“If you’re able to solve someone’s problem, they’re going to vote for you,” said former Ward 5 Councilor Jane Gonsalves, who spent 20 years on the council between 1994 and 2014.
Author Archives: Jack Spillane
Posted inJack Spillane column
Afghan refugee fights for her family’s new life in New Bedford
“I’m so grateful to the American people,” Farkhanda Ehssan said, explaining that she will no longer have to worry about Taliban attacks or bombings or someone dragging children away to fight.
Posted inJack Spillane column
Ralph Tavares and his brothers always made New Bedford proud
Tavares has always held a deservedly special place in New Bedford’s heart, and the unexpected passing of Ralph Tavares this week — just days before his 80th birthday — reminds us of just how special they were.
Posted inJack Spillane column
New Bedford group presses for immigrant driver’s licenses
Proponents say it will allow police to positively identify those they stop on roadways. They’ve also cited the value when undocumented immigrants drive uninsured because they don’t have licenses.
Posted inJack Spillane column
New Bedford and Fall River immigrants come of age politically
This year will be remembered for the creation of a majority-minority state legislative district in New Bedford and a second legally recognized minority-influenced district in the South Coast.
Posted inJack Spillane column
Can ‘10 and Eighth Street’ help ease New Bedford’s housing crisis?
“We’re going to provide safe and affordable housing for the people in New Bedford.” — Attorney Chris Saunders, representing developer Duane Jackson.
Posted inJack Spillane column
New Bedford event honors transgender victims lost to violence
“We’re in the freest country in the world, yet these individuals didn’t get to live their lives freely. And so I hope this is a start to a change.”
Posted inJack Spillane column
Why no New Bedford-Fall River district? Because SouthCoast politicians can’t work together
Parochial interests rose to the top, back-bench politicians lost their nerve, and a key local lawmaker kept his mouth closed until the deal was done.
Posted inCOVID-19
City workers protest New Bedford’s vaccine mandate
As of Monday, municipal workers except for police and school employees were required to have demonstrated to the city that they were either vaccinated or had received a negative COVID-19 test within the past seven days.
Posted inJack Spillane column
Shane Burgo brings powerful new voice to City Council
“I don’t want to be a city councilor just approving a budget … pushing paper. I want to be able to be lifting up my community and showing our youth especially, that we have power in numbers.”
