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BLOCK8.LIVE BOOK YOUR POST IT Call Your Advertising Rep (781)485-0588 Wednesday, September 16, 2020 EBECC launches needed online Hard work, fundraising campaign big dreams By John Lynds At-Large City Councilor Michelle Wu Despite the COVID-19 announces bid for Mayor of Boston pandemic, the East Bos- ton Ecumenical Commu- By John Lynds is a city that takes care nity Council (EBECC) of each other, where hard has been going strong and On Tuesday, At-Large work meets big dreams continues to help low in- City Councilor Michelle with grit and resilience,” come and immigrant fam- Wu announced that she said Wu in her announce- ilies cope during these un- is going to attempt some- ment. “But for too many precedented times. thing that has not been — during this pandem- Executive Director accomplished in Boston ic and well before — it’s Frank Ramirez announced politics since John Hayes been impossible to dream EBECC, one of East Bos- unseated incumbent May- when you’re fighting to ton’s oldest social service or of Boston James Mi- hold on. Fighting to af- agencies, is seeking do- chael Curley in 1949. ford to stay. Fighting for nations so the organiza- Wu has officially tossed our kids. Fighting a sys- tion can continue to help her hat into the 2021 Bos- tem that wasn’t built for families in need during the ton Mayoral race, and will us, doesn’t speak our lan- pandemic. try to oust Mayor Mar- guages, doesn’t hear our “Borrowing from an tin Walsh. An incumbent voices. That’s why today Advertisement by the Sal- Boston Mayor has not lost I’m announcing my cam- vation Army that reads election since the Hayes/ paign for Mayor to make “Poverty should not be BPS staff uses a fogger for Curley race some seven Boston a city for every- a life sentence” I want cleaning, sanitizing, and dis- decades ago. one. If you’re ready for to tell you that under the infecting classrooms ahead Wu released her cam- leadership that matches Covid-19 pandemic pov- of the school year. paign announcement via the scale and urgency of erty can be a life sen- a YouTube video Tuesday our challenges — that in- tence,” said Ramirez. “In An example of classroom and plans to hold a series cludes and empowers ev- configuration (right) once East Boston, by far the of kickoff events in East- ery community — please students return to in-person ie and across Boston this majority of patients be- learning under BPS’s ‘hybrid’ add your name to join the ing seen with COVID-19 learning model. week. movement.” are Hispanic. In Greater In Eastie, Wu will make Wu, a daughter of im- Boston, the population of her first campaign stop on migrants, said she has Latinix folks is somewhat Thursday, September 17 lived her whole life know- around 15 to 17 percent at 3:30 p.m. with a visit ing what it’s like to feel and nearly 50 percent of to Eastie Farm Commu- unseen and unheard, even the people in our hospitals nity Garden. She will also when you most need help. right now, in beds in the BPS prepares for first day of school greet commuters at Mav- “My parents came to ICU or on the floor who erick MBTA station at 4 America with no money have COVID are Hispan- By John Lynds students and the youngest indicating their preference p.m. ic according to official students. BPS will then for either two or four days “The Boston we love See WU Page 2 reports. Our community Last week and this introduce optional hybrid of in-person learning. already suffers from acute week, Boston Public learning for additional Mayor Martin Walsh respiratory infection, gas- Schools (BPS) teachers, grade levels, starting with and BPS Superintendent tro-intestinal problems, administrators and sup- the youngest students, and Dr. Brenda Cassellius said diabetes, tuberculosis, port staff have been busy moving up into the higher each new phase will be hypertension, hepatitis B preparing for the start grades. contingent upon the most and C infections, neonatal of the 2020-2021 school This week BPS fami- up-to-date public health complications, and AIDS. year, which begins Mon- lies received their Hybrid metrics. The only way to cope with day, Sept. 21. A or Hybrid B group and “From the beginning of such overwhelming prob- All BPS students will information about how to the COVID-19 pandemic, lems is to build effective begin with remote learn- request a change to the keeping Boston’s families community support sys- ing on September 21. learning model (hybrid safe, healthy, and equi- tems.” Then in October, BPS or all-remote) previously tably supported has been So far the generos- will gradually introduce selected. In addition, fam- our top priority,” said ity from residents and optional “hybrid” learn- ilies of students eligible Walsh. “That’s why we supporters have helped ing for all students, start- for four days of in-person A clip from At-Large City Councilor Michelle Wu’s campaign EBECC to continue serv- ing with the highest need learning received forms See SCHOOLS Page 2 announcement video released Tuesday. ing more than 5,000 im- migrants and minorities at a time when everything feels uncertain. BPDA expects to vote on Suffolk Downs proposal next week “We find comfort and development at the histor- for community members Channel 24, RCN Chan- has led to an updated pro- encouragement knowing By John Lynds ic 161-acre Suffolk Downs to participate and for the nel 13, and Verizon Fios posal that better represents that you care about our Following this sum- site in East Boston. development team (HYM Channel 1962) and Bos- the needs of the surround- cause,” said Ramirez. “We mer’s three additional Ahead of the vote, the Investment, Inc.) and ton.gov. ing neighborhood, includ- need your help. Immi- public meetings that were BPDA is holding a pub- BPDA staff members to “The Suffolk Downs re- ing more affordable units, grants come to this coun- held virtually due to the lic hearing on Thursday, respond to questions from development proposal has better transportation infra- try for many different rea- COVID-19 pandemic and September 24 at 5:30 both the community and undergone a robust pub- structure, and improved sons, but not to die from simultaneously translated p.m. BPDA’s Director of BPDA Board members. lic process over the past open space and parks.” Coronavirus; instead all into Spanish and Arabic, Communications Bonnie The hearing will be held three years, including over McGilpin said the share a common goal: to the Boston Planning and McGilpin said the special via Zoom and translation thirty public meetings BPDA has worked close- make life better for them- Development Agency public hearing, held sep- services will be provided alongside the community, ly with the development selves and their families. (BPDA) will finally vote arately from the regular in Spanish and Arabic. It elected officials, and local team to create an inclusive How much value do you next Thursday on the pro- monthly BPDA Board will be broadcast live on stakeholders,” said Mc- See EBECC Page 2 posed phased mixed-use meetings, will allow time Boston City TV (Xfinity Gilpin. “This engagement See BPDA Page 3 Ruggiero Family Memorial Home “Proud to welcome to our staff Mark Tauro, former owner and director of Rapino, Kirby-Rapino Funeral Homes” • Ample Off Street Parking • Complimentary Valet Parking • Nonsectarian Transportation To & From Visiting Hours For Family & Friends • Se Habla Espanol 971 Saratoga St., Orient Heights East Boston 617-569-0990 • Visit us at our website: www.RuggieroMH.com For the latest news in East Boston that you need to know, check eastietimes.com Page 2 THE EAST BOSTON TIMES-FREE PRESS Wednesday, September 16, 2020 W u // CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Schools // CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 and no connections, not plan for the future of Bos- second term. Walsh, a son made the tough but nec- tober 15, optional hybrid spent months preparing speaking English,” said ton neighborhoods, invest of Irish immigrant par- essary decision to close learning may begin for the our school buildings and Wu. “When my mom start- in affordable housing and ents, beat Jackson in all Boston Public Schools three grades of kindergar- training staff to protect ed struggling with men- transportation that serves of Eastie 14 Precincts and buildings in March. In a ten: K0, K1, and K2. students’ and teachers’ tal illness, I became her everyone, truly fund pub- trounced Jackson citywide matter of days, we began • No sooner than Oc- health. We are working caregiver and raised my lic health for safety and winning the election with distributing Chromebooks tober 22, opt-in hybrid with school leaders and sisters. It’s the struggles healing, and deliver on 70 percent of the vote. and WiFi hotspots to stu- learning may begin for facilities professionals to and dreams of my family a city Green New Deal However, there is some dents, we set up meal grades 1-3. make sure every school and families across our for clean air and water, speculation that Walsh’s sites to continue feeding • No sooner than No- is safe and in compliance neighborhoods that I’ve healthy homes, and the desire to run for a third tens of thousands of stu- vember 5, opt-in hybrid with DESE recommen- carried to City Hall for the brightest future for chil- term may hinge upon the dents and families, and learning may begin for dations.