The Boston Redevelopment Authority board is playing a smart game of political chess at the former Blessed Sacrament Church campus. It recently approved a controversial redevelopment of the former Norbert School into high-priced apartments. But it also made that approval…
Category: Opinion
Letter: Casey design is looking great—but western end needs work
I’d like to thank the members of the MassDOT Casey team and their consultants, as well as the other agencies and officials there, for the outstanding presentation at the July 11 public hearing concerning the 75 percent plan for the…
Letter: Casey Arborway will only add to local woes
The following letter was sent to various local elected officials: The Casey Arborway at-grade plan is ridiculous and needs to be stopped. Traffic is terrible already during rush hours. I live on a side street that is used from 7…
Letter: Dog incident shows contempt for elderly
As an older woman, I frequently see issues of discrimination against and contempt for the elderly, but the latest incident made me so angry, I wanted to share it with your readers. The other day, I was walking my little…
Politics as Unusual: Is there an echo in here, or is that a stump speech?
About 10 years ago, I visited my old college friend Sam in New Hampshire, where he was tailing presidential candidate Wesley Clark to union halls and cafeterias, diners and barbershops. Sam was working for Democratic contender Joe Lieberman, whose team…
Politics as Unusual: This ship needs a PILOT
In a number of mayoral forums thus far, there’s been roundabout acknowledgment of the simultaneous benefit and burden that tax-exempt players bring to Boston. Aside from the Catholic Church—which, in case you’ve forgotten, covered up an Old Testament-worthy epidemic of…
Politics as Unusual: Conley’s troubling record of clearing cops who kill minorities
Word on the street is that the acquittal of George Zimmerman might catalyze a meaningful dialogue about race and power. In cities coast to coast, a conversation has already manifested, with the biggest protest crowds since Occupy uniting to express…
JP Observer: The secret of a beautiful parking lot
It took me a while to realize why going to Stop & Shop in Jackson Square put me in a good mood almost every Saturday. Finally, it occurred to me that it’s good to get groceries, but it’s the parking…
Editorial: A Blessed Sacrament plan
The acquisition of the former Blessed Sacrament Church by the Hyde Square Task Force is as surprising a win as the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation’s acquisition of it years ago. It will be as big a challenge as well.…
Editorial: The White Stadium gift
Mayor Menino and Suffolk Construction chief John Fish’s out-of-the-blue plan to renovate White Stadium is weird in a good way, like a guy riding around in a limo tossing hundred-dollar bills out the window to passers-by. Fish showed up in…