New City Councilor At-Large Annissa Essaibi-George spoke last week to the North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) just a few weeks into her first term on the Boston City Council. Dorchester resident and former East Boston High teacher, Essaibi-George replaces Stephen Murphy as one of the four at-large councilors representing all of Boston’s neighborhood.
Essaibi-George will initially serve on Council committees including Chair of the Homelessness, Recovery and Mental Health Committee as well as a member on the Arts & Culture, Parks, Recreation, Transportation and Public Safety/Criminal Justice committees.
Questions and comments for the councilor covered a wide range of issues including the need for North End affordable housing, excessive trash on the streets and the potential benefits of eliminating the Boston Redevelopment Authority and creating a planning city agency instead. On the latter, the Councilor raised concerns about the BRA’s accountability and the ongoing request for broad urban renewal powers.
One resident noted the large turnout, highlighting the North End as primarily a residential neighborhood and her desire to limit efforts that would turn it into an entertainment zone. It was also noted that Essaibi-George took a campaign stand to oppose the currently proposed Lewis Wharf Hotel project.
View the meeting video above to listen to the 20-minute discussion with Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George.
