COVID-19 canceled celebrations, graduation speeches, prom, and other events for the class of 2020. When they will attend their 25th high school reunion in 2045, what will these students remember of their senior year? For most high school seniors, the first week of June usually means walking at graduation and completing the traditional rites of passage Read More…
As we move through the surreal days created by the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be comforting and inspiring to learn the stories of those who survived similar challenges which, at the time, were unprecedented. These stories can lead us to acknowledge our human fragility but also our ability to persevere and prevail when our physical, Read More…
Open Letter to the North End Elected Officials, I love living in Boston. I have lived in the North End since 2000. I have not owned a car since 2011. Carless residents are currently Boston’s stated goal; unfortunately, it is becoming more and more difficult to move around the city on foot. Construction of buildings Read More…
We are writing to say thank you to State Representative Aaron Michlewitz for his advocacy to increase the state match for the Community Preservation Trust Fund in the state budget! In 2016 75% of Boston voters cast their ballot in support of the Community Preservation Act (CPA), enabling new funds for affordable housing, historic preservation, and parks and Read More…
With the FY20 budget season coming to a close, the six legislators at the State House serving on the Conference Committee are considering many competing funding priorities, especially for state funds that support education and youth development. With different perspectives informing state budget priorities, one critical investment that we hope can be agreed upon is Read More…
As the leader of a community health center already challenged by a statewide nursing shortage, we are joining the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers in opposing Question 1. The proposed mandated nurse staffing levels at hospitals would drain nurses from community-based primary care settings. It is at these community-based settings that critical preventive and Read More…
Over the course of many years, short-term rentals listed on platforms like Airbnb have seen explosive growth throughout Massachusetts which has profoundly affected Massachusetts’ neighborhoods, especially in more urban areas, by reducing our housing stock and contributing to skyrocketing rents. Neighbors are disturbed by around the clock comings and goings of complete strangers, and the Read More…
North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) President Ford Cavallari penned the following message to City Councilor Sal LaMattina regarding scheduling conflicts from City Hall offices. Sal, I’m sure you’ve seen that the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS) is holding five liquor-license-related abutters meetings in the North End at exactly the same time as your very important Read More…
Letter to the Editor: This is regarding the Old North Church concert you listed under Event Notices. We are new to Boston. Our family just moved here to North End. Most of our worldly possessions are in storage, which means the beautiful Christmas tree my husband brought home won’t shine as brightly or as colorfully Read More…
North End real estate agents have got to start protecting the golden egg laying goose that is the North End. North End real estate agents live or die by the reputation of this neighborhood, the reputation that the North End is a community, a community in which we know each other by name, we care Read More…
Our new Greenway parks are at risk of being “rented-out”. As discussed in a previous post, the Greenway Leadership Council (GLC) is reviewing draft guidelines for the Greenway’s Public Programming, Special Events and General Use. Approving these “rules & regulations” is one of the most important functions of the GLC as assigned per State legislation. Chapter 306 of the Acts of 2008 created the GLC as a governing body over the private, non-profit Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy. A list of current GLC members can be accessed here.
Are large, sponsored events the future of the Greenway Parks?My comment letter strongly opposes the “renting out” of the Greenway parks for large, semi-private events that could destroy the parks and the hurt the character of the North End/Waterfront neighborhood. Turning the Greenway into an outdoor convention center goes against the desired public use nature of these long-awaited parks. Click here for a PDF version of my comments.
The GLC is accepting public comments through July 15, 2009 before considering the final version of the guidelines at their next private meeting. I hope you will take a minute and submit your own comments via email to: comments@rosekennedygreenway.org.
It is a good idea to cc/copy your comments to public officials. Their emails can be found on our Resources/Links page.
Anyone is welcome to copy/paste parts of my letter at the link below.