Dorchester Reporter: Vote should be citywide

Bill Forry's signed editorial in The Dorchester Reporter:

One aspect of the House bill that absolutely needs to be changed is a provision that would limit the rights of citizens in larger municipalities— like Boston— to have a voice in whether or not a casino is sited in their community. As it stands now, the bill would permit only voters of the ward of a city in closest proximity to a proposed casino to go to the polls to approve or shoot down the idea. In the case of Boston, with all signs pointing towards a likely site in East Boston on the current Suffolk Downs property, that would mean that only East Boston voters would be asked to make the decision about siting a casino in the city.|

State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz has filed an amendment to the Senate version of the casino bill that would require that all of the voters of a municipality will have a say. In the case of a Boston proposal, that would give us a chance to have a voice in whether our city welcomes a casino or not.

Chang-Diaz told the Reporter this week, “These consequences will affect all municipal residents, not just those within a few blocks’ radius of the casino. It’s only fair that all affected residents have an equal say in whether or not the positive impacts of a casino outweigh the economic and social costs to their cities.”

The senator has got it right. All Boston residents deserve a right to have a say in whether or not resort-style gambling sets up shop in our backyard.

Read the entire editorial from the Dorchester Reporter.  What do you think?

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Opposition mounting to entertainment license for Taco-Mex

This email arrived today from Susan Van Tuyl, a resident of Maverick Square.

As a resident of Maverick Square I am sending you this notice as to the change in use of Taco-Mex.  Taco-Mex located at 65-67 Maverick Square, is applying for an entertainment license.  Given the history of the owner's previous venue with an entertainment license in Orient Heights (involving police and numerous arrests), this is not, in my opinion, the best thing for Maverick Square, especially neighboring residences.  Those of us that front on the Square already have to deal with the noise generated by Eddie C's.  Having entertainment on this side of the Square - directly below our windows - can only add to the disturbance.  The Owner of Taco-Mex has stated that the entertainment will only be one classical guitar. But that detail has been omitted from the petition to the Board of Appeal.

The hearing is scheduled at City Hall on September 20th, at 10:30 a.m.  If you have an opinion on this matter; if you have a concern, either for or against - just showing up at the hearing will have little or no affect - by then approval will be a done deal.  Opinions must be voiced to the Commission in advance.  The telephone number is 617-635-4775.  I will try to find an e-mail address.

ZUMIX 5K Run to the Beat ! Lace ’em up — let’s run.

This notice just in:

Run to the Beat 5K
Sunday, September 18, 9 a.m.
Piers Park
95 Marginal St.
East Boston, MA 02128

Description:
Come experience the race hundreds raved about last year – the second annual ZUMIX Run to the Beat 5K. Once again,  we’re running for ZUMIX, one of the city’s beloved music and arts nonprofits. We’ll start and finish in East Boston’s magnificent Piers Park, which offers expansive views of our city’s historic skyline and harbor that can only be described as … stunning. In between, enjoy our flat, fast course along Eastie’s wooded Greenway and two magnificent new parks. We’ve got prizes for the fastest runners, live music along the course, free food, and plenty of other goodies, T-shirts for runners and giveaways. Whether you’re running for time, fitness, charity, or all of the above, you won’t want to miss this fun-filled event.

For more information or to register online, visit www.zumix.org

Online Registration: https://www.signmeup.com/site/online-event-registration/77742

Another success!

EBMS Kindergarten Parade a success! 

Eastboston.com is on vacation

Eastboston.com is honoring Labor Day by taking a few hard-earned days off. Coverage of local issues and news will resume on Sunday, September 4. Have a safe holiday weekend.