Many Roxbury residents were excited to receive an invitation from the Massachusetts Office of Business Development for a listening session with Gov. Charlie Baker and Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash. That is, until they read the September 8 date.
That date, the Tuesday after Labor Day, is the day of the city’s preliminary election for City Council. With contested races in Roxbury’s District 7 and Dorchester’s District 4, many of the most active, civically-engaged residents in Boston’s black community are likely to be volunteering on a campaign, working on voter turnout, volunteering at a polling place or simply casting a ballot at event’s 6 p.m. start time.
Roxbury residents began emailing and phoning Office of Business Development Director Dick Dalton voicing their concerns. Dalton initially dug his heels in, suggesting that residents could vote and attend the event. But after 24 hours of community pressure, Dalton appears to have softened his stance. As of Thursday at noon, Dalton said he has contacted Roxbury Community College to look at alternative dates for the event.
Now let’s hope the campaigns and electoral activists can generate a strong turnout Sept. 8.
