Councilor John Tobin Stepping Down
July 5, 2010
Boston.com is reporting that City Councilor John Tobin will be stepping down from the Boston City Council to take on a job as vice president of community affiars for Northeastern University. Stay Tuned for more information.
Councilor Connolly asks for support for Autism Insurance Bill
June 25, 2010
The Massachusetts Legislature is considering a bill entitled: An Act Relative to Insurance Coverage for Autism. This bill will require health insurers to provide the coverage necessary for individuals to be screened and treated for Autism Spectrum Disorders. As Chair of the Boston City Council’s Committee on Education, a former teacher, and a parent, I care deeply about the education of all of our students and I make no exception for the 11,520 Boston Public School students with special needs of which more than 500 are diagnosed with ASDs.
Beyond providing life-changing medical assistance to those affected by Autism, this bill will improve the effectiveness and quality of our classrooms and provide much needed support to families. Currently, lack of early detection places students in inappropriate learning environments. By increasing health coverage to include Autism diagnosis, affected students can be quickly identified and placed into the appropriate classrooms with the support and attention that will provide them with the best education possible. The current system places the financial and social burden of identifying and treating special needs students on the school districts. Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, projects that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts would be able to save approximately $7 million dollars in early intervention costs, should insurance companies be required to expand their coverage.
On April 27, 2010, I sponsored a City Council resolution urging the State Legislature to quickly vote in favor of this vital bill. I’m proud to report that the City Council unanimously supported this resolution. Please join me in encouraging our state lawmakers to support this important legislation.
At-Large Councilor John Connolly, Chair, Committee on Education
June 23, 2010
Boston City Councillor John M. Tobin, Jr. (pictured at podium) today honored the members of the UMASS/Boston Beacons baseball team for completing the best season in the school’s history with a 32-17 record.
The Beacons were ranked 12th by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and, for the first time, appeared in the Division 3 College World Series. The Beacons also won the Little East Conference Tournament and the NCAA Division 3 New England Regional Tournament, and set records in many other categories.
Councillor Tobin, a graduate of UMASS/Boston, presented the team with a resolution at the Council’s weekly meeting at Boston City Hall. UMASS/Boston Chancellor Dr. J. Keith Motley is also pictured (second to the left of Councillor Tobin) with members of the team and City Council President Michael Ross and Councillors Bill Linehan and Maureen Feeney.
Cast Your Vote in the First Golden Broom Award Contest
June 3, 2010
Boston City Councillor John M. Tobin, Jr. today urged West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain residents to participate in the first Golden Broom Awards, a new honor he created to recognize neighborhood businesses for the cleanliness of their storefronts and sidewalks.
Residents can nominate businesses in one of six business districts in West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain: West Roxbury’s Centre Street Main Streets, Washington/Grove Business District, Hyde/Jackson Main Streets, Jamaica Plain Centre/South Main Streets, the Washington Street Business District and Egleston Square Main Streets.
The business in each of those six districts with the highest number of votes will be named the winner of a Golden Broom Award. Residents can vote at goldenbroomaward@comcast.net or by sending in a postcard, which are currently available at local businesses. Nominations will be accepted through August 31. Winners will receive a plaque and their names will be publicized in local newspapers.
Voters are being asked to judge businesses on their attention to routine maintenance and general upkeep. They will also be asked to consider the cleanliness of each storefront, sidewalk and doorway.
Connolly Sets Up Recycling for Corrib 5K
June 1, 2010
At-Large Boston City Councilor John Connolly is making recycling available to attendees of the Corrib Classic 5K Race on June 6th. Connolly is Chair of the City Council’s Environment and Health Committee and is known on the Council as the “Green Councilor” for his commitment to greening Boston.
