Latest news with #Grandmaison
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Manchester sober house seeks variance to house more residents
The owner of a Manchester sober house for women will go before the city's zoning board this week, seeking a variance to allow the property to house additional residents. The variance request for 117 Ramsay St., sought by Persephanie Lesperance of Grandmaison Recovery Homes, appears on the agenda for the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting this Thursday at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Grandmaison Recovery Homes already operates a sober house for women at the site, with each unit allowed to house four unrelated individuals — accommodating up to eight residents. 'However, to better address the growing need for safe housing for women in recovery, we propose adjusting the occupancy limits to six residents in apartment one and seven in apartment two,' writes in a letter to city officials that accompanies her application. In the variance application, owner Alicia Grandmaison says increasing the number of residents 'won't be disturbing anyone.' 'Residents are typically out at work, school or therapy during the day — there is a curfew and rules are enforced,' Grandmaison writes. 'Sober living contributes positively to the community. Our homes help women reintegrate into society, promoting stability and decreasing the burden on local social services.' Lesperance says supporting the change will enable Grandmaison Recovery to offer 'safe, supportive housing for women protected under the Federal Fair Housing Act.' 'The women live and function as a family, sharing responsibilities for chores and family dinners and holding weekly meetings to discuss community topics,' Lesperance writes. Operations and house managers ensure resident support through regular drug and alcohol screenings and weekly check-ins. All residents must be employed and participate in a 12-step recovery program. 'Our primary goal is to foster a positive community for women in recovery,' Lesperance writes. 'Our top priority is maintaining a good neighbor policy. We remain focused on keeping our property clean and well-maintained. We discreetly screen our smoking area with shrubs and adhere to a regular landscaping schedule. We also encourage residents to ensure they clean up after using the playground when their children visit, fostering personal responsibility and enhancing curb appeal for our neighbors' enjoyment.' Grandmaison warns without the variance, 'it can cause individuals in recovery to be forced into inadequate housing, or exacerbating their addiction due to lack of support.' 'We firmly believe this reasonable accommodation will benefit the city and our residents,' Lesperance writes.
Jordan Times
09-02-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
France rejects displacement of Palestinians, advocates two-state solution
French Ambassador to Jordan Alexis Le Cour Grandmaison during a press briefing at his residence in Amman (Photo by Maria Weldali) AMMAN — French Ambassador to Jordan Alexis Le Cour Grandmaison on Sunday voiced his country's "full rejection" of the displacement of Palestinians and its support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the basis of the two-state solution. "France opposes any forced displacement of the Palestinian population from Gaza and the West Bank as it would lead to four unacceptable consequences: dangerous violation of the international law, undermining Palestinians' legitimate rights and the two-state solution and threatening the stability of Jordan and Egypt and the entire region," the ambassador said at a press briefing at his residence in Amman. Citing the same reasons, the ambassador said that France also opposes settlement activities and the annexation of lands in the occupied Palestinian territories. "Our position is clear and firm: there is no alternative for the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, living side by side in peace and security with Israel," Grandmaison said. He said that France will continue working with Jordan towards achieving this objective. The ambassador also said that Paris has received the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement with "big relief", calling on all parties to adhere to the established terms of the agreement—a framework that is firmly believed to be capable of terminating the conflict and lay the groundwork for a political solution. With regard to Hamas, the ambassador said that France's position is well-known to all: "Disarming Hamas and giving it no role in governing Gaza." Regarding the two-state solution, Grandmaison said, 'It is essential to shift from mere declarations to tangible, decisive actions.' The ambassador cited President Macron's official visit to Riyadh in late 2024, during which he unveiled plans for a high-level conference, co-chaired with Saudi Arabia, aimed at implementing the two-state framework and establishing a Palestinian state. This conference is scheduled to convene in New York in June of the coming year, he said. "I want to reiterate that the future of Gaza has to be [decided] within the framework of the future Palestinian state, under the sponsorship of the Palestinian Authority and not under the control of a third country." The ambassador also voiced his country's "full commitment" to partnership with Jordan, saying, "Jordan is a country of security and stability, and it is an indispensable partner." He underlined that France will continue supporting Jordan in facing the economic, political and security challenges it is facing, unilaterally, through the EU and the UN.
