WATCH: Mayor Menino Announces His Retirement
After 20 years of serving as mayor of Boston, Mayor Thomas M. Menino officially announced on Thursday he would not seek re-election. Menino, who after two decades is the city’s longest-serving mayor, announced his decision in front of a large crowd of family, friends and supporters at Faneuil Hall’s Great Hall. “I am here with the people I love, to tell the city I love, that I will leave the job that I love,” Menino said. “I can run, I can win, and I can lead, but not ‘in-the-neighborhoods-all-the-time,’ as I like,” he said. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Menino: ‘I Will Leave the Job That I Love’
After 20 years of serving as mayor of Boston, Mayor Thomas M. Menino officially announced on Thursday he would not seek re-election. Menino, who after two decades is the city’s longest-serving mayor, announced his decision in front of a large crowd of family, friends and supporters at Faneuil Hall’s Great Hall. “I am here with the people I love, to tell the city I love, that I will leave the job that I love,” Menino said. “I can run, I can win, and I can lead, but not ‘in-the-neighborhoods-all-the-time,’ as I like,” he said. Menino said that over the last few months, his health has greatly improved, but he’s not still up to his normal pace and not able to spend the amount of time in the neighborhoods that he’s used to. “I miss hitting every event, ribbon cutting, new homeowner dinner,” he said. “Spending so much time in the neighborhoods gives me energy… It may not be the only way to lead Boston, but it’s the only way for me.” Menino said he feels humbled and grateful to have served as mayor of Boston “during its best days.” “Boston is the greatest city on earth,” he said. “It is a buzzing, amazing, history-making place. It gets better every day because of you, and as long as you work together, that will never change.” SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
More Than 1,200 Riders Cited for Fare Evasion This Year
If you’ve ever thought about jumping those MBTA gates to catch a bus, it’s likely you’ll get hit with a fine for evading the fare. MBTA police have issued 1,231 evasion citations system wide so far in 2013, as of Monday, according to MBTA detective Richard Sullivan. Over the same period last year, the MBTA issued 1,267 citations. The fine for a first-time fare evader is $ 50, according to Sullivan; future offenses could be as high as $ 500, according to the law. Operation Fare Game, the MBTA’s initiative to enforce fare laws on the T, from time to time leads to arrests. Christian Fitzgerald, 23, of Roxbury was arrested March 22 after he attempted to dodge a fare at Downtown Crossing by entering through the exit-only gate, according to a transit police blog post. Police intended to issue a citation, but found there were warrants out for Fitzgerald’s arrest. “Fitzgerald was wanted from Boston Municipal Court for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Larceny from the Person and additionally from Fall River District Court for Municipal Ordinance Violations,” MBTA police said in their post entitled “Operation Fare Game gets another one.” SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Does Menino Rank as One of Boston’s Greatest Mayors?
Mayor Thomas Menino will not seek a sixth term, according to at-large Boston politics journalist David Bernstein. Menino reportedly told Fox 25 this morning that it was a tough decision to make. So ends the longest mayorship in Boston history, and one of the longest in American history (To give you some perspective, long-time Chicago Mayor and political boss Richard J. Daley served 21 years and his son Richard M. Daley has currently served 24 years). But does a long career guarantee a spot in the Boston mayoral Hall of Fame, like Carlton Fisk’s long career landed him in Cooperstown? Or has Mayor Menino’s accomplishments guaranteed him a slot on the short list of Boston’s greatest mayors? There are 53 elected mayors in the city’s history, but the conversation of “best mayor” usually starts with James Michael Curley, known as “The Rascal King” and who famously served part of his term while in jail. Other contenders include John “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald (that’s where the F in JFK comes from. Fitzgerald was John, Robert and Edward’s grandfather) and Kevin White. What do you think? Was Menino the best mayor in the city’s history? Or was his 20 years a dark period for the city? And legacies aside, does “Hizzonna” rank as one of the all-time great nicknames next to “Rascal King” and “Honey Fitz?” Tell us your thoughts in the comments below. South End Patch
Do You Own a Hybrid? Would You Buy a Hybrid?
Hybrid cars have come a long way since the Honda Insight became the first hybrid for sale in North America in late 1999. For one, the styling has gone from futuristic insect to more traditional looks. And while once the sight of a Prius rolling by would turn heads, hybrids seem ubiqutious now. (The more traditional looking models also don’t turn as many heads.) There are the well-known pros to hybrids, starting with cutting down on trips to the gas station. The miles per gallon these cars get is the first specification that jumps out at most people, and what many customers are looking for when shopping for a hybrid. For city-dwellers, the fuel economy of hybrids is often better for city driving than for highway driving, flipping the script on traditional gas-only vehicles. And whether you’re driving a hybrid to spare the air from pollutants or not, they generally have great resale value. On the other hand, there are cons, starting with the upfront cost. While you won’t spend as much on gasoline while driving a hybrid, they are more expensive off the lot than traditional gas-only vehicles. Improvements have been made when it comes to power and performance, but many hybrids still can’t match gas-only vehicles. And those batteries can end up taking up space that would otherwise be used for seating or storage, so if you’re lugging a lot of cargo or kids around, a trip to the grocery store might not yield as big a bounty. And perhaps a reflection on the economy, despite gas prices still well above $ 3 a gallon, a study completed last year said that only 35 percent of hybrid owners choose to purchase a hybrid again. Do you own a hybrid car now? Would you purchase one again when you’re shopping for a new car? If you don’t own a hybrid, would you consider purchasing one for your next car? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. South End Patch
Are Boston Billboards a Public Nuisance?
