Mayor's Column

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 04:00:00 GMT

There has been a lot of focus over the last several months on the troubling increase in gang-related youth violence in our neighborhoods. While gang violence is certainly not a new issue, the nature of gang activity among youth has evolved and we have had to adapt our strategy accordingly. In collaboration with state and federal government agencies and community partners, the City of Boston has launched a targeted, community-based strategy to more effectively suppress violence in Bostonâ€™s neighborhoods and support the families and residents in those communities. Reducing violence is a job that no single agency can do alone, but it's one we all can do if we act together.

The new partnership, called PACT (Partnership Advancing Communities Together), unites law enforcement and social service agencies â€“ including Governor Deval Patrick, District Attorney Dan Conley, the office of U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz, as well as health and human services officials â€“ to share resources, information and accountability. The PACT focuses its efforts on 200-300 individuals that have been identified as playing a significant role in the ongoing violence in known problematic areas. The PACT partners will work together to share resources and provide improved access to information, compiling a database of complete records, facilitated and centralized by the BPD and circulated among law enforcement, social service and community partners.

While our government agencies are important components of the PACT system, its success also depends on the support from our local communities. Violence is a crime issue, but it is also a health and human services issue. Our faith-based and community-based partners will play an important role in prevention and intervention by increasing visibility on the streets, particularly in geographic areas identified as problematic. Clergy and community partners have been given 15 coordinated reporting areas of the city, ranging from Mattapan to the South End, to work closely with neighbors in offering support and creating a sense of peace. Through a coordinated effort between government and social services, we aim to curb the trend of our younger generations getting involved with gangs and foster a safe neighborhood environment for Boston families, now and well into the future.

It is only through coordinated, comprehensive strategies like the PACT and with shared commitment and accountability that allow us to make a significant impact on youth and gang violence. Government cannot do it alone and we need the cooperation and support of our residents and communities as well. I urge anyone that sees and is impacted by youth and gang violence to work with law enforcement and community agencies to report their concerns and support their neighbors. I am confident that with a joined effort we can eliminate the fear and violence that haunts many of our neighborhoods, making Boston a better place for residents to live, work, go to school and raise a family.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Last week, officials identified the presence of Asian Longhorned Beetles (ALB) in six trees on the grounds of the Faulkner Hospital in Jamaica Plain. While we are confident that the discovery of the ALB here in Boston is an isolated and contained incident, this is a serious issue that presents a very real threat to Bostonâ€™s cityscape. The City of Boston is working closely with state and federal officials, taking every step and precaution necessary to protect our trees and prevent further spread of the ALB.

The affected trees discovered in Jamaica Plain were immediately removed and the neighboring trees in the area have been heavily surveyed. The surrounding area within a 1.5 mile radius around the site where the beetles were found has been designated as a â€œRestricted Areaâ€ and it is absolutely critical that any type of wood not be removed from this designated area so that we can further prevent the beetles from spreading. I ask that residents and business located within this area cooperate fully with tree surveyors and officials to ensure that the inspection process goes as smoothly as possible.

We understand that the news of the ALB presence in Boston has been a great concern to our local communities. While the City of Boston has been collaborating with state and federal partners, residents can play a key role in our effort. You can help by to educating yourself and your neighbors on how to spot a possible infestation and keeping a close watch on the trees in your neighborhood.

Important information to help recognize signs of the ALB:

The beetles are usually Â¾ to 1 Â¼ inches long, with jet black bodies and mottled white spots. Their antennae are 1 Â½ to 2 Â½ times their body length and have distinct black and white bands on each segment.
Look for sap, which may flow from oval pits in the tree that are chewed by female beetles laying their eggs.
Look for the accumulation of coarse sawdust around the base of infested trees. This sawdust is created by the beetle larvae as they bore into the main tree stem and branches.
Look for round holes the size of a dime on the trunk and on the branches of trees. These exit holes are made by adult beetles as they emerge from the tree.

This is not the first time the ALB has been found in Massachusetts. An infestation discovered in Worcester in August 2008 caused 25,000 trees in the Worcester area to be cut down, dramatically changing the neighborhood landscapes. We are committed to making sure this does not happen in Boston. Lessons learned from this tragedy have allowed us to identify and react to the infestation in Boston quickly and cooperatively. The ALB has the potential to wreak significant havoc on our trees and forest, but with a shared commitment and vigilance we can preserve the parklands and streetscapes of our beautiful city.

To report any tree damage, view photographs and videos of tree damage, or read about the ALB visit www.mass.gov/agr/alb.htm or call the toll-free ALB hotline at 866-702-9938.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 04:00:00 GMT

While summer is a time for leisure, vacationing and enjoying the warm weather, it also can present a variety of dangers and potential safety hazards. As the hottest months of summer are upon us, I would like to remind residents that there are many small and simple precautions we can take to ensure a safe, healthy summer for all.

Stay Hydrated. To protect your health when temperatures are extremely high, drink plenty of fluids and avoid beverages high in sugar or caffeine and alcohol. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and injuries, but everyone should remember to limit their activities during very hot weather, stay hydrated, wear loose, light colored clothing and rest often in cool areas whenever possible.

Wear sunscreen. There are nearly one million new cases of skin cancer detected each year, and because children spend the most time outdoors in the sun, their risk is particularly high. It is important for everyone, particularly young people, to apply adequate amounts of protective sunscreen and wear protective clothing throughout the day to avoid damaging sunburn and potential risks for skin cancer.

Stay safe by the water. When relaxing by the ocean, lake, or pool this summer, be sure to follow basic water safety rules. Never swim alone, never leave children unattended, and always obey lifeguards and posted warnings and signs.

Wear a helmet. Boston has become an increasingly bike-friendly city, with more bike lanes, bike racks, and more people riding than ever before. With more people outside riding and walk during the warmer months, it is important to obey basic safety rules and be a courteous and respectful rider to all who share the road. The most important thing you can do for your own safety is to always wear a helmet, especially children and young people.

Kids Canâ€™t Fly. It is common to keep windows open during the warm summer weather. However, window falls are the leading cause of injury to children under the age of five. The Boston Public Health Commissionâ€™s Kids Canâ€™t Fly campaign reminds families to install window guards and keep windows closed if not in use to ensure that no child falls through an open window.

It can be easy to forget the simple, hidden dangers of summer, but with basic precautions these risks can be managed. The most important thing we can do is look out for each other, particularly our vulnerable populations. Check in on your elderly neighbors that might need assistance on a hot day and keep an eye on children. Together, we can all enjoy a fun and healthy summer.

For questions about heat-related city services, residents can call the Mayor's 24-Hour Hotline at 617-635-4500. Health and safety tips to beat the heat can be found online at www.cityofboston.gov/heat.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 04:00:00 GMT

As the school year comes to an end this week and students trade the classroom for the swimming pool, I want to remind everyone of the outstanding variety of activities and programs available to our youth this summer. With increased programming, from summer school to summer camps, the City is hard at work to ensure that all Boston youth have the opportunity to experience a safe and happy summer, keeping them off the streets and in a productive environments so they are ready for the start of school in the fall.

For students enrolled in summer school, Boston Public Schools (BPS) recently announced changes to its Summer Scholars 2010 program, which will serve more than 5,000 students this year. The school day will be extended to six hours and will include daily enrichment activities such as arts instruction, golf, yoga, forensic science, and a weekly field trip. BPS is breaking the conventional wisdom of what summer school looks like, creating a fresh, high quality education for its students not only during the academic year, but year-round.

In addition to the many summer camps, athletic leagues, classes and events offered this summer, Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) is working closely with BPS to ensure that every student enrolled in summer school has a place to go after the school day. Our young people also have the opportunity to enroll in several employment and skill-development programs geared specifically toward teens preparing to enter the workforce. This week I announced that the City of Boston has come very close to our goal of providing 10,000 summer jobs for teens. This has been a major priority of my administration and thanks to their hard work and the generosity of our private funders and local businesses, we are putting more Boston teens to work and providing them with not only a paycheck, but an essential educational experience.

Boston R.O.C.K.S!!! (Recreational Opportunities for City Kids), which enters its fourth year of connecting our youth with free and low cost programs, provides over 1,000 programs to Boston city kids. Camp Harbor View is just one outstanding example of an affordable summer program geared toward low-income families. Since 2007 this summer camp located on the Boston Harbor Islands introduces youth to new passions and skills that they would not otherwise have been aware of, striving to inspire them in their school years and beyond. The camp has been a tremendous success and continues to grow. I am very proud to say that this year the camp will provide over 900 of Bostonâ€™s inner-city youth a four week camp experience for only $5.

Keeping our young people engaged in safe, healthy and fun activities during the summer is extremely important. Our city agencies and partners have collectively worked to ensure that all of Bostonâ€™s youth have access to an activity or program that interests them this summer. I encourage young people and their families to take advantage of the wonderful opportunities that are available. It is not too late to sign up. Together, we can ensure that all Boston youth experience a safe, healthy and enriching summer.

For more information visit www.bostonyouthzone.com

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 04:00:00 GMT

The City of Boston is one of the healthiest cities in the country and we continue to work hard to ensure that all Bostonians have the resources needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This summer, as farmersâ€™ markets open across Boston, the City has launched several programs in an effort to make local produce an affordable reality for all residents at all income levels. Healthy eating is a key factor to reducing risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer and we want to make sure that all of our cityâ€™s residents and families have convenient access to fresh, nutritious, locally grown food.

The ReVision Homeâ€™s Urban Farm Stand which opened this month in Dorchester is an excellent example of using neighborhood based food production and distribution to benefit a local community. The farm stand profits benefit Victory Programsâ€™ ReVision Home, a shelter for homeless young mothers and their children. Through working at the farm, the women learn how to grow, harvest and prepare healthy meals for their families while also providing fresh, local produce to their community at affordable prices. Since opening in 1993 the farm has welcomed thousands of volunteers, provided experience to more than 300 youth annually, and distributes enough food to provide more than 1,200 people with their recommended five daily servings of fresh vegetables and fruit.

The recently launched Boston Bounty Bucks Program is another innovative â€œfarm-to-communityâ€ partnership between the City of Boston, The Food Project and neighborhood farmersâ€™ markets. Through this program, we have been able to make local farm produce available to Bostonâ€™s lower income residents who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). As a result, there are currently more than 82,000 Bostonians who can now use their benefits from the Bounty Bucks Program at 21 participating farmersâ€™ markets, for the first time purchasing fresh, healthy foods at affordable prices.

The City of Boston this year also received $12.5 million in federal grant, one of 44 cities in the country and the only city in Massachusetts awarded funding specifically aimed at lowering obesity and tobacco use â€“ two of the leading causes of premature death and disability. Provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the grants will be used to promote public health interventions and initiatives such as the Soda Free Summer Challenge to decrease consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, as well as programs to create additional space for community and backyard gardening and encourage biking and walking in the city.

Whether you drink less soda, shop for groceries at a local farm stand, try a new fruit or vegetable, or simply resolve to walk more, there are many small changes we can all make to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. I believe strongly that every Boston resident should have convenient access to affordable, nutritious, locally grown food and these programs are important investments in creating a healthy future for our city.

Visit www.massfarmersmarkets.org to find a farmersâ€™ market in your neighborhood.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 04:00:00 GMT

The City of Boston this week joined cities and communities across the country to celebrate Pride Week. Boston Pride 2010 began its week-long celebration with the historic Flag Raising at City Hall Plaza and culminated with the annual Pride Parade last weekend. These events remind us of the importance of embracing our Cityâ€™s diversity and supporting our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community. It gives me great pride to see every year the many ways in which the City of Boston and its residents passionately support Pride Week. From participating in the annual AIDS Walk to coming out in the rain to watch and cheer the parade, Bostonians continue to show their commitment to these important issues.

Among the many celebrations during Pride Week, the AIDS Walk Boston attracted thousands of dedicated participants from all across the Greater Boston area who braved the rain to walk along the Charles River. The Walk raised an estimated $1 million for New Englandâ€™s largest and oldest AIDS service organization, the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts. With events like the AIDS Walk and Pride Lights, AIDS Action has been able to lay the groundwork for us to achieve some great things, including passing legislation that will allow for pharmacy access to clean needles. The impact of this work is felt here in Boston and all across the country.

The City of Boston works hard throughout the year to provide support and services for those in our community struggling with HIV/AIDS. This year, the City has received $14 million in federal funding from the Ryan White grant program. The funding represents a 6.4% increase over last year and includes funding designated for medical treatment for communities of color, which are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS. In the 20 years that Boston has been awarded this grant, we have received over $100 million to fund a myriad of critical services for the more than 6,600 people living with HIV/AIDS in the Boston metropolitan area, with particular focus on those who are underinsured or low-income.

This is one of the most ubiquitous epidemics of our time, and every effort to reverse the trend and slow the rate of infection is critical. Many communities have already come together to care for those affected by HIV/AIDS and to prevent new infections in our own backyard. We must continue to be supportive of these organizations and events that raise awareness, and Boston Pride provides an opportunity to highlight these issues.

It is important to remember that Boston Pride Week is more than just an annual celebration. It is a vibrant statement that enhances the visibility of the GLBT community and symbolizes Bostonâ€™s progress towards a diverse and welcoming environment for all. In honor of the courageous pioneers who bravely protested and initiated the first Pride celebration in 1971, todayâ€™s community continues a forty year tradition by standing up for what they believe in during Pride Week. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been a leader in defending the equal rights of its GLBT citizens by recognizing same sex marriage and actively supporting the rights and issues of the community. Together we can all continue to make a difference and serve as an example for future generations.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 04:00:00 GMT

To register for a workshops visit our website at www.cityofboston.gov/climate. Walk-ins will be seated if space is still available.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Tuesday, March 2, at the Old South Church;
Monday, March 8, at the Boston Lodge of Elks No 10 / West Roxbury Elks Club;
Wednesday, March 10, at the Metcalf Ballroom, George Sherman Union, Boston University;
Wednesday, March 15, at the Roxbury Center for the Arts, Hibernian Hall.

To register for a workshops visit our website at www.cityofboston.gov/climate. Walk-ins will be seated if space is still available.

2010 Census: Everyone Counts

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

In the face of a globally challenging economic climate, one of the most positive signs for Boston is that our population continues to grow. In fact, last year, for the first time since the 1970s, Bostonâ€™s population surpassed 600,000 people. It may sound like a trivial number, but an accurate population count is actually very important to everyoneâ€™s livelihood. Starting in March, weâ€™ll have the opportunity to update our population estimates with the 2010 U.S. Census, which occurs once every 10 years. As efforts ramp up to ensure an accurate count in 2010, you should know both why the Census is so important and what you can expect to see over the coming months.

The 2010 Census will help communities across the country receive more than $400 billion in funding for everything from supporting hospitals like Boston Medical Center to investing in schools, public works projects, and emergency services. The number of representatives we have in the U.S. House of Representatives is also directly related to the population of our city and state. This fact is especially important for the Commonwealth, as we have the potential to lose a seat in Congress, which would have a negative effect on our stateâ€™s ability to leverage more funding and resources at the federal level.

Each person missed in the Census translates to a loss of $1,230 in local funding. In Boston, we know just how important an accurate count is to receiving this crucial funding. Just last month, we won our fourth Census challenge, resulting in the U.S. Census Bureau officially increasing its July 2008 population estimate for the City of Boston from 609,023 to 620,535. Despite the more than 11,000 person increase, we still contend that Bostonâ€™s true population estimate should be 630,384, and we stands to lose $12 million in federal funding by not counting these people.

So, what are we doing to ensure the most accurate count possible for this yearâ€™s decennial Census? We started by appointing an official liaison from the City of Boston to coordinate with local, state, and federal stakeholders in order to get all of the pieces in place for an accurate count. Educating residents about the census process is one of our most essential responsibilities, and thatâ€™s why we established a Boston Complete Count Committee, a volunteer group of community leaders that are working to increase awareness and motivate residents to respond to the 2010 Census.

The diverse immigrant population that makes Boston so vibrant and unique is also one of the most important groups to participate in the Census. Immigrants make up 27 percent of our cityâ€™s population and 31 percent of our workforces. We have a responsibility to welcome these new Bostonians and recognize that we share a common future, but we also have to educate them about the Census. For example, the information that immigrants provide to the Census Bureau is completely confidential, regardless of whether the person who is submitting it is documented or not. What matters most is that they count themselves and their children as members of our community because everyone stands to benefit from the resources and funding made possible by an accurate count.

There is a lot of challenging work ahead, but a complete count is in our hands. When you receive your census form by mail in March, take ten minutes to answer ten questions. Remember that April 1, 2010 is National Census Day. You can use this day as a point of reference for mailing in your completed forms. Between April and July, census takers will visit households that did not return forms by mail.

Your task is simple â€“ fill it out and send it back. But the implications are enormous. Letâ€™s use this opportunity to show that everyone counts.

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Selflessness and Service: Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

We paused earlier this week to honor the life and legacy of one of Americaâ€™s greatest civil rights leaders â€“ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Kingâ€™s message of justice and equality is still as relevant today as it was during the civil rights movement, and his commitment to service is a powerful reminder that we can all do our part to improve the lives of others. In a city rich with history, Iâ€™m proud that Dr. Kingâ€™s personal history is rooted here in Boston.

On Monday, I joined hundreds of community members for the 40th Annual Martin Luther King Day Breakfast at the Hynes Convention Center. The celebration of his life and work continued at Faneuil Hall during a tribute that featured musical selections by the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra complemented by readings from several of Dr. Kingâ€™s works that were provided by the Museum of African American History. The events brought community members of all ages and backgrounds together to reflect on the immense contributions of one of Bostonâ€™s proudest citizens.

Dr. Kingâ€™s philosophy lives on as an inspiration for generations of Americans, as his story shows us that ordinary people have the power to change our world. In keeping with this spirit, the City of Boston partnered with Boston Cares to host â€œA Day ON, not a Day OFF,â€ a day of service and reflection that brought over 1,000 people together at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center to participate in a variety of service projects during the holiday. Volunteers had the opportunity to choose from projects that included writing letters to soldiers, making fleece blankets, scarves, dental care kits, flash cards for Boston Public School Students, bookmarks, recess booklets, and even cat beds. All together, the dedicated volunteers produced more than 14,000 items for donation in only five hours. These items will be distributed to various non-profits and community based organizations in the Boston area such as Room to Grow, Pine Street Inn, the Womenâ€™s Lunch Place, the Boston Public Library, and the MSPCA.

The crippling earthquake that struck Haiti last week evoked a similar spirit of service and compassion worldwide, and Dr. King certainly would have been proud to witness the outpouring of international support for the victims of the disaster. We know that overcoming adversity often makes us stronger, and I was inspired to see how quickly the people of Boston rallied to assist not only the victims of the earthquake but also our local Haitian community whose loved ones were affected by the tragedy.

Over the last several days, I was heartened to witness so many people reach out and ask how they could help. I thank the volunteers and translators that helped us staff a resource center at SEIU Local 1199 for the local Haitian community seeking updates about the disaster and their loved ones. Relief efforts in Haiti are still in their early stages, but every bit of assistance counts, and Iâ€™m particularly proud that three of our EMS employees volunteered to go to Haiti as part of a disaster medical assistance team. Volunteering is just one way to help victims and local Haitian families in need. The City of Boston created a relief fund through Bank of America, named â€œThe Fund for Boston Neighborhoods â€“ Haitian Family Relief.â€ I encourage you to donate to the fund by visiting any local Bank of America branch or by mailing checks to P.O. Box 961555, Boston, MA 02196.

Dr. Kingâ€™s legacy reminds us all just how important service and selflessness are to improving our world. Responding to the disaster in Haiti brought this spirit out in many of us, but we should strive to keep it alive in both good times and bad. You donâ€™t have to move mountains to make someone elseâ€™s life a little bit better. You just have to care.

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Delivering results for our children and families

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Weâ€™re barely two weeks into a new year, but 2010 is already off to a strong start. During my Inaugural address last week, I spoke of a new era of shared innovation and the need to reinvent our approach to old challenges. No where is this spirit of innovation and collaboration more crucial than in transforming educational opportunities for our youth, and last week we took a major step forward in realizing this goal when the House passed an education reform bill that provides local districts the tools for greater innovation. This bill is a win for students in Boston and across the Commonwealth, and real reform is within our grasps. As final revisions are made in a conference committee with the Senate, we owe it to our children and families to pass these reforms now â€“ because thereâ€™s no time to waste. If we finish the job, weâ€™ll deliver on the civil rights issue of our time.

The final piece of legislation should take the best provisions from the House and Senate bills. I anticipate that the final bill will accomplish the three priorities that I have strongly advocated for over the past several months. These include: Providing local leaders such as Superintendent Johnson the tools and flexibility to carry out our plan to turn around the underperforming schools in our city; allowing for the creation of new in-district charter schools; and giving local districts the ability to innovate without the delay of lengthy arbitration. By embracing this entire mix of priorities â€“ rather than offering small fixes at the margins â€“ legislators will demonstrate their commitment to helping all schools prepare all children for the future. I then look forward to Governor Patrick swiftly signing these reforms into law.

I want to thank the dedicated partners on Beacon Hill that helped make this possible, especially Speaker DeLeo, Education Committee Co-Chair Marty Walz, and Representatives St. Fleur and Moran. In fact, all of the House members of the Boston delegation voted in favor of the bill, and their support underscores the partnership that is so important to overcoming our biggest challenges.

By adopting meaningful reform tools and allowing for the creation of in-district charter schools, this education reform bill not only puts the Commonwealth at the forefront of the national education reform movement. It puts the state in a position to be much more competitive for $250 million in federal funding through the â€œRace to the Topâ€ initiative, a program that rewards states for pursuing ambitious but achievable plans to implement coherent, compelling, and comprehensive education reform. I also thank the Race to the Top Coalition, a group of business, community, civic and education advocates, for their efforts and wide-ranging support for education reform.

This journey hasnâ€™t been easy. People ask me why Iâ€™ve been so fired up about this lately. Itâ€™s because delivering quality education to all of our children is the most important thing we can do. In recent weeks, Iâ€™ve made some candid phone calls and visits to many folks to remind them that education reform is about kids. The truth is that Iâ€™m happy to turn up the pressure to turn around schools.

We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform education for the children of Boston and the entire state. Together, weâ€™ve shown that education reform isnâ€™t about special interests; itâ€™s about putting the needs of our kids before those of adults. Our collective efforts also prove just how much we can accomplish by putting small differences aside and working toward a common goal. The reforms we usher in will have a lasting impact on our students, and the spirit of innovation and partnership that got us to this point should have a lasting impact on the way we approach our next challenge.

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Inaugurating a New Era of Shared Innovation

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

It was the privilege of a lifetime earlier this week to take the oath of office to begin my fifth term as Mayor of the City of Boston. As we turn the page on a new decade, we also open a new chapter in Bostonâ€™s history. The challenges we face are great, but our uniquely Boston combination of ingenuity and perseverance still remains and will take us into this new decade, the best as we approach our cityâ€™s fourth century. Knowing that our potential today remains stronger than ever before, we inaugurate a new era of shared innovation.

The next four years will be guided by the idea that we will reinvent ourselves to create an even stronger city. At the top of our shared agenda are four goals: Transforming education, delivering on the promise of our waterfront and creating new jobs, making over basic city services, and bringing our city closer together across diverse backgrounds.

As a city of innovators, no where is innovation more critical than in education. In order to achieve transformative progress, fixing around the margins wonâ€™t be enough. We must have the capacity to reinvent ourselves. As state legislators debate a reform bill that could provide turnaround authority for local districts and position the Commonwealth to compete for more than $250 million in federal funding, the right bill for our children increases the charter cap, but also provides turnaround capacity for districts in three places: One, the authority to create in-district charter schools. Two, the flexibility to assign the best teachers where they are needed most. And three, the ability to bypass lengthy arbitration at persistently under-performing schools.

I thank the devoted leaders on Beacon Hill who have worked hard to shape a bill that provides this mix. Real reform is within our grasps, and to those who plan to block, or weaken it, I say make no mistake: Itâ€™s not progressive to be middle of the road on education, the civil rights issue of our time, and itâ€™s certainly not right to put adult interests before kidsâ€™ needs.

Emphasizing the same spirit of innovation, weâ€™ll unlock the potential of our city in Downtown Crossing, Dudley Square, and the Albany Street Corridor, and deliver on the promise of our marine industrial park and waterfront by creating a vibrant Innovation District. Together, we should develop these thousand acres into a hub for knowledge workers and creative jobs. Our mandate to all will be to invent a 21st century district that meets the needs of the innovators who live and work in Boston â€“ to create a job magnet, an urban lab on our shore, and to harvest its lessons for the city.

I was labeled the Urban Mechanic sixteen years ago, but that nickname is outdated now because we are all urban mechanics. All of us are eyes and ears on the street. Neighbors are our greatest source of data, and our citizens are the best civic entrepreneurs. Guided by this belief, Iâ€™m issuing an open call to foundations, entrepreneurs, technologists, and neighbors: Help us make Boston the hub for municipal innovation and deliver on the promise of creating neighborhoods that work for all.

When I made my first inaugural address, I promised to help bring about a century of inclusiveness in government. Weâ€™ve made much progress, but we must recommit ourselves to that ambition. Nothing would make me prouder than for my grandkids to say their papa helped all of us in Boston truly know each other.

When we look back four years from now â€“ when we meet these goals and many others â€“ weâ€™ll have come very far. But our full achievement may be determined as much by how we get there as by what we get done.

My friend Ted Kennedy said once that, â€œAll of us will live on in the future we make.â€ Let our legacy to each other be launching pads for those who follow. Let us show the world that in Boston, history is just a prelude. That here, we donâ€™t lay capstones, we lay foundations.

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Education Reform a Top Priority for New Year

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

2009 was an exciting year that began with an historic inauguration. While many faced, and continue to face, challenges that come with a tough economy, Boston has become a better place to live, work and visit.

Shortly after President Obama took office, Boston benefited from a wide-ranging stimulus package that continues to provide jobs and fund new housing for residents and improve busy roads around the city. We pushed hard for every possible dollar, and those efforts saved the jobs of teachers and police officers and created 850 summer jobs for students. It also makes possible renovations to the Dorchester Avenue corridor and the housing complex at Washington Beech. To date, the City has received nearly $270 million to jumpstart our economy.

But more federal dollars are at stake. As much as $250 million in federal â€œRace to the Topâ€ funds are available to states that show theyâ€™re serious about reforming education. Beginning on January 5th, state representatives will debate an education reform bill that would not only position Massachusetts to receive this critical funding but would also give Superintendent Carol Johnson the flexibility to transform underperforming schools. A key to transforming schools would be the ability to create Horace Mann Schools, a type of in-district charter school. We must be willing to try new ideas when the old methods arenâ€™t working.

While we push legislators on Beacon Hill to pass education reform and meet the January 19th application deadline for â€œRace to the Topâ€ funds, weâ€™re proud of the positive changes weâ€™ve made in Boston Public Schools this year. Students at six schools are discovering new learning opportunities through outdoor classrooms, while parents are learning how to be involved with their childâ€™s education through Parent University. School officials have also worked with parents to develop a curriculum geared toward children with autism. Even after students leave BPS, our â€œGetting Ready, Getting In, and Getting Through,â€ program promotes college success and aims to double the college graduation rate of BPS graduates.

Just as weâ€™ve implemented innovative programs in our schools, we generated creative ideas to better serve everyone in Boston. In October, we unveiled an iPhone application that allows residents to instantly report potholes, graffiti, and other problems that may arise. The â€œMayorâ€™s Hotlineâ€ was implemented this year and anyone who calls 617-635-4500 will receive assistance at any hour of the day or night. Through the hotline weâ€™ve made a seamless integration with Boston Police to address concerns as quickly as possible.

In addition to better serving residents, the City has continued to turn Beantown into Greentown. In fact, our single-stream recycling system makes recycling easy. The City has distributed, and will continue to distribute into the spring, tall blue bins that eliminate the need to separate paper, plastic, glass and other materials.

With an expanding bicycling program, Boston Bikes, the city continues to earn its reputation as one of the greenest cities in the country. For the first time in decades, the city hosted a professional bike race that attracted former Olympians and national champions and thousands of spectators in September. Biking continues to grow as a means of transportation and form of exercise, and this year we reached five miles of bike lanes and more than 150 bike racks around the city to accommodate and encourage biking. Weâ€™re working towards launching a bike-sharing program that will provide access to thousands of bikes, as well as several more miles of bike lanes and additional bike racks spaced 300 feet apart.

We accomplished a lot together in 2009, but Bostonians should have high expectations for 2010. Inauguration Day is January 4th at Faneuil Hall, and with new, exciting leaders and ideas, weâ€™ll tackle an ambitious agenda and continue to move Boston forward.

Education Reform a Top Priority for New Year

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Diverse Holiday Traditions Make Boston Special

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The traditions we celebrate are a big part of what makes the holiday season special. Theyâ€™re also what make Boston a vibrant and culturally diverse city. I always enjoy going to different parts of the city and seeing how the people of Boston celebrate this time of year.

In my family, we celebrate Christmas Eve with the Feast of Seven Fishes, a common Italian tradition. We buy fish in the morning and cook seven different recipes for a delicious meal that night with family and friends. The seven courses of fish are symbolic of the seven sacraments of Catholicism and the practice of eating only fish on Fridays and some holy days. This year, I look forward to passing down this tradition to my grandchildren so that they may continue the Feast for years to come.

While we look forward to celebrating the holidays with family and friends, weâ€™re also excited about the upcoming weeks, months and years. We have much to accomplish in the next four years, and the work begins anew on Inauguration Day at Faneuil Hall on January 4th.

Our agenda to transform Boston is ambitious yet attainable. We must spur economic development and be more efficient with our valuable resources. But the biggest gift Iâ€™m asking forâ€”aside from my knee healing soonâ€”would come from the State Legislature in January with passage of the crucial education reform bill.

The bill would give Superintendent Carol Johnson the leeway to turn around 14 underperforming schools and to create innovative in-district charter schools, which would provide the flexibility for much-needed reforms. It would also position Massachusetts to receive $250 million over the next four years in federal â€œRace to the Topâ€ funds that reward states that arenâ€™t afraid to take new approaches to improve education.

And while the holidays are a time to enjoy the company of family and friends, Iâ€™m aware that many are struggling to find work. Iâ€™m encouraged, though, by the recent passage of a jobs bill in the U.S. House that could be signed into law by President Obama early next year. The bill reflects recommendations from the jobs summit we held two weeks ago by investing in infrastructure, critical public service sectors of police, fire, teachers, and youth, and emergency relief for families struggling as a result of the economic downturn.

While we strive to meet ambitious goals, we also have a lot to celebrate. The buzz is building around the city for the Winter Classic at Fenway Park. Not only will the Bruins and local college teams face off on Fenwayâ€™s ice, but last Saturday we distributed thousands of free tickets to city residents who will skate on that very same ice. What better present than a ticket to one of the free skates? Iâ€™m excited that so many residents will experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Ice skating at Fenway Park may not become a tradition in Boston, but so many traditions in our diverse neighborhoods make Boston a special place at this time of year. I hope you continue to pass on your traditions to future generations and that you enjoy the time to relax and reflect with your family and friends. From my family to yours, have a happy, healthy holiday season!

Holiday Traditions Make Boston Special

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Free Fenway Skates to be Part of Winter Classic

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Fenway Park is one of our cityâ€™s most recognizable landmarks. On New Yearâ€™s Day, as you probably know by now, the homeruns and diving catches will be replaced by slap shots and kick saves when the Bruins and local college rivals take the ice on the historic field.

Tickets are tough to come by, but that doesnâ€™t mean you canâ€™t participate. Iâ€™m thrilled that Boston residents will be able to skate for free at Fenway on two daysâ€”January 3rd and 10thâ€”as part of the Cityâ€™s Inaugural celebrations.

Hereâ€™s how it will work: This Saturday, December 19th, weâ€™re giving away more than 3,000 tickets at Community Centers across the city and at the Copley Library through a partnership with Sun Life Financial. Residents, who will be asked to show proof of residency, can pick up as many as four tickets from 9-11AM for access to free Fenway skating on either January 3rd or 10th. Tickets will indicate the date and time that you can skate at Fenway.

Once you have a ticket, just show up to the Park on the designated date with a pair of skates. After lacing up, youâ€™ll have the opportunity to skate for a full hour in the middle of the diamond where Dustin Pedroia and Marco Scutaro will turn double plays in a few short months.

In addition the free skates, the City and the National Hockey League will transform the parking lot at Brookline Avenue and Yawkey Way into the 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic Spectator Plaza. This free outdoor hockey and entertainment festival will span two daysâ€”New Yearâ€™s Eve and New Yearâ€™s Dayâ€”and feature Bruins alumni, musical performances, interactive hockey-themed attractions, and a ticket giveaway for the Bruins-Flyers game. Other activities will make this a fun experience for everyone, regardless of age.

While Boston sports fans love the Bruins and all of our professional teams, several of our college teams are among the best in the country. When Boston University and Boston College face off on January 8th, the winners of the past two national titles will renew their renowned rivalry in a park thatâ€™s no stranger to heated battles between rivals. Instead of the Red Sox and Yankees, the Terriers and Eagles will take the ice in a game that will highlight Bostonâ€™s reputation as college town.

Prior to the BU-BC matchup, the Northeastern University Huskies and University of New Hampshire Wildcats women teams will compete in the first womenâ€™s college hockey game to be played outdoors.

The Winter Classic and free skates will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our city, and thousands of children and families will skate on the same rink as the worldâ€™s best hockey players. Kids dream of doing this all the timeâ€”and now theyâ€™ll be able to fulfill that dream in baseballâ€™s most cherished park.

Our city will also be on display for visitors and viewers from across the country and throughout the world. Beginning with our traditional First Night events and continuing with the Inauguration at Faneuil Hall and through the final lap around the Fenway ice on January 10th, Bostonâ€™s culture, passion, and values will be on proud display. In a few weeks, thousands of visitors and spectators will learn what we already knowâ€”that Boston is a world-class city.

Free Fenway Skates to be Part of Winter Classic

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Setting the Stage for Transformative Change

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

On the evening of my re-election last month, I stressed that we havenâ€™t made history by winning a fifth term, but we will with what we achieve in it. I want to accomplish as much in the next four years as we have achieved in the previous sixteen. This type of transformative change, however, will only occur by working together.

We have great momentum, and weâ€™re gearing up for the next term, when we will take on big challenges â€“ not just when itâ€™s easy, but when itâ€™s hard, too. We will begin a new era of innovation in the Boston Public Schools; jumpstart stalled development projects in Allston, the South Boston Waterfront, and Downtown Crossing; make the Harbor Islands and the Greenway as central to our cityâ€™s identity as the Boston Common and the Public Garden; and strengthen city government by implementing new technology, rebalancing public safety services, and pursuing consolidation where it makes sense.

