ACE - alternatives for community and environment

Fare increases and service cuts are unwise, unfair and unnecessary

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:00:00 -0800

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6174423343

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Wed, 12/07/2011 - 1:00pm

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T Riders Union questions fare hike proposal at MBTA Board Meeting

[BOSTON—Wednesday, December 7] Public transit riders of the T Riders Union (TRU) testified at the MBTA Board of Directors meeting today, raising questions about the decision-making process behind the pending fare increase and service cuts proposal. TRU members called out the MBTA for a lack of transparency and flexibility in the proposal for its FY 2012 – 2013 budget.

New Report Details Transportation Funding Crisis Threatening Massachusetts Economy and Environment

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:52:19 -0700

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8572059932

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Sun, 10/23/2011 - 6:00pm

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New Report Details Transportation Funding Crisis Threatening Massachusetts Economy and Environment
T4MA Coalition Hopes “Maxed Out” will Deepen Dialog About Urgent Need for New Revenues

Company denied use of Brockton drinking water for proposed power plant

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:29:08 -0700

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6174423343226

date/time of release:
Thu, 10/06/2011 - 6:00pm

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gene@ace-ej.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 7, 2011

Today, the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board issued a Final Decision rejecting the Brockton Power Company’s proposal to use municipal potable water to cool its proposed fossil-fuel power plant in Brockton.

T4MA Calls on New Transportation Secretary Davey to Champion a 21st Century Transportation System for the Commonwealth

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:22:12 -0700

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Thu, 08/04/2011 - 1:00pm

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john.walkey@t4america.org

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As budget woes continue to strain the Commonwealth's ability to maintain its aging transportation system and constrain its vision for the system's future, more than 20 Bay State organizations have formed Transportation for Massachusetts (T4MA) to advocate for alternative financing and improved accountability in pursuit of a modern transportation system that works for Massachusetts. T4MA brings together a broad cross-section of historically disconnected organizations in the areas of transportation, regional planning, affordable housing development, public health, environmental advocacy, environmental justice and smart growth that will use their diverse experience and collective influence to bring about a safe, convenient, reliable and affordable transportation system for the people of Massachusetts.

Chelsea TRU improves access for Route 112 riders

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 20:50:11 -0700

July 9, 2011

ACE members in the Chelsea T Riders Union (TRU) recently improved access for bus riders on Route 112.

The T has agreed to run all Route 112 buses to the Market Basket in Admiral’s Hill, starting with the summer schedule on June 25. The bus will now drive into the parking lot and stop directly on the right side of the building.

Two years ago, a new Market Basket was opened across the street from the former store, but the bus continued to use the old stop, forcing riders—including elderly and disabled passengers—to cross a busy street and parking lot for groceries.

In fall 2010, the route was changed to service the new Market Basket, but buses were still stopping at the old site. Because the Admiral’s Hill stop is in a cul-de-sac, drivers were confused over whether the Wellington- or Wood Island-bound buses were supposed to stop at the store.

“This calls for a celebration! I’ve been fighting for this for over a year,” said Marjorie Delorian, a member of ACE and Chelsea TRU. “A lot of the seniors are handicapped, or they’ve got bundles, and it’s too much for them to cross the parking lot. This is a necessity. It will make so many seniors happy.”

Youth Way Campaign Releases Report, Demands Youth Pass

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:31:09 -0700

June 9, 2011

This is an exciting week for the Youth Way on the MBTA Campaign!

After three years of youth-led research and organizing for a new Youth Pass, we are releasing a report titled Opportuni(T): Youth riders, the affordability crisis, and the Youth Pass solution. The report is now available on our Youth Way website.

While thousands of youth depend on the MBTA and ride it daily, many can’t afford to pay adult fares. As Opportuni(T) shows, affordable access for youth riders on public transportation benefits everyone. Public transit is part of a sustainable future for the Boston area, and improving access for youth today encourages life-long public transit riders tomorrow.

We propose the creation of a new Youth Pass, an unrestricted monthly LinkPass available for ages 12 to 21 at Charlie Card machines for $10 a month. While the MBTA provides discounted student fares, the benefit reaches less than 50 percent of young people. The Youth Pass is an innovative solution to young people’s crisis of affordability. Its creation will transform and increase youth riders’ access to the MBTA, bridging the transportation gap to education, employment, healthcare and community involvement.

Today's Jammin' for Justice EJ Awardees: Environmental Chelsea Creek Crew and Know What's Up

Mon, 23 May 2011 08:25:09 -0700

May 23, 2011

The Environmental Chelsea Creek Crew (E3C) is a program of the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH) in East Boston. The teens work with Know What's Up (KWU) and the Chelsea Creek Action Group (CCAG) to clean and redevelop polluted sites and lead environmental justice campaigns in the local watershed.

E3C and KWU are geared towards experiential learning, and their work has ranged from conducting field studies with the Urban Ecology Institute at the Condor Street Urban Wild to organizing cleanups and managing a community garden. During the Earth Day cleanup last month, they removed a seven-foot tractor tire that had been dumped in the Chelsea Creek over a decade ago.

Today's Jammin' for Justice EJ Awardee: Boston Workers Alliance

Thu, 19 May 2011 13:39:19 -0700

May 19, 2011

Jammin' for Justice, ACE’s annual celebration and fundraiser, is next Thursday, May 26! Members and supporters will be celebrating with delicious food, a live band, and our famous silent auction. Don't forget to RSVP by calling 617-442-3343 x231 or emailing Jasmine -- the deadline is tomorrow!

Jammin' is also an opportunity to showcase outstanding environmental justice work. In the next few days we will be highlighting our 2011 Environmental Justice Award honorees. Our first honoree is the Boston Workers Alliance.

Founded in 2005, the Boston Workers Alliance (BWA) is a grassroots organization led by unemployed and under-employed workers fighting for social and economic justice. Their vision and leadership in a multi-year statewide campaign led to the passage of a long-awaited Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) reform bill in August 2010. Job applicants will no longer be required to disclose their criminal history on preliminary job applications, giving equal footing for people who have completed sentences and those who were arrested and cleared.

CORIs will now be sealed after five years for misdemeanors and 10 years for felonies, a five-year decrease in both instances, and the CORI system will be upgraded so that employers will not have to depend on unregulated and inaccurate private databases. These reforms open doors for people who have paid their debt to society, give equal opportunities for employment, and place Massachusetts at the forefront of the national movement for economic justice.

Do you want your very own garden?

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 06:42:14 -0700

April 14, 2011

Do you like fresh vegetables? Want to grow them in your own backyard? The Food Project's Build-a-Garden program is now accepting applications for raised bed garden kits.

Having a backyard garden plot can help encourage better eating habits and a healthier lifestyle, reduce food costs, and foster a sense of community in the neighborhood. All Boston residents are eligible to apply, but residents of Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan and others with financial need are given priority.

The program will provide participants with a raised bed garden or container gardening kit, (including soil and compost) as well as seeds and plants. Additionally, printed growing guides and workshops are available.

In order to make the beds accessible to all, The Food Project requires a minimum contribution of $10 for individuals ($25 for organizations) for each bed. However, those with the ability to pay more are encouraged to do so to offset the cost of a raised bed for another applicant.

If you're interested in applying, complete the application and return it to the Food Project at 555 Dudley Street, Dorchester, MA 02125. Applications are accepted throughout the year. For more information, email The Food Project.

Environmental Action 2011 Conference

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:05:22 -0800

February 24, 2011

ACE is partnering with Toxics Action Center to hold an Environmental Action 2011 event on March 12, 2011, along with Environment Massachusetts, Massachusetts Climate Action Network, Clean Water Action, MASSPIRG and MLEV. An ACE team (Whitney, a youth organizer, Gene and Staci, attorneys) will present a panel about air quality. The conference will bring together community activists, organizers, and scientific experts to network, collaborate, and strategize about hot environmental issues.

We invite you to come and learn, collaborate and be inspired at Environmental Action 2011! The event will take place on Saturday, March 12, from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm at Bentley University in Waltham.

We are offering over 20 workshops on skills trainings, issues tracks, and expert advice. These include: Coal-Free 2020, Maintaining Your Team for the Long Haul, and Getting Organics out of the Waste Stream: How to Fight Global Warming, Reduce Trash and Make Landfills Safer.

Thoughts on the State of the Union and Transportation Infrastructure

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:27:31 -0800

January 26, 2011

ACE is on the Executive Committee of Transportation for America (T4A) and participates in T4A’s Equity Caucus. The Equity Caucus released this statement about President Obama’s State of the Union address:

We applaud President Obama's State of the Union call for smart, targeted transportation investments that connect all Americans to opportunity.

The infrastructure Americans build, operate, and repair today will create jobs now and lay the foundation for a competitive and prosperous tomorrow. But our inadequate, outdated, and underfunded transportation systems are keeping too many struggling Americans—young and old, rural and urban—from fully connecting and contributing to the national economy.

Building power for environmental justice!

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 10:10:28 -0700