A Boston judge this week ordered a local billboard company to remove two signs hanging on a Bowdoin Street building. According to a Boston Herald report, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation had filed a lawsuit in February against Sponsor Co., seeking to force the company to remove two 25-by-40-foot signs facing Cambridge Street and to pay a $ 1,000-a-day fine since Nov. 30, when the company was warned that the signs were illegal because the company lacked the required permits. In her decision, the Suffolk Superior Court judge wrote that, “Erecting or maintaining outdoor advertising in violation of any provision of [state law] is considered a nuisance” and that violating the law “adversely affects the public,” the Herald reported. Sponsor Co. representatives reportedly plan to remove the signs and to apply for a state permit, which the company’s attorney said the state should be required to grant according to state law governing outdoor advertising, according to the Herald article. In December, the Boston Zoning Commission unanimously passed an amendment banning new billboards, signboards and other outdoor ads from Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Kenmore Square and Financial District, while requiring Zoning Board approval for new signs in some areas of South Boston and Newmarket Square. So what do you think: Are large outdoor signs, billboards in certain areas—or anywhere in Boston—a public nuisance? Do you think the signs distract drivers, invite graffiti or are just an eyesore on the city? Share your thoughts on the issue in the comments section below. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Categories: Arrests Tags: Billboards, boston, Nuisance, Public
Boston Mayor Tom Menino Not Running for Re-Election
Speculation last night that Boston Mayor Tom Menino would announce Thursday he was not running for re-election was confirmed this morning. Menino, calling into the Fox 25 Morning News this morning, confirmed he will not be seeking a sixth term in office. He told Fox 25 he agonized over the decision. A prolonged illness late last year led to speculation the longest-serving mayor in city history would step down at the end of this term. Menino will make a formal announcement Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. at Faneuil Hall. South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End Today, March 28: ‘A New Brain’ Opens at the BCA
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting a rainy day in the morning with a high near 49 degrees. 2. Musical at BCA: Now through April 5th, you can catch “A New Brain” at the BCA Plaza Theatre (539 Tremont St.) Centered on a near-death experience of a songwriter, the musical explores perspectives on the fleeting nature of time, life, and love, and the inspiring power of art to heal and transform. Tickets are $ 27.50, show times vary. See here for more information. 3. Create a Toy: Coming up on Friday at Tadpole, (58 Clarendon St.), myRealToy presents a special design workshop to bring your child’s imagination to life. Bring in a drawing of your child’s and watch it turned into a real plush toy. See some examples of finished toys! See more information here. 4. Two Upcoming Easter Egg Hunts: There is not one, but two upcoming Easter Egg hunts this weekend, one at the South End Library and one atTitus Sparrow Park. The Ringgold Park hunt was cancelled for this year. 5. Running the Marathon? Share Your Story: If you’re planning to run 26.2 straight miles, chances are you’ve got a good reason to do it. Share your own story by uploading your photo and more about yourself and your charity. Things you can do every day on South End Patch: Share your news with the rest of the community. Click here to add an announcement. Add your events to our events calendar. Click here to sign up for breaking news updates. Want up-to-the-minute news? Click here to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Share your thoughts on your community in a blog. Click here to get started. South End Patch
Easter Sunday Church Services in the South End
Looking to celebrate Easter? Here’s a list of church services happening in the South End on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013. Cathedral of the Holy Cross Mass in English at 8 a.m. Mass in Spanish at 9:30 a.m. Extraordinary Form Mass at 11 a.m. Mass in English at 11:30 a.m. Union United Methodist Service at 9:30 a.m. Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Service at 11 a.m. South End Neighborhood Church Service at 11 a.m. and an Easter egg hunt. People’s Baptist Church of Boston Services at 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.; Easter breakfast from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Grant A.M.E. Church Service at 11 a.m. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Service at 9 a.m.; service and baptism at 11 a.m. Columbus Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church Service at 10 a.m. Shawmut Community Church of God Service at 11 a.m. Church of St. Augustine and St. Martin Service at 9:30 a.m. Congregation Lion of Judah Services at 9 a.m. Ebenezer Baptist Church Services at 10:30 a.m. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch