“Our students shouldn’t have to compromise for where they are. Our teachers shouldn’t have to compromise for where they work.” — New Bedford’s Assistant Superintendent Andrew O’Leary
Author Archives: Jack Spillane
Posted inJack Spillane column
Councilors finally approve ARPA money with virtually no public discussion
Among the spending approvals: $7.1 million for health and safety; $11.1 million for neighborhood stability and housing; $7.1 million for small business support; $8.7 million for open space enhancements; $4.7 million for water and wastewater; and $11.9 million for arts, culture, hospitality and tourism.
Posted inJack Spillane column
Cultures clash over Dartmouth’s Indian logo
In this atmosphere, it’s useful to look a little closer at the actual history of the indigenous people of Dartmouth and Southeastern Massachusetts.
Posted inJack Spillane column
City Council tries stealth maneuvers to gain control of pandemic relief funds
Even more worrisome than the council’s determination to exert more control over the federal ARPA funds than they are probably entitled to, is the secretive process by which the council is trying to exercise that control.
Posted inJack Spillane column
UMass Dartmouth professor walks us through Russia’s war on Ukraine
“Vladimir Putin wants to crush them, break their spine, and bring them back into his dictatorship, into the darkness of his strict, anti-democratic, anti-free press, authoritarian rule.” — Brian Glyn Williams
Posted inJack Spillane column
New Bedford immigrants and advocates celebrate House vote on driver’s license bill
The Senate, traditionally more progressive than the House in Massachusetts, will now take up the legislation. And Senate President Karen Spilka has already signaled her support.
Posted inJack Spillane column
Advocates: New Bedford’s COVID-19 relief funds should be spent on affordable housing
The housing crisis has worsened over the last several years, and both New Bedford and Fall River have now joined larger cities in seeing rental and mortgage prices increase beyond the reach of average working people — particularly young people starting out.
Posted inJack Spillane column
Local Cape Verdean women empowered by effort to recapture ancestors’ history
“At a distance, I see my silent sister Santa Luzia / Watching over me / Finally, I land to open arms at Cabral’s door in Sal / As I transcend in this vast sea of history / Engraved in me”
– Iva Brito, from the poem “Nos Terra (Our Land)”
Posted inJack Spillane column
Councilors’ stance on arts funding stalls Mitchell’s bid to use pandemic relief funds
It’s a mystery, really, why a number of councilors should resent the growth of arts and tourist attractions that bring diners, shoppers and visitors to the city year round.
Posted inJack Spillane column
Community Preservation Act could fuel 3 affordable housing projects
These government incentive-grants have enabled the preservation and reuse development of historic structures across the city for what New Bedford greatly needs right now — a larger and better-quality affordable housing stock.
