Candidate Kennedy Calls for Transparency in the Selection of Judges and Operation of Governor's Council

Eastboston.com: Candidate Kennedy Calls for Transparency in the Selection of Judges and Operation of Governor's Council

Democrat is seeking 6th District seat.

Local veterans to honor the late Brig. General John White, a "Son of East Boston"

This coming Saturday local veterans and the East Boston community will honor the late Brig. General John F. White at a ceremony at 9 a.m. in Maverick Square. An honor guard from East Boston High School will be in attendance. City Councilor Sal Lamattina will speak and the pastor from the Logan Airport Chapel will offer an invocation. The ITAM on Meridian Street will be hosting a reception. 

(The following was based on material submitted by John White's son, Stephen).

John F. White was a lifetime resident of East Boston. He owned and operated White's News which employed many of the neighborhood's youth including current city councilor Sal LaMattina.

Each year, White organized and officiated at the Memorial Day Services at East Boston’s Central Square He was Past President of the East Boston Little League Association; a Member of the East Boston Chamber of Commerce; The Grand Marshall of East Boston’s Columbus Day Parade in 1980. He was an active member of the East Boston Athletic Board and advocate for the Junior ROTC at the Umana School here in East Boston. For 25 years, he was the Grand Marshall and Master of Ceremonies for the City of Boston’s City Hall Fourth of July Parade. 

His Military accomplishments and associations began when he enlisted in 1944 in the U.S. Army Air Forces, being deployed with the Eight Air Force in Europe as a B-17 Bombardier. From there he joined the Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 102nd Fighter Group at Logan Airport, Commanding its Supply Squadron at the time of his retirement.

Governor Edward King appointed him Brigadier General and Military Aide de Camp to the Governor.

He also served city government as a special assistant to the Commissioner of Veteran Affairs. For the Commonwealth of Massachusetts he was Chairman of the Soldiers Homes in Chelsea and Holyoke.

White graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a four year degree in 1992 and made himself available as a substitute teacher at the Umana Middle School and the East Boston High School.
 

As the United States Air force Academy Liaison Officer for Massachusetts, he encouraged and recruited East Bostonians as viable candidates to enter the academy to become Officers in the United States Air Force.

The following organizations are just a few of the many involvements he dedicated his life to be a part of:

• Past President of the local ITAMS Post 6, East Boston;
• Member of the Beachmont Revere VFW
• Member East Boston’s Vietnam Veterans Post;
• Founding member for the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans on Court Street in Boston;
• Patients' advocate at the Veterans Administration Hospitals;
• Chairman & Board member of the Armed Forces YMCA Constitution Inn, Charlestown Navy Yard;
• Lifetime member and three-time President of the Massachusetts Air Force Association;
• And member of the Military Order of World Wars and an advocate for “Gold Star Mothers”

John as a family man, an athlete; a dedicated military man; a son of East Boston who always was willing to pitch in to help his Community.

Should you have had the occasion to call his home and he was not there, you would have heard his voice mail say the following: “Hi, I am not available to take your call right now, I am out enjoying Life!!!!!!

And indeed he did! 

Remembering Brig. General John Francis White of Eagle Hill.

Police Commissioner Ed Davis to Speak at Main Streets Networking Breakfast

East Boston Main Streets cordially invites you to its Fall Networking Breakfast on Thursday October 14, 2010 from 7:30 am to 9:00 am at Spinelli's, 282 Bennington Street. The guest speaker will be Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis. The event is sponsored by East Boston Savings Bank. Tickets are priced at $20.00 per person or $175.00 for a table of 10. This event usually sells out quickly, so call 617-561-1044 or email ebmainstreets@verizon.net now!

Ernani Dearaujo named to BHA's Monitoring Committee by Mayor Menino

East Boston Neighborhood Coordinator Ernani Dearaujo has been named to the Monitoring Committee of the Boston Housing Authority. The new responsibilities will be in addition to his current duties as coordinator from the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services. The city council is set to confirm Dearaujo on Monday, September 27.

