Q&A: Bill Walczak – More Charters, Bike Lanes, and Community Involvement
Bill Walczak founded the Codman Square Health Center and the Codman Academy Charter Public School – and he'd like your vote for mayor. South End Patch News
New Upgrades on Patch: More Headlines, Better Conversation
Find out more about the new homepage changes on South End Patch. South End Patch News
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
Report: Boston Getting More Bike Lanes, Hubway
Boston will be getting more bike lanes and Hubway bike share stations, the Boston Herald reported Tuesday, just two days after a visiting MIT scientist was struck and killed while riding her bike in the Kenmore Square area. The city plans to add up to 20 miles of new bike lanes and 20 new Hubway kiosks and might also look to install cycle tracks on major roadways from Roxbury to the Public Garden, Transportation Commissioner Tom Tinlin told the Herald. Last week, a new Hubway station opened at the recently built Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in the Charlestown Navy Yard, and Boston Bikes Director Nicole Freedman told Patch that another kiosk is planned in the Hayes Square area. With plans to install more stations in South Boston, Roxbury and other locations, the total number of Hubway options could soon approach 100, the Herald reported. Also in the works are more divided bike lanes, like the one on Western Avenue in Brighton, and cycle tracks—bike paths that separate bicyclists from motorized traffic—on Charles Street, Malcolm X Boulevard, Seaver Street and around the Public Garden, officials told the Herald. With plans to step up the bike-friendly features in Boston, there are still concerns about the safety of bicyclists, particularly following the May 19 death of Kanako Miura, an MIT researcher from Japan. Miura was reportedly struck by a motor vehicle while riding her bike near the intersection of Beacon Street and Charlesgate West at around 3:30 p.m. Several media outlets have reported that police are looking for a garbage truck that may have been involved. In March, officials announced plans to install new warning signs, reflectors and lane markings along busy Commonwealth Avenue in an effort to improve safety for bicyclists following the 2012 deaths of two Boston University students, both bicyclists who were struck by vehicles in separate incidents. The city also recently installed protective guards on 20 Public Works trucks to prevent bicyclists from getting crushed in a collision, the Herald reported. Boston Police Capt. John Danilecki told the Herald that most of the recent fatalities have involved trucks or buses and that, even when in a bicycling lane, cyclists should assume large vehicles can’t see them and use extra caution. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Week in Review: More Bombing Suspects in Custody, Crime Down in South End
The following were the top articles on South End Patch from April 29 to May 3, 2013: South End Senate Primary Results Gomez, Markey get the most votes in the South End’s precincts. Boston Police: Three New Bombing Suspects in Custody Officials stress there is no threat to the public, details still emerging. What Sold in the South End: Douglas Park Condo for $ 352K Sold properties in the Boston area this week, April 24 – May 1. South End Crime Down Over First 4 Months in 2013 See how big a drop in crime the South End experienced in 2013 over the same period in 2012. Police: Man Charged with Drug Possession, Attempting to Break into Car on Harrison Ave The man told police the car allegedly belonged to his girlfriend. It allegedly didn’t. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Ed Davis: I ‘Personally Believe’ Bombers had More Targets
Police Commissioner Ed David told “Face The Nation” host Bob Schieffer he believes the marathon bombers had more targets planned. “We have reason to believe, based upon the evidence that was found at that scene … the explosive ordinance that was unexploded and the firepower that they had, that they were going to attack other individuals. That’s my belief at this time,” said Davis. “The scene was littered with unexploded improvised explosive devices that, actually, we had to point out to the arriving officers,” said Davis, who said more devices were found in the suspects’ getaway car. “This was as dangerous as it gets in urban policing.” Davis described the explosives as “homemade.” Aside from the pressure cooker bombs, and smaller bombs that were also loaded with shrapnel. Surviving suspect Dzhokhar Tsaraev remains in serious but stable condition, according to Davis. The younger brother was shot—and possible shot himself—during one of the firefights with police. “He is in serious but stable condition and we have not been able to interrogate him at this point in time,” said Davis. Davis said federal agents were coming to help with the questioning. “There is special FBI interview team that is coming out to talk to him, but at this time, we have not done that,” he said. South End Patch
‘We Have Never Needed Them More’: Boston Celebrates Opening of New Rehabilitation Hospital
At the grand opening of a new, state-of-the-art facility where clinicians will help people adapt to amputations and other traumatic injuries, Boston Mayor Tom Menino and others celebrated the strength of the city of Boston and the strength of the human spirit Saturday night. Benefactors, hospital staff and city officials gathered Saturday night at a tent set up outside the new nine-story Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Since its founding in 1970, Spaulding has provided in- and out-patient services for people recovering from a range of issues, including spinal cord and brain injuries, strokes, amputations and burns. Some of the hospital’s clinicians were waiting at the finish line when the two bombs went off at the Boston Marathon on Monday, and the staff will be there in their new facility when several of the people injured in the blasts begin the process of healing and adapting to their devastating injuries. With construction of the new, 132-bed hospital, “Spaulding will carry on a proud tradition, which says that strength can be recovered, damage can be repaired and defeat is never an option,” Spaulding President David Storto said. “This new hospital will be a place of hope and of healing, of learning and innovation and of grace and compassion.” He mentioned specifically the role of the hospital in light of recent events. “To those who survived the marathon bombings with catastrophic injuries: Rest assured that Spaulding and our extremely talented and dedicated and compassionate staff will provide the best rehabilitation care available in the world, and rest assured that we will work with them and their families to achieve a quality of life that they likely cannot even imagine at this early juncture of their recovery. As President Obama said at the interfaith service a few days ago, many of them will walk again and will run again.” The mayor, who was himself a patient at Spaulding this past fall, spoke at the gala about the staff’s compassion and endurance with patients. “We’re so lucky to have Spaulding in our city,” he said. Several speakers at the event mentioned the importance of celebrating the new hospital after such a difficult week in Boston. “It’s wonderful to be able to gather together as a community after the tragic events of this week. What better setting than in this place where healing of body and soul are at the heart of our mission and where we can all find our strength together,” said Scott Schoen, chairman of the Spaulding Board of Trustees. “Like all of you here this evening I am saddened and angered by the violence that was brought to […]
Categories: Arrests Tags: boston, Celebrates, Hospital, More, Needed, Never, Opening, Rehabilitation, Them
State of the Race: More Hats in Mayoral Ring
In a mayoral race, sometimes an early favorite can dissuade other would-be contenders from starting a campaign. The 2013 Boston mayoral election is not one of those races. Instead, the race has drawn several more contenders this week, and more still are mulling a run. The crowded field has led to what the Boston Herald’s Peter Gelzinis called “a shootout in a lifeboat,” with each candidate working feverishly to solidify his support in his own backyard. The swollen field will be reduced to two after the primary, and every new candidate lowers the total vote threshold needed to make the finals. This past week, city councilors Mike Ross and Felix Arroyo joined the race, along with long-time Dorchester community activist Bill Walczak. That’s three more guys into an already all-male field. What of the female candidates? Ayanna Pressley is now considering a run, as is YouthBild USA’s Charlotte Golar Richie. Maura Hennigan, who ran for mayor in 2005, decided this week to bow out of the race. Public Safety Secretary Andrea Cabral and State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz previously announced they would not run. Below is the list of candidates would-be candidates, undecided and notable “No’s” as of Sunday, April 13. Did we miss anyone? Is there anyone left to miss? Tell us in the comments with a link to their latest statement or quote and we’ll add it to the chart! Who’s in (meaning they have announced they will run) John Connolly, city councilor Dan Conley, Suffolk County district attorney Marty Walsh, state representative William Dorcena, community activist Charles Clemmons, TOUCH 106.1 FM co-founder Rob Consalvo, city councilor Felix Arroyo, city councilor Mike Ross, city councilor Bill Walczak, Codman Square Health Center co-founder Who’s seriously considering a run Ayanna Pressley, city councilor Charles Yancey, city councilor John Barrios, Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative executive director Charlotte Golar Richie, YouthBuild USA vice president for public policy Who’s undecided Stephen Murphy, city council president Jeffrey Sanchez, state representative Who’s out (meaning they have publicly said they will not run for mayor) Tito Jackson, city councilor Sonia Chang-Diaz, state senator Matt O’Malley, city councilor Bill Linehan, city councilor Russell Holmes, state representative Paul Grogan, Boston Foundation president Andrea Cabral, Massachusetts Public Safety Secretary James Rooney, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority executive director Maura Hennigan, Suffolk County criminal court clerk 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
More than 300 Snow Removal Tickets Issued in South End in February
If your property or business received a ticket for improper snow removal related to the Blizzard of 2013, you’re not alone. More than 300 South End property owners and businesses faced fines and tickets related to snow removal, according to city data. The fines, at anywhere from $ 25 to $ 300 depending on the offense, were issued for violations such as clearing snow from private property back onto city streets, or failing to clear 42″ worth of sidewalk space in front of property. Overall in Boston, 2,413 tickets were issued in the month of February, according to the Boston Globe, which compiled the city’s public records. Below is a list of the number of snow removal tickets and fines issued in February by the city for each South End Ward: Ward 4 – Fenway, South End, Back Bay – 44Ward 8 – South End, Roxbury – 208Ward 9 – South End, Roxbury – 57 SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch