JACK SPILLANE COLUMN
City Council ward races present a test of loyalties
In Ward 1 and Ward 6, the incumbents have been among Mayor Jon Mitchell’s most reliable supporters. And both challengers sound like members of the minority opposition led by councilors Linda Morad and Brian Gomes.
Oct. 26, 2021
ELECTION WATCH
New Bedford’s municipal elections just one week away
There are contested races for assessor at large, City Council at Large and City Council races in Ward 1, Ward 5 and Ward 6.
Oct. 25, 2021
WHO’S RUNNING
Visit our Election page to read candidate profiles.
City Council at Large
Ian Abreu
Shane Burgo
Naomi Carney
Paul Chasse
Brian Gomes
Jason Mello
Linda Morad
Scott Pemberton
David Sullivan
Lisa White
Assessor at Large
Kimberly Saunders
Erik Andrade
Ward 1
Leo Choquette
William “Brad” Markey
Ward 2
Maria Giesta (unopposed)
Ward 3
Hugh Dunn (unopposed)
Ward 4
Derek Baptiste (unopposed)
Ward 5
Zach Boyer
Scott Lima
Ward 6
Joseph P. Lopes
Ryan Pereira
School Committee
Melissa Costa
Colleen Dawicki
Ross M. Grace Jr.
Note: Candidate profiles were compiled from questionnaires emailed to all candidates for office. Those who did not return questionnaires were not included.
CULTURE!
DON’T MISS: Quinn Sullivan, Casa do Galo, Slaughter at The Vault, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Halloween party
It’s a week of music and more Halloween vibes, not to mention a live shadow cast to be performed as “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” rolls on the big screen at the Zeiterion.
Oct. 24, 2021
COVID-19 WARNING: While we continue to list New Bedford’s array of cultural offerings, readers are advised to heed the latest public health recommendations.
JACK SPILLANE COLUMN
In redistricting battle, it’s every pol for the incumbents
Late Thursday the House passed a plan that creates a minority-majority district in New Bedford but keeps three suburban legislators representing small parts of the city’s far North End.
Oct. 21, 2021
COVID-19 WATCH
State restores New Bedford vaccine clinics
“This week, mobile vaccination clinics will continue, as scheduled, Tuesday through Friday,” a state spokesperson wrote in an email to The New Bedford Light.
Oct. 20, 2021
POLICE REFORM
New Bedford police unveil new policy for labeling gang members
Now, those who are labeled as being gang affiliated will be notified by certified mail and given 14 days to respond to a request to meet with the personnel who approved and verified the information.
Oct. 20, 2021
How would you rate New Bedford’s efforts at police reform? Grade the NBPD with an A to F, and explain your reasoning. Use our online comment form or send an email to Voices@newbedfordlight.org. We’ll publish select comments in Community Voices.
What happened to New Bedford police reform? Not a lot … yet.
More than a year after Black Lives Matter protests against police violence, anti-racism activists say change has been minimal.
Oct. 18, 2021
CITY GOVERNMENT
New Bedford mayor notes city’s progress, despite pandemic
“New Bedford is about to enter an important period. The opportunities knocking on our door are more promising than those the city has had perhaps at any point in the last century.”
Oct. 21, 2021
Latest COVID numbers for New Bedford, Bristol County
There were 355 new COVID-19 cases reported in New Bedford during the week ending Wednesday, Oct. 20, up slightly from 318 new cases the week before.
Updated Oct. 21, 2021
Where to get vaccinated in New Bedford, with no appointment needed
Updated Oct. 21, 2021
WE REMEMBER YOU
Life tributes to New Bedford residents who died in the pandemic
Read more stories in our virtual memorial
MORE FROM JACK SPILLANE
Alma del Mar Charter Schools making the grade
By January, Alma will have built two entirely new school buildings, its original Ottiwell campus on Belleville Avenue and a second $24 million Douglass campus on Church Street.
Right-leaning voices ring out at New Bedford debate
You really would not have been surprised if former President Trump had made an appearance shouting, “Make New Bedford Great Again!” and candidates at the council table all started banging their fists and shouting, “Four more years!”
New Bedford loses yet another grand old church
St. Joseph-St. Therese’s may join four other impressive but nearly impossible to reuse church buildings — St. John the Baptist, St. Kilian, St. Ann, and Trinity Methodist.
In Depth: WIND
Readers react to more waterfront staging space for offshore wind
Readers react to news that the Cannon power plant will be torn down to create city’s second offshore wind staging site.
Vineyard Wind and unions sign historic deal in New Bedford
Mayor Mitchell: This will “create a pathway to the middle class by helping to establish solid union jobs, right here in our city.”
Inside New Bedford’s blockbuster offshore wind deal
They agreed to devote a portion of the Cannon Street site for a modern seafood offloading facility where the public could view the fishing boats as they purchase fresh fish.
Offshore wind staging area planned for Eversource site
Cannon Street Power Station will be demolished and the surrounding area cleared to develop a staging area for the coming offshore wind industry.
The birth of a new American industry
In Episode 1 of the “Windfall” podcast, New Hampshire Public Radio examines the potential for wind power to reshape our energy future.
America’s would-be first wind farm
In Episode 2 of the “Windfall” podcast, New Hampshire Public Radio looks at how Cape Wind’s failure laid the groundwork for the industry’s explosive growth today.
How a scrappy squid fishery took on Vineyard Wind
In Episode 3 of the “Windfall” podcast, New Hampshire Public Radio looks at the forces colliding in the fight for fishing grounds.
Angling to become the wind capital of America
What does New Bedford stand to gain from the nation’s coming offshore wind boom? In Episode 4 of the “Windfall” podcast, New Hampshire Public Radio looks at big promises coming from industry leaders.
Alternative energy goes corporate
Is the environmental movement ready to welcome Big Oil and devoted capitalists into its ranks? At what cost? Episode 5 of New Hampshire Public Radio’s “Windfall” podcast explores.
In Depth: HOUSING
New Bedford eviction actions mount as legal services languish
In Bristol County, 557 executions of eviction have been issued to renters since October 2020 … housing advocates say the number could soar in August.
Moratorium on evictions extended; where to get help in New Bedford
For tenants, landlords and homeowners, a large amount of rental relief funds are available to those in need.
Wave of evictions expected in New Bedford
The federal moratorium on evictions expires at the end of June. Many have already fallen through the cracks.
Battle brewing over future of New Bedford neighborhoods
As real estate prices increase, there is evidence that low-income residents are being forced out of homes in New Bedford.
Gentrification a solvable problem in New Bedford?
“If the city has the political will, it can make any of this work,” said Robert Terrell, a lecturer at Tufts University.
New Bedford renters struggle to find affordable apartments
“We’re seeing some folks really having challenging times being able to afford this rental market.”
City’s housing market is red-hot
Residential home prices in New Bedford are surging as supply remains low — and local buyers are finding it hard to compete.
What you get for your housing dollar
“New Bedford has always had a lot of value. There are a lot of opportunities …” says Stephen Medeiros, president of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors.
A VIRTUAL MEMORIAL
WE REMEMBER YOU.
As the city emerges from the long siege of COVID-19, we pause to take stock of what – and whom – we’ve lost. Please help build this community memorial by adding a tribute to your loved one.
June 4, 2021
READ MORE
In Depth: COVID-19
PANDEMIC WATCH
‘They don’t have to die’
Nurses in New Bedford are not just exhausted — they are frustrated by the low vaccination rate and the knowledge that serious illnesses and deaths are now preventable.
Sept. 7, 2021
Sad ending for hard-working New Bedford mill employees
Work in the mills may have allowed New Bedford residents to make a living, but it was never a good living for most. And it was never an easy life.
For ‘long-haulers,’ a return to normal remains out of reach
Two local families are still coping with lingering ailments and uncertainty months after initial infections.
Chris McCarthy’s harrowing COVID-19 survival tale
After suffering three strokes, a heart attack and double pneumonia, the WBSM host tells columnist Jack Spillane he does not know for sure whether he literally died.
New Bedford’s social clubs feel pain of pandemic
In the past year, some social clubs in New Bedford have closed their doors, perhaps even permanently. The Young Cape Verdean Athletic Association and the Elks Lodge have listed their properties for sale.
Essay: Remembering Kevin, Megan and Hank
Kevin Harrington and Megan Tench died alone and unexpectedly. Hank Seaman spent months of his last year in isolation from his friends and loved ones.
