American Association for Arab Women sponsoring a workshop about Islamophobia, by Dr. Nahed El-Kholy. Shown from left to right, are; Mourad Afani, Abdessamad Zouhir, Dr. Nahed El-Kholy (Speaker), Habiba Idrissi, and Souad Akib (Executive Director of AAAW) at the Islamophobia workshop.

The American Association for Arab Women (AAAW) held a workshop at the Immigrant Learning Center last Saturday on the topic of Islamophobia, a pattern of prejudicial  behaviors by some people in the U.S. who are afraid of the Muslim religion and go as far as to automatically associate Muslims with terrorism.

It’s the irrational fear and discrimination against the religion which prompted guest speaker and psychiatrist Dr. Nahed El-Kholy to visit Malden to assure those in attendance that followers of the Muslim faith are caring people.

“We want to prevent the fear of people and the misconception that Muslim people are generally terrorists,” said Dr. Nahed El-Kholy. She continued by stating, “There were over 300 Muslim lives lost in the September 11 attacks, and when the financial crisis hit a few years ago, many Muslims lost their jobs.”

The workshop attracted audiences with different backgrounds, including Christians and  Muslims and Malden residents and nonresidents, including Mayor Gary Christenson.

The workshop also led to an open discussion in which the audience shared their experiences of being Muslim and their thoughts on Islamophobia. “When I was in Florida, I had people spit on my car, and they called me names,” said Diana Rodriguez Salgado, who was dressed in hijab, the head covering traditionally worn by Muslim women. The good news is that Diana said she had not encountered Islamophobia in Malden.

Marie Coulanges, originally from Haiti and a Malden resident said, “It’s the lack of education in people who behave and subscribe to Islamophobia.”

During the open discussion, many in the audience stated Islamophobia has impacted them in some way and they don’t want people to be afraid. “It’s hurting all of us,” one member in the audience said.

The Muslims in the US are also Americans who love the country,” Dr. El-Kholy said in conclusion of the forum.

Abdessamad Zouhir, executive advisor of AAAW, stated: “That’s why we need more workshops and discussion to show non-Muslim people to understand the truth of Islam, a peaceful religion.”

Attendee Dan Burke said: “We can learn from each other; we all have common ground we can agree on.”

In an interview with the Malden Advocate, Mayor Christenson said, “Islamophobia is a reminder of why we must continue to work together to promote religious and cultural diversity. Fortunately for Malden, we are lucky to have organizations like the Immigrant Learning Center and the American Association for Arab Women to help us achieve this important goal.”

Paul F. Cutone, Union Treasurer; Rich Cutone. Both are SEIU Local 888 members and custodians at Malden's Public Schools; Daniel Hoffer, COPA Organizer SEIU Local888; Joanne Repoza, Vice President of the Board of Directors at MASC; George Bayers, Treasurer, MASC; Rachie Lewis, Community Organizer, MASC; Margurite Gonsalves President Malden Education Association

The Citizen Engagement Committee met Tuesday evening with representatives from “Campaign for Our Communities” to discuss solutions to address the state’s revenue deficit. The group wants the city council to pass a resolution stating that they want the governor and state legislature to “invest in our community, to strengthen our economy and improve the quality of life of Massachusetts residents.”  The governor would do this by passing legislation that would raise substantial new revenue while holding down increases for low and middle income individuals and families. Their plan is to pass major revenue reform in the Commonwealth in 2013.

“When we go to the statehouse, they want to know ‘who do you support?’ When we have the city officials behind us, they know it’s for the benefit of the city,” said Paul Cutone, SEIU Local 888 treasurer and Malden public school custodian.

Committee Chairwoman and Ward 5 Councillor Barbara Murphy said they will definitely keep this proposal under advisement, and it will be in front of the entire city council in another two to three weeks. “We would all love more local aid money, we’re not against that at all,” Murphy said. “We have taken it under advisement and it seems, on the surface, something we would all be in favor of.”

“Campaign for Our Communities” was formed to inform Massachusetts about the importance of investing in our communities. It is a coalition of several community organizations, including Massachusetts Senior Action Council, Boston Teachers Union, Progressive Massachusetts, SEIU Local 888, Mass Alliance, and the Greater Boston Labor Council.

