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...
Opinion
Editorial: A Super Bowl Loss
The New England Patriots lost the Super Bowl, and life here is no worse for it, just as life would not be any better had they won. Still, there was that collective groan from the guys watching at the Post, the students watching in the bars, the restaurant workers watching from behind the counter,...
Op-Ed: Unifying the community colleges
By Gov. Deval Patrick We have 240,000 people looking for work and nearly 120,000 open jobs today in Massachusetts. How can we have so much opportunity available and so many people still looking for a chance? Business leaders tell me over and over again that it is because the people looking for jobs don’t...
Hill Happenings
Condolences to the family of Pauline Pierce, a beautiful, fun-loving woman who passed away last month. Mrs. Pierce was a terrific actress, performing for many years in the Mission Hill Theatre Group. She displayed her talent in several plays, including “Harvey,” but more importantly, Mrs. Pierce was instrumental in bringing a delightful sense of...
What’s Happening on Main Streets
By Richard Rouse You don’t need a groundhog to tell you that we still have more winter days ahead. Keep your sidewalk clear of snow and ice along with a healthy supply of rock-salt-type de-icers. There are many environmentally friendly brands readily available at our local stores. If you are truly concerned about your...
Editorial: Fund the T like a treasure
Pay more and get less. That’s the pitch the MBTA is making to riders as it struggles to fill a $161 million operating budget deficit. It’s a draconian budget. Fare hikes that outpace anyone’s pay increases. No transit for people who work weekends or for tourists to and from the suburbs. A high impact...
Editorial: Seize the Year
The year 2012 is here, and very little can be said with certainty about what events it will hold. Except this: An ancient Mayan god will not return to destroy the world, contrary to a surprisingly popular superstition. More sophisticated thinkers point out that end-of-the-world stories are metaphors for changes in belief systems. They...
Hill Happenings
Belated condolences to the family of lifelong Mission Hill resident Winifred Dunn, who passed away in November at 94. Winifred was a beautiful woman who leaves four children, including Boston Police Officer Richie Caulfield. Winifred was married to George “Sonny” Dunn, a Mission Hill oil delivery man in the ’50s and ’60s. Sonny was...
What’s Happening on Main Streets
By Richard Rouse The New Year is proceeding in Mission Hill and a special note of thanks goes to all the businesses owners who ramped up the holiday decorating on their storefronts. The neighborhood looked great. Well done to Flann O’Brien’s, Mission Café, Squealing Pig, Penguin Pizza, Tremont House of Pizza, Brigham Circle Diner,...
Editorial: The ways of winter
As of this writing, we have dodged any snowfall this season. (Well, not counting that ridiculous outburst back in October.) But we can’t fool ourselves. Winter is on the way. It comes on Dec. 22, the longest night of the year. Cold and ice are practically guaranteed in these parts. Such things are certainties...