BRA Director Peter Meade To Retire in January
Boston Redevelopment Authority Director Peter Meade will be retiring in January, stepping down at the same time as Mayor Thomas Menino, the Boston Business Journal reported this week. Appointed to the position in April 2011, Meade, 67, is considered a member of the mayor’s cabinet but also is appointed by the five-member BRA board, so he wouldn’t necessarily be ousted by the election of a new mayor, the article states. But Meade told the BBJ that he is not interested in keeping the job under a new mayor, saying that, “I have a relationship with Mayor Menino that frankly I would never have with another mayor.” Meade also said he had promised his family he would retire, according to the article. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Less Restaurants, More Childcare Could Come to Waterfront
The Boston Redevelopment Authority is looking to change a state law designed to protect public access to waterfront buildings to allow the installation of childcare facilities on the ground floor of new waterfront developments. Massachusetts’s Chapter 91 encourages the leasing of ground-level buildings located within 250 feet of the waterfront to restaurants, shops and other businesses that would be open to the public, according to a Boston Business Journal article. That requirement makes it difficult for developers to get state approval for projects that feature daycare services on the ground level, which could serve employees in that building. The BRA’s director for waterfront planning, Richard McGuinness, reportedly testified on the matter before the state legislature earlier this month. But others say daycare uses are already allowed in ground-level waterfront sites, after a complete review by the Department of Environmental Protection, and that changing the state law could encourage future developers to push for additional uses that would further limit public access, the BBJ reported. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Categories: Arrests Tags: Childcare, Come, Could, Less, More, Restaurants, Waterfront
20 Complete One Fund Boston Claims Received So Far
One Fund Boston administrators have received 20 completed claims as of early Thursday, as the June 15 deadline to submit claims quickly approaches. Last week One Fund Boston Administrator Kenneth Feinberg urged victims to submit claims, saying there had been only a few complete claims submitted. “We have received 20 completed claims to date. This is consistent with the rate of receipt for other programs we have administered – as we get closer to the deadline the numbers will increase dramatically,” said Camille Biros, Deputy Administrator of the Fund. “The intent of the Fund is to complete the reviews and to begin issuing payments as quickly as possible.” Biros added that Feinberg will meet with any potential claimant who wishes a face-to-face meeting with him. Funds are scheduled to start being distributed on June 30, with the three families who lost a loved one to receive around $ 1 million. Next, those who suffered double amputations or more would receive funds, then single amputees, then those who required an overnight hospital stay. The final protocol for dispersing funds can be viewed on the One Fund site. Downloadable claim forms are available through the One Fund Boston website. Victims can read and download a Frequently Asked Questions section about One Fund Boston for filing claims. Help with completing One Fund forms is available by calling 866-298-2951 or going to the One Fund Boston website. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail UpdatesD South End Patch
14 Good Jobs That Don’t Require a College Degree
The following story was provided by AOLJobs.com By Dan Fastenberg As tough as the labor market is, college grads still have an easier time than those with only a high school degree. In February, college graduates had an unemployment rate of 3.8 percent—compared to a staggering 11 percent for those with only a high school diploma. Still, a new study released Tuesday shows that there are some good careers out there for those who lack a four-year degree. If you’re looking for a job in the South End, check out our jobs page. CareerCast.com, the job-portal site, compiled a list of 14 good careers that require only a high school degree (though some require additional training). The site used a variety of criteria to assess the quality of the careers, including salary, how physically demanding the positions are, and emotional factors such as the fields’ competitiveness, potential hazards and stress. Those with the lowest score received the highest ranking. CareerCast.com also looked at the potential income and employment growth for the decade ending in 2020, using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall, the 14 jobs for high school grads offer an average median salary of $ 41,307, which means the group is in line with the overall average salary for all Americans. The highest-paying job on the list offers a median salary of $ 77,000 a year. But several of the careers on CareerCast’s list offer incomes of around $ 20,000. More: 10 Things HR Won’t Tell You About Your Resume The list includes careers that have long been popular trades for Americans who don’t attend college. But CareerCast also identified tech positions that are in high demand, and often don’t require a degree, just skill. Still, expect to be paid less without a college degree. “Business owners don’t always want to pay market rate if you don’t have a degree,” Sol Hershkowitz, of New York-based Viasoft.com, told CareerCast, according to its news release. Check out CareerCast.com’s list of “14 Great Jobs Without a College Degree“: 1. Administrative/executive assistantJobs-rated rank: 75.Median salary: $ 34,660.Job growth: 12 percent. 