“We were urging the city council in Malden to support a resolution that would call on the Massachusetts Legislature to raise revenue in a variety of ways so that the cuts to services for lower and middle income people and families would not be too hurtful,” said Daniel Hoffer from SEIU Local 888. “So what we’re advocating for is broad-based revenue increases, whether that’s from closing corporate tax loopholes or one time revenue streams, like selling assets or raising revenue from those people who can most afford it, and there are a variety of approaches, and we were urging them to pass this resolution so the people in the statehouse could feel better about discussing revenue.”

During the past few months, representatives from Campaign for Our Communities have visited and successfully convinced city councils all over Massachusetts to pass this resolution. These include Brockton, Boston, Lawrence, Worcester, Arlington, Cambridge, New Bedford, and Springfield.

“The question becomes how, obviously, is revenue raised and who does that impact, because that has to come out of someone’s pocket,” said Councillor Murphy. “So however we balance the budget, there is someone on the receiving end and someone on the taking end. So obviously that is something we don’t have control over; the governor does, but certainly as a city the more local aid we get, the better position we’re in.”

“I’ve been assigned to the Residence Ordinance Committee by the Solicitor’s Office,” said Durgin.  Over the last few months, I reviewed the recent case law that has come down; the City Council received review of the Fall River Case, the Quincy Case and the reasons why this ordinance must be amended. The proposed amended ordinance accomplishes two goals; first it confirms the ordinance to the current law of treating residents and non-residents the same under the Privilege and Immunities Clause of the United States Constitution. And secondly, it provides employment for the Malden resident by voluntary compliance,” she continued.

The city’s Resident Employment Ordinance currently requires contractors to hire qualified Malden residents to work at least 35 percent of the project’s hours. “I’m very proud of the Malden Residency Committee in helping us with a major project.  A lot of money was spent on the Gilbane contract and a lot of us on the council were concerned that local Malden residents should get a piece of the action,” said Committee Chair and Ward 7 Councillor Neal Anderson. Gilbane Building Co. was the Rhode Island-based company supervising the $77 million Malden High School renovation.

“Unfortunately, we weren’t attaining the goals that were set in that ordinance until we started bringing the contractor before us for reports,” Anderson continued. “Oftentimes we found that they would not be able to achieve the goals and would be looking for us to waive the requirement. Well, the Council wasn’t about to do that. We insisted that they work harder. We took some pretty stern action; we stopped the payments to these contractors.  I have to say that the Gilbane Company got the message.”

“Voluntary Compliance” was the term with which those in attendance took issue. There is no way to force potential contractors to sign a document saying they will hire Malden residents and provide updates about the progress on their construction sites. “If there’s a job that goes out to bid, you can’t put anything in the bid. There’s no violation if he or she doesn’t go the 35 percent because that is economic discrimination ─ treating residents of Malden different from resident of another city. If we continue without amending this ordinance, we will be challenged and we will lose,” said Durgin

“We’ve got some big projects coming and the economy is still sputtering, to offer Malden residents jobs should be a priority,” said Ward 4 Councillor Jim Nestor.

“Begrudgingly we have to follow what the law is. I still think it’s important to have the ordinance in the books so we’ll have something as an option. So I guess where the rubber will hit the proverbial road from my assessment is at the bidding process itself, if we can get the contractors to commit to hiring Malden residents,” said Percy Stallworth, foreclosure prevention counselor from ESAC.

“In the last administration with Mayor Howard, he said that this is a goal-oriented ordinance and that mandatory enforcement would not occur. And he told that to Utility Contractors Association of New England (UCANE), who was a plaintiff in the Fall River Case. They’re watching us and if we have mandated residency requirements, then we will be challenged. We would rather have a voluntary compliance law on the books,” said Durgin. The first ruling on Fall River was in November 2011 and Quincy just came down last month.

The law is clear, and the city of Malden does not have the financial means by which to fend off potential law suits. “We’re going to get the biggest bang for our buck when they’re signing these contracts. There’s got to be some point person that pitches this ordinance to those individuals that have the ability to instruct their minions that we have the ability to keep Malden residents employed,” said Stallworth.

Anderson said, “We’re the government, I don’t think we need to go “hat-in-hand” to these contractors. We have an ordinance. I don’t care if we’re challenged, I’d rather see us speak sternly to these contractors if we find that these contractors are unwilling to comply voluntarily then take the gloves off.”