Partnership is possibly most crucial in advancing our ambitious education reform agenda. Superintendent Johnson recently proposed 14 of our underperforming schools for turnaround, but we also want to elevate our strongest performing schools. Just as Fidelity Investments stepped up to provide enriching experiences for students at the Edwards School in Charlestown, we will seek to create new partnerships so that all of our schools have the same opportunity for success. Education reform canâ€™t happen without those who teach our students, and renegotiating the current teachers contract to prioritize students over old rules governing teacher placement will be key. Finally, we will push our in-district charter legislation at the State House as part of a bill currently before the Legislature so that Massachusetts has the opportunity to compete for its share of $5 billion in federal Race to the Top funding.

In the same spirit of collaboration, the city will work with the business community to jumpstart stalled development projects in Allston, the South Boston Waterfront, and Downtown Crossing. In Downtown Crossing, we have a chance to create the cityâ€™s first Business Improvement District to capitalize on $1.2 billion in private investments that have already been made and will allow the area to reach its full potential. We must also take the crucial step of re-imagining uses for the former site of Fileneâ€™s Basement in order to animate the site again and strengthen the surrounding neighborhood.

We must also not be afraid to look at things differently on the South Boston Waterfront in order to attract innovative development such as a life science center or housing for medical students. The City and the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) are aggressively pursuing $84 million in infrastructure investments to create thousands of jobs and unlock the potential of several parcels in the Marine Industrial Park. At the same time, weâ€™re working with the Convention Center Authority to create plans to expand our award-winning Convention Center in South Boston.

With all of these reform measures, we must realize that a city doesnâ€™t work if its finances donâ€™t work. Municipal health insurance costs are our number one challenge as we move into fiscal year 2011, which will be even tougher than this fiscal year. We are spending about $280 million annually on health insurance for our employees, and we need the same abilities as the state to control plan design and reduce the burden on taxpayers.

Last December, we filed state legislation to give all municipalities this power. With every month that goes by without this legislation passing, Boston loses over $1 million. Thatâ€™s more than $1 million each month that could have been invested in turning around a school, preserving public safety, and investing in infrastructure.

Weâ€™re all going to have to work together. Boston is about much more than me or anyone of us â€“ itâ€™s about all of us working as a team to move our city forward.

These transformative changes will not be easy, especially in todayâ€™s economic climate. But I am energized and excited, and I know we will reinvent our great city once again.

###

City Aggressively Pursuing Education Reform

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Strengthening teaching and school leadership

Replicating success and turning around low-performing schools

Deepening partnerships with parents, students, and the community

Redesigning district services for effectiveness, efficiency, and equity

Dr. Johnson committed to more opportunities in the arts, athletics, enrichment, and after-school activities, as well as college preparatory Advanced Placement courses.

Over the next few weeks, Dr. Johnson and her team will be working closely with the teachers, school leaders, and parents at 14 schools that have been identified for additional support. The goal is to turn-around these underperforming schools by identifying weaknesses and replicating success. School principals, administrators, and teachers must act with a sense of urgency. In the end, making all of our schools centers of excellence is not about us, but rather about the students who depend on us to give them every opportunity to become scholars in their own right.

As we work on these initiatives, itâ€™s impossible to overemphasize the importance of legislation pending in the State House. In the final days of this yearâ€™s legislative session, lawmakers in the Senate approved a bill that would give superintendents and school districts more authority to make immediate interventions in schools most in-need of improvement. I filed legislation to create innovative in-district schools that would provide the flexibility to try new ideas, such as longer days and collaboration with outside partners, in order to transform low-performing schools into choice schools.

The Senate bill grants superintendents the power to intervene before schools are labeled as chronically underperforming. Moreover, this legislation removes current restrictions on the establishment of Horace Mann schools, which will allow for the unimpeded creation of in-district charter schools with local funding and accountability.

When our State lawmakers return to session in January, itâ€™s imperative that they pass this billâ€”our childrenâ€™s futures depend on it. The Obama Administration is ready, with about $400 million in â€œRace to the Topâ€ grants, to reward states that break away from the status quo and lay out ambitious yet achievable education reform plans. The deadline for applying for these funds is January 19, which means legislators have only a few weeks to pass reform that will keep Boston and Massachusetts on the cutting-edge of education. We must demand swift passage of education reform from state lawmakers in order to meet the deadline for receiving federal funds that will boost our students and our schools.

Some of the initiatives weâ€™ve proposed are boldâ€”demanding creativity, accountability, and above all, flexibility. To learn more about Dr. Johnsonâ€™s five-year plan, visit http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/agenda. By aggressively pursuing these reforms, Iâ€™m confident that BPS will remain the model for urban schools in America. This is not a lofty goal, but rather our responsibility to our students. Education leaders in Washington have laid their cards on the table. Resources will be made available to school districts willing to break the mold for the good of our students. With our plan, we are well on our way.

City Aggressively Pursuing Education Reform

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

As mayor, assuring that children in Boston receive the best possible education is my top priority. While Iâ€™m proud of the progress our schools have made, we mustâ€”and willâ€”do better. With Superintendent Carol Johnson announcing a five-year plan late last month, the transformation of Boston Public Schools has already begun. Not only will we appoint two new members to the School Committee in January, but legislation pending at the State House would provide the flexibility needed to create major reform such as in-district charters and performance pay for our hardworking teachers.

While test scores have steadily risen, more graduates continue their education in college, and more families are considering our schools, I want all of our schools to be choice schools. Dr. Johnsonâ€™s plan, the â€œAcceleration Agenda, 2009-2014,â€ focuses on student outcomes and outlines the desired skills and characteristics of all BPS graduates. The plan organizes programs and initiatives into four key strategies:

Strengthening teaching and school leadership Replicating success and turning around low-performing schools Deepening partnerships with parents, students, and the community Redesigning district services for effectiveness, efficiency, and equity Dr. Johnson committed to more opportunities in the arts, athletics, enrichment, and after-school activities, as well as college preparatory Advanced Placement courses.

Over the next few weeks, Dr. Johnson and her team will be working closely with the teachers, school leaders, and parents at 14 schools that have been identified for additional support. The goal is to turn-around these underperforming schools by identifying weaknesses and replicating success. School principals, administrators, and teachers must act with a sense of urgency. In the end, making all of our schools centers of excellence is not about us, but rather about the students who depend on us to give them every opportunity to become scholars in their own right.

As we work on these initiatives, itâ€™s impossible to overemphasize the importance of legislation pending in the State House. In the final days of this yearâ€™s legislative session, lawmakers in the Senate approved a bill that would give superintendents and school districts more authority to make immediate interventions in schools most in-need of improvement. I filed legislation to create innovative in-district schools that would provide the flexibility to try new ideas, such as longer days and collaboration with outside partners, in order to transform low-performing schools into choice schools.

The Senate bill grants superintendents the power to intervene before schools are labeled as chronically underperforming. Moreover, this legislation removes current restrictions on the establishment of Horace Mann schools, which will allow for the unimpeded creation of in-district charter schools with local funding and accountability.

When our State lawmakers return to session in January, itâ€™s imperative that they pass this billâ€”our childrenâ€™s futures depend on it. The Obama Administration is ready, with about $400 million in â€œRace to the Topâ€ grants, to reward states that break away from the status quo and lay out ambitious yet achievable education reform plans. The deadline for applying for these funds is January 19, which means legislators have only a few weeks to pass reform that will keep Boston and Massachusetts on the cutting-edge of education. We must demand swift passage of education reform from state lawmakers in order to meet the deadline for receiving federal funds that will boost our students and our schools.

Some of the initiatives weâ€™ve proposed are boldâ€”demanding creativity, accountability, and above all, flexibility. To learn more about Dr. Johnsonâ€™s five-year plan, visit http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/agenda. By aggressively pursuing these reforms, Iâ€™m confident that BPS will remain the model for urban schools in America. This is not a lofty goal, but rather our responsibility to our students. Education leaders in Washington have laid their cards on the table. Resources will be made available to school districts willing to break the mold for the good of our students. With our plan, we are well on our way.

A Time to Say "Thank You"

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Thanksgiving Day, for many, means family, football, and turkey. As we put our daily routines on hold and gather around the dinner table for a special meal, let us think about what we, as Bostonians, have to be thankful for, and of those who give of themselves for the less fortunate in our communities.

First and foremost, Iâ€™m thankful everyday for my wife, Angela, my two children and six grandchildren. Iâ€™m also thankful to youâ€”the people of Bostonâ€”who gave this administration four more years to continue improving our city.

Our mission remains focused on strengthening our schools, creating a more efficient government, and brining more jobs to our city to create a shared future for all Bostonians. Weâ€™ll continue to rely on you, the people of Boston, on the hard work of City employees, and on the help from those outside of City Hall.

We should be thankful for public safety agencies. They answer the call everyday at the drop of a hat. These men and women respond to the call wherever theyâ€™re needed to keep Boston safe, and we own them for their service.

We should remember our teachers and our school leaders for their dedication in the classroom everyday. One teacher, Sandra Mitchell-Woods, principal at Nathan Hale Elementary School in Roxbury, earned â€œprincipal of the yearâ€ honors for her unselfish attitude as she made a true difference in the lives of low-income, minority children.

Iâ€™m thankful for the crime watch organizations who work with local authorities and residents to make their neighborhoods safer. Other neighborhood-specific groups and Main Streets organizations promote safe, thriving economic sectors in every neighborhood. These groups of involved citizens help make Boston great.

Letâ€™s not forget our State partners and the lawmakers who have acted on two issuesâ€”education and CORI reformâ€”of utmost importance to our city. The education reform bill will give local districts new tools to inject flexibility and innovation into our public schools, and CORI reform would help law enforcement break the cycle of criminal activity by giving those who have served their time a second chance to live their lives independently and free from crime.

This year would not have been as successful were it not for the millions of dollars in stimulus funds that have jumpstarted projects in the city, such as the one thatâ€™s underway on Dorchester Avenue. This major north-south urban arterial will receive upgrades for managing traffic flow, improved sightlines for drivers and pedestrians, and bicycle safety upgrades. More than 75 thoroughfares will be repaved, more than 400 pedestrian ramps will be built, and a total of four miles of bike lanes will be established; as a result, 270 people will have a new job.

A select group of City employees were recently honored with Shattuck Awards, which recognize public service, and these men and women represent what government should be. Weâ€™re grateful for the work these employees have performed, which ranges from establishing community outreach programs to identifying the serial number on a gun so that police can trace its origin.

In this week of Thanksgiving, we truly have a lot for which we are thankful. We look forward to working together with you over the next few weeks, months and years. Thank you for helping to make Boston a great place to live and to work. Have a terrific holiday!

A Time to Say "Thank You"

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Thanksgiving Day, for many, means family, football, and turkey. As we put our daily routines on hold and gather around the dinner table for a special meal, let us think about what we, as Bostonians, have to be thankful for, and of those who give of themselves for the less fortunate in our communities.

First and foremost, Iâ€™m thankful everyday for my wife, Angela, my two children and six grandchildren. Iâ€™m also thankful to youâ€”the people of Bostonâ€”who gave this administration four more years to continue improving our city.

Our mission remains focused on strengthening our schools, creating a more efficient government, and brining more jobs to our city to create a shared future for all Bostonians. Weâ€™ll continue to rely on you, the people of Boston, on the hard work of City employees, and on the help from those outside of City Hall.

We should be thankful for public safety agencies. They answer the call everyday at the drop of a hat. These men and women respond to the call wherever theyâ€™re needed to keep Boston safe, and we own them for their service.

We should remember our teachers and our school leaders for their dedication in the classroom everyday. One teacher, Sandra Mitchell-Woods, principal at Nathan Hale Elementary School in Roxbury, earned â€œprincipal of the yearâ€ honors for her unselfish attitude as she made a true difference in the lives of low-income, minority children.

Iâ€™m thankful for the crime watch organizations who work with together with local authorities and residents to make their neighborhoods safer. Other neighborhood-specific groups and Main Streets organizations promote safe, thriving economic sectors in every neighborhood. These groups of involved citizens help make Boston great.

Letâ€™s not forget our State partners and the lawmakers who have acted on two issuesâ€”education and CORI reformâ€”of utmost importance to our city. The education reform bill will give local districts new tools to inject flexibility and innovation into our public schools, and CORI reform would help law enforcement break the cycle of criminal activity by giving those, who have served their time, a second chance to live their lives independently and free from crime.

This year would not have been as successful were it not for the millions of dollars in stimulus funds that have jumpstarted projects in the city, such as the one thatâ€™s underway on Dorchester Avenue. This major north-south urban arterial will receive upgrades for managing traffic flow, improved sightlines for drivers and pedestrians, and bicycle safety upgrades. More than 75 thoroughfares will be repaved, more than 400 pedestrian ramps will be built, and a total of four miles of bike lanes will be established; as a result, 270 people will have a new job.

A select group of City employees were recently honored with Shattuck Awards, which recognize public service, and these men and women represent what government should be. Weâ€™re grateful for the work these employees have performed, which ranges from establishing community outreach programs to identifying the serial number on a gun so that police can trace its origin.

In this week of Thanksgiving, we truly have a lot for which we are thankful. We look forward to working together with you over the next few weeks, months and years. Thank you for helping to make Boston a great place to live and to work. Have a terrific holiday!

Work Together to Weather the Storms

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

As the holiday season approaches, chances are a winter storm wonâ€™t be far behind. Even though Bostonians are no strangers to severe snow storms and the frustrations they cause, itâ€™s important to bear in mind a few tips, suggestions, and regulations that will help us get through weather-related emergencies in the winter months. If we communicate effectively and work together as neighbors, weâ€™ll minimize the agitation that frequently results from severe snow storms.

Here at City Hall, we operate the Storm Center to keep you up-to-date. In the event of an emergency, such as a major snowstorm, hurricane, flood or natural disaster, the Storm Center will provide information and service to residents for problems related to the emergency. A knowledgeable team of City departments and utility representatives will handle plow requests, downed trees, power outages, and other problems that can arise.

Residents can sign up for direct notification of snow emergencies, parking bans and school closings through e-mail, text message or both by registering at www.cityofboston.gov/snow/ or by calling (617) 635-4500. For school delays and cancellations, turn to your radio, TV, or the Cityâ€™s Web site.

During an emergency, being a good neighbor is more important than ever. If you live near a senior citizen or another resident who may need help, do your part by checking in on them and lending a hand by shoveling snow. Seniors and people with heart conditions should not risk injury by shoveling snow themselves.

When shoveling, remember to clear space by fire hydrants, catch basins, pedestrian ramps, and corners on your street. Look out for neighbors with disabilities and residents in wheelchairs, who require 42-inch wide paths to get around. Sidewalks abutting your residence or business should be passable within three hours after a snowstorm. And while shoveling out cars, piling snow behind or in front of the vehicle or at the edge of the sidewalkâ€”and not into the streetâ€”makes traveling much easier for everyone.

Clearing a space for trash and recycling will ensure that it is removed on schedule. However, during a StateÂ-Declared Snow Emergency, trash and recycling collection service will not occur until the next scheduled trash and/or recycling day.

When a snow emergency is declared, parking restrictions are strictly enforced. Please avoid parking within 20 feet of an intersection, or farther than one foot from a curb. This winter, parking will be allowed on the odd-numbered side of the street during a storm. If parking in a driveway, pull vehicles into the space as far as possibleâ€”cars that stick out at the end of driveways make clearing the streets more difficult for plows. Since parking is difficult during a snow storm, several lots and garages offer discounted parking during declared snow emergencies for vehicles with Boston resident parking stickers.

As visibility declines during a storm, itâ€™s even more important to watch for young children who may be waiting on the street for the school bus. And when traffic lights arenâ€™t functioning properly, treat them as stop signs and proceed cautiously.

If you experience any problems this winter, such as a cold home, we are here to help. Landlords must legally keep units heated to a minimum of 68 degrees during the day and 64 degrees overnight. If, as a tenant, youâ€™ve alerted your landlord about insufficient heat but havenâ€™t received a response, call the Inspectional Services Department at (617) 635-5300 or, after business hours, (617) 635-4500.

While we prepare for the winter season, residents who visit the City Web site will find a number of resources related to storms. By signing up for emergency notifications and becoming familiar with snow removal and parking regulations, weâ€™ll be ready when the first flakes of the next storm hit the ground. If we work together as a city, weâ€™ll keep things running smoothly during the winter months.

Work Together to Weather the Storms

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Much to Accomplish in the Next Four Years

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

I was honored last week with the outpouring of support in my candidacy to remain mayor of this great city. Iâ€™m proud that youâ€™ve given this administration another chance to keep Boston moving forward. As I said on Election Night, complacency is the highest hurdle we faceâ€”because of that, weâ€™ve already begun working on an ambitious agenda that will make Boston an even better place to live, to work, and to raise a family.

Although we have much to accomplish, as Iâ€™ve stated this week, we must maintain our financial stability in the face of statewide budget cuts and an unstable economy. Some departments in City Hall will be restructured to efficiently maintain delivery of services to residents. Iâ€™ll be meeting with internal and external experts over the next few weeks to make decisions that are in the best interests of our financial well-being.

Education, of course, will be a top priority. Weâ€™re also working to reduce City health insurance costs, increase public safety coordination, spur economic development that will result in more jobs, and create a shared future.

On the education front, weâ€™ll continue to push for in-district charter legislation, which would allow underachieving schools to become in-district charter schools and would permit pay-for-performance incentives to encourage teachers to innovate and improve their studentsâ€™ performance. Unlike with traditional charter schools, fundingâ€”and accountabilityâ€”would stay within the local school systems, students most in need would more likely be enrolled, and a whole outstanding school system, not just one school, would be created.

Other efforts involving Boston Public Schools will lead to a teacher contract that puts greater emphasis on performance and flexibility. Teachers are invaluable to our children as we advance the education pipeline by supporting youth with longer school days and from birth through college.

Another priority will be to reduce health insurance costs. Just as in other cities and towns across the United States, the cost of insurance is too high in Boston. In order to make high level delivery of services possible, we must have changes in state law that will give the City the same powers as the State to manage health care plan design, and local legislation will ensure that all future City retirees join Medicare.

We will work to streamline departments by leveraging all City resources. Police, fire, and emergency medical services account for the second-largest allocation in the Cityâ€™s budget, but each maintains an individual call center to respond to emergencies. Instead of dollar after dollar going into duplicate services, we need to invest that money into a unified public safety communication and dispatch center to allow the City to respond better to emergencies.

Weâ€™re also responding to economic turbulence the way Boston has always responded to challengesâ€”through innovation and entrepreneurship. Boston will climb out of the recession earlier than other cities if we tap into the opportunities at our fingertips. The Marine Industrial Park/Seaport District is poised to become a center for science innovation, and weâ€™re pushing hard for Federal grants that will transform that area even further. The City is creating co-housing and other innovative models of affordable workforce housing, and Boston, already among the leading green cities, will invest in residential and municipal retrofits to develop green jobs.

In addition to improving our schools, reducing health insurance costs, better coordinating public safety, and growing our economy through innovation, we want to create a shared future for our diverse city. We want to become not just a city of welcoming neighborhoods, but a city of welcoming neighbors.

Much to Accomplish in the Next Four Years

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

City Primed to Lead Way Through Tough Economy

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

In the past month, Boston has welcomed a new luxury hotel, landed two new biotech companies and a chic UK chocolatier, helped 800 companies save on energy costs and thus projected jobs, celebrated the launch of a cutting-edge business, and announced a new retail tenant at Fan Pier. By the end of the year, more than 11,000 jobs will have been created in 2009 as a result of 35 projects currently underway. Construction is projected to generate nearly $700 million of personal income for city residents, and Boston will receive more than $25 million in taxes in 2009.

We may be fighting through a tough economyâ€”which hasnâ€™t been easyâ€”but Boston is weathering the economic storm as well as any city in the country.

And unlike after past recent recessions, Boston is primed to lead the breakthrough with economic growth and job creation. As most companies have downsized, companies in the health care and life sciences industries have grown and hired more workers. Statewide numbers show biotech companies increased their workforce by seven percent, a margin significantly greater than the national average. As the number-one life sciences cluster in the country, according to the Milken Institute, Boston is home to several of these companies that have sustained growth. And just a few weeks ago, Ginkgo BioWorks and Eutropics Pharmaceuticals established their offices in Boston with the help of the Cityâ€™s LifeTech Innovation Fund, which provides the resources needed to thrive.

Healthcare organizations, such as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, have marched right along as well. Construction of the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care in the Longwood Medical Area has continued to keep workers on the job as they build more hospital beds and labs for advanced cancer research. In April, Dana-Farber opened one of the most advanced experimental cancer imaging facilities in the world in Bostonâ€™s Marine Industrial Park, marking an addition to its Harbor Campus thatâ€™s home to more than 350 employees.

In addition to Dana-Farber, 300 organizations operate in the Marine Industrial Park, an attractive location because of its proximity to downtown Boston, the interstate highway system, and Logan Airport and its access to public transportation. Businesses have further incentive to lay down roots hereâ€”employers receive low-interest rates and tax credits for hiring Boston residents.

The South Boston Waterfront will soon have a new neighbor, as LouisBoston recently announced plans to move to Fan Pier. The three-million-square-foot space sits directly on 21 waterfront acres overlooking Boston Harbor that will soon be home to a five-star hotel, restaurants, retail, luxury residential buildings, and a public park, among other additions that will tap into the potential of the area.

Aside from business growth, a number of housing developments have provided jobs and homes for residents. In Dorchesterâ€™s Franklin Hill, 266 affordable housing units will be fully occupied within the next three months. Forty-one percent of hours worked on the project were from city residents and 47 percent were from minority employees; 30 percent of the contracts were executed with Minority Business Enterprises and 19 percent of the contracts were executed with Women-Owned Enterprises.

Weâ€™re also working hard to secure more jobs for Bostonians. A pending application for the Port of Boston project would create more than 1,500 construction jobs and 3,500 permanent jobs for city residents. A separate, pending application would provide 100 green jobs for residents of the Blue Hill Avenue corridor.

New businesses in Boston also bring new job opportunities. This month, United Kingdom-based Hotel Chocolat opened its door in the United States for the first time. The Newbury Street luxury chocolatier is known for its assortment of fancy chocolates with high cocoa content.

As sweet as that sounds, nothing is sweeter than new jobs for Bostonians and a thriving economy. Weâ€™re working hard everyday as part of the vanguard of economic recovery.

City Primed to Lead Way Through Tough Economy

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

New Ideas Bring Seamless String of Support to Children and Families

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Boston has made progress over the years by thinking outside the box. When it comes to our children and families, innovative ideas are strengthening the social fabric of our city.

We are aligning our community centers, our schools and our libraries so students experience a seamless string of support throughout the day and into the night. Our plan for supporting youth can be summed up like this: Whole child, whole day, whole year.

Powered by partnerships and driven by determination, Boston is making â€œschool dayâ€ an outdated label. From dawn to dusk, from birth through college success, we work with young people and their families to help all children reach their full potential.

Research tells us that the first five years of childrenâ€™s lives have a huge impact on the rest of their lives. So we are focusing on helping parents before their child is even born. And we have built a citywide coalition of health professionals, educators and non-profits that works with families to make sure all children enter school ready to thrive. By starting early, our goal is not only to close the achievement gap, but to prevent it.

The Boston Public Schools, led by Superintendent Carol Johnson, and overseen by a professional, appointed school committee, were among the first in the country to guarantee full-day kindergarten for five-year-olds, and we are now expanding full day programs for four-year-olds. We won the Broad Prize in 2006 as the best urban school district in the country. We have launched Parents University to get our childrenâ€™s parents more involved in their education. And we are now tracking and empowering our BPS graduates through Success Boston to increase their college graduation rates.

But like many school districts across the country, Boston is challenged by too many high school dropouts. With the help of the Parthenon Group, school officials better understand why kids are leaving school. We did the work, we broke down the data and now we are implementing solutions.

Just look at our Re-Engagement Center. Kids who have dropped out of school come here to get the resources they need to get back on track. I talked with some of the 300 kids whoâ€™ve used this service, and theyâ€™re finding more than just support at the Re-Engagement Center â€“ theyâ€™re finding new hope and new encouragement to get their degree.

However, the schools canâ€™t educate our children alone. Even though weâ€™ve doubled the number of kids in after school programs through Boston After School and Beyond, we can do more. Around every corner must be a place that helps prepare them for college and beyond. This is Community Learning.

I encourage you to check out the Burke School in Dorchester. It is the first physical manifestation of the coordination and collaboration we want to achieve across our city. The Burke includes a new school, a state of the art library, and great new community center all connected to each other to create a hub of learning. Children learn wherever they go. Itâ€™s up to us to make sure they are learning the right things.

Weâ€™re also working on more after school programs for children with special needs. A couple of years ago, I met a woman named Marie, whose son is autistic. At the time, I didnâ€™t know much about this issue at all. But Marie helped me learn about autism â€“ we even had an autism summit in Boston. As a result of that conference, we realized the city needed more programs with for special needs students. So we are once again working together by gathering the data and devising a plan to help more kids and families.

We must work with a sense of urgencyâ€”time is of the essence. All children and families dream, and we are committed to helping the families we serve realize those dreams.

New Ideas Bring Seamless String of Support to Children and Families

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

City Improves Energy Efficiency through Renew Boston

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The conclusion of the baseball season signals the unofficial end of summer in Boston. The cool autumn temperatures prompt us to turn on the heaters in our homes and spend more time indoors, thereby consuming more energy. As we head towards the winter months in another tight economy, everyone is looking to save money and be efficient. And energy efficiency is a great place to start.

Recently, we announced a new program to help City residents improve energy efficiency in their homes. Through a pilot program called â€œResidential Energy Efficiency,â€ weâ€™re offering residents free home energy audits. A two-person team conducts rigorous and analytical assessments of a homeâ€™s energy usage to identify the main sources of energy loss, and they execute immediate energy saving upgrades that could trim as much as ten percent off monthly energy bills.

This pilot program is part of a larger initiative we started earlier this year called Renew Boston. With $6.5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), we use the program to coordinate energy efficient and alternative energy services to residents and businesses in the city. Weâ€™ve set high goals of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 40,000 metric tons annually and stimulating green industries while creating 100 high-quality green-collar jobs.

While weâ€™ve done a lot to turn Beantown into Greentown, together we can make even more progress toward reaching our goals. One of our challenges lies in rental homes, and nearly two-thirds of Boston residents rent. But landlords have little motivation to weatherize their properties because tenants pay the utility bills. Tenants, on the other hand, have no basis on which to compare the energy performance of their home. Through Renew Boston, weâ€™re creating incentives for both sides to work towards efficiency, such as a Web site with a database of rental properties with efficiency ratings.

Additionally, our neighborhood streets will shine longerâ€”and more efficientlyâ€”with the deployment of LED street lights that use a fraction of the energy consumed by conventional lights. Because they require less maintenance and burn less energy, LED street lights will produce major savings and will pay back as soon as three years after installation. This seemingly minor upgrade will tremendously improve public safety.

Through another initiative, â€œBlue-in-Greenâ€ we joined residents of Blue Hill Avenue Corridor to rally for green jobs as a pathway out of poverty and into a green economy for these residents. The rally was in support of the Cityâ€™s grant application for the U.S. Department of Laborâ€™s Pathways Out of Poverty Grant that is focused on unemployed individuals, high school drop-outs, ex-offenders, and families living in areas of high poverty. Blue-in-Green will target jobs in energy efficiency, among other related areas.

As we look to become more energy efficient, weâ€™re also finding innovative ways to use alternative energy sources. Just last week, the City won a highly competitive solar energy grant. The grant from the United States Department of Energy (DOE) will allow the City to integrate solar energy applications into its emergency response infrastructure by creating a pilot solar evacuation route that will feature a backup photovoltaic (PV) system at Bostonâ€™s main emergency-vehicle fueling station, as well as solar-powered traffic control and monitoring equipment, lighting, and emergency radio repeaters.

We must be efficient with the federal dollars we receive and with the energy we consume to keep Boston at the forefront of green innovation and to continue to setâ€”and meetâ€”ambitious energy goals.

City Improves Energy Efficiency through Renew Boston

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Newcomers Add to Boston Culture

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Yo-Yo Ma, Bill Russell, David Ortiz, and the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy have at least one thing in commonâ€”each has been awarded the Cityâ€™s â€œWe Are Bostonâ€ Leadership Award, which recognizes the outstanding contributions of individuals to Bostonâ€™s immigrant community. Every year, the Mayorâ€™s Office of New Bostonians honors a handful of newcomers in Boston with the â€œWe Are Bostonâ€ Awards Gala. The fourth annual gala honored Yo-Yo Ma and five others this week at the Convention and Exhibition Center.

Senator Kennedy, who fought tirelessly for immigrant rights, summed up the â€œWe Are Bostonâ€ Awards Gala when he received the leadership award in 2006: â€œYou could travel across this nation and you will not find, in any city in the country, the kind of dinner that we are having this evening that celebrates diversity and brings people together, proud of their heritage, proud of their background and making this the most vibrant city in the area.â€

We welcome immigrants to Boston with open arms, and together we have helped make diversity one of Bostonâ€™s biggest strengths. Because of our shared principals, Bostonâ€™s neighborhoods have dramatically changed over the past 20 years. It is more inclusive, our neighborhoods are rich with cultural offerings from across the world, and our children learn along side students from more than 40 countries.

Moving to a new country is difficult. We recognized this by creating the Office of New Bostonians nearly 11 years ago. The office provides assistance with housing, job placement, citizenship and English classes, health, and other essential services, and many immigrants overcome the initial challenge to attain tremendous success. Maria Pires Centeio is a great example of this. Born in Cape Verde, she helped found the Dudley Youth Council and the Uphams Corner Youth Council. Sheâ€™s also conducted neighborhood research with a UMass Boston professor and organized a summer youth soccer clinic; Maria is now studying at Harvard.

The contributions of immigrants are many, and we rely on their hard work everyday. Of the largest United States cities, Boston has the fifth-highest proportion of foreign-born residents. Immigrants spend more than $3.6 billion annually, own 8,000 businesses, and employ 35,000 people, all of which boost the economy; imagine where we would be during this recession without immigrants.

Today, 28 percent of Boston residents are foreign-born. Most immigrants in the past 20 years have come from China, and Latin and Asian populations have increased by nearly 54 percent and 71 percent, respectively.

Our neighborhoods have become more diverse every year. The number of Latinos in East Boston and Roslindale has doubled. Minorities now make up the majority of Hyde Park residents. Allston/Brighton is composed of immigrants from China, Brazil, Russia, Ireland, and the Ukraine. Dorchester and Mattapan consist of significant Haitian, Vietnamese, and Jamaican populations.

The future of our city will be determined, in large part, by the contributions of these New Bostonians, who work primarily in areas such as healthcare and social services, accommodation and food, administrative positions, and education. In 2008, more immigrants than natives were members of the labor force. Additionally, a large number of Boston childrenâ€”45 percentâ€”are children of immigrants. Through the Family Nurturing Center, Sociedad Latina, and other programs, we directly assist immigrant families and their children.

Boston continues to grow stronger because of diverse immigrant communities that come together to make one Boston community. Our neighborhoods are culturally distinct, but native-born residents and New Bostonians, together, constitute the fabric of Bostonâ€™s culture.

Newcomers Add to Boston Culture

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Life Sciences and Biotechnology Industries Thriving in Boston

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Recently, good news on the economy has been in short supply. But this week, Iâ€™m thrilled to share positive news that will help Boston and all of Massachusetts rebound from the worst economic climate in years. Two major developments in the Life Sciences and biotechnology industries mark the continuation of a trend in Boston that will help our city climb from the depths of recession and carry forward with new technologies and robust economic growth.

First, the prestigious BIO International Convention, the worldâ€™s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, once again will be held in Boston in 2012. BIO 2007 was a huge success. Not only did it shine a light on our thriving biotechnology industry, but it attracted more than 20,000 attendees who provided an economic boon to local hotels, restaurants and businesses; early estimates predict an economic impact of more than $30 million dollars from the event three years from now. This time Boston will share in the revenue generated from this event because the meals and hotel tax will bolster our bottom line.

Also this week, two new Life Sciences companies, Eutropics Pharmaceuticals and Ginkgo Bioworks, announced their move to Boston with assistance from LifeTech Boston. Since launching LifeTech Boston in 2004, weâ€™ve helped organizations with site location, financing, workforce development, and sector outreach. The initiative provides a single point of contact among several entities in the industry.

Eutropics moved to the Boston University Medical Center area and will continue to develop small molecule therapeutics for treatment of blood cancers originally created out of the Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Ginkgo Bioworks received a $150,000 loan from the LifeTech Innovation Fund that helped the new synthetic biology startup locate along the South Boston waterfront. Both are forward-looking businesses on the cutting-edge of technology.

These and other companies choose Boston because of our vast resources that will help them grow. Between students, hospitals, healthcare institutions, and a thriving business community, no city beats Boston. In fact, the Milken Institute confirmed this by once again naming Boston the number one Life Sciences cluster in the country this past spring. Additionally, since becoming mayor, weâ€™ve received more grant money from the National Institutes of Health every year than any other cityâ€”most recently about $1.6 billion dollars.

The economic benefits of a strong Life Sciences industry are plain and simple. Hiring the best talent in the world from area universities leads to innovative discoveries and remarkable achievements that will maintain and increase Bostonâ€™s high standing in the biotechnology and Life Sciences fields. Collaboration between health care and related organizations will improve medical care and lead to higher quality of life for patients. It also spurs job growth opportunities for our residents at hospitals and partnerships with universities for job training in Life Sciences fields.

When three biotech companies relocated to Boston in June 2008, the move created about 100 new jobs. At a time when most organizations were cutting jobs, these companies marched on through the recession. A recent report indicated that Massachusetts is primed to recover from the recession more quickly than the rest of the country, and the Life Sciences and biotechnology companies in Boston will be vital in leading that recovery.

Life Sciences and Biotechnology Industries Thriving in Boston

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Two New Life Tech Companies Move to Boston

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Boston Celebrates Biking

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Boston is becoming a greener city everyday. From the new single stream recycling facility in Charlestown to the Boston Nature Center in Mattapan, weâ€™re making a continuous effort toward sustainability. A central component of turning Beantown into Greentown is the Boston Bikes Program, which we launched in 2007, and this weekend marks a special celebration of our progress with the largest weekend cycling celebration on the East Coast.

The â€œBoston Cycling Celebrationâ€ begins on Saturday the 26th with the TD Bank Mayorâ€™s Cup, the first professional cycling race to happen in Boston for decades that will feature more than 100 professional cyclists. Large crowdsâ€”some 20,000 spectators are expectedâ€”will line the streets of the 0.7 mile course that loops upwards of 70 times around City Hall Plaza as they cheer on former Olympians and national champions.

