the immigration bill to final passage. The GOP has relentlessly latched onto the issue of the United State’s supposedly leaky borders for more than a decade to torpedo a deal on immigration reform. This time is no different. The instant that it became apparent that there was real political steam behind finally putting a comprehensive immigration reform bill on the White House desk to become law, GOP leaders dug into their bag of tricks and dusted off the old border insecurity ploy to stall, water down, or even eventually kill an immigration reform bill. But with the shellacking that the GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney took from Hispanic voters in the 2012 presidential election, and the grim prospect that the GOP could be mortally wounded even more in 2014 and 2016 by Hispanic voters, the party could not simply dig up its old ways on immigration reform. Dredging up border security as the prime bargaining chip seems safe enough. It gives the appearance that the GOP really wants immigration reform this time. But, it insists, that making a fighting issue of safe and secure borders is simply in the public and national interest. GOP Senator Marco Rubio, the party’s point man on immigration reform, said bluntly: “The only way we’re going to pass an immigration reform law out of the House and Senate, so the president can sign it, is that it has real border security measures within it.” This is simply more GOP mythmaking at its worst. The United States spends nearly $20 billion annually on border security measures and that figure will be ramped up even higher in 2014. That’s more spent on border security than ever and far more than the federal government spends on all other federal law enforcement agencies combined. The massive spending has paid off. Nearly every inch of the border is patrolled round the clock by waves of more than 20,000 border patrol agents and at least six unmanned aircraft. Both outgoing FBI Director Robert Mueller, Attorney General Eric Holder and Homeland Security officials have publicly admitted that unarmed drones are used to patrol the Mexican and Canadian borders, along with the Caribbean Sea, and for law enforcement surveillance operations. The result has been that illegal border crossings have plunged, and the drop has not been a one-shot deal. The plunge has been steady for the past few years. The drop combined with the surge in deportations which are at an alltime high add up to a historic low in net illegal immigration into the country. The unstated downside is that with the hyper-aggressiveness of border patrol and the immigration crackdown, there has been a sharp rise in deaths since 2010 from the desperate efforts of undocumented immigrants to skirt the patrols, and the use of lethal force by patrol agents under dubious circumstances. The irony is that there was a brief moment a decade ago that the GOP seemed to get it right on immigration reform. Then-President George W. Bush was widely and unfairly blamed at the time for making a mess of the immigration reform fight in Congress by not pushing hard enough for passage of the immigration bill debated in 2007. Immigrant rights’ groups lambasted Republican senators for dumping crippling demands for tight amnesty, citizenship and, of course, the border security provisions on the bill. Leading Republican presidential contenders that year didn’t help matters by flatly opposing the bill as much too soft on amnesty and border enforcement. This did much to kill whatever flickering hope there was for the bill’s passage. This undid the inroads that Bush made in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections when he scored gains with Latino voters. A big part of that was due to the perception (and reality) that Bush would push hard for immigration reform. Immigration then was not just about fixing America’s alleged broken borders but a crass, naked political grab for Latino votes. Even so, the party still couldn’t shake its ingrained, nativist xenophobia on what American citizenship should be about. That didn’t include any relent on its opposition to a pathway to citizenship for the undocumented. Two crushing presidential defeats, and the unrelenting hostility of Latino voters, has only slightly changed the party’s thinking on immigration reform as can be seen from its pile of amendment after amendment to the current bill with the centerpiece being border security as the non-negotiable condition for the bill’s passage. In a candid moment for example, Arizona Senator John McCain admitted that the GOP’s canard of hopelessly porous borders was a sham. He not only said that the borders were more secure but also gave figures on the colossal number of illegal immigrant apprehensions during the past decade to give lie to the insecure border myth. The question now is how far the GOP will push the border myth to get its way on immigration reform. If the history of the immigration reform bill battles is any guide, all the way. Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. The Banner welcomes your opinion. Email Op-Ed submissions to:
hmanly@bannerpub.com Letters must be signed. Names may be withheld upon request.
What do you think can be done to stem the obesity epidemic in the black community?
We need more trucks selling fresh vegetables in our community. People don’t have access to fresh produce. I’d like to see more funding to organizations that help people eat healthy food.
Supermarkets in the community should carry more health food. If you want something healthy, you have to go to another neighborhood.
Start very early teaching children about nutrition and proper balanced diets. If you can get it into children’s minds, that what’s going to bring about change.
Jeff Durham Reporter Dorchester
Arthur Weeks Community Activist Roxbury
Bridget Brown
We need better health education and to eliminate the disparate conditions in our communities. People need better access to healthy food.
It’s our biggest problem. We need to hold community seminars on obesity.
People have to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. Don’t snack between meals. Eat your meals on an empty stomach
Stepona Stokes
Robert Traynham
Kenneth Yarbrough
Grants Manager Roslindale
Bus Driver South End
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Chief Information Officer Mattapan
INthe news
Doc Rivers
The Los Angeles Clippers and the Boston Celtics have reached an agreement to release coach Doc Rivers from his contract with the Celtics and allow him to sign with Los Angeles in exchange for a 2015 first-round draft pick. The Clippers have also agreed to pick up the three years and $21 million left on his current contract. The deal still awaits approval from NBA Commissioner David Stern. An NBA player for 13 seasons with the Hawks, Clippers, Knicks and Spurs, Rivers received his first coaching job with the Orlando Magic in 1999, but he was fired in 2003, 11 games into his fifth season with them. The Celtics hired Rivers in April 2004. Rivers just completed his ninth season as the coach of the Celtics and has a career record of 587-473. He was named the coach of the year for the 1999-2000 season and won a
title with the Celtics in 2008. Rivers posted a 416-305 regular-season record as Celtics coach, the third-most wins in franchise history behind Tom Heinsohn
(427) and Red Auerbach (795). In the postseason, Rivers went 59-47, the third-most wins for a Celtics coach behind Auerbach (90) and K.C. Jones (65).
6 • Thursday, June 27, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER
CommunityVoices
In Mass. kids might count, but support is still needed Jane E. Tewksbury and John Jackson To secure our first in the nation position as a leader in education for generations to come, Massachusetts must make targeted investments now to support our youngest learners. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2013 KIDS COUNT Data Book, a nationwide assessment of child well-being, Massa-
chusetts leads the nation in educational achievement. Being the number one state in education in America is a tremendous accomplishment and cause for much celebration for a job well done. Twenty years ago, Massachusetts made a commitment to invest in education and that investment has paid off. Today, our 4th graders are the best readers in the nation and our 8th graders have the highest proficiency in math.
Yet, it is still the case that 50 percent of all Massachusetts’s 4th graders are not reading proficiently— just as one-half of our 8th graders fall short of proficiency in math. Low-income children, in particular, face daunting challenges as their struggling families find themselves cut off from the middle class by widening economic inequality. As it is now, one in seven children in Massachusetts lives in poverty, and roughly twice as many (421,000 chil-
Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston School Superintendent Carol Johnson attend the Topping Off Ceremony for the Ferdinand Building in Dudley Square, Roxbury. (Photo courtesy of the Mayor’s office)
dren) live in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment. Not only is this kind of economic stress difficult for parents, it is damaging to their children. When Massachusetts families struggle, Massachusetts children suffer. Children who grow up in poverty have lower math scores, lower reading scores, and lower graduation rates than other students. In 2012, only 72 percent of low income students in Massachusetts graduated from high school in four years, while 85 percent of all students graduated on time. There are also serious long-term consequences for children who fall into this achievement gap. In our changing economy, a high school diploma is often not enough to find employment that will pay a livable wage. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center has shown that Massachusetts workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher earn over twice as much as workers with just a high school degree. Massachusetts already has the best educated workforce in the country with 45 percent of our workers having earned at least a bachelor’s degree, but we can do better. More importantly, we need to do better to secure our state’s future prosperity First, we need to make targeted investments in early education and care when it can make the most difference in the trajectory of a child’s life, during the critical brain building phase when children’s experiences and relationships form a strong foundation for all future learning and skill development. Chronic stressful conditions, such as extreme poverty—what scientists now call “toxic stress”—actually disrupt the
architecture of the developing brain. And we need to realign community resources and supports where they are most needed. Second, Massachusetts must address the education and wealth disparities that are identifiable by race and ethnicity. No state—especially one that is considered to be a national leader—should accept the status quo where race, ethnicity or gender can predict whether an individual will be a productive member of the workforce or chronically unemployed. The opportunity to learn is a civil and human right that should be provided to every student in the Commonwealth. Third, we need to help low income students develop the skills they need to reach their full potential and contribute to our knowledge economy. This will require investments in our public universities and in needs-based financial aid. There is a reason Massachusetts has the top-rated education system in the nation. It is the result of the investments and reforms we began two decades ago to dramatically improve our educational system. Our No. 1 national ranking in education shows the return on that investment. Now, we need to extend that success by investing what it takes to provide the support needed to ensure opportunities for those children who are still being left behind. Jane E. Tewksbury is Executive Director of Thrive in 5, a public-private partnership of the City of Boston and United Way Dr. John H. Jackson is President and CEO of the Schott Foundation for Public Education
Thursday, June 27, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER • 7
Juneteenth attracts large, diverse gathering to MFA
Towards the end of the evening artist Mike Lee, who graduated from graffiti art to graphic design, creates a piece of artwork before a small audience at the Juneteenth Takeover pop-up shop exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts on June 19.
State Representative Byron Rushing captivated the crowd in a commemorative address about the significance of Juneteenth during the first Juneteenth Takeover at the Museum of Fine Arts on June 19. (Daniel Irvin photos) Shanice Maxwell Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. As a result, some observers say, every year on June 19 calls for reflection, reverence and rejoicing for many, especially in the African American community. In an effort to bring attention to this milestone in African American history, the Museum of Fine Arts hosted its first Juneteenth
Takeover in partnership with Future Boston Alliance. “From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19 as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond,” said Emily Catalano, program manager for Future Boston Alliance. “It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection
and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future.” The agenda for the night consisted of a pop-up exhibition of six local Boston artists showcasing select pieces of their work, sketching of live models and objects, a commemorative address by State Representative Byron Rushing on the significance of Juneteenth and a talk on African American artist Loïs Mailou Jones. “I was so glad to see so many of our people out tonight,” said
Michelle Cook, 42, of Newton. “I think we need to have more education about Juneteenth. There’s a lot of partying, a lot of barbeques, a lot of enjoyment but there’s not really a solid education about what Juneteenth really is. We need to teach our children what it is, we need to teach our adults what Juneteenth is and do things like this every year so it gets into people heads.” Rev. Raedorah Stewart, 53, of Quincy is originally from Houston. “I really enjoyed tonight for what it was,” she said. “No matter where I go I am still a native Texan and so Juneteenth is really, really big. There are pageants, music, Juneteenth festivals as opposed to here everything is so compartmentalized. You get your day like tonight, we got what, five hours? But Juneteenth in Texas is a movement.”
