The following nine residents have filed papers to be candidates for the six open seats in the May 18, 2013 NEWNC election:
- Damien DiPaola, Lathrop Pl.
- Philip Frattaroli, Harris St.*
- Robert Gomes, Commercial St.
- Maria Lanza, Commercial St.
- David Marx, Thacher St.*
- Jorge Mendoza, Stillman Pl.*
- Stephen Passacantilli, Hanover St.*
- Edward Rice, Snow Hill St.
- Raffaele Verrocchi, Sheafe St.
*Incumbents
(Note: The order shown above is alphabetical, not the ballot order. Candidate papers are subject to signature verification. Write-in candidates are allowed on the day of the election.)
The NEWNC election is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2012, 10am-2pm at the Nazzaro Community Center, 30 N. Bennet St. Boston, MA 02113. All North End / Waterfront residents are eligible to vote with proof of residency.
Candidates will have the opportunity to introduce themselves on Monday, May 13, 2013 at the monthly NEWNC meeting (7pm, Nazzaro Center).
The North End / Waterfront Neighborhood Council was created in 1984 by the Mayor’s office in an effort to increase communication between the neighborhoods and city agencies. NEWNC is comprised of twelve North End/Waterfront residents who serve as an advisory board to the City of Boston regarding municipal affairs. Council members are elected to two year terms that are staggered so that six seats are filled each year.
The six council members with one more year left on their two-year terms include Toni Gilardi, Ryan Kenny, John Pregmon, Gennaro Riccio, Marie Simboli and Anne Devlin Tagliaferro.
The Council meets on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Nazzaro Center, 30 North Bennet Street. For additional information about NEWNC, please visit www.NEWNCBoston.org, on Twitter @NEWNCBoston or on Facebook.
I think it is such a great conflict of interest for any restaurant owner or city employee to be on these committees. All the restaurant owners seem to give other restaurant owners the right to do whatever they want to do, liquor licenses, extending the business to a second floor, extending hours, etc. I also feel as though a City Employee is a conflict of interest because he or she looks out for the
City’s Interest rather than the Residents. The more restaurants the more revenue for the City, and more chaos for the Residents. We have far too many liquor licenses for this very small cramped, congested neighborhood. This committee does not let the people attending vote, only the committee votes, and that is another disturbing issue. The Residents’ cries are falling on the deaf ears of both City and State Officials.
NEWNC was established over 20 yrs ago by the then Mayor of Boston. NEWNC members are elected by the residents of the neighborhood. If you feel that strongly, participate in this year’s election and vote for the candidate(s) who are not restaurant owners or city employees. Non Council members can attend and express their concerns but have never been allowed to vote. If you are not already a member, I suggest you join NEWRA and vote to your heart’s content. BTW, BOTH neighborhood groups are STRICTLY ADVISORY, there is no such thing as a cap on alcohol licenses in any neighborhood by the Licensing Board (the previous Chairman had an informal agreement with the neighborhood groups, the new Chairman does not recognize the agreement) AND I agree with you about the restaurants. I think that if all the restaurant owners are elected and NEWNC has half of its votes being cast by these restaurant owners it not going to be a good thing for the neighborhood.