The celebration continues on Sunday when regular cyclists like you and me get a chance to ride through the city in the fifth annual Hub on Wheels. About 6,000 riders will tour of many of Bostonâ€™s diverse neighborhoods.

This celebration underscores the strides Boston has made in becoming a bike-friendly city. With the help of former Olympic cyclist Nicole Freedman, weâ€™ve accomplished a lot in 2009:

Weâ€™ve installed five miles of bike lanes in the South End, Brighton, Allston, and Dorchester, with more lanes to come soon in Roslindale and Franklin Park. The Back Bay will have bike lanes from Kenmore Square to the Public Garden on Commonwealth Avenue, and Chelsea Street in East Boston will also become biker-friendly in the near future.

For the first time, we produced a complete bike map after receiving input from about 200 cyclists. The map includes suitability ratings of roads for different levels of riders, as well as safety and educational information; 40,000 maps have been distributed around the City and the map is available on our Web site.

Boston is the only city to have replaced a car parking spot with a bike rack (on Massachusetts Avenue near Newbury Street), and weâ€™ve placed 150 bike racks all around the city. My goal is to continue placing 250 racks a year, spaced 300 meters apart, and residents can request a bike rack anytime.

When a bike is stolen, weâ€™ve made it easier for the owner to recover it as soon as possible. â€œStolen Bike Bostonâ€ provides Boston police, hospital and university security, and hundreds of Facebook and Twitter followers with a description of the stolen bike.

Here at City Hall, weâ€™re leading by example to transform Boston into a world-class biking city. The City of Boston Bike Pool allows employees at various City buildings to ride one of 18 bikes for work-related trips.

Weâ€™ve trained 600 youth under the age of 18 with courses on rules of the road, safety, on-road and off-road riding. Of course, weâ€™ve also encouraged everyone, especially kids, to wear a helmet through online videos and Facebook.

More than 1,000 cyclists participated in Bike Fridays, a program that encouraged residents of metro-Boston to bike to work instead of driving a car. Cyclists are greeted at City Hall with a free breakfast, music, and expo.

Thanks to a new ordinance, drivers who park a car in a bike lane face a $100 fine.

Iâ€™m confident that our accomplishments thus far mark just the beginning of making Boston a biker-friendly city. The benefits of biking are numerous: better health, less congestion on roads, a quicker commute for some, and a more sustainable city for all. Weâ€™re making biking easier for everyone, and weâ€™re working to establish a bike-sharing program that will make thousands of bikes available next year.

For more information on the Boston Bike Program and the â€œBoston Cycling Celebration,â€ visit to www.cityofboston.gov/bikes.

I encourage you to come out to the biggest biking event in Boston in years this weekend as we mark a highlight of our biking program that will help turn Beantown into Greentown.

Protecting Elderly From Healthcare Myths

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Many of you have been closely following the health care debate taking place in Washington, D.C. and around the country over the past few months. This is a highly contentious issue that evokes strong emotion, and the debate is likely to continue for several months as Congress works on a final bill for President Obama to sign into law. But I want to stress, particularly to seniors in our city, that nothing has happened yet. No one should panic based on myths put forth by opponents of proposed legislation because their claims amount to nothing more than scare tactics.

As mayor, I fight for the best interests of everyone in Boston. Senior citizens are no exception, and I assure you that we are doing everything possible to protect our seniors.

Part of this effort is providing the most accurate information about whatâ€™s happening in Washington. Three recurring myths sound frightening to all of us. But they are myths.

First, the notion of forming death panels as part of reform defies the reality of any proposed health care bill. The House bill would stipulate that Medicare cover discussions between beneficiaries and their doctors for advance care planning; it also requires that beneficiaries receive information on end-of-life planning resources in the Medicare handbook. Additionally, quality measures on end-of-life care and advanced care planning would be included in the Medicare physician quality reporting program.

Another myth claims the proposed bills would result in cuts to Medicare benefits. The truth is that benefits would actually change for the better. Drugs would cost less. Patients would have more doctors to choose from. Information would flow smoothly from doctor to doctor so that patients donâ€™t waste time filling out the same paperwork over and over again. The House bill and the two bills in the Senate would work to make Medicare, and every aspect of the health care system, more efficient and eliminate unnecessary subsidies to insurance companies.

A third common myth about the proposed legislation is that health care would be rationed. Once again, this is false. Nothing in any of the bills calls for limiting health care services. Current proposals would create a center for comparative effectiveness research to determine the most effective treatments and prevention strategies. This reform is not about cutting back health care services but making them work better, and at a lower cost, for everyone. The good news is that none of these myths are going to become realities.

Senior citizens in Boston should know that we are here to help. One way of getting the facts is by calling the Elderly Commission at (617) 635-4366 to learn more about the legislation or to get answers to your personal health care questions.

Misinformation is a powerful tool that makes a complicatedâ€”yet crucialâ€”reform effort even more difficult to understand. I will continue to fight for the needs of the elderly by working with the Massachusetts delegation to assure that seniorsâ€™ voices are heard and their priorities are known. We need to take care of our seniors because they paved the way for us.

Kicking Off New School Year

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

This year I again kicked off the 2009-2010 school year in the City of Boston with our â€œSchool Readinessâ€ event. This is an exciting year and weâ€™ve made significant progress, from restructuring schools to implementing new programs that will help close the achievement gap. As students head back to school this week, many will experience firsthand the positive changes weâ€™ve made to Boston Public Schools.

This year, we were able to open six new or expanded K-8 schools. These schools are popular with parents, who are looking for a seamless K-8 experience for their children, and 6,000 students will be accommodated at the following schools: the Edison School in Brighton; the King School in Dorchester, which was expanded from a middle school; the Higginson/Lewis School in Roxbury; the Mildred Avenue School in Mattapan; the Beethoven/Ohrenberger School in West Roxbury, and the Grew/Rogers School in my own neighborhood of Hyde Park. We are making this an option in every neighborhood.

Five new pilot schools, which permit a longer school day and the flexibility to try innovative ideas, will be taking in 2,000 new students this year. The Boston Teachers Union School in Jamaica Plain, the Haley School in Roslindale, the Lyon School in Brighton, TechBoston Academy in Dorchester, and Young Achiever in Mattapan will accommodate these students. Tech Boston Academy offers an example of an effective upper school reaching down to younger grades that are in need, and the results have been remarkable. Most students pass the MCAS with flying colors; 40 percent have qualified for Massachusettsâ€™s Adams Scholarship, which awards students pursuing a college education.

Next week, weâ€™ll also open the cityâ€™s first public Montessori program, which provides child-centered teaching for our youngest students at the East Boston Early Education Center. Teachers will adapt to each studentâ€™s individual development level as outlined by this alternative education method.

While weâ€™ve made a lot of progress, we still have work to do. Superintendent Carol R. Johnson and I are striving to close the achievement gap, which includes raising the academic performance of English Language Learners. Beginning this fall, the Paul A. Dever Elementary School in Dorchester will offer a dual language program that places native English and native Spanish speakers in the same classroom. This program will be piloted in two kindergarten classrooms, and three other schools currently offer this program.

Furthermore, BPS has adopted a literacy program called Reading Street, which independent studies say â€œsignificantly improvedâ€ reading achievement of students in all socio-economic groups.

In addition to strong minds, students need to maintain healthy bodies. This year, weâ€™ve expanded the Chefs in Schools program, which serves nutritional lunches that arenâ€™t always available with traditional school lunches. The program was so successful in its first two yearsâ€”a preliminary report by the Harvard School of Public Health praised the program for boosting participation in school lunch and access to healthy foodâ€”that we expanded it from three schools to an additional five schools. As a result, 3,100 students will be served healthful meals every day.

Students also need physical activity on a daily basis. Through the Boston Schoolyard Initiative, weâ€™ve added three new schoolyards and five new outdoor classrooms at ten schools around Boston. Last month, we established the Boston Scholar Athlete Program as a multifaceted initiative with a mission to support academic achievement through athletics. The private-public partnership will bring together the significant resources of our city to help all BPS students excel on the field, in the classroom and after graduation. A soccer jamboree at the Harvard soccer fields kicked off the program this past week, as about 100 students received new uniforms, instruction, and the opportunity to play as a team before the start of the school year.

Some students, however, struggle in the classroom. This month weâ€™ve opened the BPS Re-engagement Center that will help students who have dropped out of school return to complete their education. School Committee Chair Gregory Groover, Dr. Johnson, and I need to do everything we can to reduce the dropout rate.

Iâ€™m proud that in 2006, Boston Public Schools won the Broad Prize for Urban Education as the top city school district in the country. However, education isnâ€™t about winning awardsâ€”itâ€™s about providing our students with the best possible education and preparing them for future success.

Senator Kennedy and Education

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Over the past week, we all celebrated the life of a great public servant, Senator Edward M. Kennedy. The showing of gratitude from admirers was remarkable and fitting for a man who did so much for so many. People got out of their cars on the highway to watch as the motorcade passed by; they lined bridges to catch a final glimpse and filled the streets of Boston to honor the passing of their Senator.

As we said goodbye to Senator Kennedy at Mission Church, I felt a great sense of pride as our city stood on display to the world. Mission Hillâ€™s diversity represents the spectrum of people for whom he fought throughout his life. Those without a voice had a voice in Ted. Those who couldnâ€™t fight for the equal rights they deserved had a fighter in Ted. He never let them down. Because of him, we are able to transform places like Mission Hill into safe, culturally, ethnically, and racially diverse neighborhoods.

As millions of people turned to Boston to say goodbye to this champion, our city stood tall. I want to thank all City employees and residents for their warm welcome of the Kennedy family. Every employee dedicated themselves to assist with the logistics of the motorcade and funeral, and residents altered their schedules and exhibited patience with traffic detours. The people of Boston went the extra mile when the spotlight was on our world-class city. Thank you.

As we begin a new school year, itâ€™s only fitting we remember the work of Senator Kennedy of helping to provide all our students with the tools they need to succeed. It was Senator Kennedy who led the way. With the No Child Left Behind Act, Senator Kennedy created a way to track the progress of students and teachers and work to guarantee that every child in America receives the best education possible, regardless of circumstance. Boston Public Schools directly benefited from this Act as one of the public school systems across the country to receive a portion of $22 billion when the Act was first enacted eight years ago.

Students in Boston learn with modern technology as a direct result of Senator Kennedyâ€™s efforts. Boston Public Schools became the first urban school district to wire all classrooms to the Internet, thanks to E-rate, which was established as part of the 1996 Telecommunications Act. E-rate provides discounts to schools on Internet and telephone services and equipment, and the money schools save on communication expenses allows them to spend more on teachers.

After passing an education bill earlier this year, Senator Kennedy said, â€œYou donâ€™t have to be a senator to make a difference, all you have to do is care.â€ That message rings true today as we begin a new school year and remember the lessons of the past of our Senator. Parents must play an active role in their childrenâ€™s education. I urge parents to meet with teachers, attend school meetings, and encourage discussion of classroom subjects. Parents can attend â€œParent University,â€ a new free program that increases the capacity of parents to guide their children through their education. Through courses like â€œAssessing Student Progressâ€ and â€œSeeing Ourselves as Leaders,â€ among several others, parents can earn enough credits to â€œgraduateâ€ in June. For more information, visit www.bostonpublicschools.org.

Staying healthy is also crucial for attendance, especially as we anticipate a large number of swine flu cases this fall and winter. Scheduling doctorsâ€™ appointments for children and making sure they get nine hours of sleep every night are two ways of maintaining good health. On September 5th at City Hall Plaza, the 2nd Annual Back-to-School Jamboree will perform health screenings. Of course, fun activities, performances, prizes and giveaways will also help kick off the school year the right way.

Soon, Boston will have a new gemâ€”the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, which will be built next to the JFK Library. The first-of-its-kind Institute will educate everyone, from the general public to new Senators, on the legislative process that Senator Kennedy mastered. Students from elementary to graduate school will learn about our great Senator and be inspired to participate in civic life.

Senator Kennedyâ€™s parents held high expectations for their youngest child, and children in Boston now have endless opportunities to excel because of him. I wish all the students and teachers a terrific school year!

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Job creation and retention, infrastructure improvement, economic stabilization, and clean energy investment. These were the fundamental goals of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that President Obama signed into law on February 17, 2009. Six months later, Iâ€™m proud that Boston can mark this anniversary by noting the tremendous impact that this federal funding has had on our city. To date, weâ€™ve secured $172.6 million in federal funding that has allowed us to maintain hundreds of positions within the Boston Public Schools, save 100 police officers from potential budget cuts, put 850 youth to work in summer jobs, modernize public housing, and invest in stalled development. By leveraging an additional $162.2 million, ARRA funds have provided a total economic investment of over $334 million for the City of Boston.

From day one, the Obama administration made it clear that accountability was necessary for the recovery act to be fully effective. In Boston, we echoed this sentiment, and soon after receiving the first allocation of ARRA funding, we launched a website â€“ www.cityofboston.gov/recovery - to allow everyone to follow the recovery dollars at work in our neighborhoods. This week, to mark the progress weâ€™ve made since February, I unveiled a report that documents Bostonâ€™s ARRA investments after six months.

To accompany the release of this progress report, I had the pleasure of announcing $720,000 in Brownfield funds awarded to Boston by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to redevelop three vacant parcels that will eventually create 64 units of workforce housing, several neighborhood retail stores, and 137 jobs citywide. This latest allocation serves as a great example of ARRAâ€™s ability to transform communities through job creation and neighborhood development. For the people of Boston, these projects are just a few among many that have been made possible through the stimulus package.

In total, with the help of the recovery act weâ€™ve been able to launch 41 projects, representing 1,666 jobs that have either been created or saved. On top of these opportunities and the funding I highlighted earlier for youth summer jobs, weâ€™ve invested in job training for 232 disadvantaged and dislocated adults.

Together, weâ€™re creating stronger neighborhoods, and the following are some of the major highlights from the six month report.

$42.5 million in transportation enhancements including the reconstruction of Dorchester Avenue, an investment in improved technology for intelligent transportation systems and the resurfacing of over 75 streets citywide;
$30.1 million for public housing modernization, most notably at Washington Beech in Roslindale;
$8.2 million from the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) to fight homelessness by significantly expanding prevention services;
$15.6 million in education funding to save the jobs of 180 teachers and buy additional books and classroom materials;
$6.5 million in Energy Efficiency Block Grants to fund Renew Boston â€“ the Cityâ€™s comprehensive effort to help homeowners and local businesses save money and turn Beantown into Greentown though weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades;
$2.3 million in Community Development Block Grant funding to jumpstart $8.9 million worth of stalled housing and economic development projects citywide;
Over $1 million to stabilize dozens of small businesses in Boston through capital improvements and short term rental assistance.

Itâ€™s spring time in Boston, and next week students from the Boston Public Schools will enjoy time off for April vacation. School vacation will be a welcome relief for students, but there are events for the entire family to take advantage of, starting with Patriotsâ€™ Day on Monday.

Iâ€™ll help kick-off the 234th Patriotsâ€™ Day Celebration on Monday morning with a flag raising ceremony on City Hall Plaza, followed by the Patriotsâ€™ Day Parade, which will march from City Hall to Kings Chapel on Tremont Street and on to the Old Granary Burial Grounds. You can take in a piece of history by watching the reenactment of Paul Revereâ€™s ride, starting at the Paul Revere Mall on Hanover Street near the Old North Church at 10 a.m. that morning, and William Dawesâ€™ ride will be reenacted at Elliot Square in Roxbury at the same time.

Patriotsâ€™ Day also marks Marathon Monday and the running of the 113th Boston Marathon. The 26 mile race from rural Hopkinton to Boston will conclude at Copley Square. I encourage you to come out and cheer on the thousands of marathoners that compete in this internationally recognized event.

Throughout school vacation week, community centers all over Boston will be hosting daily activities for youth. On Wednesday, April 22, all Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) will host open houses, giving families a chance to see what their local community center has to offer. Visit Boston Centers for Youth and Families for more information about your local center and to view a complete listing of community centers and school vacation week activities.

Some school vacation week highlights at BCYF include:

The 8th Annual All-Girls Sports Festival: The Festival, which runs from April 21-24 at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center, was created to enhance sports and fitness opportunities for young women ages 11 to 15. The festival begins with a day of self enhancement through a series of wellness workshops, after which participants can take part in a variety of sports such as basketball, step dancing, golf, tennis, track & field, and ultimate frisbee.
PEACE-A-PALOOZA: Young people ages 7-12 will learn about peaceful conflict resolution while participating in a variety of activities, performing community service, attending workshops and learning from guest speakers. This program runs each day of vacation week, except Monday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Vine Street Community Center in Roxbury.
2009 Mayor's Cup Roller Hockey Tournament - This annual event, sponsored by BCYF's Recreation Division, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, the Boston Bruins Foundation andTD Banknorth Garden, is a co-ed tournament open to all City of Boston residents. There are three different age divisions: 6â€“8 years old, 9 â€“ 11 years old, and 12 - 14 years old. Games take place at various parks around the city during April vacation week. The deadline for team registration is April 17th! For more information please call Mike Devlin at 617-635-4920 x2145 or email him at mike.devlin@cityofboston.gov.

Also, donâ€™t forget that the Big Apple Circus is back in town performing at City Hall Plaza until May 10th. This is another terrific event for the entire family. For ticket information, visit the kiosks on City Hall Plaza or www.BigAppleCircus.com.

I hope that youâ€™ll take advantage of some of the great activities and events taking place everyday throughout school vacation week. Have a safe, fun, and relaxing vacation!

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Iâ€™m not one to whine. In fact, visitors to my office are greeted by the â€œNo Whiningâ€ sign that sits front and center on my desk. However, I take pride in fighting everyday for what is right for the residents of Boston. Thatâ€™s why I again testified to the state legislature in support of a meals tax proposal that would provide Boston, and countless other municipalities around the Commonwealth, the ability to generate much needed revenue in fiscally challenging times. The word â€œtaxâ€ makes some people nervous, but at a time when local budgets necessitate layoffs of police officers and school teachers, taxpayers deserve to hear an honest discussion about the benefits of a local option meals tax.

Boston, like other cities and towns in the state, remains overly reliant on revenue from property taxes, which represents an astounding 56% of total revenue for FY09. Combined, revenue from property taxes and state aid, Bostonâ€™s second leading revenue source, account for 78% of our overall revenue stream. As state aid continues to diminish and other sources of revenue are particularly vulnerable to the economy, we need to explore how we can change the way we do business so that we reduce the burden on property owners and stimulate local economies during an economic recession.

A 2% local option meals tax would allow Boston to benefit directly from the money spent at restaurants in the city by generating more than $40 million annually. While our strong and growing restaurant industry provides the right base for a meals tax, Boston residents would pay just one-third of the tax. Visitors, business travelers, and commuters that currently enjoy basic city services at no cost would pay the lionâ€™s share. A local option meals tax wonâ€™t hinder your typical familyâ€™s night out, but it will help reduce the tax burden on property owners and allow local economies the room to generate revenue without forever looking to the state.

When people think about tourist destinations around the country, Boston tops the list with cities like New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., and San Francisco, but weâ€™ve been competing on an uneven playing field for far too long. Our current 5% meals tax ranks among the lowest of comparable U.S. cities and places Massachusetts dead last among New England states in this regard. A 2% local option addition would still leave our overall meals tax rate lower than many other cities around the country, but it would have a substantial impact on local revenue streams. Since 1998, state meals tax revenue has nearly doubled, from $392 million to an estimated $633 million in FY08. All told, the state has benefitted from an annual increase in meals tax revenue since 1994, even during the recession of 2001. Itâ€™s time that local municipalities receive a fair share of this revenue.

During a time of heightened financial uncertainty, a local option meals tax makes sense from every angle. Critics need only to ask the many restaurateurs that also support this legislation. Some will mistakenly argue that an increase in the meals tax will prevent working families from enjoying dinner out, but as Mayor, I wouldnâ€™t advocate for a tax that puts an unnecessary strain on families and local businesses, especially in the current economic climate. This isnâ€™t the first time a meals tax proposal has been in front of the legislature, but I hope this time the proposal receives serious consideration. Legislators owe at least this much to the municipalities and taxpayers that they represent.

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

April marks National Autism Awareness Month, and itâ€™s important that we take advantage of this time to hold a constructive conversation about how we come together as a community to strengthen services for and meet the needs of children with Autism Spectrum Diagnoses (ASD). Research tells us that Families of children with ASD are more affected in their everyday learning and play activities than children with other conditions, and it is often difficult for these families to access the resources that they need for their children, despite improvements in therapies and services. Whether itâ€™s out of pocket expenses, time spent providing or coordinating care, or time lost from work, families are ultimately left paying for the significant costs associated with autism. As a community, we have an obligation to help families so that they donâ€™t face these challenges alone.

We canâ€™t afford to view autism simply as a public health issue or simply as an education issue. In order to meet our responsibility, we need to broaden our understanding of autism, and start looking at how we deliver a continuum of services to families of children with ASD. Everyone plays a role, from government, to community organizations, to the private sector. In recognition of our shared responsibility and National Autism Awareness Month, weâ€™ve convened a first-of-a-kind Summit on Autism in Boston on Friday, April, 3. We want to bring together the best our City has to offer on ASD to level the playing field for affected children and their families.

While we look to the findings of the Summit to shape the details of our collaborative approach, we have defined some broad principles to serve as a guide.

Families have to be at the heart of our efforts. They are the experts on their children. They know when programs work, and they see when poor quality services or fragmented systems deprive children of the care they need.
Autism affects children and families in complex ways, and our efforts must be equally broad, and cut across sectors, systems, and services.
Our efforts must be guided by evidence-based practices, and our Cityâ€™s experts in health and education will play an important role in identifying cutting edge programs and methods.
We have to level the field for all children with ASD and work to eliminate disparities among children with special healthcare needs. All of Bostonâ€™s families affected by ASD deserve the best services, and all of them need the help of the community to achieve this goal.<.li>

These principles alone are simple, but by acting on them together, we will achieve powerful results.

The number of children diagnosed with autism has risen over the last decade, and that means more Boston families confronting the challenges of raising children with ASD. I donâ€™t want families to face the hardships alone because autism awareness is a responsibility we all share as neighbors. Schools, public health officials, private sector employers, and community organizations all play a critical role in strengthening the resources for and bettering the lives of families affected by autism. By coming together to address the challenges, weâ€™re in a unique position to make sure that our children are raised to embrace differences, that our neighborhoods are inclusive, and that all families have the opportunity to raise their children on a level playing field.

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Most of us have been anxiously anticipating the end of winter, and fortunately spring is finally here. After a season that dumped record amounts of snow on the City, warmer weather is a much welcomed change. Last week, we kicked off spring in the City of Boston by announcing that our neighborhood street cleaning program would begin ten days early. Public Works employees have already been hard at work â€œspring cleaningâ€ neighborhood streets and getting rid of the remnants of winter. In fact, since March 1st, the City has already collected 255 tons of sand and debris from areas across the City.

This year, Iâ€™m asking residents and businesses to get involved early in the cleanup efforts. By working with neighborhood Main Street business districts, weâ€™re also making sure that local shopping areas are clean and inviting for pedestrian traffic. You can pitch in with the cleaning by sweeping sand and debris from the sidewalks to the curb in front of your home or business before scheduled street cleanings. To find out when streets in your neighborhood will be cleaned, call the Mayorâ€™s Hotline at (617) 635-4500 or visit www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/sweeping/. The schedule for early cleanings will run according to the annual neighborhood street cleaning programâ€™s schedule. The Boston Transportation Department (BTD) is asking residents to voluntarily move vehicles for street sweeping on posted days until the neighborhood street cleaning program officially starts on April 1st, when BTD will begin enforcing parking regulations. Now is a great time for everyone to give a helping hand and make our City brighter. Weâ€™ll pick it up if you make an effort to put it out.

If youâ€™d like to get more involved in the spring cleaning fun, there will be plenty of opportunities in every neighborhood of Boston on Friday, April 24th and Saturday, April 25th, during the citywide Boston Shines cleanup. This two-day effort, now in its seventh straight year, is the signature event of the year-round program Boston Shines 365. I hope to see you out in the neighborhoods, as I join thousands of other volunteers to say good-bye to winter and welcome in spring. Boston Shines is an opportunity to work side by side with neighbors, corporate volunteers, universities, neighborhood businesses, public organizations, and private agencies. This year will be the largest event to-date, with new and improved opportunities for corporate and neighborhood volunteers.

Getting involved in Boston Shines is easy, and Iâ€™m inviting individuals, businesses, and institutions to partner with the City by volunteering their time and resources to help support this event. You can help by recruiting and leading a team of your neighbors or co-workers, or by making an in-kind or cash donation. To register for a Saturday project in your neighborhood, please visit Boston Shines. Here, youâ€™ll also be able to find information about organizing corporate volunteer opportunities.

Winter left its mark, but weâ€™re working hard to make Boston shine again for warmer weather. I hope that youâ€™ll be able to join us and give a helping hand!

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

In January, as part of my annual State of the City address, I outlined our Cityâ€™s budget challenges for the upcoming fiscal year. At the time, we estimated that Boston faced a $140 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2010. My administration has continued to work diligently to find creative solutions to curtail non-essential expenses in order to balance the Cityâ€™s budget in a way that prioritizes core services and promotes fiscal responsibility. One of the earliest steps we took was to implement a strategic hiring freeze last fall that has saved the City millions of dollars in payroll expenses. Other reforms aimed at addressing the budget gap include closing the Cityâ€™s Graphic Arts Department and restructuring management in certain departments. Still other developments, such as funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, have helped the City reduce its estimated FY 2010 shortfall to $107 million.

However, government is people-driven, from the teachers in our classrooms to the police officers that patrol our neighborhoods, and approximately 70% of our operating costs are personnel-related. Unfortunately, the current economic crisis requires municipal employees to share the burden of our collective financial challenges, and we cannot fully address the economic realities of the next fiscal year without acknowledging the impact of personnel costs on the Cityâ€™s budget. In the two months that have passed since I initially asked municipal unions to accept a one-year wage freeze for their membership, Iâ€™m pleased that 18 of the 44 municipal unions have either reached an agreement or have tentatively accepted the wage freeze proposal. These agreements will save the City approximately $7 million in FY 2010.

Without an across-the-board wage freeze, we will be forced to cut roughly 700 employees, including over 100 teachers from classrooms across Boston. Union leadership has a real opportunity to help minimize the impact of potential layoffs by making a shared sacrifice. If the Boston Teachers Union, for example, agrees to a wage freeze, Iâ€™m confident that we can avoid teacher layoffs. In the end, union leadership does not have the luxury of waiting to make a decision about the wage freeze. While I know that many union members understand this urgency, their leaders must also face the facts.

Numerous unions, both small and large, have stepped up to the plate to demonstrate their commitment not only to their membership, but to the residents of Boston as a whole. Take the recent example of AFSCME agreeing to a one-year wage freeze for its members. This union represents employees in departments such as public works and transportation that deliver basic city services. On average, the 1,239 members of this organization will forgo about $1,000 in pay next fiscal year. Yet, in doing so, they will also protect nearly 50 jobs and help maintain core services for Boston residents. The 17 other unions supportive of the wage freeze have put the greater good of their membership and the City ahead of individual agendas and rhetoric, and I thank them for their leadership.

We have an undeniable challenge ahead of us in crafting a balanced budget for next fiscal year. Weâ€™ve taken steps to eliminate non-essential expenses and implemented reforms that will produce significant savings next fiscal year and for years to come. However, the economic crisis we face is unprecedented, and City government cannot overcome all of our obstacles singlehandedly. Iâ€™m proud of the many union members and leaders that have sacrificed a wage increase to protect jobs and help move Boston forward. I hope that others will embrace the example that they have set because progress doesnâ€™t come without sacrifice, and partnership is now more important than ever.

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

In a few short weeks, on April 8, my administration will present the City of Bostonâ€™s preliminary budget for fiscal year 2010 to the City Council. In crafting budget proposals for next year, I have challenged all departments to do more with less during these difficult economic times. As I shared in my recent address to the Boston Municipal Research Bureau, I am pursuing a three point strategy to stabilize the Cityâ€™s budget and move Boston forward. This plan focuses on: 1) reforms and cost cutting measures in City government; 2) responsible use of reserves and funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; and 3) shared sacrifice in order to minimize the impact of layoffs.

While reducing discretionary spending and instituting a strategic hiring freeze have produced significant savings, Boston still faces a $130 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2010. To begin closing this anticipated gap, we will consolidate services and eliminate activities that are non-essential. For example, the Boston Public Library will move the services of the Kirstein Business Branch to the central branch at Copley Square, strengthening resources for entrepreneurs and saving $250,000 annually. The City will also close its printing operations, resulting in a savings of over $400,000 next year and $1 million every year thereafter. Other reforms include eliminating a layer of management in the Cityâ€™s community centers to save over $500,000 annually, and restructuring management in the Boston Fire Department in order to protect frontline services. Similarly, Boston Public Schools will reduce central office management in order to protect teachers.

Additionally, the City will tap reserve funds to narrow the budget gap further. However, just as you have to be prudent with your personal savings, the City must use rainy day funds responsibly so that we maintain savings for the future. The use of reserve funds will be supplemented with one-time funding from the federal Recovery Act to further bridge the FY 2010 budget gap. Having been awarded approximately $147 million in federal funds thus far, the City is allowed to use $21 million of this funding toward next yearâ€™s operating budget.

Finally, I continue to call on Bostonâ€™s municipal union leaders to bear a share of the financial burden to help keep Boston on solid footing. I thank the eight unions that have demonstrated their commitment to Bostonâ€™s residents by accepting the one year wage freeze proposal. I was especially encouraged that the 1,239 member union AFSCME, which represents employees that provide basic city services, has agreed to forgo a wage increase for its membership next year. This sacrifice will allow the City to protect nearly 50 jobs. If all unions accept a wage freeze, we would save $55 million next fiscal year to help protect core services. Without the cooperation of union leadership, we will be forced to lay off roughly 700 employees, including over 100 teachers from the Boston Public School system.

Despite the economic realities, I am committed to delivering a plan that saves jobs and protects core services, stabilizes the public sector, and helps the private sector grow. I have presented a plan aimed at addressing the Cityâ€™s budget challenges, and my administration will continue to prioritize investments that protect residents and give Bostonâ€™s economy opportunities for growth. The crisis weâ€™re facing is unprecedented, but I am confident in our collective ability. If we take action together, we can rise to meet the goals of the future. Thankfully, Boston confronts these challenges from a position of real strength.

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Nearly a decade ago, in 2000, I unveiled Leading the Way, a campaign that took a comprehensive approach to addressing Bostonâ€™s diverse housing needs. By taking a multi-agency approach to the issue of housing, we brought together staff from a cross-section of City departments, including the Department of Neighborhood Development (DND), the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), and the Inspectional Services Department (ISD), to implement effective strategies to improve all housing options, including affordable, workforce, and market rate housing, for the people of Boston. Through this collaborative effort, we were able to achieve some impressive results that strengthened the quality of life for residents and dramatically increased the supply of housing in our City. In the years since introducing Leading the Way I and II, the City of Boston has overseen the creation of more than 18,000 units of housing, 5,000 of which have been affordable units, while another 9,500 affordable units have been preserved. This represents upwards of $5 billion in private and public investments.

However, with more individuals and families fighting homelessness as others struggle to realize their dream of homeownership in todayâ€™s difficult economic climate, we are challenged to do even more to help create and maintain stable housing options in Boston. Thatâ€™s why Iâ€™m proud to announce that we are entering a new phase in our efforts by introducing Leading the Way III. I recently joined Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray, along with several top housing and homelessness advocates to outline a vision that will effectively address our Cityâ€™s housing needs. Although economic uncertainty still prevails, we are resolved in our focus to reach out to every neighborhood and help people of every income level attain stable housing.

With this goal in mind, Leading the Way III will focus on workforce housing production, rental housing preservation, revitalization of foreclosure neighborhoods, and a plan to reduce long-term and family homelessness by 50%. The campaign will address changing housing needs across four key areas:

Addressing the Foreclosure Crisis through targeted initiatives focusing on foreclosure intervention and stabilization of those hardest hit neighborhoods.
Reversing the Rise in Homelessness through a targeted approach of prevention, placement, and production of permanent housing designed to reduce long-term and family homelessness by 50% by 2012.
Preserving & Stabilizing Boston's Rental Housing by preventing the loss of publically assisted affordable housing and helping stabilize tenancies in the open market.
Housing Boston's Workforce by meeting the diverse housing needs of the Cityâ€™s workforce; from the highly paid professional to the minimum wage worker.

Leading the Way III sets a number of other ambitious targets that the City will work to achieve by 2012. These goals include creating a total of 4,000 new affordable and market rate housing units, saving 1,000 homeowners from foreclosure, and repairing, renovating, or redeveloping 5,000 units of public housing.

As a life-long resident of Hyde Park, I realize that the strength of Boston lies in its vibrant neighborhoods. While we have accomplished significant results since launching the initial Leading the Way campaign, we are ready to take the next steps to protect and invest in Bostonâ€™s most valuable asset, housing for our residents. Weâ€™ve created a strategy that meets the challenges of our current economy, and Iâ€™m confident that our continued collaborative efforts will help strengthen our neighborhoods and provide people with quality housing in Boston for generations to come.

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

I have always said that partnership is one of the most effective tools that we as leaders can use to achieve progress on almost any front. In difficult circumstances, bringing people together to work toward a common goal becomes even more important. As government leaders across the country grapple with the question of how best to overcome the financial crisis, itâ€™s reassuring to know that we have a leader in President Obama who understands the value of partnership when it comes to problem solving. Last week, I traveled to Washington D.C. to join other mayors from cities across the nation to meet with President Obama and Vice President Biden to discuss the steps moving forward to implement the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This meeting symbolized a renewed partnership between the White House and Americaâ€™s urban leaders from both parties.

After meeting with the President and Vice President, I also had the opportunity to speak directly with many of the Obama administrationâ€™s cabinet members that will be instrumental in implementing the Recovery Act. I had conversations with Attorney General Eric Holder as well as cabinet officials representing the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Education, Department of Energy, and the Department of Transportation.

There is a lot of work to be done in order to effectively implement the Recovery Act, and these meetings in Washington D.C. emphasized the need for partnership and cooperation at every level moving forward. President Obama has called on mayors to help get the job done, and Iâ€™m committed to working with his administration so that the City of Boston benefits as much as possible from the sensible investments that the legislation provides. Much of the funding is directed toward priorities that my administration has long championed, including modernizing public housing, investing in neighborhood development, supporting youth opportunities in education and summer jobs, strengthening public safety, and advancing renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives.

My administrationâ€™s Economic Recovery Team will continue to work closely with state and federal officials to ensure that Boston is positioned to use funding in a timely manner to jumpstart projects, create jobs, and put people to work. Projects that receive direct funding as part of the Recovery Act, such as a $30 million investment for public housing through the Boston Housing Authority, will likely be the first to get off the ground. Over a two year period, our schools will also benefit from $69 million in direct funding. Additionally, Boston will compete for certain funding, such as COPS grants to help strengthen our Police Department and funds from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program to help keep people in their homes and combat the problem of foreclosure.

President Obamaâ€™s commitment to cities is evident in his creation of a White House Office of Urban Policy, and my recent meeting with the President and other key administration officials reaffirmed this partnership. President Obama and I also agree that the only way to effectively implement the Recovery Act is with accountability and transparency. I urge those with questions about the bill to visit www.Recovery.gov, an online tool to help people understand where funding is being directed. Accountability and transparency are critical tools for maintaining the publicâ€™s confidence in this process, and we will make sure to uphold this responsibility. Over the next several days and weeks, we will launch a website for the City of Boston, so that residents can understand exactly how recovery funds will impact their communities.

By working together, weâ€™ll make the necessary investments to strengthen our City and put our economy back on track.

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

After two debate-filled weeks in both the U.S. House and Senate, and after months of review and collaboration with our partners at the federal and state levels to submit a package of Bostonâ€™s potential shovel-ready projects, Congress last week passed the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly known as the stimulus bill. I want to thank the members of Bostonâ€™s congressional delegation for helping to see that Boston and the Commonwealth benefit from sensible investments that will go a long way in jump-starting our economy. While the economic recovery plan is by no means a cure-all for our fiscal challenges, its passage establishes funding for projects that will stabilize our neighborhoods by investing in affordable and public housing, sustainable infrastructure and job creation.

As Iâ€™ve said before, because of the fundamental strength of Bostonâ€™s economy, I view the recovery plan as an opportunity to build on our Cityâ€™s position as the economic engine that drives the state. My administrationâ€™s Economic Recovery Team worked proactively to generate an inventory of potential shovel-ready and shovel-worthy projects in Boston, and we will manage any investments in a way that will lead to both short-term job creation and long-term growth and development.

The Boston Housing Authority (BHA), for example, will receive approximately $30 million in direct funding that will help preserve our public housing resources, improve the infrastructure of BHA developments, and maintain these developments for the long term. BHA developments could benefit from energy efficiency upgrades and upgraded plumbing and heating systems that eventually pay for themselves and conserve energy at the same time. Economic recovery funds will also allow for the redevelopment of properties that are in need of dire attention. For example, funding will assist in the redevelopment of Washington Beech, so that the project results in a sustainable development that meets the housing needs of our most vulnerable residents.

Investments in neighborhood stabilization, like those for public housing, are another central element of the economic recovery plan that will directly impact the people of Boston. The Department of Neighborhood Development will receive $15.5 million in direct funding and grants that will supplement our existing foreclosure intervention and homelessness prevention efforts. Funds will help to restore vacant properties and support homeowners who invest in these communities by buying and renovating these homes. Our Foreclosure Intervention Team has worked hard to achieve positive results in areas of the City hardest hit by foreclosures, such as Hendry Street in Dorchester. One year ago, there were 16 troubled properties in the small, 4-block Hendry Street area. Today, all but three of them are out of foreclosure and are being rehabbed and readied for new homeowners.

New funding sources will make it easier to combat the problem of foreclosure and promote responsible homeownership, which will ultimately strengthen our neighborhoods. In early February, the City received approval for $4.23 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Combined with a matching $4 million investment from the state, we will use this $8.23 million in funding to directly acquire more troubled properties from lenders as part of the Cityâ€™s strategy to restore neighborhoods and put vacant homes back in the hands of responsible homeowners.

Although we still face very real financial challenges in the upcoming fiscal year, the passage of a national economic recovery and reinvestment act will give Boston another tool to help reinvigorate the local economy. By focusing on projects that promote short-term job creation and long-term sustainable growth, Boston is positioned to build upon its fundamental strengths. Direct investments in public housing, neighborhood stabilization, and sustainable infrastructure will help to stimulate the local economies that power our state and the nation.

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Last week, Superintendent Carol Johnson joined concerned students, families, teachers, and Boston Public School staff to present the departmentâ€™s preliminary fiscal year 2010 budget. The proposed budget that Superintendent Johnson presented to the Boston School Committee is a courageous one in a time of deep economic uncertainty. It emphasizes that we will do everything possible to maintain our advancements in public education and continue to make sensible investments in our childrenâ€™s futures. While these unprecedented economic circumstances are challenging, the Superintendent has a proven dedication to student learning and excellence in the classroom.

The school departmentâ€™s preliminary budget proposal for the 2009-2010 school year totals nearly $787 million, a 5.5% decrease from last yearâ€™s budget. This proposal is the result of weeks of thorough review and planning to craft the most responsible budget for the next fiscal year. Unfortunately, with federal, state, and private resources declining, and costs rising, difficult decisions must be made to bridge an estimated $107 million shortfall. Such a significant budget gap would result in a reduction of the districtâ€™s workforce by approximately 917 positions. About 218 of these positions are in central offices, with the remaining 699 in schools, including 372 teaching positions.

Dr. Johnson has proposed a number of innovative ways to reduce expenses while maintaining our shared commitment to families. Her proposals include creating a five-zone student assignment plan to reduce costs associated with the current three-zone plan. This action preserves school choice while reducing transportation costs. By adopting a new approach to student assignment, Superintendent Johnsonâ€™s plan would create walkable communities, provide continuity of educational experience, and ultimately reduce transportation costs so that our investments go into classrooms, rather than the gas tanks of underutilized school buses. In the face of a budget shortfall, the Superintendent continues to pursue initiatives to further education, including expanding K-8 opportunities, increasing AP classes, and continuing to tackle the issue of dropouts.

I believe in leading by example because I know these are difficult times for all families. Starting immediately, I will take a 3% reduction in my salary. Every member of my cabinet has also volunteered to accept a 3% cut in order to help reduce costs. However, this is about more than dollars and cents; itâ€™s about standing together to overcome our challenges.

To minimize the impact of painful layoffs, Superintendent Johnson joins me in city unions to accept a one year wage freeze that could save $55 million overall. If accepted by school employee unions, this would save nearly $30 million next fiscal year. I thank Dr. Johnson and her executive cabinet for their willingness to forgo any pay increases next fiscal year, saving nearly $1 million. High school principals have also showed their commitment to our students by affirming their willingness to accept a wage freeze and take a 3% salary reduction for most of their members. Their willingness to share in the economic hardship will help to preserve jobs for teachers.

Dr. Johnson understands this need for cooperation, and she has prioritized reductions to help keep cuts out of the classroom. In order to minimize the impact on classroom teaching, Dr. Johnson proposed reductions to central offices and services over reductions to schools. In fact, some central departments have proposed reductions in excess of 30% of their current budgets.

I encourage you to engage Superintendent Johnson in the public process to gather feedback and ideas about the budget. Through a six-week series of public hearings, she will discuss the proposed budget in neighborhoods across the city, from Dorchester, to Jamaica Plain, to the South End. Learn more about these hearings and the preliminary budget by visiting www.bostonpublicschools.org/budget. While there are tough choices ahead, by engaging people at every level, we will come to a plan that moves the education of our children forward.

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Last week, I announced the selection of members to chair a PILOT task force. This task force, which I first announced during my speech to the Chamber of Commerceâ€™s Government Affairs forum last December, will be charged with reviewing the current system of payments in lieu of tax, or PILOT, agreements. PILOTs are voluntary contributions that tax-exempt institutions, such as colleges and universities, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations, make in return for the services that the City provides. I have always said that progress relies on strong partnerships, and the relationship that Boston has with its many universities, hospitals, and other non-profits makes our City stronger. Unfortunately, under the current structure, there are significant disparities in what various institutions contribute to the City. The task force will bring together a variety of leaders in order to review the current system and recommend ways to make PILOT agreements more equitable for everyone involved.

Working with the Commissioner of Assessing, Ronald Rakow, I selected task force members that represent leaders from all of the sectors and institutions involved in PILOT agreements. Stephen Kidder, an attorney and the former Commissioner of Revenue under Governor Dukakis, will chair the task force. Robert Brown, President of Boston University, and Zorica PantiÄ‡, President of Wentworth Institute of Technology, will provide perspective for colleges and universities. Hospitals will be represented by Thomas Glynn, the Chief Operating Officer for Partners Healthcare, and Patricia McGovern, general counsel and Senior VP of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Gail Latimore, Executive Director of the Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, will represent community organizations, while James Gallagher, a Senior VP at John Hancock Financial Services will provide perspective from the business community. Thomas Nee, President of the Boston Police Patrolmanâ€™s Association, was selected to represent labor organizations, and the task force will also benefit from Boston City Councilor Stephen Murphyâ€™s experience on this issue.

This task force is not simply about generating new revenue for the City of Boston. It is ultimately about creating equity in all of our PILOT agreements. This involves creating standard expectations for everything from monetary contributions to in-kind services, scholarships, and other community opportunities.

The PILOT task force will be challenged with completing numerous objectives, including:

Set a standard level of contributions â€“ in programs and payments â€“ to be met by all major nonprofit land holders in Boston.
Develop a standard methodology for valuing the community partnerships made by tax-exempt institutions.
Propose a structure for a consolidated program and payment negotiation system, which will allow the City and its tax-exempt institutions to structure longer term, sustainable partnerships focused on improving services for Bostonâ€™s residents.
Clarify the costs associated with providing City services to tax-exempt institutions.
If necessary, provide recommendations on legislative changes needed at the City of state level.

This week, I traveled to Cleveland, Ohio to take part in a lecture hosted by the National Council of Jewish Women in partnership with Citizens for Safety. The lecture, titled â€œWhere did the gun come from?â€ dealt with the important but often unasked question of how illegal guns fall into the hands of criminals. As Mayor of Boston, this is an issue that has been a top priority of my administration, and in 2006, New Yorkâ€™s Mayor Bloomberg and I founded the Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG) coalition to bring this issue to the forefront nationally. The Cleveland lecture was an opportunity to share ideas for combating illegal gun trafficking with a host of other local civic and community leaders.

Local government is on the front lines of this battle, and Bostonâ€™s effort to address this problem is helping other cities and towns across the country. Cleveland has experienced a 56% rise in homicides between 2004 and 2007 and is now replicating some of Bostonâ€™s initiatives, including community policing and a gun buy back program. In Boston, we have used the principle of community policing to build trusting relationships between members of the police department and members of the community. Safe street teams, more walking beats, and officers on bicycles have helped to develop a personal relationship between the neighborhoods and their police officers, which is central to any successful anti-crime initiative.

Boston is working proactively with youth through Violence Intervention & Prevention (VIP) teams that address violence as a public health issue. Neighborhood peace councils have worked to understand the concerns and priorities of residents, and this past summer, the City partnered with Citizens for Safety to bring â€œTraffick Jamâ€ workshops to four neighborhoods. These community workshops educated over 200 residents by illustrating how police track guns, where crime guns come from, and immediate actions that citizens can take to curb illegal gun trafficking in their neighborhood.

We want to use these principles to strengthen national action against illegal guns. In Cleveland, I welcomed 23 new Ohio mayors to the bipartisan MAIG coalition, which has grown from 15 mayors in 2006 to over 350 mayors, currently representing 55 million Americans. At the lecture, I spoke of the importance of the coalitionâ€™s four point agenda to fix the broken background check system. As local leaders, we want the Congress to:

Close the gun show loophole to require a background check of purchasers at gun shows.
Require gun dealers to perform criminal background checks on all gun-handling employees.
Close the fire sale loophole that allows dealers whose licenses have been revoked to continue to sell their inventory.
Close the terror gap that leaves those on the terrorist no-fly list off the list of prohibited purchasers of firearms.

I am excited that President-elect Obama has endorsed closing the gun show loophole and repealing the Tiahrt Amendment to give police access to gun data. I look forward to working with the new administration on a sensible urban agenda.

Boston is not perfect, but Iâ€™m proud of our accomplishments. Through the end of August, weâ€™ve seen a 22% decrease in homicides with a firearm versus the same time period in 2007. Urban industrialized Massachusetts continues to have one of the lowest fire-arm fatality rates in the country, second only to Hawaii. Massachusetts has some of the toughest gun laws in the nation, but 60% of guns used in Boston crime come from other states. Thatâ€™s why national cooperation is necessary.

Working together, we can make our cities safer and put an end to the violence caused by the proliferation of illegal guns. The sooner we act, the more lives we can save.

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Close the gun show loophole to require a background check of purchasers at gun shows.

Require gun dealers to perform criminal background checks on all gun-handling employees.

Close the fire sale loophole that allows dealers whose licenses have been revoked to continue to sell their inventory.

Close the terror gap that leaves those on the terrorist no-fly list off the list of prohibited purchasers of firearms.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Close the gun show loophole to require a background check of purchasers at gun shows.

Require gun dealers to perform criminal background checks on all gun-handling employees.

Polling places in Boston are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and in some places, long lines will be unavoidable, especially in the morning and evening hours. If possible, the Election Department encourages people to vote mid-day, between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., to avoid extended waits. Please remember that voting in Massachusetts is address-based, and registered voters need to know their correct polling location and correct ward and precinct. If youâ€™re unsure about your polling location, use the voter registration search tool at www.cityofboston.gov/elections.

While summaries of the ballot question appear on the ballot, itâ€™s a great idea to be familiar with the questions beforehand. The Office of the Secretary of State has sent ballot question booklets to every household of registered voters in the City, and www.cityofboston.gov/elections has a link to the Secretaryâ€™s website with the same information. Please consider your position on the ballot questions prior to voting in order to expedite voting at the polls.

Lastly, we should all be respectful when waiting to vote at polling locations. Itâ€™s great to see all of the passion that this election season has inspired in people, but once you get to the polls, let your votes do the talking. Please be respectful of Massachusetts General Law, which prohibits individuals from displaying buttons, clothing, or signs in support of a certain candidate or ballot question. While poll workers will not deny someone their right to vote, they will ask that a voter take off or cover up these items when inside the polling place.

This year, voters will have a special opportunity to fulfill both their civic and community responsibilities all in one place. As Boston Can Share enters its 22nd year, this winter many families will need help from their neighbors to keep nutritious food on their tables. Weâ€™re making it as convenient as possible for voters to donate canned goods by bringing Can Share boxes to EVERY polling location in Boston on Election Day. So, bring a canned good or a donation check with you to vote, and help out a neighbor in need. 100% of donations will support families in need! With expectations of record turnout, November 4th has the potential to be the largest single day food drive effort ever in the City of Boston.

This is an historic election year, and voters should be proud to participate in the democratic process. The City is prepared for great turnout, and I hope that voters will help to ensure that Election Day goes off without a hitch. If you have any questions, please visit www.cityofboston.gov/elections or call the Mayorâ€™s Hotline at 617-635-4461.

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The holiday season is around the corner, and as families start planning celebrations with their loved ones, itâ€™s important to remember that we can all enjoy this time a little more if we do our best to help our less fortunate neighbors. Cold weather means increased demand at our shelters and food pantries, and we need your help to make sure that no one goes hungry. The Boston Can Share program is a great opportunity for everyone to lend a helping hand. Now in its 22nd year, Boston Can Share is a collaborative effort between the Mayorâ€™s Office, the Mayorâ€™s Advisory Committee on Hunger, Federal Express, The Greater Boston Food Bank, and Project Bread.

Throughout the month of November, at community centers, local businesses, municipal buildings, and schools around the City, Can Share boxes will be filled by our partners. Collected food as well as monetary contributions will help replenish the shelves of The Greater Boston Food Bank during the critical high-demand holiday season. For some families, providing nutritious food will be particularly difficult this season, as we grapple with the high price of groceries and heating oil. Getting involved is easy, and every donation makes a difference.

A variety of canned goods and non-perishables can be donated at sites in every neighborhood of Boston. Drop food off at your local Boston Center for Youth and Families or the FedEx Express Shipping Center located at 775 Summer Street in South Boston. Canned fruits, vegetables, tomato sauce, soups, cereals, canned fruit juices, pastas, crackers, canned tuna fish, and canned nuts are examples of some of the items that regularly land in the Can Share boxes. To provide the most nutritious food possible, we always encourage low sodium and low sugar food donations. Most of us have a few items that we can spare from our home pantries to help out another neighbor. The Greater Boston Food Bank will distribute food to over 90 food pantries in Boston, as well as shelters, soup kitchens, and free meal programs.

If you canâ€™t give canned goods, monetary donations of any amount are always appreciated. Financial donations can be made to â€œBoston Can Share.â€ These donations help to fund grants that make fresh produce and items such as baby food and formula available for households in need. Checks can be mailed care of the Emergency Shelter Commission at Room 716, Boston City Hall, Boston, MA 02201.

The great thing about Boston Can Share is that donating food or money is just one way to get involved. To start a collection site at your workplace, call 617-635-4507. FedEx will even provide pickup of the donations from each location for delivery to The Greater Boston Food Bank. Each participating company or organization has a coordinator who promotes the food drive to their co-workers. Boston Can Share provides promotional materials such as posters, brochures, and the boxes that are used to collect donations. Through a Corporate Matching Program, certain companies will match their employeesâ€™ food donation with a cash donation.

You can find registration forms online at www.BostonCanShare.com. If you have any questions regarding Boston Can Share, please call the Emergency Shelter Commission at 617-635-4507 or e-mail bostoncanshare@cityofboston.gov.

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Uncertainty is still dominating the financial markets both at home and abroad, and lawmakers across the country at every level of government are taking a close look at their budgets to make sure weâ€™re allocating our finances effectively. Still, families across the City are experiencing the crunch on their personal budgets, and everyone is looking to save a little money as we ride out this storm. As November nears, voters will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on the direction of our state and the nation. Ballot Question 1, the repeal of state income tax, will certainly weigh heavily on the minds of voters.

My number one concern as Mayor is the wellbeing of our residents, and people need to remember that many of the Cityâ€™s most basic services depend heavily upon aid that we receive from the state. This aid from the state is dictated in large part by the money received from income taxes. Were Question 1 to pass, the state and in turn Boston, would witness a sharp decline in the budget funding that we rely on to serve you, our residents.

The binding referendum, if passed, would represent an estimated $12.5 billion cut to the stateâ€™s Fiscal Year 2009 budget, which is approximately $28 billion. That roughly translates to a 40% decrease in the stateâ€™s budget. For Boston, state aid is approximately 21% of our FY09 estimated revenue. The City is budgeted to receive $503 million in state aid this fiscal year, but the passage of Question 1 would take away an estimated $300 million of that aid. Boston would have far less resources for police to patrol and maintain the safety of our neighborhoods. Boston Public Schools is embarking on a program to expand educational opportunities for all of our students, and BPS would lose a tremendous amount of educational funding. Some of the most basic municipal services like trash collection, roadway maintenance, and programs for our children and seniors that our residents deserve would suddenly in jeopardy. We rely on our dedicated workforce to serve our residents, but as many as 5,000 of approximately 17,000 city employees would lose their jobs as a result of income tax repeal.

There are more sensible ways to curtail spending, and the City of Boston has already done a great job of taking measures to do so. Our investments have been collateralized since the early 1990s, requiring banks to offer third party security on investments so that we donâ€™t lose our shirt. The City also has a policy of not borrowing debt at variable rates. At the bargaining table, we took steps to negotiate lower health care costs with insurance providers. We closely monitor our personnel expenses through the Personnel Review Committee, and we benefit from numerous public-private partnerships to defray expenses that the City would otherwise be solely responsible for. Our excellent bond rating is a testament to all of these steps. AA1 bond rating allows the City to leverage capital dollars at the best possible interest rates, resulting in millions of dollars of savings in borrowing costs.

If youâ€™re worried about your budget, the City has programs and resources to help you make informed decisions with your savings. Money Talk$, a collaboration between the Office of Consumer Affairs and the Mayorâ€™s Youth Council exposes teens to common-sense money management steps at a young age. For adults, the Department of Neighborhood Development offers Credit Smart, a series of free classes about maintaining good credit. Please visit www.CityofBoston.gov for this information and more.

The City relies on your support just as much as you rely on the City to deliver services, and only by supporting each other can we work through this difficult economy.

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Last week, Boston Public Schools Superintendent Carol Johnson introduced the â€œPathways to Excellenceâ€ plan to anxious parents, teachers and community members during a School Committee meeting. For some BPS families, the possibility of closing certain school facilities is difficult to understand, but Iâ€™m confident that Dr. Johnsonâ€™s proposal will ultimately strengthen all of our public schools so that we can provide children with the greatest resources and educational opportunities possible. Pathways to Excellence is not just about closing buildings; itâ€™s about using our resources more efficiently to ensure high-quality programs throughout the city that prepare all children for academic and career success. Over the coming weeks, Dr. Johnson will personally take the plan to the neighborhoods by holding meetings in your community to discuss and explain the mission and goals of this initiative.

Promoting educational continuity was the primary concern in proposing a plan to reorganize schools. In its current state, there are unfilled seats in some of our elementary programs, but weâ€™ve seen an increase in demand at our high schools. Superintendent Johnson has spent the last year listening to parents, students, teachers, and school leaders to develop this pathway to academic success, and her proposal shows her commitment to the children and families in the BPS system. The proposal was based on extensive data about the viability of all programs and facilities, including: parent choices during registration, school and student achievement, facilities condition, utilization rates, anticipated repair costs, availability of programs by neighborhood, and other factors.

By looking at successful schools with impressive results and high parent demand, Pathways to Excellence identifies programs that have worked best and aims to replicate and expand them throughout the neighborhoods in Boston. The plan creates new K-8 programs, expanding the current structure by 60%, to provide families with fewer transitions and more educational continuity. Three new pilot schools, combined with an expansion of the existing three pilots, would offer families more choice and access to these innovative institutions. Reorganizing the current programming will also allow us to increase opportunities across the board for innovation and enrichment, including music, arts, and sciences.

Building on Bostonâ€™s national reputation as an innovator in public education, the plan creates many new programs to meet the changing needs of our students. A Newcomers Center for immigrating students, a Transition/Truancy Center to stem the dropout rate, and International Baccalaureate programs are just a few of the possibilities. At a time when families have more choices than ever for their childrenâ€™s education, the Pathways plan keeps Boston schools at their most competitive so that BPS remains a parentâ€™s first choice for their child.

With education costs increasing and the school-age population declining in Boston, settling for the status quo is not an option. Pathways to Excellence is expected to generate a savings of nearly $13.8 million over the next five years, including more than $4.7 million in savings on transportation costs through school consolidation and greater walking access to schools that are close to home. Dr. Johnsonâ€™s initiative promotes efficiency and fiscal responsibility so that we can achieve the goal of putting all of our students on the right track for graduation, college, and career success.

Pathways to Excellence is a bold plan that highlights challenging realities. Iâ€™m confident that it is a plan that will support all of our students, and I hope that you will consider it with an open mind toward the future. Closing the achievement gap in schools has always been one of my biggest priorities as mayor. Under the dedicated leadership of Superintendent Johnson, weâ€™re making sure that our schools deliver the best opportunities for every student who enters their doors.

For more details about Pathways to Excellence, please visit www.BostonPublicSchools.org/Pathways.

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The troublesome national economy and uncertain financial markets have left many of us here at home not only feeling the short-term pinch of tightening our personal budgets but also genuinely worried about our long-term financial futures. People are understandably wondering about the local effects of the national economic climate. Although the current economy looks bleak, the City constantly revises how we allocate funding and structure the cityâ€™s budget so that we are able to maintain some peace of mind during uncertain times like these. While Boston is certainly affected by everything that is happening nationally, we are fortunate to have a strong financial foundation unlike many other cities and towns across the country.

City of Boston has long had the unique position of benefitting from a well diversified economy. Unlike many cities that rely heavily on one sector for economic strength, we benefit from four well-established sectors that help fuel our economy. In addition to the financial services and tourism sectors, economies that are more prone to the adverse effects of market turmoil, 25% of Bostonâ€™s job base is in the more â€œrecession proofâ€ industries of health care and education. Regardless of ongoing instability, our great medical institutions continue to not only provide excellent care but also attract international investments to conduct world renowned research. The same goes for our colleges and universities. These institutions of higher education give Boston some of the best and brightest minds, many of whom remain in the city to contribute to our workforce long after they have completed their schooling.

Furthermore, only 1-3% of Bostonâ€™s financial services jobs are in the troubled investment banking sector. About half of Bostonâ€™s financial job base stems from money management, a segment that provides set services in return for pre-arranged fees and is consequently more stable than investment banking. Despite the credit crunch being felt by developers, development continues to remain stable, an indication of the value of Bostonâ€™s real estate market. Construction continues from Downtown Crossing to the Waterfront. Tourism remains high, with four major hotels nearing completion, and hundreds of housing units are under construction for our growing population.

The Cityâ€™s Office of Administration and Finance has worked extremely hard to institute a number of best practices so that we are able to manage your money more prudently. The safety of the taxpayersâ€™ dollar is my number one concern and thatâ€™s exactly the reason that Boston has implemented proactive strategies to insulate us from fiscal disaster. These strategies include:

Collateralizing investments: The city has been collateralizing its investments since the early 1990s. This method allowed us to safeguard the taxpayersâ€™ money with a third party while still getting modest returns on investment.
Boston maintains AA1 Bond Rating, allowing the city to leverage capital dollars at the best possible interest rate.
Established Debt Policy: The city has NO exposure to variable rate debt.
City utilizes data-driven performance based management tools: Boston About Results (BAR) allows the city to efficiently manage departments, staff and programs, to ensure residents get the most for their money.

With gas around $4 a gallon, many Boston families are feeling the crunch this year. The cost of groceries is also up, with milk and eggs almost 20 percent more than they were just a few months ago. The rising costs will hit the wallet of every Bostonian if they havenâ€™t already, and this winter will be a particular challenge for many of us. No one wants to be hungry or left out in the cold. By working together we can assure more families will get the help they need. The City will host a Food and Fuel Summit next month and will begin a campaign to address these issues.

Current estimates for heating the average household this winter are in the upwards of $4,000 if fuel remains around $4 a gallon. Yet, nationally, food generally accounts for 13 percent of household budgets compared with 4 percent for gas. With that in mind, families need to be smarter about the groceries they purchase and more health-conscious while preparing meals. Food pantries especially are preparing for those who may never have never asked for assistance before.

The Food and Fuel Summit will be held Saturday, September 27th at Madison Park High School in Roxbury. The Summit will feature demonstrations by professionals on winterizing your home and tips on how to make the most out of your grocery budget. Utility partners and community based organizations will be on hand to assist residents in accessing fuel aid and energy efficiency programming.

There are many things families can do to save money on groceries from shopping locally to making smart consumer decisions, and the summit will have tips for every income level. Experts on hand will discuss the best ways to winterize homes, from properly sealing windows to programmable thermostats and everything in between. There will also be information about food pantries and fuel assistance programs, financial literacy events, and healthy cooking lessons by professional chefs.

The campaign will feature Community Dinners where communities get together and share a meal. These pot-luck type meals will bring families together and special guests will demonstrate how to prepare healthy, low cost meals.

In June, I announced the City is looking to help local businesses with fuel costs by creating a consortium. The plan is to develop a city-wide energy-purchasing partnership that would harness buying power for small businesses on the unregulated energy market, setting the stage for valuable cost savings in gas and electric bills. The partnership would afford businesses the opportunity to buy access to the unregulated energy market at a long-term fixed price.

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 04:00:00 GMT

With the ultimate goal of providing Boston residents with the highest quality of health care, I announced a new referral line residents can call to find a primary care physician in the city among other recommendations. This new resource is important for every neighborhood. It will be managed by the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) and will be free to the public.

By knowing what primary care providers in the neighborhoods are accepting patients at any given time, the referral line will help the most vulnerable populations to make sure they have quality, continuous and consistent health care. This service will allow everyone an opportunity to find a qualified physician in Boston. It will also give the City data that will help track trends and health care service delivery in all of our neighborhoods.

The recommendation to create the referral line came from a Task Force on Improving Access to Primary Care in Boston, which was started in February with the leadership of Dr. Paula Johnson, the Chair of the BPHC Board.

There is no easy way to measure the health of our city. This referral line and the other recommendations made by the task force will not only aid the City in collecting information about healthcare trends, but most importantly will help some of our most vulnerable residents get access to quality care in the neighborhoods.

The Task Forceâ€™s primary recommendations are:

1. Advance uniformity and alignment of performance measures, payment methodologies and payment incentives;

2. Support expanding the roles of non-physician health professionals;

3. Promote financial incentives to recruit and retain a robust and diverse primary care workforce in Boston;

4. Reduce the burden of chronic disease in Boston residents;

5. Establish an ongoing primary care task force to monitor progress and prioritize opportunities to improve access to primary care.

I am also asking that the area institutions, all of whom are represented on the task force, begin working together immediately to identify workforce training and recruitment efforts that will make sure we have enough trained primary care clinicians in Boston to serve our residents.

I am also suggesting the creation of a Boston Health and Wellness Collaborative, where BPHC will supply businesses, churches, community-based organizations and schools with educational tool kits with materials to promote healthy lifestyles. Most importantly, members of the collaborative would identify strategies that can be shared across the entire city to prevent chronic disease.

Demand on the primary care system has increased as a result of the stateâ€™s landmark health care reform law, which added 360,000 adults to the ranks of the insured, many of them in Boston. One consequence has been growing frustration among patients and providers about how primary care services are delivered.

The 20-member Task Force is comprised of leaders of many of the cityâ€™s premiere health care institutions, including CEOs of hospitals and community centers, insurers, and deans of schools of nursing and medicine.

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Last week, I joined Farm Aid founder and board member John Mellencamp, State Environment Secretary Ian Bowles and Farm Aid Executive Director Carolyn Mugar at the Farmers Market in historic Copley Square to announce that the Farm Aid 2008 annual benefit concert will be held in the Boston region this September 20th. Farm Aid is the nationâ€™s leading organization dedicated to getting family-farm food to more people across the country and the producer of Americaâ€™s longest running benefit concert series.

Twenty-two years ago, Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on their land. Dave Matthews joined the Farm Aid Board of Directors in 2001. Farm Aid has raised more than $30 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture. Farm Aid is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to keep family farmers on their land.

Itâ€™s said that here in Boston all politics is local. Well, it is time for us to stand up and say that more of our food should be local as well. Thatâ€™s why I am glad to welcome Farm Aid to Boston. Their support for family farmers and for policies and priorities that promote local and regional food production are important for Boston and New England.

With the rapid rise in the price of food and the price of fuel, we need a change in our food system. Local food is good for families, good for farmers, good for the earth and good for our environment. John Mellencamp and the folks at Farm Aid are an important voice for this cause. It is time to revitalize our historic Massachusetts agricultural heritage. These days, local farmersâ€™ markets on City Hall Plaza, Copley Plaza and even at Haymarket are so important to our residents who are looking for locally grown foods.

Other local farmersâ€™ markets include: Thompson Sq., Charlestown on Wednesdays; Parking lot at North Harvard St and Western Ave., Allston on Wednesdays; Park St., Capitol Supermarket parking lot, Dorchester on Saturdays; Bank of America Parking Lot, Jamaica Plain on Tuesdays and Saturdays; Brigham Circle, Mission Hill on Thursdays; Adams Park, Roslindale on Saturdays; Dudley Town Common, Roxbury on Tuesdays and Thursdays; Parking lot on West Broadway by Mt. Washington Bank, South Boston on Mondays.

Farm Aid 2008, presented by Whole Foods Market and Horizon Organic, will take place Saturday, Sept. 20th at the Comcast Center in Mansfield, Mass., marking the first time the organization will bring its annual benefit concert to the region. The show will feature headliners Willie Nelson, Mellencamp, Neil Young, and Dave Matthews, plus other top artists to be announced.

Farm Aidâ€™s mission is to build a vibrant family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host an annual concert to raise funds to support Farm Aidâ€™s work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family-farmed food. Since 1985, Farm Aid has raised more than $30 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Things are heating up across the city with a number of great concerts and festivals. Last weekâ€™s Harbor Fest was a great success and there is more summer fun to come. It is my pleasure to announce that The Dorothy Curran Evening Concert Series is returning to City Hall Plaza Wednesday evenings for its 35th year. Performers will include the U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty with Michael Amante, Big Band Night featuring the Harry James Orchestra and Latin Beats featuring the Eguie Castrillo Big Band.

Throughout the summer, WODS radio station hosts â€œOldies in Concert.â€ August 16th - KC and the Sunshine Band on the Hatch Shell. Throughout July, the Parks Department is hosting Swinginâ€™ in Motherâ€™s Rest, in the Back Bay Fens. The Boston Harbor Hotel hosts free concerts with soul music on Tuesdays, swing music on Wednesdays, and blues on Thursday nights.

Other great events to look forward to: July 20th Gospel Fest on City Hall Plaza, featuring Israel Houghton & the New Breed. The Peace Hip Hop Festival on City Hall Plaza this year is August 2nd from 4-8 p.m. The festival will showcase some great â€œold schoolâ€ talent. July 29th, opera Boston performs as part of the Waterfront Performing Arts Series at Christopher Columbus Park.

If your interest lies in the performing arts, you will not want to miss The Commonwealth Shakespeare Companyâ€™s production of As You Like It, which is free for all and runs from July 18th through August 3rd on Boston Common. While youâ€™re at the Common, come check out the Boston Landmarks Orchestra performance at the Parkman Bandstand on July 23rd at 7 p.m. for â€œGospel of Gershwin.â€

As you can see, there are a multitude of great events occurring all across the city in the weeks ahead. I hope you and your family will take some time to enjoy all that our city has to offer this summer. There are free movies, cultural festivals, concerts, events, art performances happening throughout the city all summer long. A complete listing of all the summer concerts and summer events is available online at the new redesigned City of Boston website at www.cityofboston.gov.

Mayor's weekly column

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

April is green month in Boston, not only with the weather being nicer and flowers starting to bloom, but when we have terrific announcements about the Cityâ€™s green initiatives. To further Bostonâ€™s green efforts, last week we launched the Sustainable Business Leader (SBL) program with the acceptance of a $50,000 grant from the State Department of Environmental Protection. The program will recruit up to 25 small to mid-sized businesses to help them adopt a range of sustainability strategies that will reduce their environmental impact. Specifically, the program will help businesses reduce their energy use, conserve water, reduce solid waste, and incentivize other positive environmental changes. The program is managed and co-funded in part by the Boston Redevelopment Authority in partnership with the Sustainable Business Network, the local affiliate of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies.

Businesses have a significant environmental impact on our city. By reducing that impact, they can reduce their expenses, reduce municipal expenses, improve employee working conditions, and improve their marketability. It doesnâ€™t matter if youâ€™re just starting out or if youâ€™ve been energy efficient for years. We all can do more to make Boston more sustainable.

