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05_13_2026

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THURSDAY MAY 14, 2026

SOUTH BOSTON ONLINE

VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74

A Legacy of Service, Sacrifice, and Perseverance

12th Annual Timothy “Doc” Cook Scholarship Recognizes Students Turning Awareness into Action By Erin LaMonica

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imothy “Doc” Cook is described as “a man for others.” Tim served as a United States Navy Corpsman with the Marine Corps in Iraq, where he

earned his Fleet Marine Force pin and was known for his dedication to caring for his fellow Marines in combat. During his deployment in Fallujah, he contributed to both lifesaving innovation and humanitarian efforts. After returning home, Tim faced the lasting effects of war that many veterans experience: PTSD, depression, and challenges reintegrating into civilian life long after their service ends. The 12th Annual Timothy “Doc”

Cook Scholarship Awards convened at the Thomas J. Fitzgerald VFW Post 561. The scholarship, a tribute to Tim’s legacy of honor, is about service, understanding, and action. The program included a series of guest speakers who shared stories of service, perseverance, and words of encouragement. State Representative David Biele, City Councilor Ed Flynn, City Councilor At-Large Erin Murphy, and State Senator Nick Collins’

attendance modeled the overarching theme of the day: to lead, you have to take part in your community. Each student that received an award described their understanding of PTSD, their commitment to serving others, and the ways they chose to raise awareness through meaningful action. Some shared deeply personal family experiences, others took initiative to create real Continued on Page 4

Councilor Flynn’s Statement on the Recent Massachusetts Architectural Access Board Violations on the Boston Housing Authority (BHA)

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he Boston Housing Authority (BH A) was fined $363,000 (with a reduction to 1%, amounting to $3,630) as a result of the investigation into the Ruth Barkley Apartments’ elevator failures. I’m grateful to the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board for taking these public safety violations and quality of life issues involving the BHA seriously. It is well known that elevator failures have been reported across the entire BHA system in Boston. We c a nnot turn our

back on seniors, persons with disabilities, communities of color, immigrant neighbors a nd low-income residents. This is a civil rights issue. At this time, I am respectfully requesting a full investigation into any and all BHA properties with an elevator, including Ruth Barkley Apartments. BHA and its contractors must be held fully accountable for every elevator failure, and all related complaints must be promptly reported to the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board. Residents have repeatedly shared that these persistent

breakdowns leave them feeling unsafe, unwanted, neglected and forgotten. Over the last two years, I have held City Council hearings where seniors and persons with disabilities shared heartbreaking stories - being unable to make appointments, pick up medication, or make it to their unit to use the restroom. We all know that is not right and unacceptable. With continued safety and quality of life concerns related to elevators in public housing across the city, I continue to call for the City of Boston to establish a BHA Elevator Safety Commission. As I

advocated with my resolution in February, this Commission may be composed of representatives from the BHA Task Force, as well as representatives from BHA leadership, the Boston Fire Department, the Inspectional Ser vices Depa rtment, t he Disabilities Commission, a City Council member, and a representative from the elevator maintenance industry. Please note I have offered to Chair this Commission because we can no longer ignore these dangerous public safety issues across the City of Boston.


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