While there’s been considerable discussion over the past 18 months about the fact that, until very recently, Newton Villages Alliance did not list the names of its directors or steering committee on its website, an alert reader wrote yesterday that the affordable housing advocacy group Engine 6 is guilty of the same omission.
I didn’t realize that Engine 6 even had a website, but I certainly hope they will add this information for all the same reasons that I’m glad Newton Villages Alliance did.
And here’s hoping it doesn’t take 18 months to rectify this.
The co-signatories to the initial letter of complaint to HUD, penned by attorney Frank Laski on October 29, 2013, as Supporters of Engine 6, are listed on their website. I don’t think that Kathleen Hobson, wife of Atul Gawande, would deny that she is the most active and visible remnant of that organization. She is listed as one of the signatories.
Greg – I am not a member of the Engine 6 group and never have been, but do know many of them and have never heard any of them insist on remaining anonymous as NVA has. I really doubt you’ll have difficulty getting them to disclose who they are.
I attended one E6 meeting after inquiring about it. The information was very easy to find. In fact, I tried to attend an NVA meeting, but could find no information about anything. The problem is not whether the identities of the members is on a website, but whether the organization has a policy that it intends to remain anonymous as NVA has, or whether it’s open about its membership which I feel comfortable saying E6 is.
I would like to repeat, I am not a member of either of organization and do not plan to join either in the future.
@Jane and Sallee: I agree and I’m assuming this was an oversight, which is unlike the NVA situation where they deliberately left their names off and even refused to talk to the TAB.
Still I do think it’s appropriate that they list names on the Engine 6 website for all the same reasons that NVA should have done so starting in May of 2014. And given the grief I gave the NVA for 18 months, a little ribbing here is only fair.
The proof will be how quick they make this change. I hope it will be a matter of hours or at least after the long weekend.
Why do they call themselves engine 6? I don’t see the connection. Engine 6 was the firetruck they took off the street when Cohen insisted we didn’t need a firestation in newton centre (I believe). Whats the connection to newton housing?
Nevermind, I just read the second paragraph.
Do they have a website and did they ever list their membership or officers?
@Amy, The Supporters of Engine 6 have both a website and a Facebook page. The website has a link to the Fair Housing Act complaint filed with HUD which is signed by the leaders of the organization as well as the Disability Law Center and the Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston. They have never kept their light under a bushel and have been totally open and above board about their identity and mission.
@Sallee, Kathleen Hobson is also the mother of Hattie Gawande, who as aNewton South high school student stood up to angry opponents of housing for the homeless in Waban with tremendous grace, courage and intelligence, putting many of the adults in the room to shame. They are both profiles in courage.
@Ted: Thanks for the links. I have received correspondence from Engine 6 supporters but did not know who were the main members of the organization.