2. Automobile body repairerJobs-rated rank: 77.Median salary: $ 34,660.Job growth: 17 percent. 3. Bookkeeper Jobs-rated rank: 71.Median salary: $ 34,040.Job growth: 14 percent. 4. Communications equipment mechanic Jobs-rated rank: 84.Median salary: $ 54,710.Job growth: 15 percent. 5. Electrician Jobs-rated rank: 76.Median salary: $ 48,250.Job growth: 23 percent. 6. GlazierJobs-rated rank: 59.Median salary: $ 36,640.Job growth: 42 percent. 7. Hair stylistJobs-rated rank: 83.Median salary: $ 22,500.Job growth: 14 percent. 8. Industrial machine repairer Jobs-rated rank: 44.Median salary: $ 44,160.Job growth: 19 percent. 9. Paralegal assistant Jobs-rated rank: 41.Median Salary: $ 46,680.Job Growth: 18 percent. 10. Pest control workerJobs-rated rank: 95.Median salary: $ 30,340.Job growth: 24 percent. 11. PlumberJobs-rated rank: 66.Median salary: $ 46,660.Job growth: 26 percent. 12. ReceptionistJobs-rated rank: 86.Median salary: $ 25,240.Job growth: 24 percent. 13. Skincare specialistJobs-rated rank: 43.Median salary: $ 28,920.Job growth: 25 percent. 14. Web developerJobs-rated rank: 24.Median salary: $ 75,660.Job growth: 22 percent. South End Patch
New Puerto Rican Restaurant Opens in South End
15 years after he closed his Spanish restaurant business, chef and restaurant owner Angel Carrasquillo is right back where he started. A few weeks ago, Carrasquillo opened Mana Escondido Cafe at 68 Aguadilla St. in the South End, in the exact space that used to house his former restaurant, Pioneer, in the ’90s. Carrasquillo ran Pioneer for five years before deciding to sell it and start a 15-year career in the property management business in Boston. But three years ago when he was laid off from that position, his mind returned to owning his own restaurant again. “The owner of the building gave me a call to see if I wanted to come back to the restaurant business, and I guess it was a perfect timing because that same week I was laid off from my job,” he said. “So I jumped into the opportunity to come back. It’s like déjà vu.” Carrasquillo said that restaurants have been in his family for generations, and still are. His grandmother owned three restaurants in Puerto Rico, and now he, his wife, their parents and their two children are all working at the new restaurant. The menu features a mix of Spanish breakfast, lunch and dinner food with 90 percent or so Puerto Rican, and a few signature items from the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Carrasquillo said the current top seller is Alcapurria, a snack food that’s yam, green banana and crab or beef. Carrasquillo said that 15 years after his last restaurant, he’s made a lot of changes, but still knows customer base. “My clientele know pretty much what they want,” he said, noting that he’s still altering the menu to fit the need of the neighborhood. Despite the restaurant being tucked away on a small side street of Tremont Street, Carrasquillo said that since the restaurant’s opening business has been good, and he even has plans to expand to outdoor seating and a Spanish buffet. “The neighbors have supporting the restaurant and and so far so good,” he said. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End Today, May 30: Enter Heatwave
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting a mostly sunny day with a high near 89 degrees. If that sounds hot, the next few days will be even hotter, with Friday’s temperatures reaching up to 94 degrees. 2. Eye Checks for Seniors: The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Massachusetts Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons is hosting a free EyeSmart EyeCheck vision screening today from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m, at Harriet Tubman House at the United South End Settlements (566 Columbus Ave.) See here for more information. 3. Improv Quilting: The Boston Center for The Arts (539 Tremont St.) hosts an Improv Quilting workshop with Dee Mallon on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mills Gallery. Each attendee will create your own small, one-of-a-ind quilt, by hand. Registration is required. See here for more information. 4. Free Piano Lessons: Musicians’ Playground, (791 Tremont St.) is offering free piano lessons on the first Saturday of every month. Beginners of all ages are welcome. Registration is required. See here for more information. 5. South End Flea Market: Claremont Neighborhood Association is having their 23rd annual Flea Market and Street Fair on Saturday, June 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wellington Street. The Street Fair includes antiques, collectibles, jewelry, art, and household goods for sale, a raffle for prizes from local merchants, face painting and balloons for children, food, and live music. All are invited and admission is free! See here for more information. 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
MA Has History of Elected Officials Leaving Early
As Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Tim Murray conducts his final full week in state government, he finds himself close to joining familiar ranks of several top elected Bay State officials in the not too distant past. Murray, like with recent governors William Weld and Paul Cellucci, will not finish his last elected term in office. After this coming Sunday, Murray, a Democrat, will become the new president and CEO of his hometown Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, a decision he announced last week. The decision once again raised questions about whether Gov. Deval Patrick will complete his term own term set to expire in early 2015. Weld, a Republican, left the corner office in the mid-’90s after he was tabbed by President Bill Clinton to be ambassador to Mexico, however he later withdrew his nomination and was never confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Cellucci, also a Republican, didn’t finish his term either after he was confirmed to be President George W. Bush’s ambassador to Canada in 2001. The history of this kind of occurrence in Massachusetts even dates back to the late Republican Gov. John Volpe, who was chosen by President Richard Nixon to be his transportation secretary in 1969 and left two years on his term unfinished. Patrick Griffin, a former GOP consultant and CEO of Manchester, N.H.-based Griffin York & Krause, said these moves could be due to the historical national spotlight being elected in the Bay State can provide. “Politicians in Massachusetts tend to have a great sense of upward political mobility,” Griffin said. He cited the history of politicians who have run for president from the Bay State, including John F. Kennedy and recent examples of John Kerry and Mitt Romney. Griffin also mentioned the influence of former U.S. House Speaker Thomas “Tip” O’Neill. “These were all strong figures,” Griffin said. However, in Murray’s case, getting out before his term ended clearly wasn’t about going places politically with his move to the private sector. Murray may have been a successor for Patrick in 2014, he was involved in an early-morning car accident in a state vehicle in 2011 and has ties to disgraced former Chelsea Housing Authority chief Michael J. McLaughlin, ties that are still under investigation. “Tim Murray is a not viable choice for governor,” Griffin said, adding that he was “damaged goods” in a political sense. Murray said last week he would not rule out a run for higher office in the future. Speaking to reporters last Friday, Patrick said Murray’s departure was not like that of Weld or Cellucci. “This a unique opportunity at a time when it fits in […]
Are Tolls a Good Way to Finance Roads?
Drivers who live in the towns and cities along the Massachusetts Turnpike west of Route 128 are used to paying tolls. However, in 2009 the state wrote into a law a deadline for the tolls along Interstate 90 to be taken down once the state’s highway debt is paid off, according to the Boston Business Journal Wednesday. The site reports that date is Jan. 1, 2017 as of now. The state does plan to get rid of the tollbooths as currently constituted in one form by installing a high-speed all-electronic tolling system that bills drivers as they zip through. This change will take effect as early as next year on the Tobin Bridge. BBJ reports that top state Department of Transportation official Richard Davey wants to roll the MassPike tolls west of Route 128 in with this plan, thus canceling the previous plan to get rid of tolling along this section of the Pike altogether. Do you think tolling is a good way to continue to finance the state’s infrastructure needs, or would it be best for transportation officials to take the tolls down and find another way? Leave your opinion in the comments. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Patrick Signs Bill to Appoint Sean Collier to Somerville Police Department
Sean Collier, who authorities say was killed by the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects, will soon realize his dream of becoming a Somerville police officer. Gov. Deval Patrick signed a bill Tuesday allowing the city of Somerville to appoint Collier postumously to the city’s police force, according to WHDH. Collier, a Somerville resident, was serving as an MIT police officer when, on April 18, he was allegedly shot to death by the suspects in the Boston Marathon Bombing. Jackie Rossetti, a spokesperson for the city of Somerville, said Tuesday afternoon the city was planning a ceremony for Collier’s appointment to the Somerville Police Department, but no date had been set. She said the city was in the process of working with Collier’s family to make those plans. According to WHDH, Somerville State. Sen. Patricia Jehlen, who co-sponsored the home rule petition allowing the postumous appointment, said, “While nothing we do can bring Collier back, this posthumous appointment is a meaningful way to honor his memory and brave service.” Somerville State. Rep. Denise Provost also co-sponsored the bill, according to WHDH. Collier was working toward becoming a Somerville police officer, and he would have been sworn onto the force on June 3. Read the WHDH article here. More Police, Residents Attend Officer Sean Collier’s Wake Thousands Mourn Sean Collier at MIT Bill to Honor Sean Collier Coming Closer to Reality SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Categories: Arrests Tags: Appoint, Bill, Collier, department, patrick, Police, Sean, Signs, Somerville
Obama Endorses Markey; First Lady in Boston Wednesday
Boston.com reported Tuesday that President Barack Obama has officially endorsed U.S. Congressman Edward Markey (D-Malden) in his bid to become the next U.S. senator from Massachusetts. In a statement from Markey’s campaign, Boston.com reported that Obama called Markey “a passionate and effective champion for middle class and working families.” Markey will face Republican Cohasset businessman and former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez in the June 25 election to replace U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in the Senate. Earlier this month, Boston.com also reported First Lady Michelle Obama will appear at a fundraiser Wednesday for Markey’s campaign at Taj Boston. According to Boston.com, the minimum contribution for the event is $ 500. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch