Reopening of Applications for Rental Relief Fund
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VOL. 124 - NO. 43 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, OCTOBER 23, 2020 $.35 A COPY Reopening of Applications Boston Public Schools Shifts to All Remote for Rental Relief Fund Learning Due to Rising COVID-19 Cases Students will return for in- cases across the entire City of BPS will provide updates to Mayor Martin J. Walsh Qualifi ed residents interested in person learning following a Boston. plans as soon as they develop. announced on October 20, applying to this round of funding sustained decrease in the posi- “BPS remains committed to In addition, schools will work 2020, the reopening of appli- can submit their application to: tivity rate. providing in-person learning with families who may need cations for the Rental Relief www.boston.gov, available in 11 Boston Public Schools opportunities to our students to pick up technology or other Fund, created in early April languages. announced on October 21st as soon as it is appropriate personal items students may to help Boston residents at “As we continue to face the that due to a rising COVID-19 to do so, and will continue to have left at school. The dis- risk of losing their hous- COVID-19 pandemic, it’s vital infection rate in the city, and prioritize our students with trict is exploring options for ing due to the COVID-19 pan- that we provide residents with in support of efforts to contain the highest needs for in-person providing services for our stu- demic. The Fund reopened with the resources and supports they the spread, all students will learning,” said Boston Public dents with complex disabilities $5 million available to help need to stay housed, especially shift to remote learning effec- Schools (BPS) Superintendent and will update families with residents pay their rent follow- with the statewide moratorium tive, Thursday, October 22nd. Dr. Brenda Cassellius. “I know more information in the coming ing the end of the statewide on evictions lifted,” said Mayor The city’s seven-day average our students and teachers days. moratorium on evictions and Walsh. “I’m proud that we are COVID-19 positive test rate was have been making great prog- Previous Timeline: foreclosures on October 17th. able to reopen the Rental Relief reported at 5.7%, an increase ress since in-person learning All BPS students started the Over the last six months, the Fund so that we can expand from last week’s rate of 4.5%. started on October 1st and school year learning remotely Fund distributed more than our assistance for residents Students will remain in remote that schools and families were on September 21st. Families $3 million in payments to land- to ensure they remain housed learning until there are two full looking forward to a return to were able to select if they lords on behalf of more than during and after the pandemic.” weeks of falling infection rates. school buildings. But we must wanted to keep their students 1,000 households. More than The Rental Relief Funds may “We have said all along that do our part to slow the spread in all-remote learning or opt fi fty percent of the households be used for short-term rental we will only provide in-person and keep our students, families, into a hybrid learning model. that have been awarded funds assistance for up to three learning for students if the and staff safe.” Students recognized as High earn less than $58,000 per data and public health guid- Once the citywide seven-day In-Person Priority were able to year with two income earners. (Continued on Page 2) ance supports it, and this new COVID-19 positivity rate is return for in-person learning data shows that we are trending below 5% for two consecutive beginning October 1st. Families in the wrong direction,” said weeks, students with the high- will be notifi ed of an updated Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “We will est needs will have the option timeline for their children to continue to monitor the metrics to return to in-person learning. resume or begin in-person News Briefs and work towards our goal of When the citywide seven-day learning for the school year by Sal Giarratani welcoming students back into COVID-19 positivity rate is as soon as public health data our classrooms, learning among below 4% for two consecutive allows. their peers, supported and edu- weeks, BPS will restart the For more information on the “Cheers” to Kirstie Alley cated by our dedicated staff.” phase return of students for in- BPS reopening plan, work done Actress Kirstie Alley was recently lambasted for going The announcement was made person learning, beginning with to prepare buildings for in-per- on Twitter supporting President Trump. The former in consultation with public our youngest students. BPS will son learning, and