The Issues
- Tito Jackson’s Five-Point Plan
Jobs & Economic Development
A community-based economic recovery plan that develops working partnerships with local institutions and businesses to create much-needed jobs. This means creating jobs by growing local business, job training programs and encouraging entrepreneurship. We need to invest in our companies and our people by creating up-to-date, real-world jobs for today and tomorrow.
People talk about the Filene’s Building in Downtown Crossing, but the Ferdinand Furniture building has sat empty in Dudley Square for decades. Revitalizing this site will help initiate a sea change in the neighborhood.
Year-round job training programs for youth and adults, recruiting local businesses to participate. The creation of “Opportunity Bulletins” that list available sites and resources to encourage entrepreneurship. “Tito’s Job Bank” which will provide the web listings of jobs sorted by zip code and/or job type. “Job-landing workshops,” providing coaching on resume writing and job interview techniques. Youth-related job initiatives, including the funding for summer youth violence prevention programs. I’ll recruit businesses to participate in year-round job training programs for local youth.
Education
Continuing focus on closing the achievement gap for students of color, developmentally challenged and special needs students, including the implementation of a “Roxbury Reads” program for public school students. We need safe, well-equipped schools that allow students to reach their potential in a global economy.
Many of the schools scheduled to close are in District 7. The city needs to do a better job of reaching out to communities to improve the education system. In the City Council, I will work tirelessly to be a voice for greater and better educational opportunities for the children of this district and all of Boston. I’ll make sure those who have the power to close and merge schools hear our voices and take our concerns into consideration before making their decisions in the future.
Affordable Housing
Promote affordable housing and home loan opportunities such as those offered by MAHA (Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance) that will convert foreclosed properties into affordable housing. Offering benefits to long-term, stable homeowners and tenants who have made an investment in the community. Contacting local organizations that work with foreclosure prevention and mediation. Transitioning homeless people, particularly families, into permanent housing.
Public Safety
Establishing working groups in high-risk neighborhoods that encourage residents to participate in enforcing public safety. Informing residents about proposed economic developments in their communities that will increase or affect safety. Establishing a “District 7 Hotline,” where residents can report potential safety issues.
Partnerships That Include You
Safer, more secure neighborhoods through partnerships between businesses and community members that will actively engage neighborhood residents and give them greater control over their neighborhood. Open the civic process up to all citizens by making it more transparent and accessible. Working with residents to gain access to current City Council proceedings and proposals. Community-based rap sessions to create better lines of communication between residents and elected officials. These would be videotaped and posted on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
The Jackson 5-Point LGBT Policy Plan
Anti-Bullying
I applaud the work of the Patrick administration and the State Legislature for passing the historic Anti-Bullying bill in 2010. I am committed to working with BPS, the City of Boston and the state in conjunction with non profits like GLSEN, MassEquality, The Gay Straight Alliance, and BAGLEY to put an end to bullying in our schools. In particular, I want to commend the Roslindale School for their pro-active approach to tackling this problem with their defender program that lifts up children who stand up to bullies.
HIV/ AIDS Awareness and Prevention
The LGBT community and communities of color have a shared interest in stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS. I am committed to working with organizations like AIDS ACTION, South End Community Health Center, and Fenway Community Health Center, among others to remove barriers to treatment and increase awareness of this serious problem. Furthermore, I will advocate for the restoration of lost funding on the state level for HIV/AIDS programs. Equally as important, I believe we need to invigorate comprehensive sex education in Boston’s schools. Our young people need to be armed with the knowledge necessary to protect themselves.
Transgender Equal Rights
I am immensely proud of the Patrick Administration’s Executive Order that protects Transgendered State Employees from discrimination. As a City Councillor, I will work with my colleagues on the Council and our counterparts in the State House to protect Transgendered people from discrimination by passing the Transgender Equal Rights Bill. This piece of legislation should be law. In the wake of the death of a transgendered woman who was beaten to death in Chelsea, it is about more than just providing equal rights, it is about shielding them from violence.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a serious problem no matter the community. Whether it is Rosie’s Place or the Gay Mens Domestic Violence Project, I am committed to working with all groups to protect those who are victims from further harm while reducing the instances of domestic violence in all communities.
Recent statistics show that 26% of crime in Police District B2 was domestic violence related. Domestic Violence is a serious problem in any community and the LGBT population is no different. I will always be an advocate for those in need of aid and protection in my community; my door will always be open.
Marriage Equality
With more than 16,000 same sex married couples in Massachusetts, I wholeheartedly support, and will fight to defend, lawfully married couples against any move public or private, to take away their hard fought rights.