Connolly worked with the Corrib Charitable Trust Board of Directors, West Roxbury Saves Energy and Save That Stuff in order to provide recycling receptacles for participants and spectators and to have the recyclables removed after the event. He also worked with a local university to coordinate volunteers to help with the recycling effort. “Not only is recycling good for the environment, it is fiscally responsible for the City as we remove these containers from the City’s landfills.” Connolly said. “It’s great when being green saves us some green” said Connolly.
Councillor John Tobin Introduces Legislative Aide David Halbert
May 21, 2010
“I am delighted that Dave Halbert has joined my team,” said Councillor Tobin, who represents West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain. “David has distinguished himself as a hard worker who understands Boston’s neighborhoods. He is energetic and enthusiastic. I know that he will work hard every day to meet the needs of my constituents.”
Halbert will handle constituent issues on behalf of Councillor Tobin for Jamaica Plain. His job responsibilities will also include legislative research, representing Councillor Tobin at community meetings and public hearings, and other administrative duties. Anna Sylvester, who has served as the Jamaica Plain liaison for nearly three years, will take on more administrative duties in Councillor Tobin’s City Hall office. Read more
Boston City Council Calls for Boycott of Arizona Companies
May 6, 2010
The Boston City Council Wednesday passed a resolution ordering the city to yank any investments in Arizona companies in protest of that state’s tough new immigration law.
The measure was met with no opposition from any member of the council and passed on a voice vote. Several councilors blasted the media for criticizing the council for spending time on the Arizona issue while Council President Michael Ross – who co-sponsored the bill with Councilor Felix Arroyo – said local and state officials need to step in because of “failures” at the federal level.
The measure is in protest of a new law in Arizona aimed at cracking down on illegal immigrants which allows authorities to ask to see documentation from people with “reasonable suspicion.
BPS Assignment Policy Must Change
April 16, 2010
My wife, Kate, and I are among the local parents who were notified by the Boston Public Schools (BPS) recently that our nearly four-year-old son Matthew did not receive a K1 seat for the fall of 2010. Like scores of mothers and fathers across the city, we are outraged and disappointed. We are also more determined than ever to fight to change the student assignment process.
We believe in public education. We entered the BPS lottery with high hopes and were excited about our choices. We were not looking for special treatment. We wanted a seat in a quality school near our home.
As a Boston City Councillor, I am not new to the misery that the BPS student assignment process causes Boston’s families. I have lost count of the number of desperate parents who have called my office over the past eight years seeking help with the byzantine BPS system of placing students. I have counseled and consoled mothers and fathers who believed in the process only to be left out on a limb with two options—pay tuition or pack your bags. With little or no guidance from the BPS, many families develop a Plan B or an exit strategy anticipating that they will not get a school seat for their child. Read more
Councilor Tobin’s May Office Hours
April 12, 2010
City Councillor John M. Tobin, Jr. holds district office hours in different locations each month.
Councillor Tobin’s May district office hours will be held on:
Tuesday, May 4 from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at Councillor Tobin’s West Roxbury District Office, 1842 Centre Street in West Roxbury. West Roxbury liaison Cliff McLean will also attend.
Councillor Tobin’s City Hall Office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. To reach Councilor Tobin’s Office call (617) 635-4220. The district office can be reached by calling (617) 327-3634.
Stopping House & Car Break-Ins
April 9, 2010
Answer lies in addressing root cause and trends associated with crime.
An Op-Ed by Paul Sullivan
Like many residents, I am disturbed by the recent rash of house and car break-ins in and around West Roxbury. As a former assistant district attorney for nearly 3 years, I worked with victims and the police to prosecute those who perpetrated these types of crimes.
Those who commit these types of crimes often possess common traits: lack of education, substance abuse issues, and unemployment. Instead of trying to address these issues, we seek a quick fix and continue to lock up offenders rather than addressing the root of the problem. Police and those in law enforcement are not at fault and sometimes we are left with no other choice but to seek incarceration. The real problem lies with policies. Rather than continuing with the status quo and hoping things will change, I want to break the chain by addressing the issues that lead to these behaviors. Read more
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