Iâ€™m happy to announce that three businesses have already signed up. I want to thank Roxbury Technology, City Fresh Foods and Ula CafÃ© for working with us. Our goal is to recruit 25 businesses, so I am encouraging all our small businesses to apply. For more information, or to participate in the program, businesses should contact the BRAâ€™s Green Tech Business Manager, Galen Nelson, at 617 918 4447, via email at galen.nelson.bra@cityofboston.gov, or visit the programâ€™s web site at: www.sustainablebusinessleader.org/index.htm

The SBL program is open to all small to mid-sized businesses that are interested in making their company green â€“ whether it be companies that want to start incorporating green efforts or those that want to deepen their commitment and improve on the things that they may already be doing. The program will help evaluate the businessesâ€™ current sustainability efforts and provide technical assistance to help them become more sustainable â€“ including facilitating free energy audits and energy efficiency retrofits with the utilities and renewable energy installation evaluation. Project staff will work closely with business owners to help them implement a sustainability action plan. At end of program, participants will be designated â€˜sustainable business leaders.â€™ The lessons learned will be shared with the broader small business community to help all Boston business owners reduce their carbon footprint, become more sustainable, and improve their bottom line.

One great way that all of us cab help our environment is by shopping locally. This week, I will be honoring local businesses and their main Streets districts. Boston Main Streets has had tremendous success in helping to revitalize our neighborhood commercial districts, and I want to thank all the Main Streets managers and volunteers for all their hard work in helping us make a difference. This event is special because it honors the people in the neighborhoods who are making our local commercial districts vibrant and welcoming places to shop and do business. These are the people who do the behind-the-scenes work without expecting any credit or pats on the back. Their only reward is to get the job done. We will honor some of these people and tomorrow they will be back on the job.

A partnership between the City of Boston and National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Boston Main Streets program brings the success of the Main Streets model for business district revitalization to business districts throughout the city. In 2007, hundreds of Main Street volunteers gave 16,515 hours of time while fostering 40 net new businesses, completing 80 new storefront projects and delivering design assistance to 46 shops for improvements. Main Streets districts have documented more than 263 net new jobs since the inception of Boston Main Streets in 1995.

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 05:00:00 GMT

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts recently became the first state in the nation to require residents over age 18 to have health insurance. Since then, the Commonwealthâ€™s landmark health care reform legislation has helped an estimated 325,000 Massachusetts residents secure health care coverage. At the same time, many residents and businesses remain uninformed or confused about their rights and responsibilities. And others remain uninsured due to a lack of information or the cost of coverage is too high. The law is complex and defies easy explanation, however, some highlights include:

â€¢All adults over 19 years of age are required to have health insurance, if affordable;

â€¢Fully and partially subsidized plans are available depending on income, however there are restrictions for people with access to employer-sponsored health insurance even if unaffordable;

â€¢For employers with at least 11 full time equivalents, the law mandates minimal coverage standards, and more;

â€¢Public programs expanded coverage to individuals and families with higher incomes (up to 300% federal poverty) and restored or created new benefits (dental and smoking cessation).

As you might be hearing in the media, there are also growing concerns about the cost and financial viability of these new coverage types. Access to affordable and quality health coverage is important to all Bostonians. I urge everyone to stay informed and involved on this very important matter.

For Boston residents and businesses, help is available. The Boston Public Health Commissionâ€™s Mayorâ€™s Health Line (MHL) handles individual inquires and provides enrollment assistance for individuals and families. The program is multilingual and all services are free and confidential. In addition to individual enrollment services, the MHL provides small and large group presentations to educate residents about the new law. Updated information is also posted on the BPHC and City of Boston websites. For more information, educational and outreach materials are available upon request by calling the MHL at (617) 534-5050 or visiting www.bphc.org/mayorshealthline.

Please also join us Saturday, March 8, 11 a.m. â€“ 2 p.m., as the Mayorâ€™s Health Line partners with the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector and others to provide information about the stateâ€™s new health care reform law and to enroll local residents at the Tufts - New England Medical Center. The â€œConnect to Healthâ€ enrollment event is designed to bring Connector programs directly to the uninsured. Participants will have an opportunity to apply and enroll into Commonwealth Care and Commonwealth Choice on-site. Call 1 800-847-1710.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 05:00:00 GMT

All adults over 19 years of age are required to have health insurance, if affordable;
Fully and partially subsidized plans are available depending on income, however there are restrictions for people with access to employer-sponsored health insurance even if unaffordable;
For employers with at least 11 full time equivalents, the law mandates minimal coverage standards, and more;

As you might be hearing in the media, there are also growing concerns about the cost and financial viability of these new coverage types. Access to affordable and quality health coverage is important to all Bostonians. I urge everyone to stay informed and involved on this very important matter.

For Boston residents and businesses, help is available. The Boston Public Health Commissionâ€™s Mayorâ€™s Health Line (MHL) handles individual inquires and provides enrollment assistance for individuals and families. The program is multilingual and all services are free and confidential. In addition to individual enrollment services, the MHL provides small and large group presentations to educate residents about the new law. Updated information is also posted on the BPHC and City of Boston websites. For more information, educational and outreach materials are available upon request by calling the MHL at (617) 534-5050 or visiting www.bphc.org/mayorshealthline.

Please also join us Saturday, March 8, 11 a.m. â€“ 2 p.m., as the Mayorâ€™s Health Line partners with the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector and others to provide information about the stateâ€™s new health care reform law and to enroll local residents at the Tufts - New England Medical Center. The â€œConnect to Healthâ€ enrollment event is designed to bring Connector programs directly to the uninsured. Participants will have an opportunity to apply and enroll into Commonwealth Care and Commonwealth Choice on-site. Call 1 800-847-1710.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 05:00:00 GMT

With school vacation week upon us, I wanted to make sure parents and students knew of the great opportunities throughout Boston in your community centers. The Boston Centers for Youth & Familiesâ€™ (BCYF) has many activities and programs and activities being offered this month. Highlights of vacation week activities and programs include various tournaments at the Condon in South Boston; a teen vacation week program at the Roche in West Roxbury; field trips hosted by various centers; and â€œCity Year for Kidsâ€ full-day vacation week program. Call or stop by your local community center for more information or go to www.cityofboston.gov/bcyf.

Below are some of the activities offered by the City. Reserve your spot by calling the phone number listed after each activity.

Softball Skill Session:

Girls ages 9-18 will get a chance to work on the fundamentals of hitting, running and throwing taught by expert clinicians and college coaches. Sponsored by the Boston Red Sox, Bridgewater State College, and the Boston Police, the sessions will be offered at Jamaica Plain Community Center at English High School on Wednesday, February 20th through Friday, February 22nd from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and at the Murphy Community Center in Dorchester on Tuesday, February 19th through Thursday, February 21st from 9:00 to12 noon. For more information or to sign-up, please contact Larelle Bryson at 617-635-4920 x2218.

Flag Football Tournament:

Boys and girls ages 9-14 will enjoy competing for the Championship. The tournament will run from Tuesday, February 19th through Friday, February 22nd and will be held at various community centers to be determined. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to sign up, please contact Mike Triant at 617-635-4920 x2219.

Indoor Track and Field Clinic

The Northeastern University â€œHuskiesâ€ Track Team will host a clinic on Wednesday, February 20th from 1-3 p.m. for young people ages 6-14. Highlighting skill techniques of high jumping, hurdling, turbo javelin tossing and more, boys and girls will have an afternoon at the Cabot Physical Education Center. Space is limited and individuals/groups need to pre-register. Please contact Barbara Hamilton at 617- 635-4920 x2136.

Frog Pond Ice Skating Party

BCYF Recreation will host 100 youth on Tuesday, February 19th and Thursday, February 21st from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Join us for a morning of frost and frills at the skating rink on Boston Common. Seasoned skaters and new comers alike will have a great time. Everything is free but pre-registration is required. For more information, please contact Barbara Hamilton at 617-635-4920 x2136.

â€œBe A Championâ€ Q&A With World Class Track and Field Athletes

Attend a question and answer session with U.S. Track & Field Athletes on Friday, February 22nd at the Tobin Community Center in Mission Hill from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Learn what it takes to be a world-class athlete. For more information, please contact Barbara Hamilton at 617-635-4920 x2136.

â€œR.O.C.K. IT!!! Launch into Summer

The Strand Theatre will be the location of this special event for 9-14 year old youth on Wednesday, February 20th at 10:30 a.m. that focuses on summer opportunities. Celebrity guests, highlights from the World Series 2007 DVD, information on summer programs, youth performances and a gift bag are the highlights. Sponsored by the City of Boston in conjunction with The Foundation To Be Named Later. Sign up at your local community center. Parents or other adult chaperones are welcome too. This event will launch a series of other R.O.C.K. Its!!! across the city over vacation week.

PEACE-A-PALOOZA

Young people ages 7-12 will learn about peaceful conflict resolution while participating in a variety of activities, performing community service, attending workshops and learning from guest speakers. This program runs each day of vacation week, except Monday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact Noah Youngstrom at 617-635-4920 x2246 for more information

Hopeline Registration:

The Boston summer jobs program has employed thousands of youths in a variety of positions across the city for close to two decades. The majority of teens work as counselors, tutors and mentors placed in nonprofit organizations that serve younger children through camps, sports and recreational activities, day care, and academic enrichment programs. For Boston resident 15 -17 years old looking for a summer job, call the Hopeline at (617)-635-HOPE (4673) on:

Tues - Thurs 2/19 â€“ 2/21 10:00 a.m. â€“ 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday 2/26/08 4:00 p.m. â€“ 8:00 p.m.

Or Register online at www.bostonyouthzone.com by clicking on the Summer Jobs link. The website will be open 24 hours a day from 10 a.m. February 19th until 11:59 p.m. March 19th

From the Desk of Thomas M. Menino

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Throughout my tenure as Mayor, I have been overwhelmed by the desire of experienced people to bring their abilities to the City. Here in Boston, we are constantly looking forward to the next big ideas, the next solutions, and trying to determine the next problems before they happen. Government agencies need to have a balance of veterans in the field who know the ins and outs of running a successful city agency and at the same time we need newcomers who bring the latest knowledge in their fields.

In the past two weeks, two extraordinary people have accepted important roles with the City â€“ Kairos Shen has been named the Cityâ€™s Chief Planner and Evelyn Friedman will be the Chief of Housing and Director of Department of Neighborhood Development (DND). These two people have key experience in the areas of urban planning and neighborhood development and will play important roles in the future of our great city.

Friedman, who has a long history working in the various communities of Boston, has been working on creative housing solutions and affordable housing at Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation for the past 17 years. She has served the city well in different roles with affordable housing and youth and community services. Her background in affordable housing, real estate and community building will prove invaluable to advancing our work in reducing foreclosures and helping more Boston residents become homeowners.

As the Chief of Housing and Director of DND, she will oversee programs and management of several divisions within DND. These include affordable housing development, assistance to potential and existing home owners, foreclosure prevention and counseling, management and disposition of City-owned properties. She will also oversee the cityâ€™s partnership with Boston Main Streets and neighborhood business development.

Kairos, on the other hand, has been with the City as a leader at the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) for the past 10 years. With more than 15 years of experience in urban planning and design, Shen is a well-respected leader in his field in Boston and throughout the country. He has worked on many important projects for the City that include the Interim Guidelines for the Longwood Medical and Academic Area, the plans for East and West Fenway neighborhoods, the implementation of Bostonâ€™s new $700 million convention center and the planning of the 1,000-acre South Boston Waterfront.

The Chief Planner will lead and staff my new sub-cabinet for planning and development to coordinate planning activities across all city department and agencies. Shen will continue to function as head of the BRAâ€™s Planning Division with additional oversight of Economic Planning, Institutional Planning and Research and Policy development.

With the additions of Shen and Friedman, Boston is in a great position. We are seeing progress in the areas of public health, the environment, public safety, education and the economy; and these two people will be key in using that momentum to ensure a more sustainable and brighter future for all of Bostonâ€™s neighborhoods. Most importantly, their experience and leadership will enable us to fully invest all that Boston has to offer in creating healthy, vibrant communities.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 05:00:00 GMT

As a grandfather to six children, five of whom currently attend Boston Public Schools, I know firsthand the importance of providing quality education and opportunities for the children of Boston. The Cityâ€™s new Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Carol Johnson, and I have spoken many times about the potential our young people have and what our schools must do better to keep students motivated and moving their education forward. Last week, she presented her long-term vision for improvement in the Boston Public Schools. When you hear her ideas and how she plans to make them a reality, you will understand why she was unanimously chosen for the Cityâ€™s top school post.

Dr. Johnson developed her â€œacademic agendaâ€ after spending her first 100 days in Boston engaging in a â€œListening Campaignâ€ and meeting with parents, students, educators and other citizens about challenges and opportunities in the Boston Public Schools. The Superintendent has visited nearly half of the districtâ€™s 144 schools, including extensive classroom visits to observe instruction. She and the School Committee also hosted a series of community forums to gather perspectives on the dropout challenge and to explore strategies for increasing the graduation rate, particularly among students who are overage or off-track and at greatest risk of dropping out.

Dr. Johnsonâ€™s plan for Boston is ambitious. Her academic agenda highlights:

â€¢closing the achievement gap;

â€¢ensuring â€œgraduation for all;â€

â€¢increasing accountability among schools and central offices;

â€¢strengthening support for students with special needs;

â€¢improving education and support for English Language Learners;

â€¢establishing a district-wide Literacy curriculum in English Language Arts;

â€¢expanding enrichment programs to engage students during and after school;

â€¢improve delivery of student support services;

â€¢promoting Boston Public Schools as schools of choice to families from all neighborhoods and backgrounds;

â€¢exploring new school models to diversify the portfolio of educational options available to Boston families. Additionally, the Superintendent announced a reorganization of central offices to support schools, particularly to promote greater alignment and collaboration among senior district officials.

In the past decade, BPS has made some major improvements toward preparing our children for their futures. We have expanded K-8 programs, improved MCAS scores, developed relationships with local universities and other professionals, reduced class sizes, given parents and students more choices, improved technology in the classroom and much more. Since 1998, Boston has guaranteed a full-day kindergarten seat to every 5-year-old, one of the first school systems in the country to do so. And in 2006, BPS won the Broad Prize representing the best urban public school system in the country.

We will continue to make improvements to ensure that every child who attends the Boston Public Schools receives a high quality education. The work is difficult. Closing the achievement gap will not happen overnight. But, Dr. Johnson and I, as well as the thousands of teachers and school administrators in Boston, are committed to providing schools with the support they need to help all students achieve. In the near future, we will have more discussions about other enhancements to the school system. The Superintendentâ€™s agenda is an agenda for the entire City, once which we can all support.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 GMT

The City of Boston is hosting many events in the next week to celebrate Halloween â€“ I want to urge everyone to take advantage of these free and fun neighborhood events. Be safe and have fun!

Allston/Brighton

District 14 October 31, 2007 3-5 p.m. annual â€œHalloween strollâ€ through Brighton center ending at the Allston/Brighton YMCA 615 Washington St. Brighton for a Halloween party with music, candy and pizza!!!

Downtown/North End

District A1 October 27, 2007 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Community members are welcomed to visit the Prince Street Park haunted village, watch a scary movie, snack on popcorn and refreshments.

East Boston

District A7 October 26, 2007 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Paris Street Gym 112 Paris Street East Boston for all parents and children 13 & under.
Paris Street Community Center will hold their party on 10/26, from 3-6 p.m. for all ages

Hyde Park

District E18 October 29, 2007 will be hosting its 3rd Annual Halloween party at St. Annâ€™s 20Como Rd Readville from 3-5pm. For all children 11 yrs old and under, Parents are encouraged to accompany your children.

Jamaica Plain

District E13 October 31 from 4:00 -6:00 p.m. officers from the district and the Agassiz Community Center for children 6-12 years old will be hosting a Halloween party in the Agassiz cafeteria. *Parents must accompany children not enrolled in the after school programs.
Curtis Hall Community Centerâ€™s party will be on 10/31, from 4-6 p.m. for ages 3-12.
Agassiz Community Centerâ€™s party will be on 10/31, from 4-6 p.m. for ages 6-12

Mattapan

Gallivan Community Center will hold their party on 10/31, from 4:30-7 p.m. for ages 6-14
Mildred Ave. Community Center will hold their party on10/31, from 4:30-7 p.m. for ages 6-14

Roxbury

Area B2 October 31, 2007 5-11 p.m. Area B2 (Roxbury) along with Project Right, will be hosting movie night for the children in the district. Movies can be viewed at â€œThe bubbleâ€ located at intersection of Geneva and Normandy Streets.
Area B2 October 31, 2007 at 61 Columbia Road from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Area B2 Roxbury along with M.A.M.L.E.O. will be hosting a Halloween party all community members are welcome.
Tobin Community Center will hold their party on 10/31, from 4-8 p.m. for ages 6-14
Madison Park Community Center will hold their party on 10/27, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Vine Street Community Center will hold their party on 10/31, from 4-7 p.m. for all ages

South Boston

Tynan Community Centerâ€™s party will be on 10/29, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. for ages 10 and under

South End:

Blackstone Community Centerâ€™s party will be on 10/26, 6-10:45 p.m. for ages 2-17

West Roxbury/ Roslindale

District E5 October 26, 2007 from 5-8:00 p.m. Boston Police District E5 will host ghosts, goblins, princesses, fairies and various other creative creatures for an evening of Halloween fun!
Archdale Community Center will hold their party on 10/31, from 4:30-6 p.m. for ages 6-12
Ohrenberger Community Center will hold their party on 10/30, from 4:30-7:00 p.m. for all ages

Halloween Safety Tips:

Parents should establish a safe route for children, stay within familiar areas and surroundings
Remind kids not to enter strangers' homes or cars
Remind children to avoid home without an outside light on
Attach your phone number and address to your childrenâ€™s costume
Take a flashlight
Be sure clothing/costumes are bright, reflective and flame retardant
Set rules about not eating treats until kids get home. Be sure to inspect all treats before allowing kids to eat them.
When in doubt, throw it out! Candy that has been opened should be thrown away. Any homemade treats or fruit should be inspected closely.
Never cross the street from between parked cars.
Watch open flames from jack-o-lanterns as they can catch costumes and long wigs on fire.
Make sure that fake knives, swords, and guns are made from cardboard or other flexible materials to avoid accidental injury or worse, have them mistaken for the real thing!
Report any suspicious or criminal activity to the police.

Mayor

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 GMT

District 14 October 31, 2007 3-5 p.m. annual â€œHalloween strollâ€ through Brighton center ending at the Allston/Brighton YMCA 615 Washington St. Brighton for a Halloween party with music, candy and pizza!!!

Downtown/North End

District A1 October 27, 2007 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Community members are welcomed to visit the Prince Street Park haunted village, watch a scary movie, snack on popcorn and refreshments.

East Boston

District A7 October 26, 2007 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Paris Street Gym 112 Paris Street East Boston for all parents and children 13 & under.
Paris Street Community Center will hold their party on 10/26, from 3-6 p.m. for all ages

Hyde Park

District E18 October 29, 2007 will be hosting its 3rd Annual Halloween party at St. Annâ€™s 20Como Rd Readville from 3-5pm. For all children 11 yrs old and under, Parents are encouraged to accompany your children.

Jamaica Plain

District E13 October 31 from 4:00 -6:00 p.m. officers from the district and the Agassiz Community Center for children 6-12 years old will be hosting a Halloween party in the Agassiz cafeteria. *Parents must accompany children not enrolled in the after school programs.
Curtis Hall Community Centerâ€™s party will be on 10/31, from 4-6 p.m. for ages 3-12.
Agassiz Community Centerâ€™s party will be on 10/31, from 4-6 p.m. for ages 6-12

Mattapan

Gallivan Community Center will hold their party on 10/31, from 4:30-7 p.m. for ages 6-14
Mildred Ave. Community Center will hold their party on10/31, from 4:30-7 p.m. for ages 6-14

Roxbury

Area B2 October 31, 2007 5-11 p.m. Area B2 (Roxbury) along with Project Right, will be hosting movie night for the children in the district. Movies can be viewed at â€œThe bubbleâ€ located at intersection of Geneva and Normandy Streets.
Area B2 October 31, 2007 at 61 Columbia Road from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Area B2 Roxbury along with M.A.M.L.E.O. will be hosting a Halloween party all community members are welcome.
Tobin Community Center will hold their party on 10/31, from 4-8 p.m. for ages 6-14
Madison Park Community Center will hold their party on 10/27, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Vine Street Community Center will hold their party on 10/31, from 4-7 p.m. for all ages

South Boston

Tynan Community Centerâ€™s party will be on 10/29, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. for ages 10 and under

South End:

Blackstone Community Centerâ€™s party will be on 10/26, 6-10:45 p.m. for ages 2-17

West Roxbury/ Roslindale

District E5 October 26, 2007 from 5-8:00 p.m. Boston Police District E5 will host ghosts, goblins, princesses, fairies and various other creative creatures for an evening of Halloween fun!
Archdale Community Center will hold their party on 10/31, from 4:30-6 p.m. for ages 6-12
Ohrenberger Community Center will hold their party on 10/30, from 4:30-7:00 p.m. for all ages

Halloween Safety Tips:

Parents should establish a safe route for children, stay within familiar areas and surroundings
Remind kids not to enter strangers' homes or cars
Remind children to avoid home without an outside light on
Attach your phone number and address to your childrenâ€™s costume
Take a flashlight
Be sure clothing/costumes are bright, reflective and flame retardant
Set rules about not eating treats until kids get home. Be sure to inspect all treats before allowing kids to eat them.
When in doubt, throw it out! Candy that has been opened should be thrown away. Any homemade treats or fruit should be inspected closely.
Never cross the street from between parked cars.
Watch open flames from jack-o-lanterns as they can catch costumes and long wigs on fire.
Make sure that fake knives, swords, and guns are made from cardboard or other flexible materials to avoid accidental injury or worse, have them mistaken for the real thing!
Report any suspicious or criminal activity to the police.

As the new school year begins, we think not only about providing the best possible education for our children, but making the entire school day experience positive as well. Nutritious, tasty meals provide the fuel our kids need to succeed in school and help them form habits that will keep them healthy in the future. Students canâ€™t learn unless they are properly fed and ready for the school day.

Students spend close to six hours at school each day, and we have the responsibility to offer healthy options for both breakfast and lunch. We want the studnets to learn that healthy doesn't have to taste bad. Thatâ€™s why this week I joined Boston Public Schools (BPS) and Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) officials to announce a new Healthy Meals Initiative. The new program features a professional chef cooking in two schools and educating cafeteria managers citywide about healthier ways to prepare and present meals that are both nutritious and delicious. The pilot initiative will provide new, healthier breakfast and lunch options at the Mario Umana Middle School Academy in East Boston and the Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School in Dorchester.

Chef Kirk Conrad, a Boston resident, who is a culinary arts instructor who once was a chef at the Top of the Hub restaurant and the Marriott Corporation, has created the healthier menus with the students tastes in mind and will work in the schoolsâ€™ kitchens throughout the school year.

I announced the new program at the Umana School this week along with new BPS Superintendent Dr. Carol R. Johnson and Dr. Nancy Norman, BPHC Medical Director. These City departments have partnered with Project Bread, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to fighting childhood hunger, to launch the pilot initiative. Boston is at the forefront of school systems across Massachusetts to have hired chefs to upgrade the quality and nutritional content of school meals. Using existing ingredients already available in every school, Chef Conrad worked over the summer to create breakfast and lunch menus for the two schools. He will also host a new school cooking show on Boston.TV and Boston City TV, where he will share recipes in an interactive exchange with students. Chef Conrad also helped decorate the school cafeterias with colorful posters featuring healthy, mouth-watering meals urging students to â€œEat Smart, Be Smart.â€

As a result of Chef Conradâ€™s involvement in these two schools, the districtâ€™s Food and Nutrition Services Department is making changes to menus and training in all schools. Chef Conrad is using his extensive experience in food service production and cafeteria management to create recipes and train food services staff across Boston Public Schools to prepare healthier meals that are also appealing to students.

Typically, school food accounts for more than half of the calories a child consumes in a day, and the Boston Public Schools deserve an A-plus for taking this innovative step. Almost half of Bostonâ€™s students are at an unhealthy weight, and more than half of these would be considered obese if they were adults. Schools are a key place to begin to reverse these trends. With obesity on the rise, programs like this are so important because they will teach our kids how to be healthy adults.

Chef Conrad, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, is a former executive chef for corporate chefs at Talbotsâ€™ corporate headquarters and culinary arts instructor at Ivy Street School in Brookline. He has worked as a line cook for Top of the Hub and as a cook for the Marriott Corporation. His approach includes incorporating more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and using raw ingredients and low-fat cooking techniques, such as roasting and sautÃ©ing.

Superintendent Johnson cited the Boston Public Schoolsâ€™ efforts throughout the district to promote health and wellness among all students. Last year, the Boston School Committee adopted an ambitious Wellness Policy that directs schools to help students maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Programs include a free universal breakfast program and improvements to the snacks and beverages available to students during the school day.

The pilot program will run through March with funding from the Boston Public Health Commission and Project Bread. The two middle schools were chosen because they have the appropriate cooking facilities and also a high percentage of students who receive reduced or free lunches.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Mayor's Weekly Column

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 04:00:00 GMT

This past week, the City of Boston lost two heroes as they fought a four-alarm fire in West Roxbury. These men, Paul J. Cahill and Warren J. Payne, who have together served our city for well over 20 years, died as they were once again protecting the citizens of Boston. The services will be held this week and information about them can be found on the cityâ€™s website.

We are all aware of the risks our public safety officers take to protect us â€“ they always put our needs before their own. But that doesnâ€™t make it any easier to accept the harsh reality we find ourselves in today.

Fire Commissioner Fraser has called for a joint union- department inquiry into the events of last night. Fire Chief MacCurtain said this fire was unique in that it was located in between the double ceiling of the restaurant and may have taken time to be detected. The department continues to investigate the incident and will publish a report when all findings have been determined. The cause of death of both Cahill and Payne is still under investigation.

A fund has also been established by the Boston Firefighters Credit Union and donations can be made to the following address:

West Roxbury Fire Fund

c/o Boston Firefighters Credit Union

60 Hallet Street

Dorchester, MA 02124

617 288 2420

As the four-alarm fire raged on Centre Street last week, five businesses were badly damaged and Mayor Menino has announced that four of them have plans to reopen within the coming weeks. A team of City agencies including the Office of Business Development, Inspectional Services and the Mayorâ€™s Office of Neighborhood Services, has been meeting with the business owners to see what they need to get them back on their feet.

The Cityâ€™s Department of Neighborhood Development (DND) will provide grants of up to $5,000 to each damaged business, along with immediate technical assistance and expedited permitting to get them back in business as soon as possible. DND also has an engineer and an architect working with the businesses to assist them.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Last week, I announced the appointment of Daphne Griffin as the new Executive Director of Boston Centers for Youth and Families, which oversees the cityâ€™s 46 community centers, pools and programming. Daphne has been a great partner over the years and together we have worked on some great projects for the youth and families of Boston.

Currently the director of the Blue Hill Boys and Girls Cub in Dorchester, she will be a tremendous addition to my team. She is expected to begin working for the City in late September.

Iâ€™ve worked with Daphne on a number of projects and she is someone I knew would be great in this position. At the Boys and Girls Club, she is working with thousands of youth, inspiring them, developing their character, and providing positive programming; all aspects and experiences I wanted in someone to lead the Boston Centers for Youth and Families. She will be a great addition to my team.

Executive Director of the Blue Hill Boys and Girls Club since 2004, and with the Club for 10 years, we have worked together on several projects. The Blue Hill Club is a referral site for Camp Harbor View, the cityâ€™s summer camp on Long Island. This past January, I was at the Club to help launch their Kid CafÃ©, a partnership with Garelick Farms and other area corporations to provide nutritious meals for disadvantaged youth. Last summer, I along with the Boston Foundation and the United Way chose the Blue Hill Boys and Girls Club to announce 41 grants to fund local community summer programs.

Daphne is excited about getting to work with all of the cityâ€™s neighborhoods. She has years of experience providing positive programming for young people and families in the city. She is bilingual and has a specialty in education technology.

Griffin is and has been a member of several volunteer boards, including the Council for Opportunity in Education; BGCA National Technology Advisory Board; Benton Foundationâ€™s Transatlantic Teen Forum; Intel Computer Clubhouse National Advisory Board; Latino Institute National Organization; and Girl Scouts of the Deep South Council, among others.

Griffin will succeed Robert Lewis Jr. who is taking a position at the Boston Foundation as Senior Vice President of Programming. Robertâ€™s leadership and work with the young people of our city has been tremendous. I am confident Daphne will continue to lead the staff at BCYF with a passion for our youth in an effort to help build a better Boston.

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 21 May 2007 04:00:00 GMT

This weekend, as you and your family get together to celebrate the beginning of the season’s warm weather, please remember our men and women in the military fighting overseas. Memorial Day is a time to reflect and remember those who came before us and fight for the freedom of our country.

In Boston, we are proud of all of our veterans. And it is our duty and our privilege to honor them. Especially now, as the conflict in the Middle East continues, Memorial Day carries an even larger message about country, service, and sacrifice. Brave American men and women are serving overseas, leaving behind family and friends, and we should take time this weekend to offer our gratitude and admiration to those serving in our U.S. military.

As we think about our soldiers abroad, we also want to take time to honor and acknowledge their families for everything they have sacrificed for our country. This special day gives us the time to pause and salute our sons and daughters who fought and died to keep our great country free.

We remember the men and women who have been called to serve. Whether they are in Iraq, Afghanistan, protecting our bases in Europe, or patrolling our nation’s waterways and borders, they are in our thoughts and prayers. We are very proud of them for their service and their courage.

We solemnly join our living veterans to remember those who died for our country. Make sure to thank them for the sacrifices they make so that we can live in a free and democratic society. I know I speak for everyone when I say that we can’t wait to see our men and women return home safe.

Everyone who has served in the United States military has made a sacrifice for each and every one of us. Whether they served a few years or a lifetime – they gave up part of their freedom so that we could enjoy ours. And we owe them our support.

The City of Boston is proud to support veterans’ issues. One week after 9/11, I signed an executive order making Boston the first city in the country to provide city employees who are called to active duty with a pay deferential – ensuring that these brave public servants receive the difference between their city salary and their military salary.

I have also lobbied to increase annual annuities for disabled veterans and Gold Star Parents, Wives, and Mothers. My Office of Jobs and Community Services funds programs that train returning veterans. My Chief of Human Services Larry Mayes is working with my Commissioner of Veterans Services Gene Vaillancourt to reach out to veterans returning to Boston and assess their needs. And I will continue to work hard to make sure that veterans get connected to all the training that’s available to them.

The mission of the city’s Veterans’ Services Department is to provide financial and medical assistance to veterans and their dependents residing in Boston; to participate in payment of burial expenses for indigent veterans; assist all veterans in obtaining whatever benefits to which they may be entitled; oversee the decoration of all veterans graves; and carry out commemorative and recording activities related to Boston veterans. For more information about the city’s Department of Veteran’s Services, please contact 617 635 3026 or www.cityofboston.gov/veterans

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 21 May 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 14 May 2007 04:00:00 GMT

We in the city know how important it is for our young people to have safe and positive programming to keep them busy this summer. This past weekend, I kicked off Boston R.O.C.K.S!!! “Recreational Opportunities for City Kids,” a coordinated summer programming campaign aimed at connecting Boston’s youth between the ages of 8 -14-years-old. As part of Boston R.O.C.K.S!!!, we have unveiled a database and dedicated a phone line that parents can use to access more than 500 programs for Boston’s youth, including arts, sports and educational activities.

Boston is committed to the safety and development of our youth and the wealth of activities and programming being offered this summer underscores this commitment. From jobs to sports to camps, the young people of Boston have an incredible range of opportunities to continue to grow and learn and have fun all summer long.

This summer, Boston has reached out to the non-profit and community partners to ask them to join the effort in bringing a wealth of programs and activities to youth. There are exciting and simple new ways to find a program perfect for you through a new on-line database and helpline. At www.bostonyouthzone.com/summer, kids and parents can search a database of programs, camps and events by neighborhood, gender and age. In addition, city youthline workers are staffing a helpline, 617-635-KIDS, so our youth can find the best way to spend their summer.

Just for an example, a 12-year old girl in Dorchester can find information on GRLZ Radio, the Cape Verdean Community UNIDO Soccer Program, St. Peters’ Catholic Charities Sunset Point Camp, and the Boston Police’s Girls LEAP (Lifetime Empowerment and Awareness Program). There are hundreds of other programs including sports camps and clinics, arts and music programs, Zumix Radio, Police Activities League programs, YMCA programs, sailing lessons and more.

Community partners including Catholic Charities and the Black Ministerial Alliance have stepped up to help us by extending the hours at St. Peter’s and the Haitian Community Center, giving our young people a place to go in the evenings and on the weekends. Black Ministerial Alliance partnered with Citizens Bank to announce Summer Enrichment Series, a three-part program focused on employment, engagement and education funded by a $200,000 grant from the Citizens Bank Foundation.

These programs compliment the many existing programs for Boston youth. In addition, the City of Boston’s community centers and pool facilities will extend their hours of operation to provide young people a safe environment this summer. In addition, there will be enhanced programming at several sites throughout the city and the addition of a “rolling recreation” mobile recreation unit which will travel to local parks to engage youth in a variety of activities, including arts and crafts, sports, dance and group games.

In addition, new programs have been added for teens this summer including:

Arts Scene: this summer, the city will expand arts programming, bringing new and innovative arts opportunities to every Boston neighborhood through Arts Scene;

Boston R.O.C.K.S!!! Youth Zone: many community centers and parks will host a variety of daily drop in activities and supervised play offering dance instruction, discussion groups, sports, arts, crafts and games;

Boston at Night: Boston is committed to giving youth safe, positive activities on Friday nights. Various community centers will host events every Friday night from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Sports Scene: a six-week youth sports skill development program.

Also new this summer are Boston Community Grants, which provide additional funding to outside agencies wishing to partner with the city in providing safe and positive summer activities for pre-teens and teenagers. This new funding will provide additional programming to complement the hundreds of summer options youth already have access to through Boston R.O.C.K.S!!!

For more information and to look up programs this summer, remember www.bostonyouthzone.com/summer and the 617-635-KIDS hotline.

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 07 May 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Summer is about having fun and being engaged in your community. I want to make sure that every kid in Boston has the chance to participate in something enjoyable and rewarding this summer. Last week, I announced that grants for specific summer programming have been made available to outside partners wishing to partner with the city. These grants, known as Boston Community Grants and totaling $300,000, will be parceled out in increments of $5,000-$7,500 for summer activities geared toward the city’s pre-teens and teenagers.

We are looking to increase the number and variety of programs serving youth and increase the number of youth who have access to positive opportunities and safe environments. These community grants will make new, innovative programs possible and ensure that there is something for everyone.

Boston Community Grants will fund additional activities to complement the hundreds of options that Boston youth already have access to through Boston Summer Programming. These new grants will make possible programs that focus on arts, education, outdoor and evening activities. The program areas were chosen in direct response to interests and areas of concern identified by Boston’s youth. Grants will be awarded to community-based organizations that can demonstrate the ability to serve youth and are committed to partnering with the city or with other community groups.

Proposals should target pre-teens and teenagers and must take place at Boston Community Centers. Programs must take place Mondays - Thursdays between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Fridays between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. and Saturdays between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Preference will be given to activities and programs operating on evenings or Saturdays. Outside agencies interested in submitting a proposal for pre-teens and teenagers should submit their letters of intent and proposals to Jill O’Brien at jill.obrien@cityofboston.gov or fax them to 617-635-4765. For more information about the grants, please call 617-635-4463.

The City of Boston has hundreds of exciting summer opportunities for Boston youth. We anticipate serving thousands of young people this summer with safe, structured and fun programming. If you are interested in checking out what the city has to offer, you can call 617-635-KIDS or log onto www.bostonyouthzone.com/summer

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Last week, Superintendent Michael Contompasis and I announced the winners of a contest that helped move Boston forward. The winners of the Boston Public Schools’ (BPS) RecycleMania contest were announced in a ceremony at Community Academy in Roxbury. In the contest, schools competed to determine which elementary, middle, and high school could recycle the most pounds of paper per student between January and April.

I say this contest moved our city forward because when we gathered last fall to launch this citywide recycling contest, I challenged our students to set high recycling goals and work hard to achieve them, and boy, did they respond. I want to congratulate all of our students and schools for doing such a great job and thank Abitibi-Consolidated for being such a strong partner. This has been a win-win situation for everyone.

RecycleMania is a joint effort among the City of Boston, Boston Public Schools and Abitibi-Consolidated, Boston Public Schools’ paper recycling vendor. The contest is as part of an overall effort to increase recycling awareness and increase participation in the schools’ recycling programs. Our theory is, the earlier we can get our youth to understand the impacts of recycling, and saving energy and resources, the effects will help the entire city.

Over the past few years, I have been making green initiatives a priority for the city. Not only is it the right thing to do for the environment, being green helps with the overall public health of city residents and over time helps to ease the bottom line of the city’s budget. Being green not only saves resources, which in turn cleans the air and water, it saves money.

In 2006, Boston Public Schools installed the Abitibi Paper Retriever® green and yellow dumpster-sized containers at its schools. Abitibi-Consolidated empties the containers and pays each school a monthly dividend for the paper collected. The recycling program with Abitibi-Consolidated builds on the district’s overall efforts to recycle more and save money on trash disposal. Instituted nine years ago, BPS’s recycling program has reduced the amount of trash by half and realized approximately $800,000 in annual savings.

During the three and a half months of the recycling contest, schools recycled a total of 393,925 pounds (197 tons) of paper, compared with of 2,150 pounds in calendar year 2006. This represents a nearly 200-fold increase.

Community Academy and Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, both in Roxbury, Middle School Academy in Dorchester, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Elementary School in Roslindale, who are the winners in the high school, middle school and elementary school categories respectively (Community Academy and Madison Park tied in the high school category) each received $1,000 prizes. Superintendent Contompasis also awarded $100 prizes to the four second place winners and to the three winners in a separate cardboard and polystyrene recycling contest (a full list of winning schools is attached). Abitibi-Consolidated provided $4,400 in prize money and also donated 1,000 recycling bins for classrooms.

RecycleMania Paper Recycling Contest Winning Schools 2007

High Schools

First Place (tie)

Community Academy in Roxbury.

Madison Park Technical and Vocational High School in Roxbury

Second Place

Brighton High School.

Middle Schools

First Place

Middle School Academy

Second Place (tie)

James P. Timilty Middle School in Roxbury

Henry Dearborn Middle School in Roxbury

Elementary

First Place

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Elementary School in Roslindale.

Second Place

Nathan Hale Elementary School in Roxbury.

Third Place

Mary Lyon K-8 School in Brighton.

Polystyrene & Cardboard Recycling Contest Winners

•Elementary: William Ohrenberger Elementary School in West Roxbury

•Middle School: Clarence R. Edwards Middle School in Charlestown

•High School: Charlestown High School

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Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 04:00:00 GMT

This coming weekend, I will be hosting a housing conference with experts from across the nation to assess the city’s future housing challenges, explore innovative solutions, and begin mapping out a new plan of action for the City of Boston. The conference, entitled “Housing Boston 2012: Strategies for High-Cost Cities,” will include national housing experts such as former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Henry Cisneros; U.S. Congressman Barney Frank, chairman of the Financial Services Committee; and Freddie Mac President and CEO Richard Syron. In addition, the conference will draw leading housing experts from other major cities across the nation and region.

Housing Boston 2012 will include neighborhood housing tours during the afternoon of April 26, followed by an all-day forum April 27 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in South Boston. For more information, visit www.cityofboston.gov/housingboston2012.

This conference is so timely, since not a day goes by that there isn’t a new report on the growing problem of home foreclosures. Every week that passes another 375 homes go into foreclosure in Massachusetts. These are hard working families doing their best and certain mortgage lenders are taking advantage of them.

The Boston Globe reported on February 28th that in 2006, Massachusetts had 19,487 foreclosure filings, beating the 1992 record set during the recession of the early 1990s. Last year in Boston, we had 261 foreclosure deeds, a troubling number by itself, but only about 16% of the record number of 1,679 home foreclosures that we had back in 1992. One of the reasons behind Boston’s superior performance is that for 10 years we have been working on this exact issue.

When I took office in 1993, I saw the devastation that unchecked foreclosures were having on Boston’s neighborhoods. In 1992, one half of all triple-deckers sold that year were through a foreclosure sale. The average price of a three-decker in Boston had plummeted to just $99,000. I understood that each of those foreclosures represented a family’s dashed hopes; the loss of a lifetime of savings.

Throughout my time as Mayor, I have devoted many of the City’s resources to helping people realize the American Dream of owning their own home. In 1999, I began the Don’t Borrow Trouble educational campaign that warned consumers of the dangers of predatory and high cost sub-prime loans. Our Boston Home Center set up training and outreach programs to ensure that homebuyers would be well-informed about how to get a good loan at a fair price. Of the 4,400 families we have helped buy their first homes since 1995, fewer than 1% have been foreclosed on. The foreclosure rate of the greater Boston market for that same period was four times higher.

Today, the City has many services for homeowners. We have formed a partnership with four foreclosure prevention agencies that, along with City counselors, have served 245 clients and prevented 67 potential foreclosures since we launched our program last November. We now have a First Choice Lenders program with six local banks that have pledged up to $100 million to help refinance people out of bad loans. And we are setting up a $500,000 emergency loan fund to help people do workouts with their lenders.

I have also recently introduced legislation to our state legislators that would put more requirements for mortgage companies to be fair in their advertising and the information they provide potential customers. It also sets up a statewide infrastructure to aid in demanding accountability from these companies.

If you or anyone you know is having trouble paying their mortgage and needs advice, please contact the Boston Home Center at 617-635-HOME.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Recently, I have received a number of e-mails and letters from concerned young people living in the neighborhoods. These letters, written mostly by high school students, express both fear and anger over recent violence in our city. I would like to thank those people for taking the time to express their serious concerns. I appreciate receiving letters from students who take an active interest in making our city a better place to live. The fact that these young people have written to me shows that they, like me, look toward a better future for Boston.

Over the past few weeks, I have spent time with local clergy and attended church services in Mattapan and Dorchester. I’ve walked through business districts talking with people and getting their feedback. I’ve held a community forum with Governor Deval Patrick at the Holland School in Dorchester to hear from community leaders, parents and students. And I’ve met with streetworkers and police officers who work with our troubled youth on a daily basis.

Like you, Police Commissioner Ed Davis and I take the issue of public safety in Boston very seriously. The Commissioner has put more walking beats on the street, including a six-member team specifically for the Bowdoin-Geneva area. We will continue to work with community leaders and residents who wish to join us in our goal of reducing the useless violence.

Over the past several months the Boston Police Department has made encouraging progress in our efforts to stem firearm violence. Since January, we have seen a 25-30 percent decrease in non-fatal shootings. The Boston Police Department, through community policing, is dedicated to collaborating with local neighborhood organizations, clergy, and our many crime watch groups to address the issues related to crime and public safety.

But the police cannot do it alone. I’ve said it many times before and I will continue to say it: it takes all of us working together to solve the problem of violence on our streets. If you or someone you know have witnessed a crime or know someone who has a gun, please contact the authorities. People can speak with law enforcement, school officials, community leaders, members of the clergy or call our anonymous hotline at 1-800 494 TIPS. We all have a responsibility to do all we can to make our city safe.

My administration and I are working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Attorney General, the District Attorney and other state legislators to track and outlaw the illegal guns that come into Boston. I have met with Governor Patrick in an effort to determine if more state resources can be re-allocated to facilitate the City of Boston’s public safety and violence prevention efforts. I have also been working with more than 100 mayors from across the nation to lobby Congress to reduce the amount of illegal guns on our streets with Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

I would advise any citizen who wants to participate in public safety efforts to first consult with Boston Police District Captains and their community service officers, in order to determine the most efficient way that they can be of assistance.

For young people, I am constantly looking for people to represent the different neighborhoods and meet with me to discuss pertinent topics. Applications to be a part of my Mayor’s Youth Council are due Friday, April 13th by 5 p.m. To apply, you must be a Boston teen who will be entering your junior or senior in high school or an alternative program the following September. More information about the Youth Council can be found at www.bostonyouthzone.com/myc/apply.asp or by calling 617 635 4490.

From the Desk of Mayor Thomas M. Menino

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 04:00:00 GMT

A few weeks ago, I proudly announced that the City of Boston will host a housing conference with experts from across the nation on April 26 and 27. The conference will be entitled “Housing Boston 2012: Strategies for High-Cost Cities.” We have excellent speakers from across the nation, including former secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros; U.S. Congressman Barney Frank, chairman of the Financial Services Committee; and Freddie Mac President and CEO Richard Syron. In addition, the conference will include leading housing experts from across the nation, region, and city.

Everyone knows that we’ve made great strides in addressing Boston’s housing needs, but we still have a lot of work to do – housing is still too expensive for our working families. This is an opportunity for us to learn from experts and leaders in the housing field and look for innovative solutions.

It seems that not a day goes by that there isn’t a new report on the growing problem of home foreclosures. The Boston Globe reported on February 28th that in 2006, Massachusetts had 19,487 foreclosure filings, beating the 1992 record set during the recession of the early 1990s. Last year in Boston, we had 261 foreclosure deeds, a troubling number by itself, but only about 16 percent of the record number of 1,679 home foreclosures that we had back in 1992. One of the reasons behind Boston’s superior performance is that for 10 years we have been working on this exact issue.

Last week, I spoke in front of state legislators about the problems with foreclosures in our city. I am also supporting two bills that are now up at the State House that would make it harder for mortgage companies to take advantage of our residents with false advertising and other unfair practices. These bills will cost some money, but the cost of not tackling this issue will be much higher. Unchecked, Massachusetts homeowners could lose billions of dollars of home equity. Time is not on our side either. Every week that passes another 375 homes go into foreclosure in Massachusetts. These are hard working families doing their best. We cannot allow lenders to take advantage of them any longer.

In 2000, I launched the city’s first housing strategy, called “Leading the Way.” Following successful completion of the three-year plan, the city embarked on an even more ambitious “Leading the Way II.” Combined, these housing initiatives have led to the permitting of over 18,000 units of new housing to the City of Boston, the equivalent of adding a new neighborhood the size of Jamaica Plain or West Roxbury. More than 4,800 of these units are affordable. In addition, over 5,000 affordable rental units have been saved from going market rate, and over 1,600 public housing units have been redeveloped or renovated including almost 800 long-vacant units.

Leading the Way has produced results, and as we come to its conclusion, we need to take a hard look forward – how can we adapt our housing strategy to meet the future needs of the city. Housing Boston 2012 will bring together our partners and the leading thinkers on the crises facing high-cost cities to begin the discussion about where Boston should go next.

Housing Boston 2012 will include neighborhood housing tours during the afternoon of April 26, followed by an all-day forum at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in South Boston. For more information, or to register, visit www.cityofboston.gov/housingboston2012.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Mon, 05 Mar 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 16 May 2005 04:00:00 GMT

What a great weekend we had in our city! The rain held off and we were able to hold two great events: Boston Shines and the 2005 Greater Boston Senior Games.

This weekend, over 6,000 volunteers worked together in 22 neighborhoods and helped us make our city shine! Residents also got some help from those who represented over 200 community organizations and corporations.

Together these volunteers:

removed 932 tons of sand and trash
cleaned 294 vacant lots
served at 307 sites

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their hard work in cleaning up our great city. Boston Shines works because of the great partnerships we have and all the volunteers who donate their time and energy. We hope to see you all again next year.

On Saturday, I also had the opportunity to officially open the 2005 Greater Boston Senior Games at UMass Boston. Ten years ago, my Commission on Elder Affairs established these games a as a way for men and women, 50 years old or older, to participate in sporting events tailored to their lifestyles. After the opening ceremony the track and swimming events as well as the fun walk took place. I had the opportunity to talk with many seniors that day and they were having a great time.

Our seniors have played major roles in making our city to what it is today and we have the responsibility of helping them stay active in our community. The Senior Games is one way we try to do that. The events have been specifically designed to our seniors’ needs and age groups and there is truly something for everyone.

If bocce isn’t your game how about golf, horseshoes or tennis? The annual Games feature events such as the softball throw, track events, basketball free throw, horseshoes, swimming, tennis and a non-competitive walk. Last Wednesday, a golf tournament took place, on Thursday there was the bocce tournament, and on Friday the bowling and billiards tournaments were held.

Winners of each event were awarded gold, silver or bronze medals and are eligible to compete in the Massachusetts Senior Games later this year. Some winners included:

Colbert Downey, 75 and from Mattapan, who won gold in horseshoes;
Leon Jackson, 86 and from Roxbury, who won gold in golf;
Delores Hufnagel, 71 from Hyde Park, who won gold in the softball throw;
Joseph Saia, 90, and his wife Carmela, 80, of South Boston who each won gold, he in the softball throw and she in horseshoes;

Mon, 27 Sep 2004 04:00:00 GMT

Last week, I celebrated the 4th Annual Evening on the Bridge 4.0, which recognizes those individuals and families who have participated in two very special programs - Technology Goes Home and TechBoston.

To date the Technology Goes Home program has trained over 1,300 families - that's over 5,000 parents and children who have computers, software, and Internet access in their homes. I'm thrilled that so many graduates of the program were able to join us at the celebration.

Fifteen Boston Public Schools are now training parents and their kids using the TGH model. This not only shows the high demand for this program, but it also shows the commitment and dedication of our school teachers.

The Center for Social Policy at UMass/Boston conducted a thorough evaluation of TGH. Here are some of the findings:

92 percent of parents report their children's schoolwork improved significantly through involvement in Technology Goes Home;

95 percent of the participants made significant improvements in their computer skills;

87 percent of participants in Technology Goes Home report a significant increase in their connection to the community as a direct result of the program;

And 99 percent of TGH participants were very satisfied with the TGH program.

Now for TechBoston. It all began six years ago with only 40 students and a teacher by the name of Mary Skipper. Today TechBoston serves over 24 hundred kids through the Boston Public Schools. Every high school and most middle schools offer TechBoston classes. TechBoston gives students cutting edge training that leads to certification, internships, and jobs.

We saw how TechBoston was changing the lives of our students and opening up opportunities for them - so we created a pilot school that uses technology in every classroom. TechBoston Academy students each have their own laptop and they use it for each class from English to mathematics. The academy has become a model for creating small schools within all of our district high schools. We couldn't have done it without the generosity of the Boston Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Microsoft. Thank you all.

I've traveled around the country quite a bit. And I have not found any programs as well developed as our technology education programs here in Boston. I encourage all of our residents to continue learning and to stay involved with your schools, community centers, and neighbors. By developing these skills, you're not only strengthening your family and your home, you're helping to strengthen the City - because a skilled labor force will give Boston a brighter future.

In fact, last week, I joined representatives from the IBM Foundation to announce new homes for approximately 800 items including computers, servers, software, and printers; 550 computers that were used during the DNC and will now go to the Boston Public Schools. This donation will only strengthen the progress that we have made through TGH and TechBoston.

None of this would be possible without lots of help. There are dozens of sponsors who have contributed to Evening on the Bridge. I'd like to especially thank our sponsors - Fleet Bank, Blue Cross and Blue Shield and The Boston Foundation - for their continued support and for sticking by us throughout the years. We could not have done this without you.

With all of your help we have made tremendous strides. But we have more work to do if we are going to help all our families gain the technology skills they need. There are thousands of families in our city who still need help getting a computer. We need to double our efforts to ensure that these adults and students have the necessary tools and skills to compete in today's economy.

Let's keep working together. Stay "plugged" into our communities and schools! And let's get everyone involved to insure that every family in Boston has a solid bridge to walk on.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 24 Aug 2004 04:00:00 GMT

In any business, you need to step back every so often and take the time to assess and regroup. That’s how you stay strong and maintain the highest standards. The business of government is no different. We need to keep Boston moving forward. And the way to do that is by bringing new ideas and new energy to city government.

Last week, I made several new appointments to my core staff. Every one of these new hires is someone with vision and a deep commitment to delivering the best services that our city can provide. They are bright, talented, hard working, and extremely dedicated to the City of Boston and its residents. I am confident that in their new roles, this new team will set higher standards of excellence and help move our city forward.

Merita Hopkins, who has served as my corporation counsel for the past nine years, will become my new chief of staff. And Michael Kineavy, who was formerly the head of my Office of Neighborhood Services, will become the director of policy and planning.

I am proud to name Merita Hopkins my chief of staff. She is the best corporation counsel this city has ever had. I believe that her combination of intelligence, vision, and tenacity is the right mix to help lead the energetic city team I have assembled. She brings to this position a distinguished career in public service. A graduate of Boston College and Suffolk University Law School, she began her work as a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation focusing on organized crime investigations. She joined the city after stints as a prosecutor in Middlesex County and as a lawyer in private practice.

Michael Kineavy is a spectacular leader who is both compassionate and decisive. Michael has done a fabulous job over the past few years as Director of Neighborhood Services. He understands this city better than just about anyone, and there is no one more qualified to take on this important task. He is a South Boston native with a master’s degree in public affairs from University of Massachusetts.

I made nine other appointments last week that will touch all areas of city life. Larry Mayes, the director of the Log School in Dorchester, will become the Chief of Human Services. In that role, he will oversee the provision of social, recreational, and support services to city residents, particularly the homeless, women, the elderly, youth, and veterans. Robert Lewis, the president and executive director of the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) Greater Boston Region, becomes the director of Boston Centers for Youth and families.

The decisions of both these extraordinary men to join our administration demonstrates the tremendous energy and opportunity we have to improve our city for all Bostonians. Both Robert and Larry have tremendous records of achievement. The addition of these men to my staff multiplies the good work all can do.

I have also appointed the following people to new positions in my administration:

· Alvaro de Castro e Lima, Director of Research, Boston Redevelopment Authority.

· Karen Fried, GLBT Outreach Coordinator and director of special events at the Office of Neighborhood Services.

· Janine Coppola, Director of Mayor's 24-hour Service.

· Gerry Cuddyer, Chairwoman of the Boston Elections Commission.

· Amy Dwyer, Deputy Chief of Staff.

· Christine Colley, Deputy Director For Compliance, Boston Redevelopment Authority.

· Rebecca A. Lee, Special Counsel to the Director, Boston Redevelopment Authority.

Mayors get a lot of credit for the things that happen under their administrations. But it takes teamwork to make a city run smoothly. And I am proud to have this diverse and committed group as a part of my team. I look forward to working with them to make our great city even better.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 16 Aug 2004 04:00:00 GMT

Throughout my time as Mayor, I have asked the residents of Boston to come forward and make this a safer city. Each summer, the city has worked with partners to provide jobs and recreational opportunities for our youth. Our faith-based partners, our social service agencies, our civic groups have all stepped up to the plate and participated.

But we all understand that we can’t rest on our laurels. We have to redouble our efforts. We have to strengthen our pledge to work together and to encourage others to join us in our campaign against violence.

Going forward, there are many things that I plan to do. I will meet with representatives of the Boston faith community on a regular basis to strengthen our partnership, to listen to new ideas and to coordinate our efforts across the city.

Commissioner O’Toole and the Boston Police will continue to work with community leaders to further their approach of prevention and intervention. Our top goal has to be to protect our kids and keep them from heading down the wrong path.

The City’s Medical Director Dr. John Rich and The Boston Public Health Commission are also working to bring more assistance to the families affected by violence and will be distributing information aimed at helping people cope with loss.

These efforts and partnerships can go a long way, but I know we need more – we need real opportunities for our young people. That’s why we’ve worked hard to extend the city’s summer jobs programs to keep our young people productive and engaged.

I have contacted more than 200 community-based organizations that are part of the city’s Summer Jobs initiative to offer to extend job placements in their programs. That will be around 1,300 kids who can be employed until close to Labor Day. Additionally, I have made some funds available to several faith-based organizations to continue their neighborhood-based summer programs.

And we have created the opportunity for drop-in programs at a dozen community centers throughout the City. Community center drop-in hours enable families who are not enrolled in any of the city’s camps or regularly scheduled programs to come to a community center and participate in summer activities in a safe, supervised location.

We will also be keeping selected pools open in neighborhoods across the City.

We have accomplished a lot in Boston, and we must not let the recent rash of violence set us back. Working together, I know that we can end this summer on a high note. And going forward, we’re not just going to focus on the summer. We’re going to have a plan – for all kids, for all seasons.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 20 Jul 2004 04:00:00 GMT

The summer months bring wonderful warm weather and long days of fun to our city, but this time of year also poses a serious threat to our children. A child can fall out of window that only open four inches wide, and the majority of these occurrences occur during the spring and summer months. I have been working with the Boston Public Health Commission get the word out about the city’s Kids Can’t Fly program, which teaches parents how to keep kids safe when windows are open.

Falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injury to children under the age of 5. In 1992, 21 children fell from windows during the warm summer months. So in 1993, I asked the Boston Public Health Commission to initiate the Kids Can't Fly program. There were only three falls in 2003 -- an 83% decrease.

To protect children, the Boston Public Health Commission recommends the following:

Be sure children are always supervised.
Don’t rely on window screens to protect your child.
Install child safety window guards.
Lock all unopened doors and windows.
Keep furniture, beds and anything that a child can climb on away from windows.
Open windows from the top instead of the bottom.

According to the National SAFE Kids website, www.safekids.org, children are more likely to die or be severely injured from window-related falls than falls associated with any other product. Each year, approximately 18 children below the age of 10 die from injuries sustained by falling from windows. An estimated 4,700 children aged 14 and under are treated annually in hospital emergency departments for injuries sustained from falling out of windows; 28 percent of these children require hospitalization. Head injuries account for the majority of these injuries.

One of the best ways you can protect your child during the summer is to install window safety guards. These are aluminum or steel bars with four-inch spacing that are installed in the bottom half of a window, designed to withstand 150 pounds of pressure. Window guards are recommended for windows on the second story and above, or on any floor that is 12 feet above ground, and for homes with children age 6 and under. Remember that window screens are designed to keep bugs out but are not strong enough to stop a child from falling.

Many local hardware stores and home improvement stores carry window guards. Please call the Boston Public Health Commission`s Childhood Injury Prevention Program at 617-534-5197 for more information on window falls and other safety topics and to request educational materials in various languages. You can also visit the website at www.bphc.org/childinjuryprevention. Let’s work together to keep our kids safe this summer.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Fri, 25 Jun 2004 04:00:00 GMT

I was thrilled recently to have the opportunity to recognize the extraordinary hard work and dedication of Boston Public School teachers. I named 15 special teachers as Teachers of the Year at a Ritz-Carlton ceremony.

Many have heard me say that there is nothing more important to my administration than public education – and nothing is more essential to good public education than good teachers.

This year, I have a personal stake in the success of our schools. Last fall, three of my grandchildren began their school careers in the Boston Public Schools. And next September, another granddaughter begins her journey. I am gratified to know that they will be so well educated and guided by Boston teachers.

The winning teachers I recognized all realize they can’t do it all alone. They know that for their students to succeed, they need to draw on the resources of many. Parents and students, principals and colleagues and appreciative community partners all play a key role in supporting our teachers, our schools and our students.

This year I honored 15 remarkable educators who were chosen from a large pool of extraordinary teachers. The Selection Committee – faced with the largest pool of prospective candidates - had a tough time. All of the teachers who were recommended go above and beyond their job description. They tutor students, mentor new teachers and reach out to parents and to the community. All of them serve on committees, come in early, stay late, attend professional seminars, assist their colleagues, and share their ideas. They also represent 299 years of outstanding service to the Boston Public Schools. Their scope of service ranges from the relatively new to a relatively seasoned 50-year veteran.

The winners, their school and subject are: Sonya Brown – Boston Arts Academy – humanities/writing Judi Freeman – Boston Latin School – facing history Traci Walker Griffith – Trotter Elementary – technology Gail Hart – Marshall Elementary – kindergarten Jennifer Hartman – Mary Lyon School – grade 3 inclusion Jonathan Holden – Hale Elementary – grade 4 Margaret Hoyt – West Roxbury High – English, tv production Joe Jackson – Madison Park – math/special ed. Roberta Logan – Mission Hill School – social studies, English Language Arts Patricia Mobayed – Bates Elementary – grade 1 Claire Morrissey – Mendell Elementary – grade 3 Naomi Mulvihill – Hernandez School – two-way bilingual kindergarten Ruth Roach – Conley Elementary – grade 4/5 special needs Hazel Sparrow – Lewenberg Middle – resource room Mary Teixeira – TechBoston Academy – math, technology

These teachers are just a small sample of the terrific educators we have in the Boston Public Schools. They teach a diverse student body that is constantly improving their test scores and reaching for new academic goals. The Boston Public Schools are better because of the efforts of all of our teachers.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Fri, 18 Jun 2004 04:00:00 GMT

We all know that to make our city stronger, we must invest in our neighborhoods. That’s why my staff has been working together with the Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation to bring new funding – and new investment – to our city.

I recently announced, in Roxbury’s Dudley Square, that our hard work and tenacity have paid off. In the most recent round of funding, MHIC has received $90 million in New Markets Tax Credits. And 40 percent of the funding – approximately $36 million – will be set aside for projects within the city of Boston.

This funding will act as a catalyst, – increasing economic opportunities in neighborhoods that need a jump start – places. Places like Dudley Square, where we’ll be able to transform a decades-vacant parcel on Palmer Street into a 30,000-square-foot, three-story office and retail building. It will be the first new commercial construction built in Dudley Square in 40 years. The city of Boston, in partnership with Boston Connects, has committed $1.8 million dollars in HUD 108/EDI funds for the Palmer Street project.

Just around the corner from Palmer Street, the long-vacant Hibernian Hall will soon be home to the Roxbury Center for Arts, Culture, and Trade. That project is also being made possible through financing from the New Markets Tax Credit program.

The New Markets Tax Credit helps to expand economic opportunities by closing financing gaps on projects that had been stalled, spurring new investment and creating new jobs. That’s good for business, good for residents, and it’s good for our city as a whole. Founded under the Clinton Administration as part of the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000, the New Markets Tax Credit program seeks to stimulate job creation in low-income areas, minority-owned business opportunities and provision of services to those who reside in low-income communities.

My staff at both the Department of Neighborhood Development and Boston Redevelopment Authority will continue to look for opportunities throughout Boston that can benefit from this program.

We are providing new tools and new resources to get the job done. By strengthening our neighborhoods, we are bringing real hope and real opportunity to many of our residents. And when our neighborhoods are strong, that makes Boston a more vibrant city.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Wed, 09 Jun 2004 04:00:00 GMT

As Mayor, I believe that education is the foundation for a bright future. And I want all of our young people to have the opportunity to get a quality education. Over the last few years, we have demanded more of our students and we have raised the standards in our schools.

Graduation season is upon us and schools are alive with hope for the future. I recently recognized this year’s group of high school valedictorians at a Boston Harbor Hotel luncheon. All of the young men and women represent well the Boston Public Schools. They are not only a very intelligent group, but they are also a very diverse group.

Our top high school students come from as far way as Tanzania, Albania, Cape Verde, the Philippines, China, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The strength of our neighborhoods – and our schools – is our diversity.

This year’s group of top students is bearing the fruits of improved schools and their performance indicates that. And it is not just the students who need to be thanked for their improvements, but the teachers, guidance counselors, and – of course – their families. Superintendent Tom Payzant and the Boston Public School Committee are striving to ensure every Boston Public School student receives the quality education that he or she deserves.

The valedictorians’ luncheon – again sponsored by Reebok - supported one of my favorite causes, the City of Boston Scholarship Fund. Since 1995, the scholarship fund has helped over 150 students attend college in Massachusetts. All of the members and donors in the scholarship committee make all the students hard work pay off.

They will be attending a host of fine colleges, including Hamilton College, College of the Holy Cross, Lesley College, Columbia University, Bryn Mawr College, MIT and Boston College.

Our high school students are constantly being exposed to classroom experiences that people from my generation could only dream about. At the John D. O’Bryant School for Math and Sciences, students will learn about renewable energy from a solar-powered energy source. The Solar Learning Lab is the result of a partnership with Massachusetts Institutes of Technology, the National Science Foundation and the Mass Technology Collaborative and Mass Energy.

Future high school students should be bolstered by the great news this week that the US Department of Education has presented the Boston Public Schools a $720,000 grant to fund Dramatic Developments, a unique project that links the performing arts to student literacy development. Dramatic Developments partners our middle schools with community-based cultural organizations such as the Huntington Theater Company, Arts in Progress, and City Stage.

This grant is another strong vote of confidence in our schools and in the work we are doing to make them the best they can be. Artists are helping to implement the program, which is another way we are creating well-rounded students.

Fri, 30 Apr 2004 04:00:00 GMT

Elders are the fastest growing population using shelters in Massachusetts today. On any given night, more than 2,000 elders in Massachusetts will be sleeping in shelters – or worse, on the streets. That’s disgraceful and we must do better.

I’m proud that the city partners with the Committee to End Elder Homelessness to combat this problem. We’ve worked with the committee to develop permanent housing in our neighborhoods, including Jamaica Plain, the South End, Roxbury, Dorchester and the Fenway. In Roxbury, the city funded the Ruggles Assisted Living Community, where 43 units are available to frail elders in a former schoolhouse.

My wife and I recently served as the honorary co-chairs of the committee’s “Raising the Roof” benefit concert at the Berklee Performance Center.

I’m also proud of the partnership that the city has with the committee to fund its Elder Shelter to Home Program. Besides operating its own housing, the committee works with elders who have become homeless or are at-risk of losing their housing.

My administration and the committee both understand that permanent affordable housing is the solution to homelessness. The city has been working hard on this issue at every level. I’ve completed a Leading the Way initiative that permitted 7,913 units of housing and preserved 9,500 units of affordable housing over the course of three years and I’m gearing up for another similar program. That program represented nearly $2 billion in housing investment and 5,200 construction jobs. That makes sense.

But we need all the other players – state, federal, and private – to step up. We don’t mind being the leader; we just can’t be the loner.

HUD seems to have forgotten that the “H” stands for housing. How else can you explain its abandonment of the Section 8 program? As we work to get affordable housing on line, the federal government comes in removes a key component of housing.

And I’ll tell you what the committee and other advocates know all too well. Without Section 8s, the whole homeless system will come to a stand still. People will not be able to move out of shelter. And projects will not be able to develop units for people of the lowest income.

That makes it all the more impressive that the committee is forging ahead, and continues to expand its elder housing and services. And the city will be behind them all the way – as I hope all of you will be.

I recently appointed Eliza Greenberg to head my Commission on Elderly Affairs and Eliza understands the issue of homelessness well. She has served as my director of Emergency Shelter Commission since 2002 and was responsible for coordinating a safety net of services and housing for Boston’s homeless population. The rich scope of her experience includes management, advocacy, providing direct services, fiscal oversight, and policy making. All will bode well for our seniors.

Prior to her time at the Emergency Shelter Commission, Greenberg managed $18 million in funding for homeless and supportive housing programs through the city’s Department of Neighborhood Development. She also has held positions at Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc., and has volunteered in many community-based organizations, including the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative.

The elderly are one of our most precious resources. They worked hard to make the neighborhoods what they are today. They deserve to live their golden years happily and peacefully. Our Commission on Elderly Affairs – with Eliza leading the way – will ensure that happens.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Thu, 22 Apr 2004 04:00:00 GMT

The Fiscal Year 2005 budget that I presented to the City Council last week represents progress in another difficult fiscal year for the city.

The Recommended Operating Budget totaling $1.92 billion is $70.9 million – or 3.8 percent – more than the FY ’04 Budget. Help from Beacon Hill isn’t there as we continue to lose money at the state level, more than $80 million during the last two years.

In FY ’05, just 23.5 percent of the city’s revenue will come from state aid, the lowest share since the enactment of Proposition 2½. Property tax revenue, however, continues to grow.

The city has had to work harder with fewer resources. And we will continue to work creatively in the areas of housing, education, youth programs, health care, and public safety.

I’m proud to report that we are taking creative steps to help stretch our municipal dollars. I’ve created the Office of Arts and Cultural Development and started to eliminate overlap between the Departments of Transportation and Public Works (Street Lighting and Signals/ Pavement Markings). This is going to take some work and some time, but it’s a good start.

I’m continuing to regionalize our Boston Center for Youth and Families’ facilities and linking them up with local not-for-profits. I’ve always stressed the importance of partnerships and right now they have never been more important. In addition, I want BCYF to concentrate on core services so I’m taking away construction requirements such HVAC and boiler repair and turning them over to Property and Construction Management. That will leverage our skills and expertise – and further stretch our dollars.

We have put $32 million in the budget for collective bargaining. The Collective Bargaining Reserve included in the FY’05 budget submission does not support 3 percent salary increases during the fiscal year. The reserve provides approximately 2 percent in FY’05 and includes the compounding impacts of increases for both FY’03 and FY’04 – the period over which most contracts have been outstanding.

I want to ensure municipal employees receive fair salaries, but I can’t offer unrealistic raises or contracts, especially with 75 percent of our budget dedicated to salaries and ever-increasing benefits, especially health insurance.

In addition to the operating budget, I also unveiled a Capital Plan that will provide $1.1 billion in community spending over the course of the next five fiscal years. “Together We CAN (Cities are Neighborhoods)” prioritizes my commitments to education, public safety and quality-of-life improvements to parks and libraries.