Linda Apple, Museum of Fine Arts director of volunteer and community engagement, said she was hopeful that events such as the museums’ Juneteenth event would help attract more visitors. “I’d really love for [community members] who have an idea or perspective about the museum that’s perhaps negative, or for those who don’t really know much about the museum, that this will really opens their eyes to it as a community resource,” said Apple. “It’s a great place to visit, a place I hope they will want to come back to and look at beautiful art, meet up with friends, eat or drink, hear a talk or go to an event like this.” For more information about Museum of Fine Arts and Future Boston Alliance events please visit www. mfa.org and www.futureboston.com.
8 • Thursday, June 27, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER
Voting rights decision called serious, unnecessary setback Eric Holder The U.S. Supreme Court announced on Tuesday its decision in the case of Shelby County v. Holder—and invalidated an essential part of the Voting Rights Act, a cornerstone of American civil rights law. Like many others across the country, I am deeply disappointed with the court’s decision in this matter. This decision represents a serious setback for voting rights— and has the potential to nega-
tively affect millions of Americans across the country. In the nearly half-century since its initial passage—in 1965 —the Voting Rights Act has consistently enjoyed bipartisan support in Congress as well as the executive branch. After extensive hearings, Sections 4 and 5 of this important law were reauthorized most recently in 2006, with the unanimous support of the U.S. Senate and the near-unanimous support of the House of Representatives.
This is a uniquely legislative function and responsibility that the Constitution expressly gave to Congress. The last reauthorization was signed into law by President George W. Bush — just as prior reauthorizations had been signed by Presidents Reagan, Ford, and Nixon – in accordance with core nonpartisan American values. After all, as Congress correctly recognized in the hearings held in 2006—racial and language minorities face significant voting discrimination in some parts of our country. Given the successful decisions in the Department’s Voting Rights Act cases over the last 18 months, the need for a vital—and intact—
Voting Rights Act remains clear. Last year, a federal court cited the value of the Voting Rights Act in blocking the Texas congressional redistricting map on the grounds that it discriminated against Latino voters. In that case, the court noted that the parties “provided more evidence of discriminatory intent than we have space, or need, to address here.” The federal court that reviewed South Carolina’s photo ID law also noted the “vital function” that the Voting Rights Act played in prompting the state to change how it will implement the statute in future elections so that it would no longer disproportionately impact black voters. Without the Section 4 coverage formula, neither of these discriminatory voting changes would have been subject to review and both could have been implemented immediately. These are just two of many examples demonstrating that these
Pictured here from left to right: Tiffany Cooper-Gueye, CEO of Building Education Leaders for Life; Jorge Perez, vice president for youth development at YMCA of USA; Kevin Washington, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Boston.
problems have not been consigned to history—they continue to exist. Their effects are real, they are of today—not yesterday —and they corrode the foundations of our democracy. Our country has changed for the better since 1965 but the destination we seek has not yet been reached. Indeed, a reading of today’s opinions demonstrates that every member of the Supreme Court agrees with this fact—as the chief justice wrote, “voting discrimination still exists: no one doubts that.” This is why protecting the fundamental right to vote—for all Americans—will remain one of the Justice Department’s highest priorities. The Department of Justice will continue to carefully monitor jurisdictions around the country for voting changes that may hamper voting rights. Let me be very clear: we will not hesitate to take swift enforcement action—using every legal tool that remains available to us—against any jurisdiction that seeks to take advantage of the Supreme Court’s ruling by hindering eligible citizens’ full and free exercise of the franchise. As the president has made clear, Congress needs to act to make sure every American has equal access to the polls. The Justice Department also will work with Congress and other elected and community leaders to formulate potential legislative proposals to address voting rights discrimination—because, on their own, existing statutes cannot totally fill the void left by the Supreme Court ruling. And I am hopeful that new protections can and will pass in this session of Congress. The Voting Rights Act has always had strong bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, and the recent ruling should not change that. This is not a partisan issue, it’s an American issue—because our democracy is founded on ensuring that every eligible citizen has access to the ballot box. Finally, we need to be clear about what happened. Part of the Voting Rights Act, but not all of it, was struck down. The constitutionally protected voting rights of all Americans remain fully intact. And the right to vote, free from discrimination based on race or language, requires our vigilant protection. We know from many decades of long, hard struggle that the best way to defend a right is to go out and exercise it. So no one should conclude that Tuesday’s unfortunate decision has rendered voting rights invalid, or has made attempting to cast a ballot on Election Day futile. To the contrary, it is incumbent on all American citizens to stand up for their rights by registering to vote, going to the ballot box, exercising that most fundamental of rights, and voting for their preferred candidates of any party. Our democracy is dependent on each of us, and on our active participation in the electoral process. Although The Supreme Court decision represents a serious and unnecessary setback, the Justice Department remains committed to moving forward in a manner that’s consistent with the arc of American history—which has always been a story of increasing equality, inclusion and access to the franchise. This is what makes the United States of America truly exceptional. And this is what we will zealously guard. Eric Holder is the U.S. Attorney General
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Wesley’s Pearls of Wisdom! Wesley Jonathan talks about laughing with Cedric the Entertainer in their new TV show The Soul Man
Kam Williams Born in Los Angeles on October 18, 1978, Wesley Jonathan entered showbiz at an early age. He now plays Burrell “Stamps” Ballentine on TV Land’s The Soul Man. The show revolves around Reverend Boyce “The Voice” Ballentine (Cedric the Entertainer), an R&B superstar-turned-minister who relocated to St. Louis with his family to preach in his father’s church. Moving seamlessly between comedic and dramatic roles since he was a young child, Wesley has exhibited an impressive range of acting talent. In addition, he’s a gifted and accomplished dancer and athlete, and has starred in countless movies, television shows and commercials. He made his television debut at just 8, appearing on the smash FOX series 21 Jump Street. He was a series regular on The WB’s toprated sitcom, What I Like about You, starring Amanda Bynes and Jennie Garth, and on the syndicated Teen NBC series City Guys. Since then, he has guest-starred and enjoyed recurring roles on some of the most popular shows
on television, including NCIS, Cold Case, 90210 and CSI: Miami. Wesley recently completed the feature film Cobu 3D, adding to his already extensive list of big screen credits, which includes Speed Dating, The Effect, Remember the Daze, Crossover, Roll Bounce, and The United States of Leland. He is also a producer and star of the feature Dysfunctional Friends starring Stacey Dash and Terrell Owens. And he recently starred in David E. Talbert’s play for BET, What Goes around, Comes Around.
What interested you in attending a Juneteenth celebration in Texas, where it’s an official state holiday? It was only natural, being African American, since it was the actual day on which the slaves were freed in Texas. I had never been here for Juneteenth, so I feel grateful for this opportunity to learn all about its history.
How would you describe your TV sitcom, The Soul Man, in 25 words or less? In 25 words or less? That’s
crazy! Let’s see … The show is about a former R&B singer of very risqué songs who gets the calling to become a minister. And in doing so, he uproots his family from Sin City, Las Vegas, and moves to St. Louis to take over his father’s church. In the process, his family has to make the adjustment from a celebrity’s lifestyle to an uncompromisingly holy lifestyle. It’s a funny show about family, about change, and about making adjustments in your life.
Isn’t Cedric originally from St. Louis in real life? Yeah, he is from St. Louis.
You spent part of your childhood in Germany. How much German do you still remember? I was 4 when we moved there, and the little bit that I learned was gone within months after I returned here at 7.
What’s it like acting opposite a couple of very charismatic, veteran comedians in Cedric and
Niecy Nash? The greatest thing to me about Cedric is that he’s extremely down-to-earth. He’s a really a nice guy on top of the fact that he’s funny. So, working with him is great because you get paid to laugh all day. And Niecy is just as funny and cool and crazy as he is. Having both of them together is kind of explosive.
Tell me a little about your character, Stamps? Stamps is Cedric’s younger brother. He’s a wacky, wisecracking character, and you never know what’s going to come out of his mouth. He doesn’t take life seriously, doesn’t have a job, and is always saying whatever random thoughts come to mind.
You’ve enjoyed an enduring career that began when you were only 8. How did you manage to avoid the pitfalls of fame that have ensnared so many other child actors? Well, there’s a big difference between being a child actor and being a child star. I was a child
actor. I worked a lot as a kid, but the weight that a child star has to bear is far more than that of a child actor. It’s extremely heavy. Secondly, my mother is from a rough area of East St. Louis, and she just wasn’t having any craziness. Third, I was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, which was a strict upbringing that helped me stay in line. I also learned what not to do from watching mistakes other people were making. And I had big dreams and I was motivated to help my mother. So, I didn’t want to screw up. Drugs and other stuff were never a temptation. I guess I had an old soul.
When was the last time you had a good laugh? That’s a great question. It was while filming on set about a week ago. I was doing my best not to laugh while Cedric was going off. I can’t give away exactly what he did, but let’s just say he ate a brownie laced with something that caused him to behave in a way that was hysterical. I’ll leave it at that. Soul Man, continued to page 11
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Soul Man
continued from page 10
What was the last book you read?
That’s interesting. Right now I’m reading It’s Hard to Fight
Naked by Niecy Nash. It’s an advice book about relationships. If you know her, you can hear her voice in the book. It’s really good!
What was the last song you listened to?
Don’t Be Cruel by Bobby Brown.
What excites you?
