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Politics & Government

Hundreds of Residents Discuss the "State of Jamaica Plain" / Ver Traducción Abajo

More than 250 residents attend the event to have a conversation with local legislators and one another. / Más de 250 residentes para conversar entre unos con otros y con los legisladores.

The State of Jamaica Plain: A Community Conversation celebrated what organizers hope will be their first annual meeting Tuesday night at the .  The event brought locals and elected officials together to talk about priority areas of the residents.

The event brought in more than 250 people, according to one organizer of the event, Orion Kriegman (Coordinator of JP New Economy Transition). 

Juan Gonzalez and Kriegman introduced the program, stating that there have been changes in the neighborhood and there will continue to be changes.  It is important, they both emphasize, to create a dialogue to look at the new trends JP needs to address.

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Kriegman asks, “What kind of neighborhood do we want?  How can we prepare together?”

Sandee Storey, the moderator and the editor of the JP Gazette for 20 years, then took the microphone, introducing the legislators present.

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State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez was the first to speak, and he described the issues that he has worked on and will continue to work on, including healthcare availability, stem cell research, and affordable housing.  He wants to continue to improve the healthcare system in the state, working on cost containment and prevention of chronic diseases.

He spoke of his belief in JP being able to come together and solve problems, stating, “JP is a unique community; it’s like a think tank really.”

At-Large City Councilor Felix Arroyo then spoke about the diversity and beauty of JP, noting that this diversity is found both economically and culturally.  He spoke about his initiatives — youth jobs, asthma prevention, and new regulations for banks in which the city invests money. He spoke about political efforts that saved hundreds of summer jobs for teens.

“It doesn’t seem like a good idea that over a thousand youth can’t find work… We can’t afford to lose safe places where young people can be,” Arroyo stated.

City Councilor Matt O’Malley spoke about the natural beauty of Jamaica Plain, noting his fascination with Jamaica Pond since he was a small child, and his want to have more programming and more people involved in these areas of the neighborhood. He wants to encourage and foster small business, and tackle issues around the Arborway Yard and Casey Overpass.  With the , he stated that he wanted development of this area done right, since it is right in the middle of our community.

Senator Sonia Chiang-Diaz started her portion noting how touched she was with the community.

“I wasn’t planning to say this, but cannot help but say this as I look into the crowd.  The state of our neighborhood is incredibly rich… I am so taken at this moment.”

She then spoke of her four big issue areas: urban education, youth violence prevention, bridging the wealth gap, and good government.  She noted the relation between violence and education, saying that education will help solve much of the problem around violence.

Representative Liz Malia then spoke about her commitment to transportation issues and the budget and its relation to mental health.  She also spoke of JP’s long-time history to activism, and parents commitment to their children, as shown by the number of parents at the school tonight for another event.

Young people from Beantown Society then shared their current initiatives.  They called for a need for safe spaces after school and help for children who have experienced and witnessed violence.  They also called for youth jobs and described an upcoming rally at Copley Square for this.  Finally, they stated their interest in other community issues, such as the closing of Hi-Lo.

“Our overall mission is to turn youth neglection into youth power.”

The elected officials then took questions from the audience.  Topics brought up by community members included the Casey Overpass, Agassiz School closing, immigration policy, budget cuts, the closing of Hi-Lo Foods, youth sports, Hellenic Hill, and youth.  Questions and comments on Hi-Lo and immigration incited the most response from the officials. 

The group then divided into groups to discuss problems and solutions.  The table themes were: youth, gentrification, public safety, economic insecurity, and environment.

The event was also co-sponsored by: Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation, City Growers, Bikes Not Bombs, Franklin Park Coalition, JP Greenhouse, Cool JP, Neighborhood Pesticide Action CommitteeEcumenical Social Action Committee, Neighbors for Neighbors, City Feed and Egleston Square Main Street.

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El martes de noche se llevó a cabo en el la primera reunión de lo que organizadores esperan será un evento anual. Residentes y legisladores discutieron prioridades del barrio.

Uno de los organizadores, Orion Kriegman,  coordinador de JP Nueva Economía en Transición, estimó la concurrencia en más de 250 personas.

Juan Gonzales y Kriegman presentaron el programa diciendo que han habido cambios en el barrio y va a continuar habiendo cambios, y que es importante dialogar sobre las tendencias futuras.

Kriegman preguntó “¿Qué tipo de vecindario deseamos  y cómo podemos crearlo juntos?”

Sandee Storey, moderadora y editora del JP Gazette por 20 años, presentó los legisladores.

El Representante Estatal Jeffre Sanchez fue el primero en hablar y se refirió a los asunto en los cuales ha trabajado y continuará trabajando: salud, investigación de células madres, y vivienda de costo moderado. El representante desea continuar mejorando el sistema de salud en el estado, trabajando en controlar costos y en prevención de enfermedades crónicas.

Mencionó que cree que JP es una comunidad especial y posee capacidad de resolver problemas en conjunto. “La comunidad entera es como un grupo de reflexión.”

El Concejal Félix Arroyo destacó la  belleza y la diversidad económica y cultural de JP, y se refirió a las iniciativas que ha promovido: Empleos para jóvenes, prevención de asma, y nuevas regulaciones para bancos donde la ciudad invierte dinero. Se refirió a los esfuerzos políticos que rescataron cientos de empleos de verano para adolescentes.

“No es una buena idea que más de mil jóvenes no puedan encontrar trabajo. No podemos perder lugares que ofrecen seguridad a los jóvenes,” manifestó Arroyo.

El Concejal Matt O’Malley se refirió a la belleza natural de Jamaica Plain, recordando su fascinación con el Lago Jamaica desde que era niño, y su deseo de desarrollar programas para envolver gente con las áreas naturales del vecindario. Expresó apoyo a la pequeña empresa e indicó la necesidad de prestarle atención a la Yarda Arborway y al Viaducto Casey. Dijo que el futuro desarrollo del predio de la cerrada Escuela debe ser bien planeado ya que se trata del centro de la comunidad.

La Senadora Sonia Chiang-Diaz comenzó notando que la comunidad la ha tocado emocionalmente. “Había planeado decir esto, y mirando a nuestra gente no puedo evitar decirlo: Nuestro barrio posee mucha riqueza.” Y se refirió a lo que considera los 4 asuntos más importantes: Educación urbana, prevención de violencia juvenil, disminuir la diferencia de ingresos, y buen gobierno. Recalcó la relación entre violencia y educación, y que la educación puede ayudar a resolver mucha de la violencia.

La Representante Liz Malia habló sobre su compromiso con el transporte y sobre el efecto de los cortes presupuestales sobre la salud mental. También se refirió a la larga historia de activismo en JP y de la responsabilidad de los padres a sus hijos evidenciado por el número de padres presentes para otro evento en el liceo.

Jóvenes miembros del grupo Sociedad del Pueblo Habichuela comentaron sobre sus iniciativas y sobre la necesidad de lugares seguros después de clase, ayuda a niños que han presenciado violencia, un próximo rally en la Plaza Copley demandando empleos para jóvenes, y el cierre de Hi-Lo.

“Nuestra misión es transformar el abandono de los jóvenes a poder de los jóvenes.”

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