For instance, last week I announced a $39.7 million program at the Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Dorchester. The school, which has seen test scores continuously rise in recent years, is slated for a complete overhaul. A new addition will house a gymnasium and a branch of the Boston Public Library that will be open to the community.

In Roslindale, I’ve committed to renovating the Roslindale Community Center. The $4.7 million project includes a rehabilitation of the gym floor, upgrades to interior lighting, new office space, bathrooms, plumbing and heating, and masonry repairs.

Our neighborhoods need anchors and community centers, schools and libraries serve that need. My Recommended Operating Budget and Capital Plan ensure Boston continues to be a cohesive unit of vibrant neighborhoods and I look forward to working with the City Council to ensure quick passage of both.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 13 Apr 2004 04:00:00 GMT

Here in Boston, artistic and cultural activity is central to our social and economic identity. Cultural organizations educate our young people. They attract tourists to our city. And they help Boston celebrate its diversity.

That is why last week I was proud to announce that the city was taking a creative, new approach to culture and tourism. I established a new city department that will enhance the strengths of two existing departments. I introduced the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Cultural Development.

This new department will blend the functions of the Office of Cultural Affairs and the Office of Special Events, Tourism and Film. I have appointed Susan Hartnett – formerly of the Boston Redevelopment Authority – to serve as director of this new agency.

A city that is home to outstanding arts and cultural institutions like ours deserves a first-class leader like Susan Hartnett. Susan has the experience and the enthusiasm to lead this department.

For nearly two years, Susan has served as the BRA’s director of Economic Development. She previously worked as a consultant to the BRA, spearheading the city’s effort to develop more living and work space for artists in Boston. She has served in the private sector, including 10 years as the head of the Boston Center for the Arts.

In her roles both inside and outside City Hall, Susan has worked in partnership with neighborhood residents, business owners, community-based organizations, and developers – forging partnerships that will serve her well in her new position. Susan shares my vision for this new agency – to more effectively address the City’s arts, cultural, and tourism agenda through all public events and cultural activities.

The arts are one of the major engines that drive Boston’s economy. Here in Boston, our cultural organizations generate more money combined than all of our major sports teams.

Now, more than ever, the economy of our city is tied to our cultural and artistic lives. Boston’s vibrant cultural community is a magnet for tourists from the region and from around the world. Nothing illustrated this better than the overwhelming success of last fall’s Arts Festival at Christopher Columbus Park on the Waterfront.

JP Morgan Chase and Brown & Company has renewed its commitment as the primary sponsor of the Boston Arts Festival. We thank them for helping us make this event a Boston tradition.

But the significance of the arts to our city cannot be expressed in terms of just dollars. The arts are a celebration of diversity, history, and culture. All of these are characteristics that make us unique.

The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Cultural Development is an exciting next step in the future of culture and tourism in Boston. And I look forward to working with members of the arts community, so that we can take this next step together.

Mayor's Weekly column

Wed, 07 Apr 2004 04:00:00 GMT

Walking is a form of exercise that's good for your heart, body and mind. But walking has benefits beyond the mere physical - it can also be good for your community!

On Sunday, May 23, I - along with local celebrities, non-profit partners, community residents and area businesses - will join Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) to launch its major fundraising effort, the BCYF Community Walk. The aim of the walk is to bring together thousands of Boston residents from across the city for a common purpose: to have fun, be active, encourage family and community unity, and raise money for BCYF.

BCYF provides one-stop shopping for families looking for programs and resources for infants to seniors. Through our 46 BCYF community facilities, we offer a wide range of programs, including childcare, after-school education, youth development, sports and fitness and services for seniors.

As we continue to face tough economic times, we need to be persistent and work together to turn less into more. One hundred percent of the proceeds raised will go to support BCYF's community programming.

To make the Community Walk a success, we need the help of individuals and local businesses. Your support is vital.

There are lots of ways for you to help. Join us at the walk on May 23 and encourage your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors to sponsor you.

You can become a member of BCYF, or renew your existing membership, which entitles you access to our 46 facilities citywide. As a BCYF member, you can take advantage of so many wonderful opportunities.

You can also sponsor a walker by making a financial contribution.

The 10 walkers who get the most sponsors, with a minimum of 20, will be invited to a VIP reception after the walk, will be recognized at the closing ceremony, and will get to meet the participating sports celebrities and me.

Do the best you can, but remember: there are no fundraising minimums and no registration fees required to participate.

We want to get the small business community involved too. We¡¦re asking local businesses to prominently display registration packets in their stores, distribute walk packets to their employees, provide discounts for walk participants on the day of the walk, or make a financial contribution to the walk.

The BCYF Community Walk has so much to offer and is open to everyone, regardless of age. For your convenience, the walk will have four starting routes that will begin simultaneous in each of the BCYF regions. All the routes will end at White Stadium in Franklin Park for a citywide celebration.

The starting points will be:

Blackstone Community Center, 50 West Brookline St; South End;
Madison Park Community Center, 55 New Dudley St., Roxbury;
Cleveland Community Center, 11 Charles St., Dorchester;
Flaherty Pool, 160 Florence St., Roslindale.

For registration forms and detailed information, please visit our website at www.cityofboston.gov/bcyf, or you can leave a message on our walk information line at (617) 635-4920, x 2201 and a BCYF staff member will return your call. Registration forms are also available at our community centers.

I want to personally thank everyone in advance for pledging their time and energy to this important effort. I especially want to thank Responsible World for working so hard to help us organize this walk.

We need your help to make this Community Walk a success. So grab a pair of comfortable shoes and come join us! Every step, every mile, every dollar will bring BCYF closer to its goal of building a better Boston!

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 30 Mar 2004 04:00:00 GMT

Each day, I see a Boston that is changing. The view from my office window in City Hall is not what it once was. Where I looked out previously and saw a Green Monster - not the left field wall at Fenway Park, but the old elevated Expressway, a gash through downtown - I now can look straight out to Boston Harbor.

As sections of the old Central Artery come down and Boston Harbor comes back into view from our downtown, we are reminded of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity we have in planning for the Greenway. This truly presents itself as a historic opportunity to reunite Boston’s neighborhoods.

With this in mind, I have issued an invitation to the city’s business and civic leaders asking for their participation in our ongoing dialogue about the Rose Kennedy Greenway. On Monday, April 12, 2004 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the New England Aquarium Discovery Center (Harborside 1st Floor of Aquarium Garage), we will engage with yet another group of stakeholders whose input and ideas will be invaluable to the future of the Greenway.

Back in December I brought in world-renowned architect Ken Greenberg to help us with the planning process surrounding the Greenway. Two weeks ago, I unveiled the product of his work, the Crossroads Initiative – a plan that talks about the Greenway in a new and exciting way. While much attention has been given to the Greenway as a 27-acre linear park, we have turned our focus to consider the east-west perspective. In the city’s new plan we identify key gateways and crossroads that will draw connections between the Harbor and the surrounding neighborhoods. People need to think about the context for the Greenway as a whole – not just 27-acres of land. Imagine a dramatic water gateway, such as tall fountain near Long Wharf, that has the potential to become as much a landmark for Boston as the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge. Most important is the potential the Greenway has to become Boston’s common ground, a place that is welcoming to all people from all neighborhoods, communities and walks of life.

With promise and potential unlike any other in our city’s history, the Greenway will become a Boston hallmark. To draw these new connections for the Greenway, we must first draw connections with those individuals who have a vested interest in the parks’ success. So, as we unveil these new concepts and contemplate next steps, it is imperative we engage in an inclusive process that ensures people from all walks of business and civic life become part of this conversation.

I was pleased that Robert Campbell of The Boston Globe recently praised the Crossroads Initiative, noting its ability to emanate energy nodes throughout the city and – most importantly – to bring people together in harmonious spaces. “When you look at one of (urban planner Ken) Greenberg’s drawings, the greenway no longer looks like an isolated green snake twisting its way through downtown. Instead, it looks more like a spider in the center of a web of connections.”

I hope people take part in this important discussion about how the city can realize the vision outlined in the Crossroads Initiative. The public is invited to view the Crossroads Initiative online at www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.com. We are making incredible strides and we are eager to incorporate even more input in our plans for the Rose Kennedy Greenway.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 16 Mar 2004 04:00:00 GMT

Boston’s strength has always been its neighborhoods. Diverse groups of people enjoying vibrant shopping districts, good schools and pleasant places to reside. Those people are the new face of Boston and that collective is one I want the nation to see.

When the Democratic National Convention comes to Boston in late July, I want the entire city to be on the national stage. There are plenty of reasons for visitors to venture beyond downtown and with a national stage, what a great way to showcase the diversity and history of our proud city.

Earlier this week I announced that the delegation parties will be held throughout the neighborhoods, bringing people – and business – to the neighborhoods. When we made our pitch to host the Democratic National Convention here in Boston, I made a commitment to highlight and showcase the city’s neighborhoods – not just downtown.

On Sunday, July 25th, the city will play host to 30 delegation parties from the 50 states and six U.S. territories. Each of the city council districts and a majority of the city’s neighborhoods will be home to a delegation party. But more importantly – all of the parties will be held in non-traditional and historic venues.

We are going to showcase what makes Boston a great city—our rich history and natural treasures as well as our tradition of scientific discovery and innovation, and educational and cultural institutions. And venues that are unique to Boston, like the Sam Adams Brewery in Jamaica Plain, where I had the pleasure of announcing “the delegates are coming.”

Sam Adams owner Jim Koch, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, is eagerly looking forward to hosting the delegates from his home state. He can show the folks back home his successful business and his new hometown. Barry Gaither, director of the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, was so enthusiastic that he will be able to host both South Carolina and Alabama.

Wisconsin will be at the Boston Nature Center in Mattapan; Nevada will be at the Navy Yard in Charlestown; Minnesota and North Dakota will be at the Dancing Deer Baking Company in Roxbury; New York will be at the L Street Bathhouse in South Boston; California will be at the Franklin Park Zoo; and Virginia and West Virginia will enjoy the Menino Wing at the Hyde Park Branch Library. I know I’d be excited to be visiting Boston.

Other venues include the Children’s Museum, the Shirley-Eustis House, and The Strand Theatre. The venue representatives have been patient and cooperative, and best of all, have shown great enthusiasm for highlighting their city. They’re sure to show the delegations a fantastic time and serve as great community hosts.

The host committee could always use more Boston residents proud of showing off their neighborhoods. I urge you to contact Boston 2004 at www.boston04.com or 247-2004 to volunteer your efforts.

It’s your city – I want you to be able to showcase it to the country.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Wed, 10 Mar 2004 05:00:00 GMT

There are anchors in every community, places where neighborhood folks congregate, celebrate and simply talk about life. There are churches and coffee shops, restaurants and libraries. They are an important part of the city fabric and I intend to keep those sites owned by the city in top condition.

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of unveiling renovations to one such community cornerstone, the Nazzaro Community Center in the North End. The son of the building’s namesake, Mike Nazzaro Jr., was also on hand. The North Bennet Street facility is home to seniors playing Bingo, voters casting their ballots and a great place to find a game of basketball.

The renovated facility looks terrific. New glass front doors, a reception desk, detailed cherry paneling and pendant lighting will welcome center visitors. The senior center is replete with a new HVAC system, a fresh coat of paint and new floors. The gym also has a new wooden floor, four basketball backboards, new lighting and an electronic scoreboard to record all the action. New men’s and women’s bathrooms with tile and showers completed the $1 million facelift.

The city’s Property Management Department oversaw the construction. Graham/Meus authored the redesign and Northern Contracting Corporation carried out the great work.

The improvements go far beyond a fresh coat of paint and renovations. For many people, the Nazzaro Center is a home away from home. Seniors come to socialize; young people come because they want to realize their full potential.

Boston Centers for Youth and Families, under the direction of Juanita B. Wade, does a superb job running this and 45 other centers and extending the hospitality that makes these centers true community anchors. From the Curley Community Center in South Boston to the Shelburne Community Center in Roxbury; the Mildred Avenue Community Center in Mattapan to the Boston Chinatown Community Center, BCYF runs community centers that truly reflect the needs and desires of the neighborhoods in which they are located.

Over the past four years, I have announced the opening and reopening of the following BCYF community centers. These community centers offer activities, programs and resources to hundreds of children, youth and adults: June, 2002 the Vine Street Community Center; July, 2003 the Grove Hall Community Center; November, 2003 the Mildred Avenue Community Center; and this week’s re-opening of the Nazzaro Community Center. The Roslindale Community Center in the heart of Roslindale Square is the next center slated for major renovations.

The turnout of 100 North End residents was indicative of their fondness for the center. The North End has tremendous spirit. Residents should feel proud that their spirit is reflected in these fabulous facilities.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 01 Mar 2004 05:00:00 GMT

(The following is the text of Mayor Menino’s annual report to the Boston Municipal Research Bureau, which was delivered on February 24 at the Seaport Hotel.)

Thank you Sam, and thank you to the members of your Board, for giving me your time and energy to help keep the City of Boston as strong as it can be. I value your friendship and partnership.

I want to recognize our new Police Commissioner Kathleen O’Toole who’s here with us today. The Commissioner has already started off on the right foot by promising a leadership style that is inclusive.

Time and again we see the benefits of collaborative leadership – that’s exactly what it takes to get things done in this city. Partnerships are the key to our success.

Take the property tax classification issue. Together, we came up with a solution that works. We couldn’t have done it without the support of many of the people in this room. You did the right thing. You helped us avert a crisis. And it turned out to be a big victory for everyone in Boston.

In order for our city to work, we need strong neighborhoods and a vibrant downtown. I’ve always tried to be the Mayor for all of Boston – to do what is fair and reasonable, and in the best interest of our City as a whole. That is the only way to govern a place as diverse as Boston – to move ahead and make progress.

A year ago, I came before you to explain the City’s financial situation – the drop-off in revenues from Washington and Beacon Hill – and how the City was responding.

2003 was a tough year. Today things look a little brighter. Read more...

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 23 Feb 2004 05:00:00 GMT

Here in Boston, we know that workforce development is most effective when there is a direct link between the program and a job.

And our strong partnership with world-class hospitals is what makes the Boston Health Care and Research Training Institute training program so successful. Workforce development is a very important part of helping our city’s neighborhood residents to get good jobs.

I recently had the pleasure of attending the group’s graduation ceremony, where 110 hardworking men and women were awarded for their efforts. It takes a lot of heart and a lot of hard work to finish a training program like this. But each participant stayed the course, and I was honored to deliver the keynote address.

The health care industry in Boston continues to be a shining light in terms of production and employment. From patient care to research, Boston is a leader in the field. And the good news is that new workers are still needed and there are opportunities to move up the ladder.

As one of our strongest economic engines, health care generates more than $1 billion dollars in funding from the National Institutes of Health. And thousands depend on this industry for their paycheck. To keep our health care industry strong, we have to make sure that our workforce is the best prepared in the world. That is also why I continue to fight for improvements and additions to the Longwood Medical Area.

The way you do that is by supporting programs like the one offered by a consortium of hospitals. We couldn’t offer programs without the employers and I’d like to thank Children’s Hospital, New England Baptist, Beth Israel Deaconesss, Brigham and Women’s, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Faulkner, Spaulding Rehab and Harvard Medical School.

To me, success is seeing Boston residents who complete their training get hired in the LMA and move up the ladder to have a successful career. I encourage all of our employers to keep up the good work and to make it a priority to hire Boston residents who have worked hard to graduate from these programs.

I also want to thank our two community organizations that provide the training: the Fenway Community Development Corporation and the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation.

It’s hard to believe, but some people still don’t support workforce development programs. It seems that from Beacon Hill to Capitol Hill, they just don’t understand that a strong workforce is the foundation of a strong economy. And so funding is being cut from many good programs.

Investing in people is what government is all about. And Boston’s workforce development system has a proven track record of success. In fact, our programs are national models.

That’s why it just doesn’t make sense to cut what’s working – and what’s putting people to work.

Among the graduates was Shawna Howard. Shawna is a resident of Dorchester who works as an administrative associate in the Patient Services Department at Children's Hospital. Because she knows that learning is a lifelong process, Shawna completed this program as a way to invest in her future.

As Mayor, I support programs like this because they open up a world of opportunity. And in tough economic times, it is even more important that we do not walk away from investing in people.

From personal perspective, I know it isn’t always easy to balance work, family and education. I went back to school as an adult and I know how challenging it can be. But you stick with it – and each graduate of that program and countless others has taken a giant step forward in building a better future.

Our efforts to invest in workforce development continue to pay off. I know because I recently witnessed another 110 success stories.

Wed, 07 Jan 2004 05:00:00 GMT

We often look forward to New Years because with the changing of the calendar comes new hopes and new plans. Next week, in my annual State of the City address, I will outline my priorities for the city for 2004. But before we close the book on 2003, I want to highlight one of the year's accomplishments that I am most proud of.

In 2003 we marked a major accomplishment with the completion of our three-year Leading the Way housing initiative. It was an ambitious undertaking when, in 2000, I announced the city's first comprehensive three-year strategy for increasing the production and preservation of housing in the City of Boston, with a particular focus on maintaining affordability throughout our neighborhoods.

We established a number of goals for housing, including the production of 7,500 new units and the preservation of 10,000 existing affordable units. It took a lot of work, but we permitted 7,913 new units of housing under the plan representing $2 billion in public and private housing investment and preserved 9,576 affordable units.

But that's not all. Our push to address the city's housing problem resulted in:

More than 5,200 construction industry jobs;
2,217 affordable units permitted;
1,079 units of vacant public housing renovated;
More than 1,000 units of housing made available to the homeless;
392 parcels of city-owned land made available for affordable development; and
A 35 percent reduction in the number of abandoned houses in Boston.

None of these achievements would have been possible without the support of our public and private partners, members of my Advisory Committee, and the very hard work put in by my staff: Charlotte Golar Richie, the Chief of Housing and Director of the Department of Neighborhood Development; Mark Maloney, Chief Economic Development Officer and the Director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority; Sandra Henriquez, the Chief Executive Officer of the Boston Housing Authority, and Commissioner Kevin Joyce of the Inspectional Services Department.

Although we achieved a housing milestone in 2003, the official end of the Leading the Way strategy does not spell an end to my commitment to provide more housing opportunities for Boston's residents. In fact, we're already hard at work crafting a new plan for the coming years. I want you to know that housing will continue to be one of my top priorities as long as working families are struggling to find affordable places to call home.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Fri, 02 Jan 2004 05:00:00 GMT

Before we embark on what promises to be a great 2004, I’d like to look back on just some of the accomplishments that made Boston great in 2003. The Democratic National Convention next summer will showcase the diversity of our neighborhoods and the accessibility and walkability of our City to everyone in the United States. I’m sure that will bring even more people to our neighborhoods. I promise to work just as hard in 2004 to ensure that the City becomes a better place for everyone, just as it did in 2003.

We were especially busy this year. We opened new schools and saw our test scores improve in all of our schools. We opened a new community center and saw an unprecedented volunteer effort clean our neighborhoods. I worked to protect the environment by unveiling a new environmentally friendly green building and created an energy-preservation commission.

One great accomplishment of 2003 was the opening of three new schools, including the first middle school in more than 30 years. In my State of the City Address back in 1999, I made a pledge to build quality new schools in the neighborhoods that needed them most, including Mattapan, Roxbury and Dorchester. Armed with state reimbursement funds, that pledge became reality this year.

The constant among the three schools has been the spectacular work of dedicated parents who helped the process along. I think their pride in these schools even rivaled mine, if that’s possible. The city did the easy part – although as I think about it, securing funding, collaborating with designers and building schools is no easy task – and the difficult process of ensuring a solid education for those who attend these and every other school within the City of Boston. Schools also saw significant improvement in test scores and improvement was rewarded with a $13 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for additional school reform.

The results of the new schools are spectacular. At Orchard Gardens, students in K-8 will have 145,000 square feet of space, a competition-size gym, a 250-seat auditorium, computer labs, a full-service kitchen and cafeteria. And administrators and faculty will enjoy the added bonus of plenty of parking.

The New Boston Pilot Middle School will be the first new middle school in 35 years. Seven hundred fifty-six students walked into a brand-new facility. That enthusiasm will inspire them to continued excellence and achievement. I also opened the Mildred Avenue Middle School, which features state-of-the-art facilities and an attached Community Center.

August saw the unveiling of the new Grove Hall Community Center. Armed with in-kind donations and help from many people, a formerly vacant 42,000-square-foot lot became home to the “bubble,” which used to house the Enchanted Village on City Hall Plaza. The Enchanted Village also found a new home at the Hynes Convention Center, a locale that enables families to enjoy a day in downtown Boston. The permanent center will eventually be built adjacent to the Jeremiah E. Burke High School, another school that is being renovated. The project is overseen by the Boston Centers for Youth and Families, which debuted in March and had an immediate impact on the City’s children.

Much of the spring was dedicated to finding funders for summer jobs for teens. The tight economic situation, which was commonplace during a difficult budget season, also created the prospect of a lot of teens on the streets. However, the business community responded, and along with the Private Industry Council, we were able to find those jobs.

The spring season was highlighted by the phenomenal work of thousands during Boston Shines, a collaborative effort among the city, the private sector, non-profits and community groups. Volunteers – 5,653 strong at 127 sites and collecting 690 tons of trash - fanned out through every Boston neighborhood and put a shine on the city. The 34,000 volunteer hours donated truly showed the spirit of everyone involved.

Housing, like employment, is a necessity and in July, I released the three-year numbers from my ambitious Leading the Way program. I made a promise to build more housing and I set a lofty standard. The City’s Department of Neighborhood Development and Boston Redevelopment Authority, working in concert with local community development corporations, really helped lead the way, allowing me to meet my 7,500-unit goal. We permitted 7,773 units, but still more needs to be done. Skyrocketing costs still preclude many from homeownership and too many have tried to walk away from the housing problem.

I started and ended the year with the health and well being of Boston’s residents in mind. In January, Boston became the first municipality in the nation to pass John’s Law, an ordinance that allows police to impound a drunk driver’s vehicle for up to 12 hours after the operator is booked. Bill and Muriel Elliot joined me, visiting from New Jersey to witness my signing the ordinance. It was their son, John, who was killed by a driver who had been intoxicated and upon his release, subsequently struck and killed the victim.

I asked the Boston Public Health Commission to initiate cancer screenings and in September and October, 30 local health centers and places of employment provided information on cancer awareness and provided screenings. The end of the year saw my push for my importation of Canadian drugs. I think it is one step in helping those in need of affordable prescription health care.

These are just a few of the accomplishments we reached in 2003. There are many more to reach in 2004. I hope you and your families have a prosperous, happy, safe and healthy New Year. And I hope we can all work together to make Boston a better place for everyone to live in 2004.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 01 Dec 2003 05:00:00 GMT

Thanksgiving is the official start of the holiday season and this will be a season to remember for many in Boston. While there are concerns about the economy and the situation overseas, there is a lot to be happy about and thankful for here at home.

Holidays for all of us – no matter the holiday – should be about families. I happen to think the neighborhood trolley tours and tree lightings are a great way to celebrate both community and family. It is especially rewarding to arrive at a holiday event and see wide-eyed children flocking to the animated characters or seeing a smile as the music plays. Neighborhood festivities are central to our city’s holiday experience.

This year’s Trolley Tour will be sponsored by Macy’s and Old Town Trolley and it is the ninth year the tour will spread holiday cheer. I’ll visit West Roxbury (Roche Family Center – 5:30), Readville (Wolcott Square – 6:15), Mattapan (Mattapan Square – 6:45) and Dorchester (Codman Square – 7:15; Adams Corner –7:45) on Friday, December 5.

On Saturday, December 6, I’ll visit Jamaica Plain (JP Monument – 2:30; Egleston Square – 3:15), Roxbury (Dudley Plaza – 3:45), South End (Boston Center for the Arts – 4:15) and Brighton (Oak Square – 5:30).

Sunday’s stops include South Boston (West Broadway – 1 p.m.), Chinatown (Harrison Avenue and Beech Street – 1:45), North End (Paul Revere Mall – 2:30), Charlestown (Thompson Square – 3:15) and finally wraps up in East Boston (Central Square – 4 p.m.).

For more information on the Trolley Tour, you can call my Office of Special Events, Tourism & Film at 635-3911 or visit www.cityofboston.gov/mayor/spevents.

Those trolley tours will also be complemented by various neighborhood tree lightings. Those will take place in neighborhoods throughout Boston and a lot of local people play an important role in those. All of the events are a great way for you to meet your neighbors and have your children say hello to a certain visitor from the North Pole.

They will kick off on Saturday, November 29 in Dorchester, including visits to Lower Mills, Peabody Square, King Street Park, Fields Corner, Rev. Allen Hill Park at Meetinghouse Hill, Upham’s Corner, St. Margaret’s, Harbor Point and Point Norfolk. These events have really turned into a neighborhood tradition and I’d like to thank all the local merchants who help out and my Office of Neighborhood Services, Special Events, Tourism & Film and Property Management for all the work they do to make these a success.

The diversity of our city is truly its strength and over the course of the holidays, I’ll also be attending a Menorah lighting, a Three Kings celebration and a Kwanzaa event.

The holidays will also be brightened by the Enchanted Village, a true Boston classic dating to the 1940s. This year it will move to the Hynes Convention Center. The Enchanted Village has been housed on City Hall Plaza since 1998, when Macy’s donated it to the City. But this year’s budget restraints prevented us from opening the Village until Tedeschi Food Shops stepped in. Bob Tedeschi and Tedeschi Food Shops are another great corporate partner. Others, including John Hancock, The Shops at the Prudential Center, Eastern Bank, Cooperative Bank, Stop & Shop, Macy’s, Comcast and John Perry and the members of Local 82, also helped to make this transition a reality.

Now that the Enchanted Village is at the Hynes, families can come downtown to shop, get lunch, and visit the Enchanted Village all in the same day. Best of all, the connection to the Hynes from the Prudential Center means you can stay warm the entire time. The great thing about the Enchanted Village is that when you step inside, you’re transported back in time, to the year 1910. And the sights and sounds of the Village are limited only to your imagination.

Like the Trolley Tour, neighborhood events and tree lightings, the magic of the holiday season hangs in the air. I hope you and your family can enjoy some of the many offerings in the City during this season of hope and promise.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 18 Nov 2003 05:00:00 GMT

It’s almost Thanksgiving, and that means it’s time to start bracing for winter. The frigid temperatures and harsh elements can do a job on houses, causing all sorts of damage and jacking up home heating bills. But that doesn’t mean anybody has to go cold this winter, because there’s plenty of help available.

Last week I joined staff from the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA) to announce a program called WRAP (Weatherization, Rehabilitation, and Asset Preservation). This new initiative designed to help keep Boston residents warm and comfortable this winter will be run by MAHA and is a collaboration among the City, the state, Nstar, Keyspan, and other partners. The idea is to provide low- and moderate-income homeowners with quick and easy access to information about weatherization, home repair, and ways to cut energy costs.

There are a lot of programs out there designed to help homeowners with these types of issues, but up until now there hasn’t been a link between these and other programs. WRAP will provide one-stop access for homeowners to reach out for information and the subsequent help they need.

The pilot program for WRAP will start in the Codman Square/St. Mark’s section of Dorchester. MAHA will work with residents in that area to access City, state and private programs, provided they are income eligible, to make necessary home improvements. I want to thank MAHA, Action for Boston Community Development, and Action Energy for their work in the creation of WRAP.

Citywide, we have a host of home-improvement programs available through the Department of Neighborhood Development (DND). The newest is the HomeWorks Emergency Loan Program. Low-income homeowners can receive a loan of up to $5,000 to make emergency home repairs. The loan will be offered at an interest rate of zero percent and can be deferred for up to five years.

Winter can sometimes cause unexpected damage – a frozen pipe, a leaky roof, or no hot water. Not everyone can afford to pay for emergency repairs, and no one can afford to be left in the cold this winter. That’s why the HomeWorks Emergency Loan Program will be there to help.

DND also offers its HomeWorks, Historic HomeWorks and Lead Safe programs. For a list of available programs and corresponding information, you can call 617 635-0600 or log on to www.cityofboston.gov and enter keyword “HomeWorks.”

Winters in Boston can be tough, but by working together, we can keep our homes warm and safe.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Wed, 12 Nov 2003 05:00:00 GMT

Last March, just days after the tragic nightclub fire in Warwick, Rhode Island, I appointed a Task Force to examine safety regulations for Boston nightclubs. I gave the Task Force a clear directive - to make whatever changes are necessary to ensure that Boston is using the toughest standards when it comes to nightclub safety.

Boston already has some of the toughest safety standards on the books, but that doesn’t mean much unless every bar and club owner is educated and informed as to what those regulations are and how to maintain compliance.

So over the past several months, the Task Force met regularly to establish a plan to educate owners about their responsibilities and to help them take the necessary steps to improve public safety. Shortly after the Rhode Island tragedy, I signed an executive order banning pyrotechnics in nightclubs. Last week, I oversaw the implementation of the task force’s recommendations.

The Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs & Licensing will now require all licensed premises to submit a safety checklist as part of their annual license renewal process. This means that all bars, restaurants, and nightclubs will have to adhere to strict safety standards in order to operate in the City of Boston.

This procedure will go into effect next month when the City conducts its 2004 license renewal process. Boston is the only city in Massachusetts to take this step, and I’m proud that Boston is again leading the way for public safety in the Commonwealth.

Next, the City has produced a booklet of Safety Guidelines designed as a tool to assist nightclub and restaurant owners develop their own comprehensive safety plan. It offers recommendations on how owners can train their employees how to handle emergencies.

And finally, because licensed premises are regulated by several different City departments, the City’s MIS department has created a new database that will allow city licensing authorities to share information related to safety violations at bars and restaurants.

The members of the Task Force are to be congratulated for the extensive time and effort they put forth on this issue. And I want to emphasize the tremendous cooperation we’ve received from all of the bar and restaurant owners in Boston. When the City held a training session for licensed establishments last summer, over 300 people attended. The strong support from people in the industry has allowed us to keep our mission in focus and that’s keeping patrons and employees safe.

As we move forward, my City departments will continue to work with bar and restaurant owners to make sure that they are complying with the highest safety standards.

Boston has some of the best restaurants and bars in the country. I’m proud that by working together, we’re making Boston a City that is both fun and safe for everyone.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Thu, 06 Nov 2003 05:00:00 GMT

Boston has some of the nicest boulevards anywhere, but the prospect of Boylston Street becoming the Grand Boulevard has become reality after I announced last week that the City and Boston Redevelopment Authority will commit $1.5 million to the project. With private contributions of more than $2 million, that real investment will make a real difference.

Boylston Street is home to some of Boston’s most historic and noteworthy buildings, like the Copley Library, Trinity Church and Copley Square. You also have the Prudential Shopping Center, the Hynes Convention Center and many shops and restaurants truly make it a destination spot.

Boylston Street has enormous potential, but for too long it hasn’t received the attention it deserves. These renovations will give Boylston Street the facelift it needs to become “Boston’s Grand Boulevard.”

When complete, Boylston Street will have 85 new acorn lights installed and the planting of 100 new trees in addition to the removal of dead trees and treatment of existing ones. New hanging flowers will be attached to the new light poles and will be adorned with seasonal greens in the winter. There will be decorative banners on alternating poles and the area will receive new street furniture. The street itself will be revamped with a median and plantings.

Project Place has stepped up to be a good corporate partner and has offered to clean and maintain the street. Project Place does a tremendous job helping homeless men and women rebuild their lives. And I’m proud that they are going to play such an important role in the beautification of this important gateway.

There have been others who have shown great teamwork in getting this project off the ground. Back Bay Association, Boston Properties, Pru Pac, The Druker Company, Beacon Capital Partners, Saunders Hotel Group, CWB Boylston LLC, The Four Seasons Hotel and Avalon Bay Company all deserve credit for helping make this a reality.

The BRA, as the project lead, has relied heavily upon Harry Collings and he also deserves credit for his work in putting this project together.

When these improvements are complete, Boylston Street is going to “shine.” By working together, we’re working to make Boylston Street a premiere destination that residents and visitors can enjoy.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 28 Oct 2003 04:00:00 GMT

Last June, Boston held its first-ever citywide cleanup – and together, we made Boston Shine!

Over 5,000 volunteers cleaned 127 sites in every neighborhood of our city. We cleared nearly 700 tons of trash, planted 940 flowers, towed 133 cars, and replaced 186 street signs.

It was a great day. And we accomplished a lot. I wanted to harness that energy for similar successes throughout the year. Boston is a 24-hour city, and there is always more to do. Keeping Boston clean is a full-time job. And it’s a job we can’t do alone. We need to work together to make sure that Boston Shines 24/7.

Last week, crews from more than a dozen city departments fanned out along Blue Hill Avenue, re-painting cross walks, trimming trees, patching roadways, and removing graffiti. We spruced up Goffigan Park, and cleaned around the exterior of the Quincy Early Learning Center. We also painted the white picket fences on all of the city-owned property along Blue Hill Avenue. People in that neighborhood saw a visible improvement. And we’re asking the community to work with us to help keep the area looking great.

Teamwork is critical to keeping our neighborhoods clean all year long. No one person or group can do it alone. It takes a continuous team effort to improve the quality of life we enjoy every day.

Over the next year, you’ll see signs alerting you to similar cleanups in your neighborhood and neighborhoods throughout the city. When you see these signs, you’ll know that the City is working hard to make improvements in your neighborhood. I want every area of the city to Shine.

There will be significant roadway resurfacing, tree trimming and pavement markings, as well as a full complement of Basic City Service members to clean your neighborhood.

But that’s not all. We want you to use these signs as a reminder to do your part to keep Boston clean. If you see it – if you hear it – report it. Call my 24-hour hotline at 635-4500. The information you provide can be a tremendous resource for the City. It helps us identify problems and resolve them – faster and better. And forget about voice mail – my hotline is always staffed. That’s how much it means to me that you help us identify these quality of life issues.

Right now my staff is targeting other neighborhoods to hold major cleanups like the one we did along Blue Hill Avenue. We’ve already identified areas in Jamaica Plain, Brighton and Roxbury. But it’s not just about one day – it’s about every day throughout the year. And that’s what we’re going to continue to do – go out into the neighborhoods to keep Boston shining.

Our neighborhoods are the strength of our City. Let’s keep working together to keep that pride alive and visible to everyone.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 21 Oct 2003 04:00:00 GMT

As Mayor, I’m in a unique position when it comes to the issue of drug abuse. I work as a public leader on such things as prevention, rehabilitation, and funding issues. But I also work for Boston residents as their link to City Hall.

I’m out in the neighborhoods every day, talking to people about the issues that most impact their lives. And I can tell you, there’s a big difference between talking about drug abuse in a conference room and talking about it on the street, with real people, dealing with real problems.

Because suddenly, it’s no longer about statistics or numbers – it’s about the woman standing in front of you whose child is a heroin addict. And you see the agony on her face as she explains how her own son has become a complete stranger to her. And it’s about the young man who is trying to get his friend into treatment, but can’t find a rehab center with an empty bed to take her.

