Bullying & Democracy At Apple Village

Jerry Halberstadt Mon, 07/10/2023 - 21:22

Grey, overcast skies with drizzle did not dampen the welcome that residents of Apple Village in Beverly gave to Senator Joan B. Lovely and Michael Kane, Executive Director of the Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants on Saturday, June 24. The Apple Village Tenants Association hosted a cookout for everyone with the hope of welcoming all and overcoming differences. The event included a "meet and greet" with Senator Lovely and Michael Kane when they spoke about bullying and legislation intended to prevent bullying. 

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bullying
legislation

Bonny's New Links

Jerry Halberstadt Mon, 11/21/2022 - 18:19

By Bonny Zeh
October 11, 2022

I realized that people interested in bullying senior citizens/persons with disabilities needed information. Moreover, bully-victims need to know that they are not alone, even though bullies and mobbing groups try to make bully victims feel isolated. 

After over a year’s hiatus, I have gotten around to updating the general links list. I have found 22 new articles, blog posts, and other resources. I would like to highlight some of the more important links:

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bullying

Bullying Legislation To Address Public Housing Crisis

Jerry Halberstadt Mon, 11/08/2021 - 18:42
At last, a solid, well-researched, in depth article about major issues in public housing, including bullying, has been published by WickedLocal. The lead article by WickedLocal reporter, Willam J. Dowd, provides an excellent review of the issues around bullying, with interviews and quotes from some of the key players. Against this background, Dowd notes the work of the Stop Bullying Coalition to advance a strong ombuds bill to protect tenants of public and subsidized housing from bullying.

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legislation
housing
bullying

Stop Bullying Coalition Petitions Beacon Hill for Protection

Jerry Halberstadt Sun, 10/17/2021 - 01:49
During virtual Beacon Hill testimony before the Joint Committee on Housing on Tuesday, October 12, Jerry Halberstadt and Ms. Kolya Lynne Smith testified on the need to establish an independent, statewide ombuds office to protect elderly and disabled persons who live in public or subsidized housing from bullying, mobbing, and harassment. Their testimonies and that of Ms. Bonny Zeh are available here.

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bullying
legislation

Let's get our rights! with the statewide tenant protective services ombuds program

Jerry Halberstadt Mon, 10/04/2021 - 21:36
S.1084 An Act relative to bullying in public housing would establish a statewide tenant protective services ombuds program for elderly and disabled tenants in public and subsidized housing. This legislation should assure protection from bullying and create accountability for landlords. S.1084 must implement and extend the principle stated by the Attorney General—it is unlawful to prevent others from enjoying their rights as citizens and tenants.

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bullying

Petition for an Effective Ombuds Office

Jerry Halberstadt Fri, 10/01/2021 - 21:53

Let us Now Improve Ombuds Bill S1084 for Effective Protection

A well-designed ombuds office is essential to protect the rights and well-being of tenants in public and subsidized housing for elderly and disabled tenants. We have been seeking relief for almost a decade, and we are no longer pleading and petitioning, we now demand legislation to protect our rights.

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bullying
legislation

Testimony for the Joint Committee on Housing

Jerry Halberstadt Sun, 09/12/2021 - 20:16
Today we support the bill of Senator Lovely S900, along with Representative Honan’s bill H1443—to provide training, guidelines, and resources. The bills rely on the owner/manager to assure the peaceful enjoyment of all tenants. We must also have oversight, protection, and hold landlords to account when they fail to collaborate with tenants and build a healthy community.

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bullying
legislation

Advocacy on Bullying

Jerry Halberstadt Sun, 08/08/2021 - 21:13
Bullying attacks our dignity. Pamela Goodwin, one of our most dedicated activists, and I have been participating in the work of the Dignity Alliance (DAM). Their major focus has been on frail elders and disabled persons living in nursing homes and other institutional settings, and those living independently in the community. We need to prepare for Beacon Hill hearings on bullying bills. And we need information about bullying among children of tenants.

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bullying
housing