This ordinance has been currently tabled. The councillors agreed that while they may not like the ‘voluntary compliance’ clause, there are too many people’s lives at stake here.  It will be discussed next week. “There might be another way to skin this cat,” said Ward 3 Councillor John Matheson.

“The FY13 budget was $57,690,000… all I got to work with was $56,024,980, so there is my gap,” said Malden Public School Superintendent Dr. David DeRuosi, Jr.

At the school committee meeting on May 7, the superintendent had stated that the estimated spending for the next school year, as calculated by the state, will be approximately $55,550,000.

Mayor Gary Christensen, in his preliminary figures for FY13, provided the school committee in excess of that, with $56,024,980. The school committee is obliged to trim a million dollars from their budget, instead of two million.

It is estimated that eleven teaching positions will be removed, although this has not been finalized.  There will be another budget subcommittee meeting next Monday, April 21.

“It’s $1,667,000 I need to trim off the budget, “said the superintendent, adding, “By contract the teachers have to know by May 15, but they’ve granted me a waiver to June 1. I didn’t want to just put out all lay-off notices to the non-status teachers. And the union and the teachers were kind enough to grant me an extra few weeks to work this out, so I can get my numbers tighter.”

This Monday’s meeting focused on bringing the budget number in line and making cuts based on principals’ feedback and collaboration. DeRuosi said: “I presented the school committee with a draft budget; they asked me to go back and get some information regarding some of the cuts from the principals, which I did. On Monday night I’ll submit that information. And I’ll give them another current update on the staffing, based on what the school committee wanted me to go back and investigate from the principals.”

No Malden teachers were laid off last year, but this year approximately ten may be without jobs. The budget subcommittee’s decision on the matter will be out in two weeks.

Meanwhile the rumor mills are working overtime with stories of how entire departments may be removed. “It’s like a morgue in every school,” said one committee member, who asked to remain anonymous.

With the defeat, the Tornadoes record fell to 10-5 overall and 5-2 in the Greater Boston League.

“It was a tough loss because we were up 5-0 early and we could have been in control of the league if we won,” said Malden head coach Kevin Carpenito. “We had the bases loaded in the top of the seventh with one out but couldn’t score.”

Rodney Morton led the Tornadoes at bat going a perfect 3 for 3 with a walk an one run batted in. Nick Powers went 3 for 5 with three runs batted in. Senior captain Austin Teal went 2 for 5 with one RBI while Adam Lucey was 2 for 4 with one run scored.

Bradlee Applin was the losing pitcher in relief as he went the final four innings allowing four earned runs.

The news was much better last Friday afternoon as they beat host Saugus, 6-4. Malden broke a 4-4 tie in the top of the sixth inning as Lucey had a RBI single to make it 5-4. The Tornadoes scored its final run later on  in that inning thanks to a past ball.

Nick Powers was the winning pitcher in relief as he pitched the final two innings not allowing a run. Powers had a solo home run as well.

Malden was patient at the plate and walked 11 times.

“We took advantage of their shaky pitching,” said Carpenito.

The win clinched a Div. 1 state tournament bid as Malden has now qualified for the states the last three years in a row.

“The kids were really happy,” stated Carpenito. “That was our goal coming into the season.”

This weekend the Tornadoes will participate in the East Boston Colon Cancer Tournament at East Boston High. On Saturday, they will play Newton South at noon. They will then play either East Boston of Madison Park on Sunday in the consolation or title game.

“It was a big win for us, especially for the seniors,” said Malden Head Coach John Furlong. “The seniors have gone 31-1 in league play only losing to Medford when they were freshmen.”

Pitcher Kiara Amos improved to 13-1 on the mound. The senior gave up just one hit and one walk. She also fanned seven. At bat she was 3 for 4 and ended the game with a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth. Malden finished with fifteen hits. Bridgett Furlong and Melissa Light both were 2 for 3 with two runs batted in each. Emily Hoffman was 2 for 4 with one RBI. Erica Hanson added a two-run single as well.

Last Thursday afternoon Amos tossed her second no-hitter of the season against visiting Cambridge Rindge and Latin as Malden won, 12-0, in a six inning mercy-rule game.