I like work. [LOL] By that I mean I like quality work. A good script … a good show … a good movie… anything I can be proud of and not have to be nervous about watching when it comes out. That excites me. When someone like yourself wants to interview me, that excites me. When little kids recognize me on the street and come up to me it’s exciting, because it’s genuine with no motive behind it. That’s a really clean kind of love. What a blessing!
smile a lot less in real life, but I know how to adjust to the situation. It is what it is. But I think the red carpet is harder on women because of all the attention paid to how they look and what they’re wearing.
How did your first big heartbreak impact who you are as a person?
It impacted me a lot, dude, a lot. It made me a man. I was a teenager when the relationship started but by the time it was over I was in my early 20s. It opened my eyes to knowing that people change, that people can grow apart and want different things after awhile. It also let me know that there’s a pain that’s beyond
physical pain that can be far more scarring. It’s equivalent to a death when you lose someone you love. It’s amazing how having my heart broken also made me look closer at how I treat other people.
If you had to choose another profession, what would that be? NASCAR race driver.
If you could meet any historical figure, whom would you choose?
Wow! I would say Malcolm X.
What key quality do you believe all successful people share? Drive and passion.
When you look in the mirror, what do you see?
I see a young man who is trying to be seen and appreciated by the masses for his work.
If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?
To no longer be overlooked by the industry.
What’s the difference between who you are at home as opposed to the person you pretend to be on the red carpet?
Wesley Jonathan is a multi-talented actor who has a new role in The Soul Man.
What keeps me sane in this insane business is that even on the carpet I’m mostly me. I might
Coming to: “Art Is Life Itself!” The Performance Series That Embraces Art, Culture & Spirituality EVERY Thursday 7-10pm
Thu June 27: THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING US BE OURSELVES Join Us for Our final thursday for the season. Extended open mic celebration. Many special invited guests & you! We’ll be back thursday sept 5 at 7pm
Fri June 28 Special RIFF Dinner & A Movie 6:30pm Special RIFF Dinner & A Movie
[In Search Of jpg] Featuring two films: In Search of the Black Knight and The Situationship. Tickets cost $25 and are available now at: http://bit.ly/19gJMZB
Join Us on Friday June 28th for Roxbury Renaissance A Pop-Up Dance Party from 10pm to 1am at HALEY HOUSE BAKERY CAFE featuring DJ Chris Grant. Admission is $5 at door. Organized by Haley House Bakery Café and Neo.logic Beatnik Assembly in partnership with Roxbury International Film Festival. A Common Thread Dudley Square Presentation
Please, “LIKE” Our Facebook Page! www.facebook.com/AiLiRox
12 Dade Street, Roxbury, MA 02119 617-445-0900 www.haleyhouse.org/cafe
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intheMix with Colette Greenstein
with Colette
“The Story Behind Her Success” featuring Yolanda Celluci and her daugher Sondra Celli held on June 17 at the Westin Copley Place Hotel. (L-R): Miss Yolanda Celluci and Magic 106.7’s Candy O’Terry.
Zootopia …
One of Sondra Celli’s (star of TLC’s “Bling It On” and “My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding”) designs — a massive Gypsy wedding dress (Katherine Hemond photos)
Bling It On … Dubbed the “Goddess of Glitz,” Yolanda Cellucci told her inspiring story of starting her own wedding dress business at an intimate gathering at the Westin Copley Place Hotel on June 27. The event was the latest in the series of “The Story Behind Her Success” by Boston Women In Media & Entertainment. Dressed in her signature white ensemble with rhinestones, the 70-something “Queen of all that Glitters” captivated her audience with her wit, charm and joie de vivre. In between discussing her success and being interviewed by Magic 106.7’s Candy O’Terry, Cellucci peppered the audience with sayings such as “You have to make yourself beautiful” and
“Where beautiful lifestyles begin” when discussing her business. My personal favorite description was when she described how she often dresses down in just a T-shirt and pants but “of course my pants have rhinestones.” Cellucci was joined by her daughter Sondra Celli, star of TLC’s Bling It On and My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding. Celli grew up in her mother’s shops learning the fashion trade before leaving to go to Europe at the age of 16 to begin her formal education in such fashion houses as Emilio Pucci. Aside from all the fashion talk, Cellucci said her “biggest accomplishment was her family” and her daughter imparted that her definition of success “is using your success to help people.”
The new fun thing in the “gala” world is to host your event at the zoo. First up, on June 20, was the “Green Gate Gala” at the Franklin Park Tropical Rain Forest Pavilion, so named for the green gate that surrounds the Crispus Attucks Childrens Center in Dorchester. The gala honored the recently departed CEO Leslie Christian and most importantly celebrated the center’s history of caring for and educating thousands of children from Boston communities. Against the sounds of birds cawing and the peacock strutting across the grounds, the evening began with a ride on the zoo’s red train to the Tropical Rainforest Pavilion where guests were served wine and hors d’oeuvres. The evening featured entertainment by jazz and R&B vocalist Vivian Male backed by students from the Berklee College of Music. After the awards presentation, guests made their way into the Rainforest Pavilion for an international array of dining selections from Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen and snaked through the pavilion from food station to food station. Next up was “A Wild Affair”
The Green Gate Gala to benefit the Crispus Attucks Childrens Center, was held on June 20 at the Franklin Park Tropical Rainforest Pavilion in Dorchester. (L-R): Guests Pamela Laureta, Shaniqua Osgood and Monique Allen. (Colette Greenstein photos)
at the Stone Zoo in Stoneham, Mass., on June 22. The event was the ninth annual fund raiser for the zoo and it also showcased its exhibits and some of the zoo’s unforgettable animals, such as the brightly-hued Henry the Parrot and the massive bald eagle and owl who welcomed the guests at they entered the Stone Zoo. There were over 25 local restaurants, bakeries and markets that provided the food. There were also wineries that provided samples for the crowd, such as Yellow Tail. And of course, not to be outdone, Friendly’s provided cups of ice cream to keep everyone cool.
dinary artistry of the armor used by Samurai of Japan from the 12th Century to the 19th Century. There is a fabulous exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum called In Conversation: Modern African American Art, which showcases paintings, photographs and sculptures by 43 prominent African American artists on display through September 2. For more information, go to www.pem.org. If you would like me to cover or write about your event, e-mail me at inthemixwithcolette@gmail.com.
Coming Up …
On June 27, the 15th Annual Roxbury International Film Festival kicks off at the Museum of Fine Arts with a screening of Things Never Said at 7 p.m. For a schedule of screenings, tickets and pass information, visit www.roxburyinternationalfilmfestival.org. The latest exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts is Samurai! Armor from the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection, which runs through August 4. The exhibit features the extraor-
Henry the Parrot greeting guests at “A Wild Affair” at the Stone Zoo, Saturday, June 22, 2013 in Stoneham.
The Green Gate Gala to benefit the Crispus Attucks Childrens Center celebrated the center’s history of educating thousands of Boston children. (L-R): Guests Bennie Wiley and her daughter B.J. Wiley.
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Community Calendar Thursday June 27
Mattapan to Ruggles in 12 Come to an informational meeting at 6pm and find out how Solar Personal Rapid Transit (SPeRT) can make it possible to travel Faster, Safer, Greener! Hear about newer ideas, newer technology and newer ways of thinking about moving large numbers of people are possible and here! Mattapan Library, 1350 Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan. Contact: www.southshore mobility.com or the Green Neighbors Education Committee, Inc. at 617-427-6293. Free. The Cuban Experience: Art, Literature and Dance The Multicultural Arts Center cordially invites you to experience Cuba’s vibrant artistic culture through Art, Literature and Dance from 6:30-10pm. Enjoy the current visual art exhibition in the Upper Gallery showcasing four Cuban artists, listen to author Raul Villarreal talk about memories of Hemingway’s life in Cuba, follow the dancers to the Theater to experience several popular Cuban and Latin dances! Free and open to the public. www.mul ticulturalartscenter.org/events/. We are located at 41 Second St, East Cambridge, MA, one block from Green Line Lechmere station and walking distance from Red Line Kendall/MIT station.
Saturday June 29
A Critical Discussion On: Quality Public Schools VS. Quality Juvenile Facilities in Boston 12-3pm. Roxbury YMCA. Panelists: Representative: Gloria Fox, Rev. Laura Ahart, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, ACLU/Massachusetts, Department of Youth Services, Boston Parent Organizing Network, Black Educators Alliance of Massachusetts, SETC-PPEP. Our goal for this forum is to look specifically at juvenile justice and the School-to-Prison pipeline in Massachusetts. We intend to discuss the relationship between the implications of the high rate of poorly resourced schools, high rate of school suspension/expulsion especially in urban schools, and the rate of juvenile detention in the juvenile detention facilities. Other topics associated with Juvenile Justice and the School-to-Prison pipeline that will be highlighted include: zero tolerance and the criminalization of school discipline. The Center for Church and Prison is a resource and resource center working towards community revitalization through prison reform and strategic solution development and intervention in the high rate of incarceration and recidivism in the United States prison system. Visit us at: www.churchandprison.org. Southeast Massachusetts Adult Walking Club 1pm, moderate walk, some hilly terrain, 3 miles. Walk from
the Donovan School to Ponkapoag Trail and return via Madden Road. Meet at the Donovan School at 123 Reed St. in Randolph. The Southeast 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: EASY (mostly level terrain), MODERATE (hilly terrain), DIFFICULT (strenuous & steep). Walks will be led by a park ranger or a Walking Club volunteer leader. Occasionally, the Walking Club meets at other DCR sites or car pools to sites within the Blue Hills Reservation. The rangers recommend wearing hiking boots and bringing drinking water on all hikes. If weather conditions are questionable, please call 508-866-2580 ext. 165. Department of Conservation and Recreation, Blue Hills Reservation, 695 Hillside St. Milton. www. mass.gov/dcr.
Upcoming “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Communal Reading Tuesday, July 2 at 12pm, on the Boston Common behind the 54th Regiment Memorial (corner of Park & Beacon Streets), Boston. Join us for Community Change, Inc.’s 5th annual communal reading of Frederick Douglass’ speech, “What To the Slave is the Fourth of July?” This event is an alternative celebration, where all are invited to reflect on the meaning and implications of this July 5, 1852 speech for the present day, 150 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. For more information, please contact Community Change Inc. at (617) 523-0555 or visit our website at www.communitychangeinc.org. Rosalita’s Puppets Mayor Thomas M. Menino invites families for free arts and crafts and a performance by Rosalita’s Puppets on Tuesday, July 16, at McConnell Tot Lot, 30 Denny St., in Dorchester. Arts and crafts activities will be offered in the playground from 9am - 12pm and the puppet show will be held at 11am. This event is sponsored by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and Bank of America and is part of the City’s ParkARTS programs. Hoop Suite Anna Myer and Dancers, North American Family Institute/ Youth Link and the Somerville Arts Council presents a new iteration of Hoop Suite. Free Summer Performances: Performing a new rendition of Hoop Suite (HS) with performances of Hindsight Now (HN). Friday August 2, 8pm, Bromley Heath Housing Development, basketball court venue TBA, Boston, HS ONLY.
Children’s Science Festival Mayor Thomas M. Menino invites the public to free science education events in the parks. On Tuesday, August 20, from 10am - 2pm a children’s science festival will be held at Franklin Park with exhibits and experiments offered by several groups, including, The Boston Children’s Museum, Mass Horticulture, Science From Scientists, and the Franklin Park Zoo. ParkSCIENCE events are made possible in part with funding from a Green Parks — Green Kids Grant resulting from a partnership between the National Recreation and Park Association and the National Recreation Foundation.
Ongoing Concerts in the Courtyard One of Boston’s most beautiful spaces will be filled with music in a free, lunchtime concert series on Fridays in June, July, and August. The courtyard at the Central Library in Copley Square will feature music that ranges from jazz to classical and from blues to Broadway. All concerts begin at 12:30pm. The complete schedule is available at www.bpl. org/concerts. Paul Revere House This summer at the Paul Revere House 19 North Square in Boston, you will meet Revolutionary characters in June, hear colonial tunes in July, and learn 18th c. crafts in August. Most events are free with museum admission: adults $3.50, seniors and college students $3.00, children 5-17 $1. Members and North End residents admitted free at all times. In summer, the Revere House is open daily, 9:30-5:15. Variety Fridays Perkins Community Center, 155 Talbot Ave. Dorchester. Ongoing — Every Friday, 5-8:30pm. All ages are welcomed. Free. Variety Fridays is a weekly family fun night. Activities include movie night, karaoke night, carnival night and much more. Tuesday Noon Hour Recital King’s Chapel announces the Tuesday Noon Hour Recital programs for July 2013. Historic King’s Chapel is located in downtown Boston at the corner of School and Tremont Streets. Hailed by residents and visitors alike as a treasure in the midst of a bustling city, this year-long series features a wide range of programming from classical to jazz and more! Admission to the Noon Hour Recitals is by suggested donation of $3 per person; the donations are given to the performing musicians. Programs begin at 12:15pm and last approximately 35 minutes; for more information, please call 617-227-2155. Families Creating Together Families creating Together is an ongoing free class for children ages 5 and up. Come create art with your children every Tuesday
from 3-4pm at the Family Resource Center at 1542 Columbus Ave., Jamaica Plain/Roxbury. Please call 617-522-1018 if you have any questions. Wheelchair accessible. Free Fitness Classes Each free class is 30 minutes and meets in the gym; anyone over the age of 16 welcome. Every Wednesday, 12:30-1pm or 1-1:30pm. Dorchester House Gym, 1353 Dorchester Ave.
Beijing Journal: A photo Essay on Life in Contemporary Beijing and the Vanishing of the Hutong Neighborhoods The Multicultural Arts Center presents Beijing Journal: A photo Essay on Life in Contemporary Beijing and the Vanishing of the Hutong Neighborhoods — a new exhibition in the Lower Gallery by photographer Joseph Levendusky that explores the cultural paradigm of the old and the new Beijing capturing the traditional streetscapes of ancient Beijing and its inhabitants as time gradually runs out on their way of life. On view now until July 12, the exhibition consists of 49 black and white photographs (traditional selenium toned silver gelatin prints) and is accompanied by a Journal written by the photographer. Gallery website: www.multiculturalartscenter. org/galleries/. FREE and open to the public. Regular Gallery hours: Monday-Friday, 10:30am - 6pm. CHÉVERE! Exploring Afro-Cuban Culture Multicultural Arts Center, in collaboration with Latin Art Space, presents Chévere! — a new exhibition featuring four New York-based Cuban visual artists: Clara Morera, Cepp Selgas, Bernardo Navarro, and Jorge Valdés. Heavily influenced by their Cuban heritage and upbringing, the featured artists explore African icons, folklore and religious syncretization through a variety of media including acrylic on canvas and paper, assemblages of found objects, mosaics and mix media artworks. Curated by Astrid Martinez-Jones of Latin Art Space, the exhibition Chévere! (a word of Yoruba origin meaning cool or great) will be on view until July 15, 2013. Multicultural Arts Center, Upper Gallery, 41 2nd St., Cambridge. Artist Reception: May 16, 6-8pm. FREE and open to the public. Regular Gallery hours: Monday-Friday, 10:30am-6pm. Love, Loss, and What I Wore Proving that great entertainment never goes out of style, Hub
Theatre Company of Boston, Inc., will continue its debut season with the Boston premier production of Love, Loss, and What I Wore by award-winning screenwriters and authors Nora & Delia Ephron (based on the book by Ilene Beckerman).Like a long heart-to-heart with your best friend, this intimate and engaging collection of stories meanders from musings over wedding-day attire to a rant about loathing the need to carry a purse and everything in between. With odes to first bras, cowboy boots, and outfits that made our mothers cringe, Love, Loss and What I Wore evokes funny memories and poignant stories about tyrannical dressing rooms, painful heels, comfy Birkenstocks and having to choose between the two! Love, Loss, and What I Wore opens Friday, July 19 and runs through Saturday, August 3 at The First Church in Boston located at 66 Marlborough St., Boston. Readily accessible by public transportation. In order to cultivate a diverse audience spanning all ages and backgrounds, all tickets are Pay-What-You-Can and may be purchased via www. hubtheatreboston.ticketleap.com. Summer Scene at Roxbury’s Marcella Park July 1-August 30. Hawthorne Community Center invites 5-21 year olds and adults to Roxbury’s Marcella Park for free evening programs. The lineup includes: Mondays: Tennis (6-12 year olds from 5-6 pm; 13-18 year olds from 6-7pm; adults from 7-8pm). Tuesdays and Thursdays: 5:306:30-Jazzy Dance for 6-18 year olds; 6:30-8:00-Soccer/Rox for 5-18 year olds; Wednesdays: 5:306:30-Double Dutch for 5-18 year olds; 6:45-7:45-Junior Basketball Fridays: 5:30-6:30-Double Dutch; 6:45-7:45 Teen Basketball for 13-16 year olds. And Hawthorne hosts the ReadBoston Storymobile from 1:15-2pm on Wednesdays (July 10-August 14), a special activity for 3-10 year olds and their caregivers. Roxbury’s Marcella Park (corner of Highland and Marcella Street in Roxbury). Contact: Samantha: hyccroxbury@hotmail. com; 617-427-0613. South Shore Chess Club 100% free and open to everyone, the SSCC meets M o n days 7-10pm at the Hough’s Neck Community Center, 1193 Sea St. Quincy. Play chess, learn chess, and make new friends. www. southshorechess. com, 857-888-1531, or southshore chess@gmail.com for more info.
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Fifteen Years of Celebrating Indie Filmmakers of Color
Behind the scenes film stills from Things Never Said (L-R): Actress Shanola Hampton (‘Kal’) and director Charles Murray. (Photo Courtesy of director Charles Murray) Colette Greenstein The Roxbury International Film Festival (RIFF) celebrates its 15th anniversary over four d a y s ( b e g i n n i n g T h u r s d a y, June 27), with an array of features, documentaries, shorts and youth-produced works.
The annual fest is produced by The Color of Film Collaborative and is New England’s largest film festival showcasing the work of emerging and established filmmakers of color. The festival has gone through many transitions since it first began, but it has been able to
grow from a local festival to one that is known not only across the country but around the world. “It’s an important outlet for filmmakers to share their vision and voice with a larger audience,” says RIFF Director Lisa Simmons, “ and it’s important for it to continue, to give not only
filmmakers but audience members the opportunity to see rich, diverse stories that are not only impactful and purposeful but also representational of their lives or lives of people they know.” Los Angeles-based director Charles Murray (F/X’s Sons of Anarchy) opens the festival with his quiet and powerful film Things Never Said which tackles the issue of domestic violence and self-empowerment. The film stars Shanola Hampton from Showtime’s Shameless as “Kal,” an emerging spoken-word poetess from California who dreams of taking her poems to the infamous Nuyorican stage in New York. But Kal is haunted by a miscarriage and is married to ‘Ronnie’ (played by Milton native Elimu Nelson), who’s angry and without direction and tends to use his fists as a form of speech. The film also co-stars Omari Hardwick from Middle of Nowhere and Michael Beach as brothers who become entangled in the lives of “Ronnie” and “Kal.” Both Nelson and Beach will attend opening night and RIFF will present Beach with the Independent Spirit Award. Among the numerous documentaries two stand out. The first is Sandra Jaffe’s Our Mockingbird, which uses the classic novel To Kill A Mockingbird as a lens to look at the issues of race, class, gender and justice in today’s environment. (Our Mockingbird screens this Friday, June 28 at the Museum of Fine Arts). The second doc is When I Walk, screening on Saturday,
SUMMER JAZZ CONCERT Featuring
Makanda Project THE
with VOICES
Saturday, July 6 1:00 – 4:00 pm Roxbury Heritage Park 183 Roxbury Street (John Eliot Square) Presented By Roxbury Action Program 617-652-7564
Voices: Diane Richardson, Rebecca Shrimpton Patrice Williamson Saxophones: Kurtis Rivers, Arni cheatham, Lance Bryant, Sean Berry, Charlie Kohlhase
Roxbury native Michael Beach co-stars in RIFF’s Opening Night film Things Never Said. (Photo Courtesy of Things Never Said) June 29 at 12:30 p.m., also at the MFA. Filmmaker and artist Jason DaSilva was diagnosed with the degenerative disease, multiple sclerosis, at the age of 25 years old. Without knowing where it would lead, Jason began filming what would be the slow, difficult decline of his body. When I Walk is a first-person account of the nearly overwhelming loss of everything a vital young man thinks he will be. It’s not all serious films and documentaries at the festival. If you’re looking for some laughter, there are several humorous films such as the short Filmmaking co-produced by Aidan Payne and Daniel Brito. And then there’s Nostalgia directed by Johnnie Hobbs. It stars Dulé Hill from USA’s Pscyh. The tap dance short is about an aging entertainer that can’t let go of his successful past and how it affects his present day life and his relationship with his son. And don’t miss the funny short called Situationship screening before In Search of the Black Knight, by music video and film director Tamarat Makonnen. Both highlight the search for relationships with a black sensibility in a tongue-in-cheek manner. Both are scheduled to be screened at the Haley House Bakery Café in Roxbury as part of the “Dinner & A Movie” program on Friday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m. The festival closes with the program “A Conversation with Tonya Lewis Lee” on Sunday, June 30 at the Museum of Fine Arts. Tonya Lewis Lee, wife of Spike Lee, and an accomplished lawyer and children’s author in her own right, will show an exclusive sneak peak from her new film The Watsons Go To Birmingham. The women and children’s advocate will discuss her role as producer, children’s author and more in an intimate setting. For schedule and ticket information on The 15th Annual Roxbury International Film Festival, please visit www.roxburyinternationalfilmfestival.org. The festival runs from June 27 to June 30, 2013.
