The Mayor's Champions Update
My fellow Brocktonians,
 
Welcome to my Champions Update! My genuine hope is that you will look out for this newsletter every month to stay informed about all of the great things happening in the City of Champions. If you would like to invite other folks to sign-up and receive this newsletter, you can do so HERE.
 COVID-19 Update
Today, I am pleased to announce that Brockton has been in the “green” classification for 1 month! Our ‘Daily Incidence Rate’ has gone down to 1.8 as of July 8! Currently, 54.5% of all Brocktonians have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with over 40% already fully vaccinated! This news is extremely encouraging, however the work is not done! We must continue to stay vigilant and safe in order to ensure the Daily Incidence Rate continues to drop.
City Hall Mask Policy Changes:

Due to the City of Brockton being in the “green” classification for over 4 consecutive weeks, vaccinated employees and visitors are NOT required to wear masks at City Hall. Unvaccinated employees and visitors will have to remain masked. The lower level entrance to the building will remain unlocked but other doors will continue to be locked. This will continue to streamline visitors through the security desk and allow for proper check in procedures to continue in an appropriate manner. Appointments are also no longer required to visit City Hall.

Mask Campaign

My Health Equity Task Force, chaired by Director of Constituent Services John Messia, conducted a mask campaign contest to allow Brockton Public School students to express themselves by decorating masks during art classes. These coordinated efforts were a collaboration between 24 Hr. Power’s graphic artist, Education Equity Subcommittee, and Brockton Public Schools. 24 Hr. Power judged the contest awarding 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes along with seven honorary mentions. BPS Superintendent Michael Thomas and I took pictures with pictures and presented 1st place to Ethan Angel Castro of Ashfield Middle School (pictured above), 2nd Place to Ziondre Harden of Huntington Alternative, and 3rd place to Anaisha Gomez Mauricio of Brockton High School.

Vaccine Updates
 
I am extremely grateful to all of our partners here in the City of Brockton for assisting with our vaccine distribution here. The Board of Health, Dr. Richard Herman, BEMA, Brockton Neighborhood Health Center, Council on Aging, and the Shaw's Center have all been instrumental in making the vaccine accessible to everyone who lives and works in Brockton. Now that the City is trending much better with our COVID numbers, vaccine clinics at the Shaw's Center and Brockton Neighborhood Health Center have been scaled back. The National Guard will now be providing assistance on Thursday's. The Shaw's Center will still be having vaccine clinics every Saturday from 9 am - 1 pm for the duration of the summer. In conjunction with the City's Board of Health Department, BNHC will be allowing walk-ins only on Thursdays from 8:30 am - 7 pm. However, residents can still make an appointment to receive the vaccine at Brockton Neighborhood Health Center. Just give them a call at (508) 559-6699. The Wellness Trust Team, on behalf of the Health Equity Task Force will continue to hold vaccine clinics in communities in and around the City, as well.
With the state-wide lifting of all COVID-19 restrictions and the summer officially upon us, gatherings between family and friends will be on the rise putting those residents who aren’t vaccinated at risk. Please continue to abide by all medical/health protocols and continue to follow CDC guidance for cleaning and hygiene. In addition, please consider getting the COVID-19 vaccine as it is still the best overall way to protect yourself from the deadly effects of the virus.
Thoughts and Prayers for Haiti
Since early Wednesday morning, the Nation of Haiti has been on my mind following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. My most heartfelt condolences go out to the family of the President and I am praying every day for his wife who was severely wounded from the attack. In the video to the right, I offer my most sincere condolences and prayers to the Nation of Haiti. Click on the image to view the video.
Summer Programming!
Summer Youth Programs
 
As the summertime continues, there are a plethora of summer programs that will be made available to the youth of our City:
 
