In one town, recession helps bridge cultural rift
Framingham's immigrants always felt like outsiders. Then the downturn began forcing the town's planners and entrepreneurs to work together to save imperiled businesses. What do you think of Framingham's challenges?
From Amelia, Austin, TX hey John from Houston,
Why is Massachusetts not eligible for Mainstreet USA status? I've been all around the country, and to be honest, most of the towns in MA look a lot like the rest of the countries small towns and cities. It's not really Taxachusetts anymore either: 5% sales tax, and no taxation on food or clothing. The income taxes when I lived there (3 years ago) were very affordable compared to upstate NY (though the lack of income tax in Texas surprised me even more when I moved here). People in Massachusetts face the same foreclosure and unemployment issues as the rest of the country. For better or for worse, we are all in this country together, we need to get along and not pigeonhole people by where in the country they live.
From Joanne Wallingford, CT I grew up in Framingham. There has always been a significant Hispanic population on the south side of town. In the 1970's, we heard the same comments from the same type of people here. Framingham is not and will never be the same type of community as Wellesley or Newton. At one point, there were two separate high schools now they are merged. Students receive a great education in an ethnically diverse environment. What is the problem with that? The only issue I have with this article is that they characterize the town as small. Framingham is huge and the economic base of the community is not downtown, it is around the Mass Pike and Route 9.
To all those newcomers who decry the immigrant population, unless you are all Native American, your family were once immigrants as well. America has thrived due to our ability to incorporate minorities and provide them with a place to contribute to society.
From Anne, Framingham, MA The term "immigrant" in the story should be denoted illegal immigrant. I am an immigrant to the US and it is unfair to peg everyone into the same boat. The issue with illegal immigration is that people are not on the books, they are not paying into the system to cover the education and health care costs that they bring. So property taxes are higher for everyone. How come some of the rich neighboroughing suburbs like Wellesley and Newton offer to help these "immigrants" that are cutting their lawns and cleaning their homes. Framingham takes on a disproportionate share.
From Debbie, Framingham, MA It has always been truth that the new immigrant groups will bother the lethargic American-born who only expect his good life will last untouched throughout the changes society inevitably endures. New arrivals sure bring new challenges, but they are also essential new-blood and have been well known for their optimism and entrepreneurship spirit.
Ask anyone about how downtown used to be 20 years ago — all boarded up, prostitutes and drugs in plain daylight. Brazilians bet their dollars and changed it around. Now that the town has experienced the possibilities, some want to take credit.
Framingham, like any other town, will never get back to what it used to be when the critics were kids. Reality is: everything has changed, including their own view on people who believe in hard-work.
The immediate cost-benefit of working with these already established downtown business in Framingham has been distorted to the point of resembling a bad soap-opera, where some people accuse an entire group of being the cause of all bad things happening in town.
Driven by a blunt personal agenda, they use the town media resources to attack anything Brazilian. While inciting hatred and bigotry, they're also feeding their need for publicity which in exchange, pay their bills and occupy their pathetic and lonely life. But this is America, land of opportunity. Where the good new immigrants work, while those who forgot their own foreign roots, whine.
From Jim Rizoli, Framingham, Ma Most of the businesses in downtown Framingham are illegal, and they should be shut down immediately.
The town refuses to deal with this issue.
They continue to placate to these illegal businesses and the town is reaping the whirlwind for it.
The fact that Framingham is the beachead for illegal immigration in Massachusetts is bringing the town down on it's knees.
With Brazilian businesses you have their children, who by last count are costing the town over 25 million dollars, to educate, mind you the budget is around 90 million.
Then we have the health care etc etc…
Next is the crime we are experiencing and all the other things that go along with that. More police hired who speak the language.
All in all the Brazilians presense in the town is costing us a huge amount of money and you don't hear a peep from anyone.
Even Audrey Hall refuses to have me on her show to discuss the situation.
Nothing better than selective journalism, to cover over the real issues in the town.
To make it like these Brazilians are helping the town is not the truth.
Funny how CNN didn't interview me
as I have a weekly cable show that mainly deals with illegal immigration issues and how it's effecting the town
Check out our shows on CCFIILE.org
The Weekly Show.
I tell it like it is and the town is not too happy with the show, as there been attemps to take us off the air.