Trumpets: Jerry Sabatini, Josh Evans Trombones: Bill Lowe, Robert Stringer, Sarah Politz Piano: John Kordalewski Bass: John Lockwood Drums: Yoron Israel Also performing: Citywide String Orchestra and Books of Hope Poets
Free To The Public Supported By The Family Strengthening Small Grants Fund Of The Riley Foundation, City Of Boston R.O.C.K.S. Program, And The Boston Cultural Council, A Local Agency Supported By The Massachusetts Cultural Council
Tonya Lewis Lee, children’s author, lawyer and producer of the film the Watsons Go To Birmingham. (Photo Courtesy of Tonya Lewis Lee)
Thursday, June 27, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER • 17
Annual 617 Day celebration showcases local entertainers Kassmain Williams The third annual 617 Day celebration last week mixed festivity and communication. While David McDermott, known as DJ Reel Drama, played music from local artists, some hit the stage to jump in when their tracks were played, and others performed to showcase their talent. Entrepreneurs ranging from film directors to music producers to cake makers exchanged business cards to commence a day dedicated to celebrating the city. On occasion, a member from the crowd was introduced over the microphone to encourage interaction. Occurring on June 17 each year, 617 Day started in 2006 when the Mass Industry Committee—an unofficial committee providing resources related to the city’s entertainment scene and
event planning—held the MIC Hip Hop Awards. The following year, on July 18 MIC held another award show and in 2011 the group decided to make a tradition of 617 Day and asked city hall to recognize June 17 as 617 Day. City Hall accepted and on June 17, 2011 the tradition kicked off with a formal dinner and recognition of members of the city’s entertainment scene. “The reason we put this together is because we wanted to have some recognition of our entertainment scene from film to music to everything,” said MIC member Dana “Daneja” Bradley. As the day of the week changes, so does the nature of the event. In 2012, MIC made up of five Boston area residents: Irvin Alcindor, Peter “Professor Lyrical” Plourde, Hector Solano, Yuri
Quinnie and Bradley, hosted a fashion show to celebrate the day. While some people had a case of the Mondays and some skipped out on the event because of the downpours that plagued the city earlier that night, others went to church for a laidback night of networking where certificates of appreciation were handed to more than a dozen members in the local entertainment scene. One of the recipients was CEO and founder of TCGT Entertainment, Nerissa Williams. Williams called 617 Day a “a true representation of underground entrepreneurship in Boston.” “It’s a really awesome way of meeting people who are not necessarily showcasing any type of limelight but who are underground in such a variety of ways,” Williams said. For Williams, the event forced
her to be in a place not only to make connections, but also to celebrate her accomplishments and others’ with the entertainment scene in the city. “For so many of us artists where we have no outlet, we have no way of networking because we’re always so enmeshed in the business and doing thing that we don’t take a night out to pretty much celebrate ourselves and what we do collectively in the
community in the arts,” Williams said. “I think that this night is something that, I myself am a film director and producer, and this takes me out of that role and allows me to kind of have a night out and meet like-minded individuals, network and build business with someone.” Williams said she took as many as 10 business cards home from this year’s event.
Dana “Daneja” Bradley handed out certificates of appreciation to more than a dozen members of the entertainment scene in Boston during the 617 Day celebration.
Daniel “DL” Laurent takes the stage at last Monday’s 617 Day celebration, which featured many local artists. (Photos courtesy of 617 Live)
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18 • Thursday, June 27, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER
ARCK fund raiser features art from Gardner students Kassmin Williams Mosaics created by fifth and sixth grade students at the Gardner Pilot Academy (GPA) lined one wall in the main entrance of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) and the student’s Arabic calligraphy work lined the opposite wall. The students’ works were sold and other art pieces were auctioned to raise funds to support Art Resources Collaborative for Kids (ARCK). The ARCK on Deck benefit — the organization’s second art show — at the SMFA last Thurs-
day attracted about 100 people including Gardner parents and staff, Josiah Quincy school parents and teachers, SMFA alumni, Boston Public School staff and Gardner sixth grader Bergaline Hilaire. The first art show was held last April before ARCK’s official founding, but is considered an ARCK event by founder Sara Mraish-Demeter and pushed her to establish the nonprofit that has a lofty goal — to provide art education to all Boston Public School students. GPA parents and staff who attended the event were surprised
to see an entire exhibit dedicated to Gardner students. “I was amazed when I saw all of the displays of the work from the fifth and sixth graders,” Gardner parent and event volunteer Jennyfer Alvarez said. “It’s amazing what they can do.” Lauren Fogarty, Gardner’s director of extended services, said she didn’t know what to expect from ARCK when the school began its partnership with the organization. “They came in and did such a great job with our kids and they took it to such a professional level with this event,” Fogarty said. During the event, Myran Parker-Brass, BPS executive director for the arts, spoke on the importance of art education in the learning process. “The art allows our students to gain those what we now call 21st century skills,” Parker-Brass said. “…To be creative and critical thinkers, to be collaborators, to take risks and to be persistent. Whether they decided to become artists or not those skills will help them as they become lawyers, they become doctors or they become engineers.” Bergaline Hilaire, 12, followed Parker-Brass and ex-
Bergeline Halaire, a sixth grader at Gardner, writes down what art means to her on a chalk board displayed at ARCK’s benefit at the SMFA last Thursday. Halaire’s work was featured in the art show. (Ashley Wood photos) plained art has made her transition from Florida to Boston smoother and has taught her to stay true to who she is. “I’ve been through ups and downs, but I still am who I am today,” Hilaire said. Seeing her work on the SMFA wall and receiving feedback from attendees made Hilaire feel accomplished. “I always support everybody and I feel happy and accomplished for everybody supporting me,” she said.
Hilaire’s mother, Jeovanne Brumaire echoed her enthusiasm. “It makes me very proud of her, I can’t be more happy than that,” Brumaire said. Teaching artist Christos Hamawi worked with the students on the Mosaic pieces, and said seeing the final product on the wall serves as motivation to continue teaching art and reaching out to other schools. “I can see the creativity that invigorates in them,” Hamawi said. “It’s a different medium and I’m a painter myself. Painting and drawing is important, but I think it’s important for us to also introduce some of the more classic and ancient art forms like this and it also adds an element of history.” Students worked on the mosaics for three sessions with Hamawi, who said the project taught students “craftsmanship, determination and perseverance.” For ARCK, the event defined the heart of the organization. “It was so amazing to see such a vibrant, enthusiastic crowd at ARCK on Deck at SMFA,” said ARCK program coordinator Ashley Wood. “As an SMFA a l u m ni , I a m c o nt i nu o u s l y thrilled by the support and involvement of the SMFA community. That is what ARCK is about — community.” Students’ work that wasn’t sold during the event will remain on display and for sale until July 8.
The SMFA featured Arabic calligraphy drawings from fifth and sixth graders at the Gardner Pilot Academy for the ARCK on Deck benefit last Thursday.
If interested in purchasing a piece contact ARCK, arckboston@gmail.com.
Gardner students worked on the mosaic pieces featured in the ARCK on Deck benefit at the SMFA last Thursday for about three art cycles. The event attracted about 100 people.
Thursday, June 27, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER • 19
At the center of the Charles Street AME Church bankruptcy hearing is the uncompleted Renaissance Building. (Banner file photo)
Rev. Gregory S. Groover Sr. testified this week that he used $850,00 in restricted grant money to pay day-to-day expenses at the Charles Street AME Church. (Banner file photo)
Misuse continued from page 1
Groover testified on Monday that he wrote a letter to the Lilly Foundation earlier this year to explain “his mistakes” in the use of their grant money. Groover said Lilly officials were “disappointed” and that he had “violated the spirit” of the grants. But Groover testified that a high-ranking Lilly official told him that they had “every confidence” that he would repay the money in full. The relationship between OneUnited and Charles Street started on Oct. 3, 2006, when Groover agreed to borrow $3.6 million to build a 22,000-squaref oot c o m m u n it y c enter o n
church-owned land near Grove Hall, featuring a grand ballroom, multi-purpose meeting space, conference rooms, prayer and meditation space and sound proof musical practice rooms. The OneUnited construction loan became due on June 1, 2008, and despite a total of five extensions, the church was unable to satisfy its debt by Sept. 1, 2009. A year later, on Aug. 17, 2010, OneUnited then sued in Suffolk Superior Court for breach of contract. Also named in the suit was Charles Street AME’s co-signer, the First Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, based in Philadelphia. At the time, the First District, based in Philadelphia, claimed it had $65 million in cash and nearly $500
million in assets, and had pledged its assets as collateral for the loan. Charles Street had also borrowed another $1.1 million, separate from the $3.6 million construction loan. That loan is also in default. To forestall the pending foreclosure of its property by OneUnited Bank, Charles Street filed for bankruptcy in March 2012 in a move to keep the church operating as it has for nearly the last two centuries. In addition to its debts to OneUnited, Charles Street owes about $630,000 to Thomas Construction Co., the Dorchester firm hired to build its proposed community center; another $450,000 is owed to Tremont Credit Union for a loan to repair the church’s roof. Groover now says the church
is “upgrading its financial management” by creating a new “atmosphere of transparency,” keeping better financial records and ending the church’s policy of cash withdrawals from church bank accounts. Groover also testified that the he has cut expenses at the church and pointed out that he had not received a raise in his salary of $70,000 since 1998. In documents filed last year, OneUnited bank rejected a repayment plan offered by Charles Street to repay its outstanding loans — a payment plan of $27,000 a month over the next 30 years. Based on financial statements submitted by Charles Street, OneUnited attorneys remain unconvinced that the church would make such payments. Charles Street even asserted as much. “Our operations,” Charles Street financial documents state, “are dependent on individual donations for substantially all of our revenues, and there is no guarantee that donations made from
such sources will remain at levels comparable to present levels or that they will be sufficient to cover all operating and fixed costs.” In fact, the church argued, “increased unemployment or other adverse economic conditions in our community might decrease our congregation’s ability to contribute to the church.” According to the proposed Charles Street plan, none of the smaller creditors — the 28 companies owed amounts ranging from $370.18 to $17,790.88 for a total of about $115,000 — would receive any money. But the plan would pay Thomas Construction. That money, targeted to repay an outstanding $250,000 to the construction company and “complete” the project, would come from what Charles Street described as “generous assistance” from the First District — a $1.5 million “donation.” In court documents, OneUnited lawyers described the Charles Street plan as “disgraceful” and called its financial management “a failure.”
20 • Thursday, June 27, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER
School
continued from page 1
subject of a federal investigation into a multi-state credit fraud ring. The move triggered an outpouring of support for Jackson among students. “Since Jackson’s departure,” a letter signed by several parents stated, “there has been a total disregard of parental and student input into the direction and vision for the school … This is totally unacceptable.”
As it is now, the school’s day-today operations are being managed in part by Emily Lebo, the director of career and technical education and a member of the state Vocational Technical Education Advisory Council. Without mentioning Lebo’s name, several parents and members of the Friends of Madison Park, a community group, directed their criticisms at the school’s current “leadership.” In a meeting last month with Johnson, a statement was handed out that detailed “the very serious problems” at the school.
According to the statement, “Individuals who have been self-appointed to run Madison Park do not identify with our children and have not made decisions in their best interests.” In addition, the statement said, “Their philosophy of education does not reflect the children that they are serving.” But in subsequent letters, the group named Lebo and listed several charges of unprofessionalism. “Her managerial approach has created a hostile work environment due to her
heavy-handed tactics and her lack of professionalism and management skills as well as her unapproachable demeanor,” a letter started. “Her biased and reckless decisions have caused undue damage.” Also part of current leadership at Madison Park is Roger Bourgeois, the newly hired head of vocational education for Boston Public Schools. According to students, faculty and administrators, Bourgeois has little interaction with anyone at the school where he has an office. After attending a recent meeting with community members about improving Madison, he supposedly told a co-
barrels to collect the torrent.” And it was that column that prompted Superintendent Johnson to write a response to the Globe. “This week the Globe told the story of those who are asking us to do even more to transform Madison Park into a place of excellence — and we would certainly agree with these voices,” Johnson wrote. But the Friends of Madison Park have said after repeated meetings with Johnson, the situation — at least when it comes to the present leadership — remains the same. A new headmaster is expected to be hired by the end of this month, but some worry that
“Individuals who have been self-appointed to run Madison Park do not identify with our children and have not made decisions in their best interests.” — Friends of Madison Park
On June 21, The Oliver H. Perry K-8 School, in South Boston, held its “Professional Day” for 8th graders before their graduation ceremony. L: standing School Coordinator Bill Moran, R: standing Perry School Principal Ed Lee. (Tony Irving photo)
LEGALS
LEGALS
Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department SUFFOLK Division
Docket No. SU12D2555DR
Divorce Summons by Publication and Mailing Kevin King
vs.
Alisha King
To the Defendant: The Plaintiff has filed a Complaint for Divorce requesting that the Court grant a divorce for irretrievable breakdown of the marriage pursuant to 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: Kevin King, 15 Nightingale St, #2, Dorchester, MA 02124 your answer, if any, on or before 08/08/2013. 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.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department Docket No. SU09P2077EA Citation on Petition for Removal Estate of Lorenzo Pitts Date of Death: 09/03/2009 To all interested persons: A petition has been filed by Lorenzo Pitts, Jr. of Hyde Park, MA requesting that Terry K. Mond of Needham, MA and Willetta Pitts of Hyde Park, MA be removed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate. You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court. You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before 10:00 a.m. on 07/11/2013. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an Affidavit of Objections within thirty (30) days of the return date, action may be taken without further notice to you. WITNESS, HON. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: June 06, 2013 Patricia M. Campatelli Register of Probate Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department SUFFOLK Division
Docket No. SU13D1177DR
Divorce Summons by Publication and Mailing Shakiethia Thomas
vs.
Zacory Thomas
To the Defendant: The Plaintiff has filed a Complaint for Divorce requesting that the Court
the new hire will be unable to move the school forward unless current leadership is removed. “Yes, we have spoken to and met with the superintendent, to no avail,” wrote the Friends of Madison Park in their letter to Menino. “This is why we are requesting to meet with you without further delay. We cannot and will not allow our children to continue to languish and suffer for lack of opportunity and education.”
LEGALS
grant a divorce for irretrievable breakdown of the marriage pursuant to G.L. c. 208, Section 1 B.
appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.
The Complaint is on file at the Court.
Basis of venue designated: Plaintiff’s resident address is in Oneida County, New York
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: Shakiethia Thomas, 20B McGreevey Way, Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120 your answer, if any, on or before 08/15/2013. 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.
DAVID G. GOLDBAS, ESQ. Attorney for Plaintiff 185 Genesee St., Ste. 905 Utica, NY 13501 Tel.: 315-724-2248 NOTICE: The nature of this action is to dissolve the marriage between the parties pursuant to the Domestic Relations Law, Section 170(2).
Witness, Hon. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: June 7, 2013 Patricia M. Campatelli Register of Probate
The RELIEF sought is JUDGMENT OF ABSOLUTE DIVORCE in favor of the Plaintiff dissolving the marriage between the parties in this action. The nature of any ancillary relief demanded is EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF THE MARITAL ASSETS pursuant to Sec. 236 of the Domestic Relations Law and for such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and necessary.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department
NOTICE: YOU MAY HAVE CERTAIN RIGHTS UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK TO AN EQUITABLE DIVISION OF CERTAIN PROPERTY HELD INDIVIDUALLY AND JOINTLY BY YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE; TO RECEIVE SUPPORT FOR THE CHILDREN OF THIS MARRIAGE, IF ANY. THESE RIGHTS MAY BE AVAILABLE TO YOU, NOTWITHSTANDING THE FACT THAT A SEPARATION AGREEMENT MAY HAVE BEEN ENTERED INTO BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE. YOUR FAILURE TO ANSWER THIS COMPLAINT AND TO APPEAR IN THIS ACTION MAY THEREFORE RESULT IN A JUDGMENT OF DIVORCE BEING OBTAINED AGAINST YOU AND ADDITIONALLY, A WAIVER OF THESE RIGHTS.
SUFFOLK Division
Witness, Hon. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: May 30, 2013 Patricia M. Campatelli Register of Probate
SUFFOLK Division
worker that the meeting was “just a bunch of people whining, moaning and complaining about the conditions of the building.” It was the conditions of the building that prompted Globe columnist Yvonne Abraham to focus on what she described as a “huge hole” in English teacher Dana Murray’s classroom. “When it rains,” Abraham wrote, “Water pours into the room, students move their desks and place trash
Docket No. SU13D0971DR Suffolk Probate and Family Court 24 New Chardon Street Boston, MA 02114
Divorce Summons by Publication and Mailing Phillip David Brooks
vs.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department
Karlai Holden Brooks
To the Defendant: The Plaintiff has filed a Complaint for Divorce requesting that the Court grant a divorce for irretrievable breakdown of the marriage pursuant to G.L. c. 208, Section 1 B.
SUFFOLK Division
The Complaint is on file at the Court.
NOTICE AND ORDER: Petition for Appointment of Guardian of a Minor
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: Denzil D McKenzie Esq., McKenzie & Associates, P.C., 183 State Street, Suite 6, Boston, MA 02109 your answer, if any, on or before 08/15/2013. 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.
Docket No. SU13P1123GD
In the interests of Cameron Gabriel Williams of Boston, MA Minor
1.
2.
Witness, Hon. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: June 7, 2013 Patricia M. Campatelli Register of Probate
NOTICE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES Hearing Date/Time: A hearing on a Petition for Appointment of Guardian of a Minor filed on 05/17/2013 by Gail L. Williams of Roxbury, MA will be held 08/16/2013 09:00 AM Guardianship of Minor Hearing Located at 24 New Chardon Street, 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02114 - Family Service Office. Response to Petition: You may respond by filing a written response to the Petition or by appearing in person at the hearing. If you choose to file a written response, you need to: File the original with the Court; and Mail a copy to all interested parties at least five (5) business days before the hearing.
NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NEW YORK, SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF ONEIDA
3.
Counsel for the Minor: The minor (or an adult on behalf of the minor) has the right to request that counsel be appointed for the minor.
LOAN T. NGUYEN, Plaintiff, v. HEIN V. TRAN, Defendant.
4.
Presence of the Minor at Hearing: A minor over age 14 has the right to be present at any hearing, unless the Court finds that it is not in the minor’s best interests.
SUMMONS - ACTION FOR DIVORCE To the above named Defendant: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the Plaintiffs’ Attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York.) In case of your failure to
THIS IS A LEGAL NOTICE: An important court proceeding that may affect your rights has been scheduled. If you do not understand this notice or other court papers, please contact an attorney for legal advice. Date: May 20, 2013
Patricia M. Campatelli Register of Probate
Thursday, June 27, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER • 21
LEGALS
LEGALS
Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department SUFFOLK Division
Docket No. SU13P1334PM
In the matter of: Yayelah Kisakye Wontan Respondent (Person to be Protected/Minor) Of: Mattapan, MA CITATION GIVING NOTICE OF PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF CONSERVATOR OR OTHER PROTECTIVE ORDER PURSUANT TO G.L c. 190B, §5-304 & §5-405 To the named Respondent and all other interested persons, a petition has been filed by Karen R. Wontan of Mattapan, MA in the above captioned matter alleging that Yayelah K. Wontan is in need of a Conservator or other protective order and requesting that Karen R. Wontan of Mattapan, MA (or some other suitable person) be appointed as Conservator to serve Without Surety on the bond. The petition asks the court to determine that the Respondent is disabled, that a protective order or appointment of a Conservator is necessary, and that the proposed conservator is appropriate. The petition is on file with this court. You have the right to object to this proceeding. If you wish to do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance at this court on or before 10:00 A.M. on the return date of 08/22/2013. This day is not a hearing date, but a deadline date by which you have to file the written appearance if you object to the petition. If you fail to file the written appearance by the return date, action may be taken in this matter without further notice to you. In addition to filing the written appearance, you or your attorney must file a written affidavit stating the specific facts and grounds of your objection within 30 days after the return date. IMPORTANT NOTICE The outcome of this proceeding may limit or completely take away the above-named person’s right to make decisions about personal affairs or financial affairs or both. The above-named person has the right to ask for a lawyer. Anyone may make this request on behalf of the above-named person. If the above-named person cannot afford a lawyer, one may be appointed at State expense. Witness, Hon. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: June 13, 2013 Patricia M. Campatelli Register of Probate Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department SUFFOLK Division
Docket No. SU13P0989GD In the interests of Daija Mignon Webb of Mattapan, MA Minor
NOTICE AND ORDER: Petition for Appointment of Guardian of a Minor 1.
NOTICE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES Hearing Date/Time: A hearing on a Petition for Appointment of Guardian of a Minor filed on 05/02/2013 by Yolonda N. Williams of Mattapan, MA will be held 09/05/2013 09:00 AM Review Hearing Located at 24 New Chardon Street, 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02114 Family Service Office.
2.
Response to Petition: You may respond by filing a written response to the Petition or by appearing in person at the hearing. If you choose to file a written response, you need to:
File the original with the Court; and Mail a copy to all interested parties at least five (5) business days before the hearing.
3.
Counsel for the Minor: The minor (or an adult on behalf of the minor) has the right to request that counsel be appointed for the minor.
4.
Presence of the Minor at Hearing: A minor over age 14 has the right to be present at any hearing, unless the Court finds that it is not in the minor’s best interests.
THIS IS A LEGAL NOTICE: An important court proceeding that may affect your rights has been scheduled. If you do not understand this notice or other court papers, please contact an attorney for legal advice. Patricia M. Campatelli Register of Probate
Date: June 13, 2013 Legal Notice
The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is circulating for public review and comment two important transportation planning documents: 1) a revised draft Federal Fiscal Years (FFYs) 2014–17 Transportation Improvement Program and Air Quality Conformity Determination (TIP), and 2) a proposed Amendment Two to the MPO’s Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), Paths to a Sustainable Region. The proposed Amendment Two to the LRTP moves a set of state-funded highway improvements known as the Canton Interchange Project into LRTP time frames covered by the FFYs 2014–17 TIP. Updates to other projects are also incorporated in the amendment. The LRTP has a 20-year horizon and identifies the regionally-significant projects to be constructed within the scope of the document. The revised draft FFYs 2014–17 TIP has been revised to include the Canton Interchange Project and updates related to other projects. The TIP lists the highway and transit projects that will receive federal funding within the scope of the document. The 30-day public comment period for the draft TIP and proposed LRTP amendment will begin on Monday, June 24, 2013, and will end at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, July 23. The MPO is planning to take action on these two documents at its meeting scheduled for July 25, 2013. The meeting will begin at 10:00 AM in conference rooms 2 and 3 of the State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, in Boston. Members of the public are invited to attend. Comments on the two draft documents will be accepted in writing at the address below before the close of the public comment period, and in writing or orally at the meeting. For details, including information on the meeting and copies of the draft documents, refer to the MPO’s website, www.bostonmpo.org, beginning June 24. Also on its website are the MPO’s nondiscrimination statement and related information. Copies of the documents may also be obtained by contacting MPO staff: by mail at 10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150, Boston, MA 02116-3968; by voice at (617) 973-7100; by TTY at (617) 973-7089; by fax at (617) 973-8855; or by email at publicinformation@ctps.org. Copies are free of charge and, upon request, will be made available in CD, print, and accessible formats. The MBTA, which is the FTA Section 5307(c) applicant, has consulted with the MPO and concurs that the public involvement process adopted by the MPO
for the development of the TIP satisfies the public hearing requirements that pertain to the development of the Program of Projects for regular Section 5307, Urbanized Area Formula Program, grant applications, including the provision for public notice and the time established for public review and comment. MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Sealed General Bids for MPA Contract No. LP1401-C1, PROCESS WATER TREATMENT TERM CONTRACT, LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, 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 021282909, until 11:00 A.M. local time on WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013 immediately after which, in a designated room, the bids will be opened and read publicly. PREBID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT FACILITIES I (CENTRAL NOTE: HEATING PLANT), LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT 9:00 AM LOCAL TIME ON MONDAY, JULY 8, 2013. BIDDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE PRE-BID CONFERENCE TO DEVELOP A FULL APPRECIATION FOR THE NATURE OF THE WORK AND THE EQUIPMENT TO BE MAINTAINED. The work includes A COMPREHENSIVE AND CONTINUOUS WATER TREATMENT PROGRAM TO PRODUCE AND MAINTAIN A PROTECTIVE CHEMICAL CONDITION FOR ALL VESSELS, EQUIPMENT AND PIPING IN ALL SYSTEMS WHERE SPECIFIED AT LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, EAST BOSTON, MA.THE DURATION OF THIS CONTRACT SHALL BE FOR A THIRTYSIX (36) MONTH PERIOD BEGINNING AT THE NOTICE TO PROCEED. Bid documents will be made available beginning THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013. 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 ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($180,000). Bidding procedures and award of the contract and subcontracts shall be in accordance with the provisions of Sections 44A through 44J inclusive, Chapter 149 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 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 subbids are required, each must be accompanied by a deposit equal to five (5) percent of the subbid 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.
LEGALS 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. In order to be eligible and responsible to bid on this contract General Bidders must submit with their bid a current Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance and an Update Statement. The General Bidder must be certified in the category of HVAC. The estimated contract cost is THREE HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($360,000). Bidding procedures and award of the contract and subcontracts shall be in accordance with the provisions of Sections 44A through 44J inclusive, Chapter 149 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 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 subbids are required, each must be accompanied by a deposit equal to five (5) percent of the subbid 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 TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000). 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. No filed subbids will be required for this contract. This Contract is also subject to Affirmative Action requirements of the Massachusetts Port Authority contained in the NonDiscrimination and Affirmative Action article of Division I, 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). The General Contractor is required to submit a Certification of NonSegregated 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. MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY THOMAS P. GLYNN CEO & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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 ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($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. No filed subbids will be required for this contract. This Contract is also subject to Affirmative Action requirements of the Massachusetts Port Authority contained in the NonDiscrimination and Affirmative Action article of Division I, 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). The General Contractor is required to submit a Certification of NonSegregated Facilities prior to award of the Contract, and to notify prospective subcontractors of the requirement for such certification where the subcontract exceeds $10,000.
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
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 MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Sealed General Bids for MPA Contract No. LP1403-C1, REFRIGERATION SYSTEM MAINTENANCE TERM CONTRACT, LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, 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, JULY 17, 2013 immediately after which, in a designated room, the bids will be opened and read publicly. NOTE: PREBID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT FACILITIES I (CENTRAL HEATING PLANT), LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT 10:00 AM LOCAL TIME ON MONDAY, JULY 8, 2013. BIDDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE PREBID CONFERENCE TO DEVELOP A FULL APPRECIATION FOR THE NATURE OF THE WORK AND THE EQUIPMENT TO BE MAINTAINED. The work includes PREVENTIVE AND EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE OF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS AND MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT AT LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, EAST BOSTON, MA. THE DURATION OF THIS CONTRACT SHALL BE FOR A THIRTY-SIX (36) MONTH PERIOD BEGINNING AT THE NOTICE TO PROCEED. Bid documents will be made available beginning THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013. Bid Documents in electronic format may be obtained free of charge at the
617-283-2081 AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY
203 Trout Brook Road Wayland, MA $173,200 To be sold by lottery to eligible buyers. 203 Trout Brook Road is the resale of an affordable housing unit constructed in 2009. This is a 2 bedroom townhouse condominium unit consisting of 1,069 square feet with 1.5 bathrooms. Amenities include granite counter tops, hardwood floors, solar panels and energy saving construction, ceramic tile floors, and storage. Deed restrictions apply ensure affordability. Maximum Annual Income: 1 Person
2 Persons
3 Persons
4 Persons
$47,150
$53,900
$60,650
$67,350
Other Restrictions Apply. Applications are available at the Wayland Housing Authority Office, 106 Main Street, Wayland, MA and on the web at www.wayland.ma.us. For More Information Contact Katherine Provost at Wayland Housing Authority, Phone: 508-655-6310, ext. 14 or kprovost@waylandhousing.com Informational Meeting: 7:00 PM on July 18, 2013, Wayland Town Building Application submission deadline is 4:00 PM on July 22, 2013.
22 • Thursday, June 27, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER
advertise your classifieds (617) 261-4600 x 7799
ads@bannerpub.com
Find rate information at www.baystatebanner.com/advertise
6 Three-bedroom Homes to 1st-time Buyers in Dighton, MA
will be sold by lottery as single family houses. Affordably priced at $175,000. There will be a viewing followed by an Information Session on July 31 from 5:30 to 8:00 PM. Contact Lottery Administrator, John, at South Shore Housing at (781) 422-4258 or email jhixson@southshorehousing.org Maximum Income Limits are: 1 person
$45,100
4 persons
$64,400
2 persons
$51,550
5 persons
$69,600
3 persons
$58,000
6 persons
$74,750
An asset limit of $75,000 applies as well. Priority will be given to households requiring 3 bedrooms.
