ACE blogs

ACE staffer joins state Climate Change Committee

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:41:28 -0400

June 18, 2009

ACE Legal Counsel Eugene Benson and ACE member and Chelsea Green Space Director Roseann Bongiovanni were recently appointed to the state’s Climate Change Adaptation Advisory Committee by Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles.

The Committee is required by the state’s Global Warming Solutions Act to submit a report to the legislature by December 2009 on strategies to prepare for rising sea levels, warmer temperatures, increased floods and droughts and other predicted impacts from climate change. Roseann and Gene both serve on the Health and Human Welfare Subcommittee. Read more...

YouthShines Art Auction coming up!

Wed, 27 May 2009 19:18:13 -0400

May 27, 2009

On June 3, the South End/Lower Roxbury Youth Workers Alliance (YWA) will host its annual fundraiser, the YouthShines! Art Auction, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Ben Franklin Institute at 41 Berkeley Street in Boston. The Art Auction is a chance for Boston child and teen artists to show their masterpieces and raise funds for youth work. The event will have snacks and an open bar, a silent auction and a live auction hosted by David Brown of WCVB-TV. Read more...

Congratulations to Michelle McGruder

Thu, 21 May 2009 20:51:28 -0400

May 23, 2009

Today, we'd like to share with you the final recipient of ACE's 2009 Environmental Justice Awards. Thanks for your hard work Michelle!

Environmental Justice Award 2009
Michelle McGruder

As an organizer, advocate and caring mother, Michelle has led the T Riders Union (TRU) with much knowledge and insight. Her dedication to fighting racism, classism and oppression has taken her from schools to the T to the streets in our communities.

Michelle's passion for outreach means she has a relationship with just about everyone in Dudley Square, helping to connect ACE's organizing work to our base.

Michelle has been involved with ACE for many years, starting with transit issues and the Healthy Hair Show in the late '90s. In 2008, she successfully applied for the TRU Member Internship Position, supporting our work for an affordable and sustainable public transit system. Michelle completed the 300 hour program, during which time she assumed the TRU Chairperson role, serving in this capacity for almost ten months. Read more...

Congratulations to Ian Phillips, LSP

Tue, 19 May 2009 21:16:30 -0400

May 21, 2009

Last night, hundreds of ACE supporters celebrated with us at Jammin' for Justice 2009. Thank you to everyone for helping to make the event a great success! We'll share photos soon; in the meantime, congrats to Ian for receiving an EJ Award!

Environmental Justice Award 2009
Ian Phillips, LSP

Ian is a “go to” environmental expert for ACE. He is a chemist and as a Massachusetts Licensed Site Professional, he is certified by the state as an expert on environmental clean-ups.

Ian is one of over 50 environmental technical experts who work pro bono for neighborhood groups who come to ACE for help with environmental issues. A Principal Scientist at Roux Associates in Burlington with over 20 years of experience, he is always available to answer questions and make recommendations.

As a member of the Massachusetts Environmental Justice Assistance Network (MEJAN), Ian has volunteered his skills to neighborhood groups grappling with complex issues. In South Boston, he helped Neighborhood First! deal with a potential clean-up of a former power station owned by the MBTA. Read more...

Congratulations to Brockton and West Bridgewater residents

Sun, 17 May 2009 19:32:22 -0400

May 17, 2008

ACE’s annual celebration and fundraiser, Jammin' for Justice, is this Wednesday, May 20. Members and supporters will be sharing our 15th Anniversary with delicious food, a live band, silent auction and many projects on display. This is our opportunity to also showcase our members’ outstanding environmental justice work over the last year. In the next few days we will be highlighting our 2009 honorees. Today’s selected honoree is Brockton and West Bridgewater Residents Against the Power Plant.

In November 2007, residents of West Bridgewater asked ACE for assistance fighting a proposed fossil fuel burning power plant in nearby Brockton. Residents of Brockton also contacted ACE for assistance against the power plant.

After meeting with ACE, the two groups agreed to work together, with ACE providing legal advice and representation to the residents.

Since then, the residents and their allies have organized their communities, creating an active and vocal opposition to the power plant. They helped persuade the Mayor of Brockton, almost all the Brockton City Council, and their state senator and representatives to oppose the power plant. Read more...

New bus service, but still not rapid transit

Mon, 04 May 2009 17:35:39 -0400

May 4, 2009

The Patrick administration announced today in Dudley Square that it was providing stimulus funds for extensions of the Silver Line bus to Mattapan and South Station.

The T Riders Union and our partners in On the Move believe that using stimulus funds for better public transit is essential and improving transit in our communities is a vital investment.

It is also important for residents to have input in those plans. We are calling for the appointment of a community advisory board to work with the administration on implementing transportation improvements in our communities.

We are also asking the Governor to invest in a plan to bring real rapid transit – rail service - to our communities. Read more...

13 Lessons I learned at ACE

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:42:45 -0400

April 30, 2009

What a busy couple of months it's been! There has been a lot of work going on at ACE that we'll update you on soon. In the meantime, here are some wise words for you to enjoy, adapted from a speech our previous Director Penn Loh gave at his farewell party on March 4.

. . . . .

13 Lessons I learned at ACE

by Penn Loh

On January 22, 1996 I started my journey at ACE, as our fifth staff person.