the district’s Cheers actress was mocked by other celebs online. health offi cials and in review- continue to respect family choice health and safety protocols Alley tweeted a great comeback to their ranting’s. ing data that shows two weeks and will provide fully remote visit: bostonpublicschools.org/ “Don’t think I’ve ever seen so much name-calling in my of increased confi rmed positive learning for all who choose it. reopening. life. Defi nitely not on my site here anyway, I guess I’m not allowed to have a viewpoint without being called a really nasty names by what I’m going to suppose are really nasty people.” Hours later, Alley was back Christopher Columbus: reminding her followers to “Stick to your guns.” You go girl! Two Tragic Stories and the Origins of Columbus Day Quote to Remember Attorney Diane J. Modica, Chairperson, Commission for Social Justice, “I love America. I love this country. I love free speech.” Massachusetts Order of the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America — Philip Anderson, organizer of Team Save America Reaction to last week’s article, evolved from a tragic and deadly Twitter Hypocrisy Why Christopher Columbus Park episode in New Orleans, on Twitter freezes up the NY Post twitter account in and Columbus Day Matters in March 14, 1891. Hundreds of the wake of the Hunter Biden emails exposé while the Post-Gazette, received a pos- thousands of Italian immigrants Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenie is still itive reaction from many read- had made their way to New free to shoot off his tweets. Hypocrites to thyself be ers. But it is still the case that Orleans in the 1880s in order true. many people have embraced to seek employment and leave Of Course They’re Responsible, Right? the false and misleading nar- an economically decimated The exposé in the NY Post concerning those emails ratives by anti-Columbus oppo- southern Italy. The jobs were of Hunter Biden is now being blamed by Democrats, of nents that continue unabated available due to the void of the course, on Rudy Guiliani working with Russian disin- and have dominated the pub- freed slaves and the market for formation. Wasn’t Russian disinformation responsible lic and political discourse. fi eld workers. The immigrants for all that Trump-Russian collusion allegations back Therefore, the Commission arrived on the shores of the during the 2016 election and throughout the Trump for Social Justice (CSJ), the Mississippi River, settling into presidency? It was true until it was proven to be a hoax anti-defamation arm of the the current French Quarters but even that doesn’t stop Democrats for repeating Massachusetts Order of the (then named “Little Palermo”). Russia, Russia, and Russia again now? Sons and Daughters of Italy in On October 15, 1890, the New America (OSDIA), will provide Orleans Police Commissioner Orwellian Word Speak readers a variety of materials David Hennessy was shot in In high school George Orwell’s 1984 novel was required that offer a more balance and front of his home; he died reading. Back then I thought it was purely a work of truth about this brilliant 15th hours later in a nearby hospi- fi ction; but not anymore. Lately, we have been reading century navigator and enduring tal. There were witnesses, but (Continued on Page 11) symbol for Italian Americans. none could identify the possible This week, with his permis- The fi rst statue of Christopher four assassins. Nevertheless, sion, we look at an excerpt Columbus was placed at “The and on the basis of the last from How To Address Issues Circle,” and named Columbus whispers of Hennessy, who As to Columbus Statues and Circle in NYC, where it was stated that the “Dagoes” did it, POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE Monuments by Attorney Michael unveiled on October 13, 1892. the police randomly rounded A. Santo, Volunteer Counsel up hundreds of Italians on 343 CHELSEA ST., DAY SQ., EAST BOSTON of the National Columbus in America as well as its State mere suspicion. Nineteen inno- Tues. 10:00 AM-3:00 PM; Thurs. 11:00 AM-2:00 PM Educational Foundation and Commission for Social Justice. cent Sicilian immigrants were former General Counsel to the Let’s consider the purpose falsely charged with his murder Call 617-227-8929 for more information New York State Order of the and origin of Columbus Day. Sons and Daughters of Italy Columbus Day actually (Continued on Page 10) PAGE 2 POST-GAZETTE, OCTOBER 23, 2020 • Rental Relief (Continued from Page 1) months and to supplement resources, and work with the partial payments of rent. After relevant voucher administrator verifying initial eligibility, the for tenants with housing vouch- City of Boston will refer tenants ers. This pledge will aid tenants to partner non-profi t agencies to who are unable to pay their fi nalize eligibility.