SeniorS live royally at caStle cove Castle Cove Cooperative Apartments D & West Second Streets 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. Each building has their own activities run by a committee of residents such as entertainment, bingo, gift case 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
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Parker Hill Apartments 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 ...
2 bed - $1264-$1900; 1 bed $1058-$1500 Call Today for more details and to schedule a visit...
888-842-7945
Wollaston Manor 91 Clay Street Quincy, MA 02170
Senior Living At It’s Best
A senior/disabled/ handicapped community 0 BR units = $1,027/mo 1 BR units = $1,101/mo All utilities included.
Call Sandy Miller, Property Manager
#888-691-4301
Program Restrictions Apply.
GODDARD HIGHL ANDS
Stoughton Affordable Housing 3BR and 4BR single family homes starting at $208,225 The first affordable homes will be ready for occupancy in early 2014. Goddard Highlands is a new community that will eventually consist of 104 beautiful single-family homes on beautiful wooded lots in Stoughton, Massachusetts. Located only minutes from downtown Boston, Routes 24 & 128, and the Stoughton commuter rail station, Goddard Highlands offers a unique opportunity for the discerning homebuyer who desires ultimate convenience. There will be at least two homes (either 3BR or 4BR) available through this lottery process and sold at affordable prices to households with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income. Maximum Household Income Limits: $47,150 (1 person) $53,900 (2 people) $60,650 (3 people) $67,350 (4 people) $72,750 (5 people) $78,150 (6 people) $83,550 (7 people) $88,950 (8 people) Households cannot have more than $75,000 in assets. For more information on the Development, the Units or the Lottery and Application Process, please visit: www.s-e-b.com/lottery or call 617.782.6900. For more information on the development please visit www.GoddardHighlands.com Applications and Information also available at Stoughton Public Library (M-Th 9-9, Fri-Sat 9-5) and The Planning Department in Town Hall. Completed Applications and Required Income Documentation must be delivered, not postmarked, by 2 pm on July 30th, 2013. The Lottery will be held on August 13th at 6 pm in Town Hall.
Thursday, June 27, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER • 23
Are you interested in a CAREER? Project Hope, in partnership with Partners HealthCare and Brigham & Women’s Hospital, is currently accepting applications for FREE entry level health care employment training programs.
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 • Attend an Open House to begin the eligibility & application process • Be legally authorized to work in the United States
For more information and to register for the next Open House held the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month please visit our website at www.prohope.org/openhouse.htm
Six Sigma Operations Specialist
Need Skills & Experience?
(15-2031)
Provide specialized operations functions involving the analysis and implementation of Six Sigma strategies and related business methodologies for a web services company, including functions involving the ongoing analysis of quantitative data relating to business processes and policies; the development of Six Sigma strategies with respect to company operations in the fields of web hosting, search engine optimization (SEO) and web design, and associated financial, marketing and strategic pricing requirements; and the performance of process and cost-benefit analyses and projections with respect to specific operational models. Master’s degree in business administration, including coursework concentrations in finance and marketing. $90,000.00 per year.
MASSACHUSETTS COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL CONDUCT Staff Attorney Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct seeks attorney with minimum three years experience for Staff Attorney position involving screening and investigating complaints against state judges. Current membership in Massachusetts Bar, familiarity with court procedures, ability to communicate well in writing and orally and to maintain confidentiality required. Salary range: $63,745.32 (Step 1) to $84,027.90 (Step 8). Must submit cover letter, current resume, completed Supreme Judicial Court Application for Employment, and completed Addendum to SJC Application for Employment. Job posting, SJC Application for Employment, and Addendum to SJC Application available online at www.mass.gov/courts/sjc/employment.html. Faxed or emailed application materials not accepted. Complete application package must be received by the Commission by 5:00 pm on July 26, 2013. Submit application package by first-class or overnight mail, postage prepaid, to: Howard V. Neff, III, Esq., Executive Director Commission on Judicial Conduct, 11 Beacon Street, Suite 525, Boston, MA 02108
An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
Ngill@maileig.com
The Topsfield Housing Authority seeks qualified/experienced applicants to fill the position of Executive Director. The position is PT, 16 hr/ wk. The Authority is responsible for 60 units of State funded housing for low income elderly and handicapped persons. Policy direction is provided by a 5 member Board. Salary & benefits are based on DHCD guidelines and commensurate with experience. Salary of $21,936.00. Minimum qualifications: Knowledge of DHCD regulations and procedures, and the principles and practices of housing management, finances & maintenance systems in public or private housing. Strong background in personnel management, organizational, written and verbal communication and computer skills. Willingness to work with people of various socio-economic backgrounds. A bachelor’s degree or four years in public housing administration or a closely related field. Applicant must have Public Housing Management (PHM) certification from a HUD approved organization, or the ability to receive such certification within 1 year. Certification may be substituted by certification as a property manager or similar classification by a nationally recognized housing organization, or by certification from a DHCD-approved Massachusetts Public Housing Administrator Certification Program. Applicant must be bondable & shall be subject to CORI. Send resumes & references to: Board of Commissioners, THA 69 Washington St. Topsfield, MA 01983 Applications due by July 12th, 2013 An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer
Learn MS Office and on-line job search techniques Benefit from on-the-job internships Register today for a briefing that will outline all of Operation ABLE’s training programs, and to answer all of your questions.
617-542-4180 Tuition funding may be available Operation A.B.L.E. of Greater Boston
Executive Director
Financial Analyst
The Foxborough Housing Authority is seeking an experienced well qualified high performance full time Executive Director with vision and problem solving skills. The director is responsible for the administration of 104 units of (Chapter 667) elderly/disabled housing, 41 units of (Chapter 705) family housing, 16 (689) special needs housing, 1 (MRVP) State voucher, 2 Section 8 Federal vouchers and 20 Section 8 project-based vouchers. Qualifications: The successful candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree, at least four years experience in housing, community development, public administration as well as knowledge of the principles and practices of housing management, finances and maintenance systems in public and private housing and two or more years of experience overseeing at least three staff persons or administration. Knowledge of laws regulating State and Federal housing programs required. Computer, written and verbal communication skills required. Must be bondable. Certification as a Public Housing Manager from a HUD approved organization is desired and may be substituted by a certification as a property manager or similar classification by a nationally recognized housing or real estate organization or by certification as a MPHA of a DHCD approved Massachusetts Public Housing Administrator Certification Program. Salary commensurate with experience and DHCD guidelines. Excellent benefit package. Women, minorities, veterans and those with disabilities are urged to apply. EOE/AAE The position is opened until filled.
(13-2051)
Submit cover letter and resume to: John H. Michelmore, Chairman Foxborough Housing Authority 90 N Carl Annon Court Foxboro, MA 02035
PUBLIC HOUSING
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Operation ABLE has helped over 30,000 unemployed workers update their skills and learn the techniques needed to attract employers and have successful interviews.
Administrative Supervisor Administrative Supervisor is responsible for ensuring the adequacy and efficiency of Family Service of Greater Boston’s administrative team. Management of all administrative operations for client services including but not limited to client registration; financial screening; pre-authorization and re-authorization for treatment; case assignment and scheduling; client tracking; and billing. Manages the development and ongoing refinement of a client data base for billing and tracking purposes, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timely input of data. Participates in interdepartmental collaboration to facilitate service integration and the successful completion of special projects. Communicates to departmental staff on a timely and consistent basis. Review EOB’s and follow-up on denied claims and appeals process. Working knowledge of all billing and agency data bases as well as all processes to ensure no gap in billing for services rendered. QUALIFICATIONS: Five years of relevant experience in an Outpatient Mental Health setting, preferably in billing, as well as experience in direct supervision. Working knowledge of Hill Billing system and ETO software. Excellent project management, time management, and organizational skills. Proficiency in Windows 97 or XP, including Microsoft Word, Excel. Please indicate in your cover letter how you became aware of the position. Send cover letter and resume to Denise.McCarthy@fsgb.org or mail to: Family Service of Greater Boston, Inc. Attn: Human Resources 31 Heath Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Perform financial analysis services involving the development and implementation of financial models, and related analytic tools and processes, to support strategic initiatives for a web services company, including services involving the compilation and review of financial data for use in connection with budget planning and forecasting requirements; the development and maintenance of processes to support project execution and management efficiencies; the consolidation and summation of key business and financial data for use by senior-level management; the design and enhancement of budgeting, forecasting and modeling tools (such as Access and BI) for use by management and project teams; the analysis of performance trends and variances; and the provision of associated analytic and information systems support for strategic project requirements. Master’s degree in finance or related field. $73,070.00 per year.
Ngill@maileig.com
Web Developer Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Boston June, 2013 This position has been reposted with adjusted requirements and salary. Applicants who applied to the previous posting need not reapply.
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council’s Data Services Department seeks a Web Developer to program leading-edge civic applications in support of sustainable regional planning. This position will be responsible for designing, producing and managing projects involving spatial and statistical data on the web to support MAPC’s policy initiatives and planning efforts. Applicants must have both deep technical knowledge of the web and a strong record of user experience and design. A list of current projects can be found under MAPC’s GitHub account: https://github.com/MAPC Duties include creating user interfaces for custom web applications with HTML, CSS and JavaScript; develop Python based server side applications; configure and manage Linux servers. The following are required qualifications for the position: BAin planning, public health, economics, computer sciences, or a related field and at least 2 years of experience in a related field; demonstrated proficiency with JavaScript, HTML and CSS; data visualization and mapping; experience with open source mapping tools like GeoNode/ GeoServer, Mapnik or TileMill. Full time position, salary range: $65,000 - $70,000, depending on qualifications. Excellent state employee benefits package. The position is open until filled. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and three references as well as links to online projects if available, and a cover letter noting your interest in civic technologies and provide, as well, a link to your GitHub (or similar) account. 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. Diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. PLEASE SEE WWW.MAPC.ORG (JOBS AT MAPC) TO FIND LINK TO APPLY ON-LINE. Posted 6/21/13. Thomas E. Hauenstein, Manager of Human Resources.