In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.
These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.
In today’s edition — Thursday, Oct. 31 — the Oak Hill CDC is in imminent danger of closing, we’ve got a review of Halloween safety tips, Worcester lawyers got some noteworthy awards, the BBB handed out Worcester area excellence awards and Assumption has a new dean of student affairs.
Could the Oak Hill CDC Be Closing Soon?
Oak Hill CDC’s Board of Directors and staff announced on Wednesday that Oak Hill CDC is in imminent danger of closing in the immediate future.
“After intense negotiations, between Oak Hill, the city manager and our funders, City Manager Augusts has determined that the Worcester community would be better served if Oak Hill closed our doors,” said the statement. “If any of the programming is to stay, it will be run by people outside the Worcester community, people who have never operated in our community.”
Since 1972, Oak Hill CDC has been worked with the community to make it possible for families to have stable and safe and affordable housing.
As a Community Engagement model program, Oak Hill is by definition, the voice of the people who live, work and play in our community,” said the statement. “Low-income residents and stakeholders lead our agency, approve all programming and investment, and grow our community.”
Worcester Lawyers Group Boasts 24 Attorneys Named to Super Lawyers List, Two for the Rising Stars List
Overall, 24 attorneys at Mirick O’Connell were selected to the 2019 MA Super Lawyers list, and two associates were selected for the 2019 MA Rising Stars list.
James C. Donnelly, Jr., Demitrios M. Moschos and Joan O. Vorster, all of Worcester, have been selected to the 2019 Massachusetts Super Lawyers list. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.
Donnelly, Jr. is a member of the litigation department at Mirick O’Connell. His practice focuses on civil litigation and business disputes with an emphasis on business torts, breach of fiduciary duty, corporate governance, unfair competition and intellectual property litigation.
Moschos is an attorney in the Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits Group at Mirick O’Connell. He has extensive experience in labor and employment law and has frequently represented management in labor and employment cases before government agencies.
Vorster is a partner in Mirick O’Connell’s Litigation Group and member of the firm’s Management Committee. She concentrates her practice in litigation involving medical malpractice and in business and insurance disputes. Joan defends physicians, hospitals and health care providers in medical malpractice and business disputes.
Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Assumption Welcomes New VP of Student Affairs/Dean of Students
Assumption College President Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D. recently announced the appointment of Deborah Cady Melzer, Ph.D., as Assumption’s next vice president of student affairs/dean of students, effective Jan. 6, 2020. Melzer currently serves as vice president for student development and Title IX coordinator at Le Moyne College in New York.
Melzer will be responsible for administering a variety of operational, educational and counseling functions designed to foster personal development, accountability and community within Student Affairs. She’ll also lead and support the student personnel team.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Assumption community and look forward to working with colleagues across campus in service to students,” said Dr. Cady Melzer. “During my visit to Assumption, I was impressed with everyone’s collective commitment to educate students both inside and outside of the classroom for lives of leadership and service. I believe in the power of a Catholic liberal arts education to transform students in order to launch graduates into lives of meaning and purpose. I am grateful to President Cesareo and everyone at Assumption for welcoming me and my family home to Worcester.”
Melzer holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Boston College; an M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of Vermont; a B.A. in Psychology from Saint Michael’s College; and a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University. She has widely published and presented on student retention; the changing role of the Chief Housing Officer; spiritualty and student development; and mentoring programs that enhance the career development of residential life staff.
Melzer and her husband, Duane, have two children: Nuala, 10, and Maddie, 5.
National Glassworks, Bravehearts, Beechwood Among Several Central New England Businesses Named by the BBB for Excellence Awards
The Better Business Bureau of Central New England just named its finalists for the 2019 Central Massachusetts Awards for Marketplace Excellence. These awards are presented to businesses that epitomize corporate responsibility and make efforts to ensure that our marketplace remains fair and honorable.
The following were selected from the many excellent nominations we received from businesses throughout Central Massachusetts and Northeastern Connecticut:
- Beechwood Hotel of Worcester
- Closets by Design of Shirley
- Feen’s Country Living, Inc. of Fitchburg
- Fresh Start-The Moving Crew of Spencer
- Grunts Move Junk and Moving of Worcester
- JS Transport Services, Inc. of Auburn
- Location Inc. of Worcester
- Miles Funeral Home of Holden
- National Glass Works, Inc. of Worcester
- Porter and Chester Institute, Inc. of Worcester
- PuroClean Certified Restoration Specialist of Auburn
- Red Dog’s Roofing, LLC of Fitchburg
- Unic Pro, Inc. of Shrewsbury
- Worcester Bravehearts of Worcester
“These finalists have shown their commitment to serving their customers, employees and communities ethically and with integrity,” said Nancy B. Cahalen, president and CEO of BBB of Central New England. “We look forward to announcing the winners at the ceremony on Nov. 13.”
Review These Halloween Safety Tips Before You Head Out Trick-or-Treating
Halloween trick-or-treating takes place in Worcester on Thursday, Oct. 31. The recommended hours for this event are 5-8:30 p.m.
Worcester police remind residents that there will be kids and parents on the roads and around homes on this night. That means be extra cautious. To help make Halloween activities safer, whether you’re going door-to-door, driving, or passing out treats at home, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Choose bright colors that make your child more visible in the dark.
- Provide children with flashlights. Be sure they can see through masks/makeup.
- Maintain clear escape routes by keeping exits clear of decorations.
- Establish a pre-planned route and only visit houses that have porch lights on.
- Be a safe pedestrian. Look both ways and use established crosswalks.
- Inspect candy and treats before consumption.
- Drive slow and stay alert in residential neighborhoods.
- Walk in groups with a trusted adult. Children under 12 should be supervised.
- Never accept rides from strangers or enter a stranger’s home.
Lead photo: CDC/Twitter
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