“She continues to throw the ball well,” stated Furlong. “She is a gamer.” The two-time GBL MVP did not allow a walk and she struck out fourteen Falcon batters.

Malden’s offense had ten hits in this game. Hoffman had a big day, going 2 for 2 with two walks and two runs batted in. Light nearly matched Hoffman, going 2 for 2 with one walk and two RBIs. Rebecca Krigman was 2 for 4, while Furlong and Hanson added RBI singles as well. Furlong also drew a walk.

The Golden Tornadoes will try to improve its seeding for the upcoming Div. 1 state tournament as they wrap up the regular season.

Today (Friday) the Tornadoes will host Lynn Classical at 4 p.m. The team is looking to avenge its only loss of the season. Next Tuesday the team will visit Marblehead at 4 p.m. Malden wraps up the regular season at Burlington next Thursday at 4 p.m.

The I Know English mentoring program members were pleasantly surprised with a visit from Mayor Christenson and Yan Yu, Mayor's Constituent Services Representative. The Mayor enjoyed visiting the very successful collaboration which has joined Malden High School students with 5th grade students from the Salemwood School. On the day of the visit the students were engaged in a tower building challenge which required the groups to build a standing tower in an allotted amount of time. The Mayor left the meeting with a gift. He took the winning tower back to the Mayor's office signed by all the 5th grade students who built it.

Mayor Gary Christenson is shown with Malden Director of Veterans Services Kevin Jarvis, DAV Senior Vice Commander Bud Klasner, and DAV Commander Joe Barbas. (photo/Paul Hammersley)

Disabled American Veterans Senior-Vice Commander Bud Klasner and Commander Joe Barbas asked Mayor Gary Christenson to officially open the DAV annual Forget-Me-Not Fundraiser which will run through May 22. After World War I, the Forget-Me-Not became the symbol for commemorating soldiers who had fallen during the war and this annual fundraiser has helped to provide much needed support to Disabled American Veterans since 1926.
DAV Commanders will be collecting contributions in front of Stop & Shop, City Hall and the Malden MBTA station between now and May 22. In turn, donors will receive a Forget-Me-Not. Contributions may also be mailed to the Malden DAV, Attn: Forget Me Not Drive, 85 Willow Street, Malden, MA 02148. For more information, please call 781-324-9669.
“I’m honored to have made the first contribution to this annual fundraiser in support of our veterans,” said Mayor Christenson.

An accident in the Bahamas leaves Everett resident Ken Fougere, Sr. severely injured.  He was vacationing with family and friends when the accident occurred.  Ken and Joyce (Ruggiero) and their son, Ken, Jr., had taken a long-planned cruise to the Bahamas.  On Friday, April 20, Ken was swimming with others in the group when a dive in shallow waters went awry.

He sustained several neck fractures and a compressed spine.  He was Med-flighted to the Del Ray Trauma Center in Del Ray Beach, Florida where he received care and treatment.  He is expected to have a lengthy rehabilitation and recovery process.  As soon as he is able to travel, he will make the trip home and continue treatment here.

Family and friends are planning a fundraiser to help defray the many uncovered expenses.  The fundraiser will take place in June; further details to be forthcoming.  Anyone wishing to make a donation may do so at anytime by sending a check (any amount will be greatly appreciated) to: The Ken Fougere Recovery Fund, c/o East Boston Savings Bank, 1755 Revere Beach Parkway, Everett MA 02149.

Mayor Gary Christenson is shown pitching the first bocce ball during the Bocce Season Opener at the Italian-American Citizens Club on Pearl St. as City Councillor Craig Spadafora, Rep. Chris Fallon, IACC Member Eddie DiGiantomasso, President Dick Barricelli.

Malden’s Italian-American Citizens Club hosted its 2012 Bocce Season Opener Monday evening. “It’s our 75^th year as a club,” said club president Dick Barricelli. “This is the inaugural game of the 2012 Bocce Season. We have a new court and all new grounds. We’re dedicating the season to one of the members who passed away, Mike Tiberi.”

Mayor Gary Christenson tossed the first Bocce Ball of the season. The Season Opener was also attended by State Rep. Chris Fallon, Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora and Ward 2 Councillor Steve Ultrino.

The Italian-American Citizen’s Club has over 500 members, forming 22 Bocce teams. The games are played every night from May to the beginning of October.