Said Dearaujo: "I am honored to be named to this committee by Mayor Menino and confirmed by the City Council. I will serve as Chairman for a two-year term."

The nine-member, BHA Monitoring Committee is appointed by the Mayor of Boston to periodically review matters relating to the management and performance of the agency, and to report them to the Mayor.

The committee reviews and approves the annual federal and state operating budget; the annual modernization applications; and all property dispositions which would reduce the total number of housing units owned by the housing authority that have not been approved prior to the enactment of an act (Case of Armando Perez v. BHA) by the Massachusetts Superior Court.

From the U.S. Attorney's Office:

BOSTON, MA—An East Boston man was convicted today (September 21) in federal court of armed bank robbery. United States Attorney Carmen M Ortiz and Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Division, announced today that BRIAN FEBONIO, 41, of East Boston, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge George A O’Toole to armed bank robbery. At today’s plea hearing, the prosecutor told the court that had the case proceeded to trial, the government’s evidence would have prove that on the morning on September 18, 2009, two masked and armed individuals entered the Sovereign Bank in Peabody. One of the robbers, later identified as Febonio, climbed over a teller’s counter and began ransacking cash drawers while displaying a firearm.

While Febonio emptied the cash drawers, the other robber, Michael J Peters pointed his weapon at the other employees and ordered them to the ground. The robbers stuffed the currency into a black nylon bag and fled the scene. A post robbery audit revealed that $26,433 was taken during the robbery The two individuals were observed by a bank employee entering a black sedan and fleeing the area. Video surveillance at the bank captured the robbers during the robbery and as they fled.

The vehicle was eventually recovered and determined to have been purchased by Febonio on the day before the robbery. Febonio was identified by witnesses from the video surveillance, and an arrest warrant was issued resulting in Febonio’s capture a few days later in a New Hampshire motel. Information linking Peters was seized from Febonio’s motel room and an arrest warrant was issued for Peters who was subsequently taken into custody without incident. Judge O’Toole schedule sentencing for December 21, 2010.

Febonio faces up to 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and restitution in the amount of $26,433. The co-defendant Michael Peters was sentenced on September 9, 2010, by Judge George A O’Toole, to 108 months in custody to be followed by five years of supervised release and restitution in the amount of $26,433. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crimes Task Force, the New Hampshire State Police and the Peabody Police. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth G Shine of Ortiz’s Major Crime Unit.

Main Streets to Host Fall Networking Breakfast on October 14

On Thursday October 14, 2010 East Boston Main Streets will hold its Fall Networking Breakfast

East Boston, MA. 20-September-2010 East Boston Main Streets will host a networking breakfast on Thursday October 14, 2010, from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM at Spinelli’s in Day Square. Guest speaker is Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis. This event is sponsored by the East Boston Savings Bank. Tickets are $20.00 each or a table of 10 for $175.00.

This event usually sells out quickly. For tickets call 617.561.1044 or email us at ebmainstreets@verizon.net. For more information about our organization visit www.ebmainstreets.com

City responds to issues around former Hess site on Condor Street

Ernani DeAraujo of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services responds to a recent article in the Boston Globe detailing a dust-up between City Hall and local residents over the Hess oil farm site on Condor Street.

The recent stories in the Globe and East Boston Times about the former Hess site owned by the BRA were incomplete. I hope the following gives a clearer picture of the issues:

The Boston Redevelopment Authority (“BRA”) applied for funds to transform parts of Chelsea Creek into saltwater wetlands. The funds, derived from a legal settlement over oil spilled in the Chelsea Creek by ExxonMobil, are managed under the North American Wildlife Conservation Act (“NAWCA”). The BRA hired a grant writer to apply for the NAWCA funds and hopes to be awarded money to transform 5 acres of City of Boston land along the Creek. The City has experience in saltwater wetland creation from its work at Belle Isle Marsh. Contrary to the concerns of some, wetlands will NOT cause flooding on Condor Street. In fact, they could help water management.

As for the former Hess site, which used to house oil tanks, that parcel is slated for the creation of green technology jobs along with a direct public connection to the waterfront. The BRA originally purchased the site to prevent a heavy industrial, polluting company from buying the land. In January, the Eagle Hill Civic Association will help determine the design and usage of the site.

The BRA is optimistic about attracting a green jobs tenant, as Boston has been nationally recognized for its work on Climate Change and the development of “Clean technology” jobs. A green jobs company will help create new, good paying jobs for East Boston and the City will be able to take advantage of the multi-billion dollar investments of the Green Jobs Act of 2007 and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to create green jobs.

Finally, Eagle Hill residents have clamored to reduce or remove truck traffic and create more pedestrian friendly areas on the hill. Earlier in the year, at the request of residents, the City unanimously rejected a zoning board proposal by a developer seeking to create a new towing company on Condor Street.

Condor street’s future is bright as it was fully repaved this year; is awaiting the implementation of traffic calming measures; and will experience relief from truck traffic once the multi-million dollar Chelsea Street bridge is completed next year.

How East Boston voted on major races - September 2010 Primary

Eastboston.com has the latest results for the competitive Governor's Council, Auditor and Treasurer races. Find out how East Boston voted at the neighborhood's best web site.

James O. Taylor, MD of EBNHC to receive Samuel U. Rogers Achievement Award

An honor well-deserved for one of the "tireless footsoldiers in the Community Health Center Movement," East Boston's Dr. James Taylor. 

Food and Fitness Fun: EBNHC Kicks off East Boston Bike Week with the First Annual Bike to the Farmers Market Event

East Boston, September 13, 2010—Cyclists and locavores, rejoice! The East Boston Farmers Market’s first annual Bike to the Farmers Market is bridging the worlds of local food and active transport in this unique event to take place on the afternoon of Thursday, September 16th.

The farmers market, sponsored by the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center’s Let’s Get Movin’ program, runs from 3:00 to 6:30pm and will feature special bicycle-friendly activities this week. 

Kathy Field, Director of Let’s Get Movin,’ sees this event as a way to highlight the many sides of being healthy and to empower even more East Bostonians to eat well and keep moving.  “This is a great opportunity to get the community involved in the development of a healthier lifestyle through staying physically active and eating healthy,” she says.  “These messages are exactly what Let’s Get Movin’ promotes.”

At the market this Thursday, the Boston Cyclists Union (BCU) will be providing free bike tune-ups and repairs in their third visit to the market this season, and the Boston Public Health Commission and EBNHC are sponsoring a helmet giveaway. Chef Kirk Conrad from Project Bread and the Umana Middle School Academy will also be at the market sampling some of the tasty homemade dishes that he prepares for the East Boston public middle school students.

To add to the festivities, there will be a group bike ride to the market, which will leave from the East Boston YMCA at 4pm (Note: this time has changed; the ride was previously advertised with a 3pm start time). Those who do not own a bicycle may rent one free of charge from Boston Bikes, who will be stationed at the YMCA starting at 3:30. Helmets will be included in the rental. The ride will head down the East Boston Greenway, turn up Sumner Street to Border Street, and will end at the farmers market. There will be a bike corral at the market so that cyclists have a safe place to leave their bikes while they shop.

Everyone who arrives at the market on bike will receive a free $5.00 coupon towards any farmers market items to be purchased that day. In addition, each bicyclist will receive a sticker, which can be presented at participating local restaurants for a discount during “East Boston Bike Week,” a week of restaurant discounts for bicycle riders. East Boston Bike Week runs from Friday, September 17th to Thursday, September 23rd. Participating restaurants include 303 Café, Café Gigú, El Jardín, Meridian Market, Montecristo, Rosticería Cancún, and Sonny Noto’s.

