Anyone who lives in Back Bay– or anywhere in Boston for that matter – knows that vehicular traffic is a problem and clogged intersections will increase the time of a daily commute. Mayor Martin J. Walsh is trying to help improve the flow of vehicles through our streets with two recently announced initiatives. In...
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Editorials
BRA and West End Museum Partner on Urban Renewal Exhibit
In what might have been an unlikely partnership until recently, the Boston Redevelopment Authority and the West End Museum are collaborating on an exhibition about urban renewal. The museum, dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the West End and the BRA, which played a controversial role in dramatically reshaping the neighborhood by...
Downtown View:City Council Blahs
So last Tuesday, I go to vote in the city council preliminary election. I think I’m pretty smart, but not smart enough I guess. There was no election—at least in my precinct. My district city councilor had no opposition. There were not enough candidates running at-large to hold a preliminary election anywhere. “For an...
Mayor’s New Number is 311
Bostonians are the eyes and ears of their communities. That’s why, in every neighborhood, I’m always asking residents what we can do better. I count on your responses to make our city services the best they can be. But I can’t take every request myself. That’s why the Mayor’s 24-hour Hotline is one of...
Downtown View:More Children Downtown. Now What?
Mayor Menino has once again focused on the schools, and we hope he is more successful this year than in the past. Transforming Madison Park into an effective technical and vocational high school with adult education at night is inspired. Reducing busing and creating new improved neighborhood schools is necessary. And it’s obvious that...
Can the Drug Epidemic be Stopped?
A heroin epidemic is running rapid throughout every neighborhood in the City of Boston. It’s cheap enough and readily available at the drop of a hat. While police are faced with a monumental task of taking drugs off the streets their efforts continue because most of the time the usual suspects are released by...
DCF Needs a Complete Overhaul
Governor Charlie Baker has publicly stated that the embattled Department of Children and Families (DCF) still needs to improve but he feels DCF is heading in the right direction. What direction? North, South, East, West or the usual merry-go-round circling approach. In fairness, his administration has inherited the problems facing DCF. That certainly does...
Mayor Committed to End Human Trafficking and Dealing with Climate Change
Organized by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, a conference to discuss human trafficking and climate change, was held at Vatican City with leaders from around the world, including Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. The workshops entitled “The Modern Slavery and Climate Change” and “Prosperity, People, and Planet: Achieving Sustainable Development in Our Cities” brought...
Downtown View:Is There Hope for Downtown?
Karen is taking a break. Here is a column from 2010. Isn’t it interesting how times have changed? Even though Downtown Crossing’s central location should make it a convenient destination for Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, North End and Waterfront residents, few choose to go there, even though a good number work nearby. I...
Saving Millions
Mayor Martin Walsh and the Boston Department of Public Works are to be congratulated for seizing the opportunity to convert about 70% of the city’s street lighting into LED lights. The initial cost for this project was estimated to be just north of $15 million. However, between the special federal grant program and savings,...