The Harvard Sq. Enterprise Affiliation has awarded its highest accolade to Cambridge Metropolis Supervisor Louis DePasquale as he prepares to go away Metropolis Corridor’s nook workplace and enter retirement.
The particular honor was handed down through the HSBA’s 112th Annual Assembly and Breakfast within the former John Harvard’s Brew Home, recognizing his 45 years of public service to Cambridge.
“Being the town supervisor has been one of many best and most rewarding experiences of my life,” DePasquale mentioned earlier than about 100 members of the HSBA. He mentioned a reward has been working alongside the town’s enterprise group.
“A key to the success of our group shifting ahead: Proceed collaboration and partnership between the town and our enterprise group,” mentioned DePasquale. “I’m a agency believer that we’re on this collectively.”
He added no different partnership highlighted his “partnership” level greater than when the town in March of 2020 contracted with native eating places to offer meals to the town’s homeless group.
“Almost two years later, this program remains to be ongoing,” mentioned DePasquale. “Right now, over 300,000 meals have been served practically $2 million in meals bought, using solely Cambridge eating places.”
DePasquale pointed to indicators that Cambridge, a group of 125,000 individuals, is recovering from the pandemic: The town’s positivity charge stands at 1%; 76% are absolutely vaccinated and an indoor masks mandate ends in mid-March.
Different particular recognition:
- Neighborhood Partnership Award: Janet Cahaly from Janet Cahaly, Inc. for her generosity and unwavering loyalty.
- Cornerstone Award: John DiGiovanni, who stepped down after 20 years because the HSBA’s president, for an exemplary chief, visionary, and steward
- Management Award: Cambridge Police Commissioner Christine Elow for being an inspirational and devoted chief to the town
- Neighborhood Spirit Award: Kari Kuelzer from Grendel’s Den Restaurant & Bar for her ingenuity and tireless dedication
- Public Service Award: Kevin Tyler, Harvard Sq. good friend and group companion, for his service to the group
Recognition, reflection
The annual assembly provides a reflective second to look again on the 12 months, set up a brand new board of administrators and acknowledge group members’ public service and achievements. Harvard Sq. is residence to 316 companies, and 198 of them declare membership to the HSBA.
Friday’s mid-morning occasion was the nonprofit’s largest gathering since COVID-19’s arrival.
“As a result of uncertainty of the virus, we needed to sadly forgo a lot of our large-scale exterior occasions and festivals,” mentioned the HSBA’s govt director, Denise Jillson, in her annual report. “Along with its major focus and the truth that COVID created a larger disaster and wish for probably the most susceptible in our group, the affiliation elevated its efforts to assist the individuals of Harvard Sq..”
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The HSBA’s focus pivoted, partly, to a COVID-19 response. Actions that Jillson detailed embrace:
- Sanitizing tables
- Serving to the unhoused people in Harvard Sq.
- Serving to inventory the “Fridge within the Sq.”
“A lot of what we do stays beneath the radar, similar to, working with our social-service companies to seek out housing for the unhoused, offering referrals for these in want and easily being introduced and obtainable for these in danger,” mentioned Jillson.
The unsung heroes of pandemic response
“That is my largest indoor gathering with out a masks [since COVID-19],” mentioned state Rep. Marjorie Decker in whose legislative district Harvard Sq. lies. “If I’ll do it, it may be with my individuals.”
Throughout the COVID pandemic, the Cambridge Democrat has served as chairperson of the Joint Committee on Public Well being. She mentioned small companies have been unsung heroes of the pandemic response, and she or he famous the state’s response has, partly, centered on offering them with monetary assets within the tens of millions of {dollars}.
“We proceed to acknowledge the hardships and the loss that you’ve got skilled,” she mentioned. “We all know over 70 companies in Harvard Sq. alone have obtained grants from the state.”
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Small enterprise homeowners have skilled the “ache, wrestle” and had “sleepless nights,” worrying concerning the wellbeing of their workers and companies.
“You could have been actually carrying the load of the hardship of many individuals can deploy be just right for you, or it’s a must to let go,” she mentioned. “You simply should be there in any respect hours of the day for [employees] and listened to the ache of what this pandemic has accomplished to them.”