As Research and Development Director, I was the first dedicated fundraising staff with half of my time spent on grantwriting and donor fundraising, while the other half was spent supporting all the programs with technical and research assistance.

When our co-founders stepped down in 1998 and hired a new Executive Director, I became the Associate Director. Then, at the end of 1999, I was appointed Director. Read more...

Bake Sale for the MBTA

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:17:47 -0400

March 9, 2009

Come down to the State House today and grab a cookie to benefit the MBTA. T riders are doing our part to raise money for public transit - now, will legislators take action?

Bake Sale for the MBTA
Monday, March 9, 2009
3:30 to 5:00 p.m.
In front of the State House
Rain, snow or shine.

Governor announces Transportation and Economic Security Plan

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:38:51 -0500

February 23, 2009

At a press conference on Friday, Governor Patrick announced a broad set of goals for transportation funding and reforms. Although the proposed six cents per gallon of new gas tax revenue dedicated to the MBTA may not be enough pay down the $2.7 million backlog of system maintenance and repair, the Governor's plan is a step in the right direction.

Our legislature must act now to prevent the imminent MBTA fare increases and service cuts. We support a combination of additional revenue to the MBTA, restructuring and reform, while making concrete improvements for T riders. For example, the Governor has called broadly for increased accountability. Read more...

TRU legislation to stop fare increases and service cuts

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:41:42 -0500

February 20, 2009

At last week's MBTA Board Meeting the Massachusetts Transportation Secretary James Aloisi, Jr. offered a grim look at where the T is headed. Without both reform and new revenue, the T is destined for "an endless spiral of fare increases and massive service cuts." State lawmakers must act immediately and decisively to avoid:

Increases in fares of 20 to 25 percent
50 percent cuts in evening and weekend subway and commuter rail service
Elimination of the 20 highest net-cost-per-passenger bus routes
Elimination of RIDE van service to nine communities
Along with other consequences that will harm those who rely on the MBTA

Transporting riders to employment and employment opportunities, education, health care, shopping, culture and recreation destinations is vital to keeping Boston's economic engine running. Nearly 35 percent of Boston residents do not own a car, and over 32 percent of Boston residents use the T to get to work. The T also plays a crucial role in reducing traffic congestion, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Read more...

Civil rights battle rejoined

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:30:56 -0500

February 11, 2009

In the afterglow of a historic inaugural, it's tempting to view the necessity of fighting for Civil Rights as an archaic call to arms.

But for progressives immersed in the mechanics of changing lives, it serves as a milestone, not a destination: While much has been accomplished, much needs to be done.

In Massachusetts, a new bill addressing equality, an Act to Restore Enforcement of Civil Rights, sponsored by Representative Byron Rushing and State Senator James Eldridge, was introduced in the state legislature last month. ACE is a founding member of a large and growing coalition of organizations supporting the bill because we believe it will help achieve environmental justice.

If passed, the bill would grant people the right to sue in state court if a state program or policy has a disparate impact based on race, color, national origin or gender. The bill would fill a void in Massachusetts civil rights laws. Read more...

New Executive Director at ACE!

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:07:45 -0500

February 9, 2009

We are pleased to announce that effective today, ACE has a new Executive Director! Please read on to hear from our outgoing Director, Penn Loh, and our incoming Director, Kalila Barnett.

Read letters from Penn and Kalila...

CORI reform on the horizon

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 01:18:04 -0500

January 16, 2009

Thanks to the work of groups like the Boston Workers’ Alliance (BWA), Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) reforms are beginning to take shape in Massachusetts.

Last year, these efforts spurred Governor Patrick to issue an Executive Order on CORI, resulting in new proposed regulations by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS).

CORI is a database created in the ’70s for use by law enforcements agencies. Today, the BWA says about 10,000 organizations can access CORI reports and that these records are "used to deny people jobs, housing credit and student loans." The campaign for CORI reform aims to end discrimination for qualified ex-offenders who have paid their debt to society.

In its draft of new CORI procedures, the EOHHS recommends that rehabilitated offenders be "given a fair opportunity to be employed and reintegrated successfully into the workplace." Read more...

Happy Holidays from ACE!

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 02:56:43 -0500

December 26, 2008

Thanks to your support, it's been a fun and productive year at ACE. Together, we have made great strides for environmental justice in the Boston area and beyond.

To learn more about our work, please sign up for our e-newsletter.

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season. Looking forward to posting more blogs in 2009!

ACE Gift Memberships now available!

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:51:39 -0500

December 12, 2008

With the holiday season in full swing, wouldn't it be nice to get all your gift shopping done and do good at the same time?

For the person on your list who seems to have everything, why not consider giving an ACE Gift Membership?

We'll send a welcome card that shares your gift, ACE swag and an introduction to environmental justice work.

Your recipient will also receive our monthly (occasionally semi-monthly) newsletter to keep in the loop on upcoming events and campaigns.

What could be better than that?

Gift Levels:

For a $15 donation, your friend, family member or colleague will receive a Welcome Card, an ACE Membership Card and an Annual Report Booklet. A $40 donation will add in a T Riders Union (TRU) T-shirt, featuring our signature transit justice program. A $75 donation includes all of above, plus our 20-minute video that showcases the people and stories behind our work. Read more...