Contact: Alison Smizer, Community Initiatives Coordinator, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, (617) 568-4783, smizera@ebnhc.org

East Boston Main Streets Announces Historic Walking Tour

On Saturday September 25, 2010 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, East Boston Main Streets and the Boston Preservation Alliance will host an interactive walking tour of Maverick and Central Squares with Support from Historic Boston Incorporated and the National Trust for Historic preservation.

Participants will share stories of how East Bostonians have built, worked and played in, preserved and given new life to the neighborhood’s special buildings and places – from the 9 Chelsea Street Sidewalk Clock to the Piers, from Engine 40 Firehouse to the Barnes School. Refreshments will be served. To join the walk, meet at ZUMIX, 260 Sumner Street (Engine 40 Firehouse) 


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This event is FREE, but space is limited. Please contact Clark Moulaison at EB Main Streets to RSVP: 617-561-1044, ebmainstreets@verizon.net

This project is one part of an exciting new historic preservation outreach initiative in Allston and other parts of the city: the Neighborhood Preservation Partnership of Boston. With funding and support from the National Trust for Historic Preservation Partners in the Field Program, two local historic preservation organizations, Historic Boston Incorporated and the Boston Preservation Alliance, are using this initiative to extend historic preservation field services to Boston neighborhoods through workshops, priority planning and one-on-one assistance to property owners, residents, Boston Main Street districts, and community-based organizations.

East Boston Columbus Day Parade Committee Jail Day 2010

On Friday September 17, 2010 volunteers from East Boston will hold a Jail Day fundraiser.

(East Boston, MA.- September 5, 2010) Volunteers from the East Boston Columbus Day Parade Committee along with officers from the Suffolk County Sheriffs Department and Boston Police will round up local residents and merchants to raise funds for this years’ Columbus Day Parade.

Offenders caught smiling; cleaning up the streets or being good neighbors can be detained at the Central Square Jail on Friday September 17th between 11 am and 3 pm. To obtain a warrant and have someone arrested contact Clark Moulaison at 617.561.1044 or email at ebmainstreets@verizon.net. Warrants are $20.00 made payable to Columbus Day Parade.

This year's Columbus Day Parade will step off from Orient Heights at 1 PM travel down Bennington Street to Chelsea Street to Maverick Square and turn down Meridian Street into Central Square.

Marching bands from all over New England, Military and Civic groups will make this years parade special. Chief Marshall John Cotter along with Civic Chairman Joe Ruggeiro, Parade Chairman Buddy Mangini and Producer Joe Kehone is asking for your help. If you would like to donate to the parade or attend one of the pre-parade events contact Joe Ruggeiro at 617.590.3035.

Other Columbus Day Parade events are here.

Hitchens, religion and the public square: Not a good mix

HITCHENS:

Those who wish that there would be no mosques in America have already lost the argument: Globalization, no less than the promise of American liberty, mandates that the United States will have a Muslim population of some size. The only question, then, is what kind, or rather kinds, of Islam it will follow. There's an excellent chance of a healthy pluralist outcome, but it's very unlikely that this can happen unless, as with their predecessors on these shores, Muslims are compelled to abandon certain presumptions that are exclusive to themselves. The taming and domestication of religion is one of the unceasing chores of civilization. Those who pretend that we can skip this stage in the present case are deluding themselves and asking for trouble not just in the future but in the immediate present.

617 Taxi Company Community Meeting

Proposal by 617 Taxi Company, McClellan Highway Monday, August 30 at 5:30PM. There will be a community meeting for 617 Taxi at 175 McClellan Highway (next to the Chamber of Commerce).

September 11 is Salvation Army Awareness Day

The Salvation Army Chelsea/Revere/East Boston Corps is holding a Salvation Army Awareness Day at the Chelsea Market Basket parking lot on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Area families are invited to attend this free event and learn more about the Salvation Army’s services. Families can also view the Salvation Army’s emergency disaster services canteen, a Cataldo ambulance, and more. Give-aways will be available. More on eastboston.com

From the war against gangs, some good news

This is good news. Technically it is illegal to be illegal when you commit crimes on American soil. 