The good news is the Brazilians are leaving. They didn't care about the Americans and only catered to their own people anyway so they won't be missed.
Hopefully we can rebuild as a town but I think it will take while.
If any of you would like to talk to me about this here is my number
508-875-2043, at least I will set you straight on the real issues, and not fluff it over like Audrey Hall and CNN.
Jim Rizoli
CCFIILE.ORG
From Robo, Framingham, MA The article says that about 15% of the town is Brazilian yet most of the businesses appear to be Brazilian…it is because a much of the town is Brazilian…illegals are afraid to fill out census forms. Framingham is a sanctuary city that protects its illegal immigrant population and it pays dearly for it. One of the Brazilian store owners interviewed hires illegals…I know first hand…how could they find enough employees here. You meet Brazilians here all the time and they are illegals. They admit over 70% are that. They are an underground economy here hiding out and disconnected from America. They cause a variety of problems including lowering the quality of life in the neighborhoods they move into. They are reaching out now only because the only reason they are here is failing…they can't make money. The illegals are a curse for our town and having them simply leave would be a great solution. This article doesn't focus on a root problem of having illegals in our town. This recession is helping to push them out and that is good.
From M. Harvey, Framingham, MA Thank you for that insightful comment, Mr. Rizoli.
On a more serious note, we are feeling the pinch here, although some businesses (like my current employer) have actually seen a boost in business because of the economy as we compete with higher priced stores that were trendier when the economy was good. Now that money is tight, those of us that offer a lower priced but similar product are seeing more first time customers.
From noillegals Teamwork w/legal immigrants – deport all illegals!!
From John, Houston TX So Framingham is feeling the economic down turn. They need look no further then Senator's Kennedy & Kerry and Rep Franks for their trouble. They were the leading Congressional proponents to force banks to expand mortgage lending to marginal and as we are now learning many unqualified borrowers. They don't call it Taxachusetts for nothing. Just wonder what the Kennedy's, Kerry's and Franks pay in taxes? I wish this article would have reported on how these small business owners voted in past Senatorial and Congressional elections. If these small businesses were taxed less they'd have more capital for their businesses. The folks in Mass are in a world of their own and no way reflect the USA. There's a whole country beyond the Appalachian Mt's. I urge USAToday to go to states like IA, Neb, OK, TN, CO or even MN. But please refrain from trying to pass off Mass as mainstreet USA. Just a thought but I wonder if the Kennedy Kerry & Co, retain CPA's to manage their finances to pay as little in taxes as possible? Or do they follow the Biden proclimation that paying more taxes is patriotic?
From Brian, Houston, TX Politicians used to say that only immigrants will do the work that Americans won't. This has always been an absurd statement, and even more so that almost 6-7% of the population wish they had some work. Now is the time to send the 12 million+ illegal immigrants packing.
From Anonymous This is what Obama represents, cultures and races working together for positive changes. This represents hope and change we need. Let us all strive for this!
From EQ, Philadelphia, PA Framingham, MA is obviously not the only city facing this economic squeeze. Companies are really starting to ratchet down, and this spills over to everyday life. Framingham's residents — all of us — need to work together responsibly to get back on track.
Team work is part of the answer. Check out http://www.innerworkcompany.com
All the Brazilians that I have met are good hard working people. The only problem that I have with them is that most Brazilian act like visitors to our country who are planning some day to go back to Brazil.
I have been a resident of Framingham for thirty years and nothing major has been done to significantly improve the downtown area over that time frame, except erect some ridiculous street signs, which you showed in your article. Half of Framingham is actually an upscale town with a downtown that resembles the inner city.
Framingham is a town that never seemed to plan for the future. While working to increase the taxbase with shopping malls along Route 9, the town it appears never tried to attact some of the same business to downtown Framingham. There are no compelling reasons for anyone to go downtown. I think it would have been smart to have a mix of business in the downtown area. By mix I mean national chains such as the GAP or Barnes & Noble. A restaurant chain like Legal Seafood could have opened a satellite restaurant to go along with its Route 9 location. Finally, it would have been nice to have Landmark Theatres open a movie theatre in the area instead of picking downtown Waltham for a location.
Other town such as Waltham have been able to rejuvenate their downtown areas, but Framingham has always seemed to be stuck with excuses.