In Depth: CITY GOVERNMENT
Lima to face Boyer for Ward 5 City Council in New Bedford
Lima, chairman of the council’s Environmental Affairs and Audit committees, garnered more than twice the vote of his two opponents combined, with 69.03%.
New Bedford Light readers answer the $64.7 million question
If you had $64.7 million to spend for the City of New Bedford, what would you do? Readers share their ideas.
$73,000,000
New Bedford schools will receive upwards of $73 million in one-time federal relief funds aimed at safely reopening schools and addressing the needs of students affected by the pandemic.
COMMUNITY VOICES
Discourse: Federal funds can fuel New Bedford’s recovery from COVID-19
The pandemic has caused unprecedented viral sickness and fatalities, while simultaneously laying bare economic and social justice weaknesses that have been hidden in plain sight.
Essay: Help is still available for those facing evictions
Under Massachusetts law, people facing eviction because of nonpayment of rent cannot be evicted while their application for rental assistance is pending.
Southcoast Health CEO pleads for more to get vaccinated
Please ask yourself why you or a loved one may be holding out on getting vaccinated and consult with a medical professional about your concerns. Is it truly worth the risk?
Essay: An open dialogue on police violence in New Bedford
The NAACP New Bedford Branch and Lawyers for Civil Rights are joining together for a ‘know your rights’ forum on interactions with police.
Essay: Texas abortion law an assault on democracy
This Supreme Court, rather than allowing the law to go through the course of legal challenges, chose to uphold the Texas law as it currently stands, shattering a precedent that has been the law of the land for the past 48 years.
Essay: What’s at stake for SouthCoast workers on this Labor Day
We need smart gentrification, where we build for the future, but without pricing out the people who build that future. We need much more affordable housing in all of SouthCoast, Cape Cod, and the Islands.
Essay: Who will benefit from infrastructure investments?
A louder debate is taking place over whether there are other aspects of the United States condition, essentially human needs, that should also be considered “infrastructure.”
Essay: A father who simply could not be silent
Eric Lindell knew nothing about what it meant to be Black in America, but he did know what it was like to be poor, to live in a broken home, to endure the silence of long unspoken trauma and to know something of what it meant to live in a world of other people’s ideas…
Comments: What do you think of mandatory vaccines and masks?
Members of the community weigh in on mandatory vaccines and face masks.
Will the new public safety center make New Bedford safer?
City officials officially opened the South Public Safety Center, the first new police and fire station to be built in New Bedford in more than 50 years.
Essay: The journey to equity is hard. Start by looking within.
Diverse leaders provide guidance and bring new networks, skill sets and experiences that help organizations operationally and strategically.
New Bedford’s Civil War memorial still has important story to tell
“Erected by the city of New Bedford as a tribute of gratitude to her sons who fell defending their country in the struggle with slavery and treason.”
Essay: 30 years as a funeral director didn’t prepare me for COVID
So please, as we face the next pandemic surge which will inevitably come, keep these people and all those you hold dear in mind.
Graduation speech: Our senior year in quarantine
Class of 2021 president Kennedy Johnson reflects on tumultuous year in New Bedford High School graduation speech.
Essay: Why I quit my job during COVID
“Some days were really good, maybe even great. We laughed and learned in our backyard classroom. … However, just one month in, things started to crack.”
Poem: For Every Lighthouse There is a Watchman
A Lisbon writer who grew up in New Bedford pens a poem, inspired by The Light, called “For Every Lighthouse There is a Watchman.”
ABOUT US
“Welcome to The New Bedford Light, your new home for community-based local news. As you can see, we are not a typical breaking news outlet. We hope to be something different, something more.”
READ MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
WHO ARE WE?
How did we come to be? What is our news mission? How do we keep our journalism separate from funders and other interests? How do we decide what to publish? Check out our FAQ, our list of founders and board members, recent news stories about our project, and our community forums.
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voices@newsbedfordlight.org.
EXPAND OUR CULTURE CALENDAR
Our calendar is just getting started. We want to know everything going on at the many arts and culture institutions in our city. We also want to embrace the “edges” of what makes our local culture so rich — galleries, studios, clubs, small restaurants and more: calendar@newbedfordlight.org.
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