Category: Brookline Interactive Group

The Safety Net – Norfolk Advocates for Children

In this special Safety Net episode, host Susan Howards joins Rita McNalley (Chair of the Brookline Domestic Violence Roundtable) and Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey for a conversation about and tour of the Norfolk Advocates for Children center. Executive Director Jessica Kelly and Norfolk DA Office Community Outreach Director Kristy MacDougall join them to discuss how the DA office trains mandatory reporters, and how the NAC supports child victims of abuse.

For more information, visit http://norfolkadvocatesforchildren.com/

TRIPPS-Using Your Cell Phone With Closed Captioning (Hand Gestures)

Join a travel navigator who will help you learn all the basic finger gestures to use a smartphone. It’s designed for beginners who want to learn the gestures to tap, swipe, and pinch apps on their phone and do more.

0:00 Intro
1:22 Basic Finger Movements
2:20 The Tap Movements
3:38 The Swipe Movements
4:37 Pinch and Spread Movements
5:54 How To Close Your Apps
7:18 How To Access Accessibility

Race & Policy in Brookline – Presented by BRJE

Join us for an engaging discussion on the intersection of race and policy in Brookline.

You’ll be the first to see the findings of Brookline for Racial Justice & Equity’s inaugural community survey, conducted in partnership with The MassINC Polling Group. We’ll also be joined by an expert panel sharing their insights and taking your questions.

Panelists include:
Deborah Brown, Board President of the Brookline Community Development Corporation
J. Malcolm Cawthorne, Public Schools of Brookline METCO Director
Chris Chanyasulkit, Past President of the American Public Health Association (APHA)

Whether you’re a resident or just curious about the topic, don’t miss out on this important discussion! This event will be held virtually via Zoom – a link will be sent to attendees.

Email our Executive Director Raul Fernandez at raul@brje.org with questions.

BRJE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are tax deductible.

BRJE is committed to ending racism in Brookline by building an informed, motivated, and organized constituency for racial justice. Join the movement at BRJE.org.

SPOA Housing Policy, Episode 5: How Competition Fuels Housing Affordability

The discussion centers on the hostile business climate that has discouraged competition in Massachusetts, forcing people and businesses to other states with low taxes and less regulations. Among other threats to property owners, we discuss the controversial transfer tax proposal, while discussing energy policy and ways to encourage housing affordability by attracting people and businesses back to Massachusetts.

We speak with Mr. Jay Ash, who was the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development for Massachusetts under former Governor Charlie Baker. Also a former city manager of Chelsea, Jay serves as CEO of the nonprofit Massachusetts Competitive Partnership.

SPOA Vice President, Amir Shahsavari, moderates the discussion with panelists Demetrios Salpoglou (CEO, Boston Pads) and Allison Drescher (President, SPOA).

SPOA Housing Policy, Episode 4: How Diverse Communities View Property Rights

The conversation focuses on the perspectives of immigrant and minority property owners regarding the American Dream, and whether that dream remains viable given the looming threat of the rent control ballot initiative in Massachusetts. Can owners build generational wealth when their businesses are threatened? What happens when property owners can no longer keep up with rising operating costs, and when they are hindered from running their businesses safely and from even selling their properties at a fair price? The panelists representing these communities address the challenges faced by people who came to America to escape government overreach upon their property rights, only to find the same threats here.

SPOA Vice President, Amir Shahsavari, moderates the presentation with an esteemed panel, including Melvin Vieira (Past President, Greater Boston Association of Realtors), Marita Palavicini (Property Owner, East Boston), Jason Pan (Founder, Boston Asian Landlord Association), and Demetrios Salpoglou (CEO, Boston Pads).

SPOA Housing Policy, Episode 3: Medford City Council Candidate Fights Rent Control

Topics include the attorney general’s certification of the rent control ballot question for the 2024 election in Massachusetts. Like Dr. Frankenstein, the proponents of this question have attached other bad housing ideas to this proposal, thus creating a monster that will destroy housing production. If passed, this will harm both owners and tenants by preventing property owners from keeping up with rising operating expenses, making reasonable rent increases, and removing noncompliant tenants when warranted, as properties fall into disrepair. The proposal will also obstruct owners from selling their properties at a fair price, and in a timely manner, while obstructing average buyers from purchasing and investing in rental property. It will further impose restrictions upon condo conversion and eliminate broker fees. The panel discusses the abuses of rent control boards from past experiences and the consequences for the City of Medford, among other cities and towns in Massachusetts. The impact of rising costs and energy policy in running properties efficiently are also discussed.

SPOA Vice President, Amir Shahsavari, moderates the presentation with a great panel, including Melanie Tringali (a property owner running for Medford City Council) and Demetrios Salpoglou (CEO of Boston Pads).

Please donate $75, $125, $250, $500, $1,000, or whatever you can afford at www.spoa.com/join
By donating to SPOA, you will advocate for reasonable housing policies that benefit owners and tenants alike, while protecting your properties and your property rights.

We must also assemble a group of volunteers to help with our campaign by leading efforts in each city and town in Massachusetts, and eventually every precinct. Please contact SPOA Vice President, Amir Shahsavari, by phone at 617-354-5533, or email at askspoa@gmail.com to help.

Our businesses and livelihoods are at stake, along with the health and prosperity of our communities. We can’t afford to sit this battle out. Please join us today!