  • The summer programming brought to the City of Champs by Brockton Community Schools has officially begun on July 6th and will go until August 20th. For more information, visit this link or check out their Facebook page @joinusinlearning.
  • The annual “Brockton After Dark” program also started on July 6 and will end on August 26. This is a mayor-sponsored program that, for many years, has kept the youth of the city in safe places during summer evenings. Click here to register.
  • Summer Nights at the Brockton Club House is now in session! Summer Nights is 100% FREE and offers safe activities for Brockton youth ages 13-20, including basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, and dance classes. For more information, call (508)-584-5209.
Pool Information:

The Manning Pool located behind Brockton High School is now open from 1 pm to 6 pm. 
  • Cost: 5 years and younger pay $2; Over 65 pays $2; Everyone else pays $4
  • Capacity: 200
  • NO refunds due to weather or accidents in the pool.
  • NO birthday parties.
  • NO COVID restrictions.
The Cosgrove Pool is now open from 1 pm to 5 pm.
  • Cost: Free.
  • Baby pool will be open this year.
  • NO COVID restrictions.

Swimming Classes:

Swimming Lessons have always been offered in the City of Champions and this year will be no different! This year lessons for residents ages 13-20 will be offered through the Brockton After Dark program at the Manning Pool. The lessons will be every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the summer beginning at 6 pm. Furthermore as Mayor, I have pledged to support all swimming lessons for any Brockton residents who can't afford to pay for them. I believe that there should not be financial barrier for learning how to swim. For any further questions about swimming lessons I urge you to reach out to the Manning Pool at (508) 588-2562 or the Mayor's Office at (508) 580-7123.
Brockton "Open For Business" Initiative
We are currently asking all Brockton-based Small Businesses to fill out our Brockton Business Survey! This survey is a platform for our local businesses to provide feedback to both the Mayor's Office and the Brockton Redevelopment Authority in an effort to eliminate the red tape involved in doing business in Brockton. To access the 5-10 minute survey click here. If you have any questions about the survey or would like business assistance, please contact Adelsa Mendes, Business Assistance Manager at Brockton Redevelopment Authority, at amendes@brocktonredevelopmentauthority.com or (508) 818-1770.
Where's Mayor Sullivan?
One of my favorite parts of being Mayor is the opportunity to go out to events where I can directly connect with the people of Brockton. Here are some of the many great events I was able to attend in June.

BRA event!

On June 15, I had the pleasure of attending a Brockton Business Conversation event at Perfect Place. The event was held by the Brockton Redevelopment Authority. It was such an impactful night and I walked away with tons of notes on things I can do to make this City better for businesses and the hard working folks who run them.
 
Black Owned Brockton
 
Father's Day weekend I stopped by Westgate Mall to show support to local black owned businesses in our City at the 'Melanin Essential Market' hosted by Black Owned Brockton. What Black Owned Brockton was able to accomplish that weekend was incredible. I was honored to say a few words of support on Saturday and was delighted to have the opportunity to get to know all of the business owners who were present.

PROVA!
 
'PROVA!' is back! On Thursday, June 17th I had the pleasure of attending the first night of one of the best community events Brockton has to offer in the summertime. PROVA! is entering it's 3rd full year and I anticipate 2021 will be the best one yet!

Juneteenth Event!
 
On June 17, President Joe Biden declared June 19 as Juneteenth for the first time in this country's history. To celebrate, a Juneteenth event was held outside of City Hall. I proudly issued an official proclamation to commemorate the day. U.S. Senator Edward Markey was in attendance at the event and said a few words as well. It was truly a great day and I'm grateful to all who came in support.
 Distinguished Budget Award!
 
The City of Brockton recently received it's first-ever 'Distinguished Budget Presentation Award' which is given out by the Government Finance Officers Association! This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting! I am proud to inform that Brockton is 1 of 17 Massachusetts municipalities to receive this award. The City is also the ONLY municipality in Plymouth County to earn this honor. As Mayor, I get so much joy out of this achievement because since day one I have been committed to modernizing the City's government practices. This award is pure reflection of that mission. For more information on the award, please check out this press release.
 
Sycamore Building Ribbon Cutting
 
On Thursday, June 24th, I was able to attend the ribbon-cutting of 'The Sycamore on Main' complex, located on 121 Main Street in Brockton. This building will be home to 48 modern residences with 2,600 square feet of first-floor retail space which will soon be occupied by Brockton Beer Company. This ribbon-cutting was surreal for me because the site where Sycamore on Main was built was once the location of the movie theatre where my parents first met! I look forward to the day when the development is finally realized!

Flag Day:

On July 14th, my office held a Flag-raising ceremony, right outside of my office, to honor the United States of America on its Flag Day! I was able to officially proclaim the date Flag Day in the City of Champions and State Senator Michael Brady, City Councilors Shirley Asack and Rita Mendes, and School Committee member Timothy Sullivan all honored America with their words, as well. My office planted over 100 American Flags around City Hall to honor this great country. Despite the weather which prevented us from hosting the event outside it was truly a great day to celebrate America. I am grateful to all who were able to join.

Bench Dedication:

The dedication of the Survivors' Bench along with a Commemorative Plaque was made at City Hall Plaza on June 23. The event was in commemoration of Brockton area homicide victims. I had the honor of saying a few words in support of the dedication of the bench and was able to express my sympathies to the families of those who lost loved ones to homicide.
Welcome to the Team, Brady!!
I would like to take a moment to welcome the newest addition to my Office! Brady Winsten will serve as the new Policy/Intergovernmental Affairs Associate. She comes to the City of Champions from Seattle, WA where she completed a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at the University of Washington. Her experience in the areas of racial equity, affordable housing, and etc will be huge assets for this City and I am ecstatic to have her be a part of the Mayor's team!
Thank you Tony & Larry!
ANTHONY J. ZEOLI
Tony Zeoli has been Brockton's City Clerk for 30 years! His final day working as the acting City Clerk was on June 30th, 2021. During my time serving as a City Councilor and in the years following, I have had many opportunities to talk with and get to know Tony. I wish him well in his retirement and thank him for his many years of service to the City!
LARRY ROWLEY
Lawrence Rowley has served the City of Brockton, honorably, for the last 40 years! He joined the Department of Public Works in February of 1980. He worked his way up to the position of Commissioner of Public Works and the City has been better off for it. It has been an honor to work with this Brockton legend over the last 2 years. I wish him well on his retirement and thank him for his years of service to this great City.
Upcoming Events!!
  • Saturday, July 10th, the Board of Health will be holding a free COVID-19 Vaccine Mobile Clinic at Market Basket at Westgate Mall. This clinic is mainly 2nd dose but 1st dose will also be available. The event will go from 11 am - 3 pm. The Shaw’s Center will also be available for walk-ins from 9 am - 1 pm.
  • The Brockton Public Library will be holding the “Ralph Rosen Jazz Experience and Blue Shades” event on Saturday, July 10.
  • Sunday, July 11th, the Board of Health will be holding the following vaccine clinics:
  • A second dose clinic at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church (335 Main St.) from 8:30 am - 1:30 pm.
  • A 2nd dose clinic at the Bent Playground on Ash St. from 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
  • Also on July 11th, the Department of Public Health (DPH) will be holding a vaccine clinic at Market Basket at Westgate Mall from 12 noon - 6 pm.
  • Monday, July 12th, the Board of Health will be holding a 1st dose vaccine clinic from 2 pm - 8 pm at Vicente's Supermarket on 1690 Pleasant St.
  • Saturday, July 17th, the Board of Health will be holding a 2nd dose vaccine clinic at Market Basket at Westgate Mall from 11 am - 3 pm. The Shaw’s Center will also be available for walk-ins from 9 am - 1 pm.
  • On Saturday, July 28th, the Board of Health will hold a 2nd dose vaccine clinic at BAT Bus station from 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm. The Shaw’s Center will also be available for walk-ins from 9 am - 1 pm.