etelhaxhiaj.bsky.social
District 5 Worcester City Councilor. Serving District 5 residents and running for a third-term. Housing is a right. Climate justice. Vision Zero. Safe streets. Fire prevention saves lives.
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So, yes, the city manager should re-appoint the Chair and Vice Chair of the Human Rights Commission. It may not make his life easier, but it is best for the residents of the City of Worcester and, hence, the right thing to do.
-fini-
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Don't believe me? Don't have to take my word for it. Even the Chief said as much at last Tuesday's City Council meeting. So the question now becomes, "If the department is indeed better today than it was yesterday, why stop? Why change direction?"
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We also need to start acknowledging that despite all the hate, vitriol and obstacles sent their way, people who said the WPD needed reform were right. The department is better today than it was yesterday, and that's not an accident. That's due to the work of HRC, city councilors and activists.
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... requests from the HRC for information can be and sometimes are simply ignored. Now add in the failure to re-appoint the 2 members with whom the CM disagrees and you get a clear picture of a City Hall that's working for itself, not the people of Worcester.
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I acknowledge it may have been a bit of an overreach to compare the acts of the current CM with what's happening in Washington. "Bending to one person's will," was how I phrased it, I think. But it's not a big overreach. On yesterday's Radio Roundtable, @guillermocjr.bsky.social explained how ...
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As of this morning, there are 66 vacancies across 25 boards and commissions in Worcester. These are not easy jobs to fill under the best of circumstances. Wouldn't you want to retain good, committed individuals, regardless of their stance on any one issue?
worcesterma.gov/boards-commi...
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I would argue that these volunteers have spent the time, done the work and are in the best position to serve the people of Worcester. Put another way, what message does it send when, after having done the work but disagreeing with the CM, they are cast aside?
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It's important to recognize that the purpose of boards and commissions is to serve the people of the city of Worcester, through the city manager's office. They are not designed to serve one person, even if they sit in the big chair. To that end, the question becomes, "Who is best to do it?"
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Yes, the CM can appoint whomever he likes. But just because he can doesn't mean he should. Also, at the outset, to be fair, administrations have tried to hobble the HRC, almost since its inception, so Eric Batista is not the first city manager to try.
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Re-instate them both. Let them continue the work.
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So, yeah, I’m very frustrated that chair Shemitz and Vice Chair O’Callahan weren’t re-appointed, against the unanimous will of the entire commission, and my and CC King’s asks.
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We don’t have another public body that is capable of dissecting, analyzing and framing policy as well as they have. I’d love to as a lawmaker. I’ve tried.
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Their work is not only valuable. It’s necessary. I’d argue, they’ve demonstrated how it SHOULD get done.
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They’ve done incredible, quality, meticulous work. Suggested language changes. Model policy frames.
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Ofc they were focused on DOJ & Racial Equity Audit. Two back-to-back reports that mirror what community has spotlighted for decades.
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I think democracy is disoriented right now
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Awwww I’m so sorry @speedofwhite.bsky.social. Pets are like family. Your dog had such sweet energy. ❤️
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Let me guess. This will be only for white women having white babies, yeh?
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make up for decades of negligence.
Being in this midst of this is like floating without paddles, hoping that what you do and say steers your flat boat in some helpful direction.
There is so far your hands can take you. I don’t think folks truly understand this. Yet, they judge as if they do.
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It was a nice empty slogan for them.
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Yes. Indeed. They were properly sent away.
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❤️
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Very good question! I was thinking just that. Will find out soon
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She’s in the minority, let’s be clear.
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Lastly, I know I may sound alarmist. I would not if I didn’t encounter kids who depend on us and people like me in elected office to speak up for them. I am deeply grateful to elected officials like my Senator Robyn Kennedy who has busted her behind working on this issue.
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No, I get it. I won’t see any officials at any of my campaign events bcs I criticize too much. It’s my job to use my relationships, positional power and knowledge to both call out & suggest policy solutions. I’m not looking for endorsements. I’m looking to protect people.
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How is this not the biggest racial justice issue of our time?
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Ya’ll I GET that we need more housing. But the whole friggin point is that the state is subsidizing to the tune of $30 mill a year luxury housing ($4000, $3000) type rents, while kicking out families w/ kids, majority Black & brown onto NOT permanent housing.
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Awwww just the thing we needed. 🙌🥰