The gentrification controversy surrounding Whole Foods Market’s entry into Hyde Square last year may be studied by Latino policy researchers at the University of Massachusetts Boston. “We are in the process of submitting proposal and we can’t really talk about the details yet,” said Pablo Goldbarg, a spokesperson for the Mauricio...
Monthly Archives: February 2012
Editorial: Make the Casey decision
It is time for the state Department of Transportation to publicly announce a Casey Overpass replacement plan and then carry it out forthwith. MassDOT followed our advice in December to delay its decision until after the holidays so the community could have discussion and debate. That debate has occurred and it is time to...
Editorial: The State House and the T
We expect suburban and rural state legislators to hop on board with their Boston peers in fixing the MBTA’s budget woes. Most of them are Democrats, and Massachusetts Democrats believe in properly funding the MBTA. It says so right in their party platform, which supports “increasing investments and promotion of public transportation throughout the...
Letter: Forest Hills needs 21st century plan
In recent weeks many questions and concerns have arisen regarding the Working Advisory Group process about the Casey Overpass in Jamaica Plain. There is a growing consensus within the affected communities and among the WAG participants that the process was defective, being neither inclusive nor transparent. Voices from the auto, rail and bus commuters...
Letter: Mass. falls behind on medical marijuana
I was really disheartened to see that state Rep. Jeffrey Sánchez continues to block relief to some of his most hurting constituents and, for that matter, the entire state. (“Sanchez to halt medical pot bill,” Jan. 20.) One of my close friends has been suffering with cancer for years; his pain management is greatly...
Letter: Overpass process was unfair, biased
It appears that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is ready to announce a decision on the approach to be taken for the replacement of the Casey Overpass at Forest Hills. It is very likely that MassDOT will decide in favor of its “at-grade” plan to handle all of the east-west and north-south traffic...
Letter: Surface option is good, fast and cheap
I have attended all of the public meetings for the Casey Overpass Project. I believe both options that have been presented are a vast improvement over what is currently in place and that both designs will be able to accommodate all modes and capacities of traffic, per the information provided at these meetings. If I...
Letter: Story should have focused on self-defense
I greatly appreciate the Gazette’s efforts to inform the public about the details of the attempted assault at Jamaica Pond, but the headline and the first paragraph of the article are incomplete. (“Cops: Woman assaulted at pond,” Jan. 20.) A closer reading of the article reveals that this woman successfully defended herself by using her voice and...
Letter: South End biolab risks are too high
The proposed Bio Level 3 and 4 lab for Boston must be opposed. Despite the many safety precautions designed for the building, there would still be an unacceptable risk to the community if there was ever any outbreak of deadly pathogens. We cannot assume that the latest technology will eliminate all risks. I’m sure...
Letter: Welcoming homeless housing
I am writing to applaud the recent decision of the Superior Court to allow the development of the former Barbara McInnis House at 461 Walnut Ave. into affordable homes for homeless people to move forward. I also offer my congratulations to Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Pine Street Inn and the Jamaica...