Federal immigration officials say a three-month operation in Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut and Rhode Island has led to the arrest 47 of people suspected of being gang members or having ties to gangs.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Harold Ort said on Friday that many of the suspects had histories of violent crimes including attempted murder, car jacking, assault and battery with dangerous weapons, assault to rape and possession of firearms.

Needless to say not all immigrants are not criminals nor gangbangers but the few that are cause a lot of havoc in places like East Boston.

What the moonbats and Deval have wraught: The death of dog racing

The Massachusetts elite has always proven not to be a friend of the working man and woman in Massachusetts. Sure the Governor is always about bring jobs to the elite like those subsidies for biotech that are dubious to begin with. He and the moonbats who abolished dog racing could care less about the livelihood of hundreds of working class folks in East Boston and Revere who showed up to toil at Wonderland. Gambling is fool's gold as its the pursuit of family style resort oriented casinos but House Speaker DeLeo had a point about saving the tracks in his backyard. It was he who was willing to compromise.  Only the deluded can call Patrick's stand principled. Wonderland is now legend. It was here now it's not. 

he track posted signs on its front doors this morning announcing the track has closed and that tickets and couchers may be redeemed starting next Monday.

Leslie DeLand, a track worker of 15 years, peered through the windows of the track's main building at 9:50 a.m.

"I just want to thank the governor for helping us lose our jobs," she said, placing blame on the failure to pass an expended gambling bill on Governor Deval Patrick.

Wonderland faces no future

When the Governor and the legislature talk beyond each other nothing that matters to working people really matter.

Like the state’s three other tracks, Wonderland Park, the former greyhound racing facility, is facing an uphill climb in the weeks after expanded gambling talks faltered on Beacon Hill.
The Revere track, a simulcast wagering parlor since a voter-approved dog racing ban took effect Jan. 1, 2010, was a loser in last month’s gambling bill drama, missing out on a chance to bid for a slot machine license or a chance to partner with nearby Suffolk Downs in an effort to launch a casino.

Gov. Deval Patrick has blamed lawmakers for sending him a gambling bill he had indicated he would not support and urged the Legislature to reconvene and pass casino-only legislation. Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein (D-Revere), a former Wonderland employee, said that in Revere, residents are still shocked that Patrick didn’t go along with legislation allowing two of the four racetracks to add slot machines.

“Around here, people here they just can’t believe that the governor did it,” she said. “He’s playing a game with all these peoples’ lives. It’s very sad. It’s disappointing. These are real people.”

Richard Fields' big gamble

Banking on the Massachusetts state legislature is a risky bet.

The move to pare back the season’s total purse to $8 million – the minimum that Suffolk is required by the state to offer – from $9.8 million in 2009 is a sign that co-owner Richard Fields may be looking to cut his losses. Fields, as you may remember, placed a big bet on Suffolk – and on the future of the casino industry in the state – when he made a huge investment in Suffolk in 2007. He doubled down with his partners at the track when the ownership team obtained a right to acquire the nearby Wonderland dog track in Revere and a mortgage on that track’s property.

The big question will be: When will Richard Fields be ready to fold his hand?

East Boston fuel storage victimized by scam

If gasoline in 55 gallon barrels can be transported this easily by a regular run-of-the-mill van and transported through the Sumner Tunnel, then we are really in for big trouble.

Douglas Noble and his wife, Amy, are accused of a scam in which Douglas allegedly stole gasoline from an East Boston fuel storage depot where he worked and the couple sold it from their home on Beaver Street. A joint state and local investigation broke up the operation.


According to police, one of the Nobles’ customers was Dana Olson, a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Department of Public Works, according to the town website. Police said that she and another woman, Ann Goodreau of Brockton, were seen on video buying fuel in the Nobles’ driveway, and they have been charged with receiving stolen property.