Page 14 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 22, 2023 Friends of Eddie Larson Donate to Malden Warming Center Senator Jason Lewis, shown DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo and State Rep. Paul Donato, addresses the attendees Friends of the Middlesex Fells, and other local organizations and residents to celebrate the launch of Be Kind!, a new public awareness campaign encouraging visitors to the state park system to act with kindness. CAMPAIGN | FROM PAGE 1 ness– toward the people around them, park staff, and the plants and animals that call these spaces home. Senator Lewis along with WARMING HEARTS: This Christmas season, the Friends of Eddie Larson are presenting the Malden warning center a check for operating expenses for the winter season. Pastor Whitcomb expressed his gratitude for the donation from Ed's Trust. “I am thankful this donation will be put to good use. It is what Ed would have wanted,” said Kevin. Malden is our beautiful city.” Pictured at the presentation are; Pastor Whitcomb, Kevin Larson, and the Hon. Mayor Gary Christensen. (Courtesy photo) ~ Letter-to-the-Editor ~ Opposition to the Proposed Cannabis Facility at 28 Broadway, Malden Dear Editor, We, the trustees of the Cityline Condominium Trust located at 39 Broadway Malden, MA, are writing this letter to express our strong opposition to the special use application submitted by the Dris Corporation for the establishment of a cannabis facility at 28 Broadway Malden, MA. We kindly request that you share this information with the Malden elected officials and the community. We had submitted a signed petition to both the City Council and the Mayor signed by 24 of the 26 residents in opposition to this proposed type of facility within close confines of our complex. The property in question is currently listed as a multifamily building, and we believe that granting permission for a cannabis facility would further contribute to the shortage of housing options in our area. Additionally, the proposed location violates the buffer zones designated for residential areas, parks, and schools such as Malden Catholic High School. The presence of a bus stop in front of the proposed facility raises concerns as it is frequently used by students of Malden Catholic High School, who would be close to the retail cannabis establishment. Moreover, we recall that a few years ago, a covered bus shelter had to be removed due to multiple issues, including excessive noise, criminal activities, and concerns involving the police. It is disconcerting to think that the establishment of this type of facility may lead us to regress rather than progress. We are worried about potential increases in crime and traffic that could arise from this development. During their community meeting, the Dris Corporation mentioned their intention to potentially expand the complex in the future to include a cannabis cafe, once the cannabis rules are amended. This proposal would only exacerbate the traffic issues on Broadway, which are already problematic. In recent months, a new car wash has opened within a five-hundred-foot radius of the proposed establishment, resulting in a significant surge in traffic and more frequent accidents in the vicinity. We all share concerns about the potential repercussions this cannabis facility may have on the valuation of our properties and the safety of the residents. It is our firm belief that approving this application would have detrimental effects on our community and compromise the well-being of its members. We kindly request that you take into consideration our opposition to the proposed special use application by the Dris Corporation. We appreciate your attention to this matter and your commitment to the best interests of our community. Sincerely, Trustees, Cityline Condominium Trust, 39 Broadway Malden, MA State Representative Paul Donato are the co-founders and cochairs of the Middlesex Fells Caucus in the state legislature. The Caucus advocates for resources and programs to support the sustainable use and enjoyment of the Middlesex Fells by all residents of our communities. The Caucus secured state funding that enabled the development of the Be Kind! campaign. Senator Lewis and Representative Donato joined DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo and leaders from the Friends of the Fells, the Friends of the Blue Hills, and the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) in the Middlesex Fells Reservation for the launch. "The Middlesex Fells and all our state parks are an incredible resource for people of all ages to enjoy, but that requires that we show respect toward one another and the natural environment," said State Senator Jason Lewis. "I'm very grateful to my colleagues in the Middlesex Fells Caucus, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Friends of the Middlesex Fells, and Friends of the Blue Hills for their efforts in developing and launching the Be Kind! public awareness campaign." The Be Kind! public awareness campaign encourages all park visitors – whether hiking, biking, or walking their dogs– to contribute to a culture of shared stewardship in our state parks. The campaign suggests behaviors that park visitors can employ to ensure they are being respectful of one another and of our natural environment. These suggested actions will be displayed on signs in English and Spanish at trailheads in the Middlesex Fells and Blue Hills Reservations. Specifically, Be Kind! encourages people to: • Listen for other people on trails and make space for others to pass; • Keep dogs leashed outside of designated off-leash areas; • Leave no trace of litter or waste; and • Stay on the trails – on foot, paw, or bike. “I am thrilled to support such a wonderful movement as Be Kind!” said State Representative Paul Donato. “Not only will this movement serve as a reminder to protect our parks, but it will also prompt the community to come together to respect the places we love. Being mindful of the impacts we make as a society will allow us to make positive changes to the spaces that contribute to our homes.” “We are committed to providing our communities with access to natural, recreational, and cultural resources, and we all have a role to play in their stewardship,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “The goal of the Be Kind! campaign is to inspire park visitors to take an active role in making these spaces welcoming and preserving them for generations to come.” “We are proud to be part of advancing this effort and look forward to incorporating the Be Kind! brand into upcoming stewardship events,” said Friends of the Fells Executive Director Chris Redfern. “The positive messages in the Be Kind! campaign will provide an upbeat reminder of why our members are giving back to our public spaces.” The Be Kind! campaign was developed in partnership with the Friends of the Middlesex Fells and the Friends of the Blue Hills. To learn more about the Be Kind! campaign visit https://www.mass.gov/guides/ be-kind-massachusetts and follow the hashtags #BeKindMA / #SeAmabeMA.
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