THE MALDEN ADVOCATE – Friday, August 9, 2019 Page 7 PARK | FROM PAGE 1 when we address this while it’s happening. We need to be proactive not reactive,” he said. Christenson acknowledged the city is coming in on the back end of the drive for affordable housing. There’s been a lot of new development and honestly, we missed the boat,” he said, adding that the city is now working to correct the problem. He said that developers who now approach the city with a plan to build residential housing are told that all projects must have an affordable housing component. He also said that City Councillor Debbie DeMaria has been working to ensure that Habitat for Humanity has a permanent presence in the city. Other speakers, like Malden Education Association President Deb Gesualdo, aimed their remarks directly at United Properties. Gesualdo said the city needs to push for housing security for all Malden residents and no one should fear losing their home because of immoral and unethical rent increases. “This is not acceptable,” said Gesualdo. “The Malden Education Association will not stand for what is happing at 33 Park St.” Steve Meacham, an organizing coordinator for City Life/Vida Members of the Boston-based Chinese Progressive Association show their support for the Park Street tenants who hope to avoid evictions and negotiate reasonable rent increases with the building’s new owner. Award-Winning Landscaping Servicing the North Shore for over 38 Years Urbana, also focused his comments on United Properties. “If you’re an investor who is buying a building with a business plan that involves mass evictions or mass increases of rent, that’s morally wrong,” he said, adding that United Properties is elevating profits over people and community. “They just don’t need to do this” he said. And between brief speeches by city officials and tenants, Meacham pumped up the crowd by leading chants, such as “United Properties you can’t hide, we can see your greedy side” and “One, two, three, four, no more constables at our door, five, six, seven, eight, don’t evict, negotiate.” Meacham also predicted the fight over Park Street rents will be an important battle. “We’re going to win it, and that’s going to help Malden and the demand for affordable housing and housing displacement throughout the area,” he said. But others, including Christenson, did not promise tenants a victory or anything more than their support. “We’re here, we’re with you and we will do what we can to help,” Christenson said. Mayor Gary Christenson was at Saturday’s Park Street rally to show support for tenants facing huge rent increases set by the building’s new owner. Lawnmower Tune-Up and Repairs • We repair all makes & models! • Authorized • FREE PICK-UP for all Tune-Ups! all m • We r d K-U makes & mo ma akes & mo D KU for all Tun UP fo 1039 Broadway, Revere • (781) 289-6466 Biker’s Outfitter (781) 289 , ee (8) 89 www.bikersoutfitter.com Dealer NOW BOOKING NEW CUSTOMERS! DON’T WAIT! Call 781-321-2074 Pavers * Walkways * Patios * Driveways * Pool Decks Planting * Perennials * Shrubs * Trees New Lawns * Sod * Hydroseed Flowers/Annuals/Mums * Conventional Seeding * Synthetic Complete Maintenance * Cleanups (Spring & Fall) * Lawn Cutting, Edging & Weeding * Lawn Fertilizer Programs * Trim & Prune Shrubs * Mulching, Thatching Interlock Block * Fire Pits * Sitting Walls * Pillers Landscape Lighting * Design * Install * Repair * Night Illumination
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