What pains me most about such encounters is that – unlike most of the other issues I deal with – there is no simple solution. There is no phone number I can relay, no magic list of steps to follow. It’s a complex problem. And it’s only by working together – public officials, the medical community, and community-based organizations – that we can get at the heart of this devastating problem.

The facts are disturbing. New England has the highest rate of drug use among young adults compared to any other region in the country. The purity of heroin has grown dramatically to 95 percent – powerful enough to be sniffed, and usually leading to injection, which opens up the issue of HIV and hepatitis. And heroin is cheaper than ever before, with some new forms being sold for as little as $4 dollars a bag – that’s less than the price of a pack of cigarettes.

Here in Boston, the heroin abuse is a citywide problem. Some neighborhoods have been hit harder than other neighborhood. Compounding the problem is the stigma associated with heroin addiction. Parents who might be quick to help their children with other issues might not deal with the signs of heroin as swiftly, and put off seeking help.

There’s no question – our challenge is daunting. Admissions to hospitals for heroin overdose have tripled in the past several years. Meanwhile, state budget cuts have led to the loss of half of the detoxification beds in Boston and the state. So how do we address this growing problem with fewer resources?

To make real progress, we need the right tools – adequate funding to provide a continuum of care. It won’t be long before you begin to see that money spent combating drug abuse is money well spent. And in the long run, it’s far less expensive – not only financially, but for the countless people and their families who are spared the pain of addiction.

So where should the money go for drug abuse treatment and prevention? At a recent New England governors forum on the issue of drug addiction, I lobbied that the solution is a simple one: give the funding to people on the front lines, so that we at the local level have the flexibility to put the money where it’s needed most. And so that the people with a stake in the community have the discretion to put the money into their public health commission, police departments, community-based organizations, or wherever they deem fit. Let us lead the crusade against the addiction that’s tearing our communities apart.

New treatments can help change the public’s perception of a heroin addict from that of a disheveled junkie on a street corner, to something more accurate – to your sister, your son, or your neighbor; to your co-worker, your student, or your friend. There is no longer one “face” of heroin addiction. It is the face of society. And it is also our future reality unless we can intervene with our young people and reverse this disturbing trend.

Substance abuse is a human issue that strikes at the core of humanity. And we all have a responsibility to address it. This is no longer your problem or their problem – it’s our problem. We are all in this together. And together, we can bring the numbers down and get more people into recovery. And we can give hope to the families who have lost it.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 14 Oct 2003 04:00:00 GMT

People pay a steep price to live in Boston, despite our best efforts to create affordable housing. I think you get a lot in return living in a wonderful city, and most would agree. But to pay a higher price because of predatory lending is wrong.

Don’t Borrow Trouble, a program I created in 1999, has become a national initiative, spearheaded by Freddie Mac, which recently held a national summit here in Boston. Advocates from more than 30 cities across the country gathered to build upon the momentum of the program, which is overseen by my Department of Neighborhood Development.

The Don’t Borrow Trouble campaign is a very personal one for me, because I’ve met many of the families who’ve fallen victim to predatory lending. I’ve seen their despair as they struggle to keep their homes – homes they’ve worked hard for all their lives.

Predatory lending is wrong, plain and simple. It’s greedy lenders preying upon the vulnerable – the elderly, people of low-income, or those who have had credit problems in the past. These most vulnerable of our society are a risk of losing their most valuable possession – their home.

That’s why four years ago I partnered with the Massachusetts Community & Banking Council to launch Don’t Borrow Trouble, a public information campaign aimed at educating homeowners about the practice of predatory lending. But it’s about more than education. It’s about empowerment – empowering people to keep control of their finances, to keep their homes, and to protect their families.

As you know by now, the campaign has been a great success. Freddie Mac has expanded the program to 30 cities, counties, and states nationwide, and set up special hotlines that homeowners can call to get advice and report scams.

Here in Boston, we are expanding our program to reach even more people and focusing on those most at risk. We’ve produced a new public service announcement for TV in both English and Spanish. We’re printing new ads to appear on bus shelters in the city. We’re giving talks on predatory lending and refinancing in meetings with civic, church, and other groups. We’re sending Don’t Borrow Trouble information to Boston homeowners in their water and sewer bills, and we continue to place ads in neighborhood newspapers.

Soon Freddie Mac will provide a media toolkit and marketing consulting services in both English and Spanish. Freddie Mac does a tremendous job helping participating communities with startup funding, project coordination, multi-language translation, and on-site training by the National Consumer Law Center. I am grateful for all of its support.

Working together our warning to homeowners is getting out: Don’t Borrow Trouble” because you could lose your Home, Sweet Home. If you have questions about a loan offer you get in the mail or that looks too good, don’t hesitate to call the Boston Home Center and 617 635-HOME for advice. Your home is too valuable to risk losing.

Mayor's weekly column

Tue, 07 Oct 2003 04:00:00 GMT

Children are our most precious resource and their safety should be of the utmost importance to everyone.

Right now there is legislation pending on Beacon Hill that would increase the footage of Drug Free Zones near parks and playgrounds from 100 feet to 1,000 feet. House Bill 1059 would put parks and playgrounds in line with schools, which already have Drug Free Zones of 1,000 feet.

The law as it stands now is weak and does not do enough to protect our children. One hundred feet is the equivalent of less than half of a city block and that just isn’t good enough. If we want to break the cycle of drug use – and all its devastating effects – we need to get tough on the dealers who are trying to stay in business by getting the next generation hooked on drugs.

Parks and playgrounds are safe havens where children go to play, to get fresh air, and to have fun. No parent should have to worry that their child is at risk when they go out for recreation.

I recently urged members of the Joint Committee on Criminal Justice, chaired by Sen. Thomas M. McGee (D-Lynn) and Rep. James Vallee (D-Franklin), to provide a timely and favorable recommendation to Rep. Carol Donovan’s (D-Woburn) “An Act Relative to Drug Free Parks, Playgrounds and Libraries.” The bill would increase the drug-free zone around playgrounds, bringing them in line with the 1,000-foot zone presently in place around schools.

I want to thank Rep. Donovan for sponsoring this important legislation and for joining me at South Boston’s Medal of Honor Park this summer to bring attention to this important legislation. Also joining me at that announcement were Police Commissioner Paul Evans, Sen. Jack Hart (D-South Boston), Rep. Brian Wallace (D-South Boston) and City Councilor Jimmy Kelly. Rep. Donovan is a former teacher, so she obviously understands the importance of child safety. We now need to impart that importance to everyone else at the State House.

That is why I’m asking you to contact your legislators to encourage them to pass legislation that would make all children safe. In addition to contacting your local legislators for their support, please contact the Committee on Criminal Justice at 722-2900.

I’m confident that by working together, we can keep our parks and playgrounds drug free – and carefree – the way they should be.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 30 Sep 2003 04:00:00 GMT

"Evening on the Bridge 3.0" will help us close the span of the technology divide. I visited with graduates, program alumni and the contributors who help make dreams a reality at last week’s fundraiser celebration at Playstead Field at Franklin Park.

People like Ken Novack of AOL/Time Warner, who took time from his busy schedule to appear on a speaking platform that included Superintendent Thomas Payzant and me. Mr. Novack co-chaired the Event Committee along with Chad Gifford and Reverand Hammond, who unfortunately could not be with us. Each did a terrific job to ensure as many families are able to get the necessary computer skills they need. FleetBoston Financial and The Boston Foundation were kind enough to help underwrite the celebration.

We recognized the achievements of some very special people and we also paid tribute to two remarkable programs –Technology Goes Home and TechBoston.

To date, the Technology Goes Home program has trained over 650 families and that’s over 3,000 people who now have access to computers, software, and Internet access. That’s quite an accomplishment since I announced the program in 1999.

This year we’ve expanded TGH into the Boston Public Schools. Fourteen schools are going to train parents and their kids using the TGH model. We’ve come a long way from the two pilot sites where it all began in Allston-Brighton and Codman Square. The rapid expansion not only shows the high demand for this program, but it also shows the commitment and dedication of our teachers.

Through the McCormack Center evaluation, we have found that families grow closer when they learn together.

Some of our TGH grads are very talented, as we witnessed a talent show aptly named "TGH Idol." Celebrity judges Carole Brennan of Massport, Travis McCready from The Boston Foundation and Karen James-Sykes from Verizon had a tough time deciding who was lucky enough to take home top honors. Coach Willie Maye donated his time by serving as the event's emcee. He certainly helped the evening run smoothly.

TechBoston all began five years ago with only 40 students and a teacher by the name of Mary Skipper. Today TechBoston serves over 2,500 kids through the Boston Public Schools.

Every high school and most middle schools offer TechBoston classes. TechBoston gives students cutting-edge training that leads to certification, internships, and jobs. Over 500 high school seniors got internships last year doing everything from web site design for the Gates Foundation to working the help desk at JP Morgan.

We saw how TechBoston was changing the lives of students and opening opportunities for them, so we created a pilot school that uses technology in every classroom. TechBoston Academy students each have their own laptop and they use it for each class. This high-tech academy will become a model for creating small schools within all of our district high schools. And we couldn’t have done it without the generosity of The Boston Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Microsoft.

I’ve traveled around the country a great deal, especially during this past year, and I have not found any programs as well developed as our technology education programs. I encourage you all to continue your learning even after you graduate from TechBoston or Technology Goes Home. Stay involved with your schools, community centers and neighbors. We want to have the smartest young people and the most skilled labor force. You're not only strengthening your family and your home, but together, we are strengthening our City.

None of this would be possible without lots of help. There are dozens of sponsors who have contributed to Boston Digital Bridge Foundation and its programs, Technology Goes Home and TechBoston.

People like Echo Tsai from HiQ Computers, whose involvement led to HiQ’s donation of 1,000 computers, a catalyst of the Technology Goes Home program. Echo came all the way from California to be us at the annual event, showing what it means to be a committed corporate partner.

With all the help, we’ve made tremendous strides. But there is still much more work to do to help our families gain the technology skills they need. There are thousands of families in our City who still need help getting a computer.

We need to double our efforts to ensure that these adults and students have the necessary tools and skills to compete in today’s economy.

Technology is everyone’s bridge to the future and I want to make sure that "Evening on the Bridge 4.0" will bring even more success stories.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 23 Sep 2003 04:00:00 GMT

I had the pleasure last week to kick off New Bostonians Community Day on City Hall Plaza. Here in Boston, our residents come from every nation in the world. In fact, one out of every four Bostonians was born in another country. Thirty-five percent of the students in our schools speak a language other than English at home. And together, our residents speak more than 140 languages.

Today’s immigrants come to Boston just like previous generations: to make a better life for themselves and their children. We are fortunate to have them.

I have asked the Office of New Bostonians to help make Boston a welcoming and inviting place for everyone, to encourage people to avail themselves of city services and to participate. The New Bostonians Community Day is an open house, a way to learn what is taking place in the office and putting a face on City government.

Boston City Hall might look peculiar from the outside – some people have compared it to a milk crate! But inside New Bostonians and longtime residents will find lots of helpful people ready to assist you with any questions you may have.

Whether you want to register to vote, get help with your taxes, or obtain a marriage license – this building is here for you, so use it! City Hall can be a tremendous resource, particularly for New Bostonians.

I was happy to announce a new effort aimed at helping Boston’s newest residents at the fourth New Bostonians Community Day last week. Starting in October, the Office of New Bostonians will begin holding immigration clinics here at City Hall. Clinics will be held twice a month, every first and third Wednesday. And later this year, clinics will be held once a month in different neighborhoods throughout our City. I’d like to thank the immigration attorneys who have volunteered their services to staff the clinics. However, you don’t have to be an attorney to volunteer to help. You can contact the Office of New Bostonians at City Hall for more details.

Another barrier for immigrants is proficiency in the English language. That’s why I created the English for New Bostonians program – to create more English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes and to reduce the waiting list in Boston. I have further expedited that process by announcing the launch of a new City web site designed specifically to help Boston residents find available ESOL classes. The user-friendly site will offer a directory of available ESOL classes throughout the City. And it will bring immigrants one step closer to achieving their dreams.

The same day as New Bostonians Community Day, I also had the honor of presenting the award for Outstanding New Bostonian. The contributions of New Bostonians are tremendous – and they need to be recognized. Even though I had to single out Kate Okoye of Hyde Park as this year’s recipient, there are countless unsung heroes among New Bostonians in our communities. Ms. Okoye is a Boston Public School teacher and helped found the Nigerian Youths Organization, which affirms youths’ culture by providing academic, spiritual, and social networking. While Kate was the evening’s big winner, everyone’s contributions are important.

The City has partnered with several local ethnic newspapers to better address the concerns of Boston’s immigrants. These newspapers will feature a regular column where readers can send in their questions and attorneys volunteering with the Office of New Bostonians will give written responses.

My goal is to make sure that city government is open and accessible to everyone. And we need your help to keep growing stronger and better.

Diversity is one of Boston's greatest strengths. And we need to make sure that all of the voices in Boston are heard. So I hope that those of you who have not yet registered to vote will do so. When you vote in elections, you vote for the future of our city and for the future of our country.

The key to New Bostonians Community Day is for people to ask questions and get involved – to make the most of every day. If we work together, we will build a stronger, better Boston.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 09 Sep 2003 04:00:00 GMT

The inaugural Boston Arts Festival will take place this Saturday, September 13 from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Christopher Columbus Park on the Waterfront.

The event is a collaborative one with corporate assistance from JP Morgan Chase and Brown & Company, along with Boston Magazine. My Office of Special Events, Tourism & Film and Office of Cultural Affairs have put together an exciting lineup for everyone to enjoy.

The Boston Arts Festival is designed to showcase area artists, enhance the city’s vitality, generate visitor activity, and stimulate interest and ideas for programming on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, a 27-acre area of parks to be constructed on the current site of the Central Artery. The festival launches the performing arts season and the Boston Open Studios series that begins the weekend of September 13-14 in the South End and continues throughout the fall in various neighborhoods of Boston. At the festival, Boston’s best artists and craftspeople will exhibit and sell original and limited works of art. All this will take place at the newly renovated park.

The show’s vibrant performances will be a reflection of Boston’s diversity. Boston Lyric Opera will present Italian Arias in the Afternoon, Boston Ballet will perform cignets from Swan Lake and two new works, Boston Jazz Repertory Orchestra will preview its fall schedule and Chu Ling Dance Academy will stage a new folk dance, The Blue Flower.

In a separate children’s performance area, City Stage Company will entertain with an interactive performance, Janice Allen will engage children with story-telling and Latin-American folkloric dance will come alive with a performance by La Pinata.

If that isn’t enough, attendees will have the opportunity to create watercolor paintings and create musical rhythms through the Stomp Sound Learning Center. The Festival will also look to provide just a glimpse of how such a program can possibly enliven the Rose Kennedy Greenway parks of the future.

Recently, I joined with the Massachusetts Preservation Conference to talk about just how art and culture can unite a city.

Some of you may be surprised to learn that a few years ago, a study taken by my Office of Cultural Affairs found that the arts in Boston bring in more revenue all major sports teams combined. Preservation, culture and arts can be powerful economic tools and they can enrich our cities and towns when they are used together.

Emerson College’s Majestic Theater – a Boston landmark – is a downtown rallying point for the college. Emerson’s relocation to downtown Boston from the Back Bay has been instrumental in revitalizing the Midtown Cultural District.

On Washington Street in downtown Boston, three projects are underway to restore Landmark theaters. The interior of the Opera House is in the midst of undergoing a $31 million restoration. Next summer, Clear Channel will re-open the Opera House with a production of The Lion King.

A little further down the block, Millennium Partners – the Paramount Theater’s new owner and neighbor – has replicated its crumbling Art Deco facade and reproduced the original neon sign.

Ten local arts organization – led by Harvard University’s American Repertory Theater – are raising funds to re-open the Paramount, which has also been dark for many years.

Up the block, a partnership between the Boston Redevelopment Authority and Bobbie Sager – a Bostonian with a big heart – has set into motion plans to rehabilitate the Modern Theater, one of the first theaters in the country to introduce talking pictures.

Huntington Avenue is home to a host of cultural institutions, including the Boston Symphony, Boston University’s Huntington Theater, the New England Conservatory of Music, and the Museum of Fine Arts – as well as Mass College of Art, Northeastern University and Wentworth Institute. I’m proud of the city’s street improvement plan designating Huntington Avenue Boston’s “Avenue of the Arts.” Newly planted trees will line the center of the Avenue. And the MBTA has joined the initiative by building new T stations along the route.

These new street enhancements compliment recent improvements by the BSO to Symphony Hall, a planned $50 million dollar restoration and expansion of the MFA, and new buildings along Huntington constructed by Northeastern University.

Preservation and the arts also combine to enrich neighborhoods where most Bostonians live. The city-owned Strand Theater brings a world of international music and dance to Upham’s Corner in Dorchester.

The City’s economic planning agency – the Boston Redevelopment Authority – is committed to keeping artists in Boston, especially where artists’ live/work space can bring new life to old buildings. In the Lower Mills section of Dorchester, the State recently partnered with Keen Development to convert the long-vacant Administration Building of the Walter Baker Chocolate Factory into artists’ housing. In South Boston, Keen Development is working with the BRA to keep artists in the Fort Point neighborhood, side-by-side with new commercial development.

Boston’s historic parks – which are already being revitalized to enhance their own landscape artistry – are also home to the Boston Parks Department’s Arts in the Parks program.

A couple of summers ago, 20,000 Bostonians gathered in Franklin Park for a Boston Pops concert. For several years, Boston Common has hosted free Shakespeare productions. And at two evening performances, 135,000 people came to the Common for the opera Carmen.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 09 Sep 2003 04:00:00 GMT

The inaugural Boston Arts Festival will take place this Saturday, September 13 from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Christopher Columbus Park on the Waterfront.

Recently, I joined with the Massachusetts Preservation Conference to talk about just how art and culture can unite a city.

A little further down the block, Millennium Partners – the Paramount Theater’s new owner and neighbor – has replicated its crumbling Art Deco facade and reproduced the original neon sign.

Ten local arts organization – led by Harvard University’s American Repertory Theater – are raising funds to re-open the Paramount, which has also been dark for many years.

Boston’s historic parks – which are already being revitalized to enhance their own landscape artistry – are also home to the Boston Parks Department’s Arts in the Parks program.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 02 Sep 2003 04:00:00 GMT

Things are really looking up for the Boston Public Schools as we embark on the beginning of what promises to be another exciting school year. And I mean that literally.

Over the past week or so, I have cut the ribbon on two of the three new schools that will welcome more than 2,200 students this fall and I released Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) scores that show Boston students have improved by 18 points. School Reform is really working and educators won’t be derailed by difficult budget times.

In my State of the City Address back in 1999, I made a pledge to build quality new schools in the neighborhoods that needed them most, including Mattapan, Roxbury and Dorchester. Armed with state reimbursement funds, that pledge is a reality.

The constant among the three schools has been the spectacular work of dedicated parents who helped the process along. The City has done the easy part – although as I think about it, securing funding, collaborating with designers and building schools is no easy task – and now the difficult part starts: ensuring a solid education for those who attend these and every other school within the City of Boston.

Even the layout of the school is unique – designed so that as students move up in grade level, they also move up physically within the building. These are the kinds of things that get kids excited about learning – working their way up to a higher floor where the “big kids” are.

They might seem small, but these things mean a lot to a young person. And if we can get kids excited about learning while they’re young, they will carry that enthusiasm with them for the rest of their lives.

The New Boston Pilot Middle School will be the first new middle school in 35 years. Seven hundred fifty-six students will walk into a brand-new facility next week. That enthusiasm will inspire them to continued excellence and achievement.

I will also open the Mildred Avenue Middle School this week. Along with state-of-the-art facilities, students will enjoy an attached Community Center.

None of this success could happen without the excellent leadership of Superintendent Thomas Payzant. He has also piloted through School Reform, which ultimately led to last week’s announcement that high school students had improved their SAT scores by 18 points.

There will be an added emphasis on personalized attention this year. Thousands of district high school students will be involved in smaller schools. At the elementary level, additional math coaches will seek to help students. And a new International School will devote attention to students who are new to our country.

With new schools, committed parents, and dedicated educators, the 2003-2004 school year promises to be an exciting one.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 26 Aug 2003 04:00:00 GMT

We all were either impacted by or knew someone who made it through the Great Blackout of 2003. Along the Eastern Seaboard and through a large swath of the Midwest, people struggled for hours or even days to grapple with the debilitating outage. Luckily, Boston was not affected. Two days before power went out in a large part of the country, I issued a request for proposals seeking a qualified consultant to advise me on ways the City of Boston can save money, improve public health and protect the environment by upgrading our energy policies. Two years ago, I set out to reduce the City of Boston’s energy use by 10 percent. A consultant will assist us with making our buildings more efficient and adding clean, renewable technologies to our energy supply. The more efficient we become, the more money we’ll be able to save. The consultant will be charged with creating an Integrated Energy Management Plan (IEMP). The five-year plan will involve almost all city departments, including Auditing, Budget, Environment, Management Information Services, Property Management, the Boston Public Health Commission, Public Works, and Transportation.

When completed, the consultant will deliver the IEMP to my Energy Management Board. The Board, created in 2002, will receive recommendations in eight areas, including reducing and managing demand for energy, finding the lowest price for energy and alternatives to current energy systems. The position will be financed by a combination of funds provided by the Department of Energy, the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, and other funding sources.

Being aware of energy policy is nothing new in Boston. In September 2001, I convened an energy advisory committee to examine Boston’s energy policies. In addition, Boston has built a “green” building in Mattapan, installed energy-efficient windows in public housing developments, and assembled a task force to advise Boston businesses about energy efficiency.

Spectacle Island, which I visited last week, will also be a shining example of optimizing our energy resources. I have proposed legislation authorizing the City of Boston and Commonwealth of Massachusetts to sign over their co-ownership to the Island Alliance, which will create a national park.

Once complete, the island, which used to ooze toxins into Boston Harbor as a polluted landfill, will be the envy of children’s eyes as a beach, miles of recreation trails and a panoramic view of Boston. And most importantly, all transportation on the island will be via electric vehicles.

An 18-minute boat ride will be all it takes to visit an environmentally friendly haven in the middle of Boston.

Clean energy sources and their correct use will ensure Boston is not in the dark when it comes to its energy use.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 19 Aug 2003 04:00:00 GMT

Last week, I had the privilege of rolling out the first pitch at a game of kickball during a back-to-school festival at the Roxbury Boys & Girls Club. The festival was held to celebrate the success of Boston’s Feeding Our Future summer lunch program. This summer, the program has provided nearly 7,000 free meals to children throughout the city. Thanks to these meals, our kids remain nourished and healthy. They sure displayed lots of strength and energy on the kickball field.

Hunger knows no season. During the school year, many children qualify to receive free or reduced-price lunches. This need does not end with the summer vacation. However, the issue of hunger generally receives less attention during the summer. Programs like Feeding Our Future, funded by Sodexho USA, ensure that our future generations will not be forced to skip meals.

The same day of the celebration, I also helped to kick off the 20th anniversary Taste of Boston, which will be held on City Hall Plaza on September 20-21. Portions of the event’s proceeds will benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank, an outstanding organization that works every day to fight hunger.

The city is also doing its part to fight hunger by continuing to provide more than $80,000 in annual summer food grants to 106 Boston food pantries. The food purchased with these grants helps to offset the drop in supplies that pantries typically experience during the summer due to fewer donations. It is important to remember that the services of these pantries are needed year-round.

Hunger is a problem that affects not only the homeless, but also the working poor. Food pantries and soup kitchens throughout Boston are reporting increases in the number of people seeking assistance. Many are using these resources for the first time. In this tough economy, more and more families are having trouble making ends meet. Faced with decreased employment benefits and layoffs, people are often forced to cut their food budget in order to pay bills and cover medical expenses. The elderly are also in need of help. As a result, more and more people are turning to food pantries to fill a critical need.

Food banks are delivering record amounts of food this year and they need our assistance. I am committed to ending hunger in Boston, but I cannot do it alone. Corporations and private individuals must work together with the City Of Boston to make a difference. By raising awareness and increasing donations, we can ease the burden placed upon private charities.

I am especially looking forward to this fall’s 16th annual Boston Can Share food drive, in which the Boston business community and city hall collaborate to fight hunger by collecting food and monetary donations. It is through ongoing partnerships such as this that we can put a dent in hunger. Businesses across Boston will participate in a corporate matching program through which companies will match their employees’ food donations with a cash donation. Over the years, the Boston Can Share food drive has been one of our most successful efforts.

Working together as a community continues to be our best defense against hunger. I invite the people of Boston to rally to the cause – donate to a food pantry, and, in turn, help a neighbor.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 05 Aug 2003 04:00:00 GMT

This week I was pleased to announce the grand opening of the Grove Hall Community Center, a temporary structure that will have a lasting effect on the young people in the neighborhood.

The bubble-like Grove Hall Community Center facility was recently relocated from City Hall Plaza, where it housed the Enchanted Village annual holiday display to the corner of Normandy Street and Geneva Avenue in Dorchester. It was constructed on a vacant 42,000-square-foot city-owned parcel of land and will provide a location for new youth programs and activities.

The new Grove Hall Community Center represents a unique collaboration of the City of Boston, the private sector, and the surrounding community. Over the past several weeks, more than 30 local businesses, labor unions, utility companies, and city departments have donated more than $200,000 in financial contributions and in-kind services and hundreds of hours of volunteer labor to get the center up and running. Thanks to the hard work of so many partners, the community center is a reality.

While the city and the community have recognized the need for a new community center in Grove Hall for many years, construction of a permanent facility is still several years off. A new center will eventually be built next to the Jeremiah E. Burke High School, located across Geneva Avenue. The Burke High School is also in the early phases of a planned reconstruction.

But we knew the young people of Grove Hall couldn’t afford to wait—they need services now. In an effort to temporarily fill the need for programs and services in the community, John Rosenthal came forward as a benefactor and offered to help the city transform the structure into a community center. Rosenthal, who is president of Meredith Management and founder of Stop Handgun Violence, worked closely with Boston Police Superintendent Paul Joyce and the City of Boston to move the temporary structure to Grove Hall.

The 7,000-square-foot facility is expected to be at the site for the next three years and includes a full-size basketball court, computer rooms, offices, and a multi-purpose room. It is also outfitted with a public address system. The structure is covered in vinyl supported by a metal frame and reinforced double-walls. The total cost of the project is approximately $300,000.

Operation and programming of the facility will be managed by BCYF, which oversees a network of 44 community centers and 20 swimming pools citywide. The center will be staffed by at least seven people including five streetworkers through the Boston SafeFutures Initiative and a grant from The Boston Foundation. Four of the streetworkers will work on case management along with a clinical social worker. A representative of BCYF’s Sports and Fitness Division will also assist with organizing athletic activities and events. The center will be open Monday through Friday from noon to 8:00 p.m. for young people primarily between the ages of 14 and 18.

The Grove Hall Community Center is all about providing young people with opportunities that can make a world of difference in their lives. There are thousands of teenagers living along the Blue Hill Avenue corridor in the Grove Hall neighborhood who do not have enough access to much-needed services or healthy, positive activities like sports, fitness, recreation and educational programs. The center will help them stay on track and achieve their goals.

As we face budget shortfalls and shrinking resources, the Grove Hall Community Center gives us hope. If we continue to work together we give out young people the tools they need to build a bright future.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 29 Jul 2003 04:00:00 GMT

One of the things I've learned as Mayor is that tough economic times are no excuse for walking away from important commitments – like providing summer jobs. So when drastic cuts in local aid forced the city to significantly reduce the number of youth it employs - and eliminate the Gray Shirts program altogether - I called upon the private sector to step up to the plate. I felt strongly that by working together, we could salvage the summer and give our young people the opportunity to enjoy a happy and productive summer.

I'm happy to report we did just that! The response from the private sector was tremendous, and together we raised nearly $700,000 to fund summer jobs. We even raised enough money to operate cleanup crews in 26 locations throughout the City. This week hundreds of young people hit the streets ensuring that we'll end the summer of '03 on a high - and clean - note.

Why is this so important? Summer jobs are about more than just work. For some kids, summer jobs provide money to help out with expenses at home. For other kids, summer jobs provide work experience that helps them prepare for college and a future career. For others, it’s about building relationships with kids from neighborhoods all over the city. And for many young people, summer jobs are about all of these things – and more.

I am grateful to all the people who worked with me on this effort for standing by our young people in tough times. And I want to recognize the terrific support we've gotten from our friends in the business community, organizations ranging in size from Harvard University and the Yawkey Foundation to Devaney Fuel and Dutch Maid Bakery. We even received donations from individual citizens who just wanted to help make a difference.

Some of our largest corporate partners have also stepped up by hiring additional teens, including Fleet, John Hancock and Citizens Bank.

Summer jobs provide kids with more than just a paycheck. Jobs teach responsibility and foster a strong work ethic. They provide young people with valuable skills and allow them to help their parents pay the bills. Jobs also give kids the confidence and motivation they need to keep them on the right track and help them to succeed.

It's always heartening to see the terrific things that can happen when people work together. This summer is a great example of strong partnerships making the impossible possible. I'm proud of what we've been able to achieve this summer. The best investment you can make is in people. And by investing in our young people this summer, we've made an investment that will yield returns for years to come.

Next year's budget looks every bit as uncertain as the current one. But when next summer rolls around, we can take comfort in the knowledge that despite the odds that were stacked against us, we rallied together and were able make this summer a productive one for thousands of young people. And we have the ability to do it again.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 22 Jul 2003 04:00:00 GMT

One of the most daring artists of all time, Pablo Picasso, once said, "Everything you can imagine is real." That was the overwhelming sentiment last week as I joined members of Boston’s cultural community in celebrating the development of Midway Studios in South Boston. Situated in three adjacent historic buildings in Fort Point Channel, the project will consist of more than 200,000 square feet of mixed-use space, including 89 artists' live/work studios, a 340-seat black box theater, a 50-seat performance venue, rehearsal space, a gallery, a café, and office space for cultural organizations.

Midway Studios is a pivotal project because it ensures that artists will have a permanent base in the Fort Point Channel, a neighborhood they helped create. Artists are often the pioneers of a neighborhood. Too often, however, artists become victims of the boom they helped begin, and get priced out of the very areas they revitalized.

The development of Midway means that the artists who put Fort Point Channel on the map will not be driven out by the staggering costs of housing. Instead, the area will become a haven for the arts, and artists will be part of the fabric of the neighborhood as it continues to prosper. With the ongoing rebirth of the waterfront, and especially with the completion of the Convention Center next year, Fort Point Channel will be a top destination for visitors and residents alike. And with Midway Studio, artists will be in the heart if it all.

It takes strong partnerships to bring projects like Midway to fruition. The Fort Point Cultural Coalition and Beacon Capital Partners worked closely with my Office of Cultural Affairs and the Boston Redevelopment Authority to take this project from the imagination of a daring few and transform it into reality.

The groundbreaking is scheduled for this fall. When complete, Midway Studios promises to be a shining example of people working together to keep a neighborhood open and affordable for artists.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 15 Jul 2003 04:00:00 GMT

Even though our resources are substantially reduced, our commitment to education is stronger than ever. That is why it was so gratifying to visit Dorchester High School last week, where another nationally recognized philanthropic organization made a financial contribution that recognizes just how much progress our schools in Boston are making.

The $13.6 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is a strong vote of confidence in our schools, and in the work we are doing to make them the best they can be.

We all know that students do better in smaller, more personalized settings. But smaller facilities are just part of the solution – we also need to make sure that all schools have strong leadership and support.

In recent years, Superintendent Payzant, the Boston School Committee, and our many dedicated partners have worked hard to create small, safe and effective learning communities.

Earlier this summer I visited Dorchester High School’s last graduation with Tom Payzant to applaud the accomplishments of the last graduating class of Dorchester High. And it was great to be back to celebrate another new beginning in the school’s proud history, and for the school district as a whole.

We are gratified that the Gates Foundation has recognized the good work that we are doing to reform our high schools, and better serve our students and their families. The grant money will allow us to continue to move forward with our efforts to reform our high schools.

The funds will be used to facilitate the transition of South Boston and Dorchester high schools into three small autonomous schools each and to open the new Boston International High School. Also, the School Department will use the grant to begin to develop five additional small high schools over the next few years.

One of the best features of the small school development process is that it does not take a new building to open a new school. The School Department has been able to reuse existing facilities to house new small schools, like the International High School opening in the former Fuller Elementary School, and will continue to do so in the future. This money will support that effort.

We have come too far and we have worked too hard to let our progress be derailed by a downturn in the economy. And this grant helps keep the momentum going strong.

I am pleased that the Gates Foundation has honored us with a long-term financial commitment to span these challenging times.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 08 Jul 2003 04:00:00 GMT

Three years ago, I launched “Leading the Way” because there was a housing crisis in our city. More and more families were struggling to keep a roof over their heads. Seniors were being priced out of their homes. And people who grew up in Boston were being forced into the suburbs by the staggering cost of housing.

Boston’s housing crisis gave birth to “Leading the Way” - one of the most ambitious housing initiatives in the nation. And now we can celebrate what we have accomplished in the past three years.

Here are some highlights:

· We permitted nearly 7,730 new units of housing.

· Nearly 2,250 of those units are affordable.

· We kept nearly 3,150 units of affordable housing funded by the federal government from going to market rate.

· We renovated more than 1,000 units of vacant public housing.

· And we made more than 1,000 units of housing available to the homeless.

I admit these statistics sound pretty dry. But not when you know the stories behind the numbers. With each unit of housing, a homeless family moves off the street and into a home. Or a senior citizen moves into a top-notch assisted living facility. Or a young couple achieves their dream of owning a home.

And there is another benefit. Along with our public and private partners, we have made a $2 billion investment in housing. This has created over 5,200 construction jobs. So not only are we bringing people home, but we’re also putting them to work.

Over the past three years, I have been at many groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings celebrating these successes. At each of these events, I meet the people behind the numbers. And I can tell you, countless lives have been changed because of our efforts.

One person whose life has been changed is Anna Baez. Just a couple of years ago, she and her three children were homeless. Now Anna and her children have a home at the Cathedral Development in the South End where the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) has been bringing vacant units back into active use.

Tekeon Thomas recently purchased a house through the Department of Neighborhood Development’s (DND) Three Decker Plus program, which is funded by Leading the Way. Now he owns his own home in East Boston, where he, his grandmother Angeline, and his two children will live in one apartment and rent the other two.

Our housing initiative over the past three years has taken teamwork. The Boston Redevelopment Authority, Inspectional Services Department, BHA and DND have all played key roles. The Neighborhood Housing Trust, the community development corporations (CDC’s) and the other nonprofit and for-profit developers have stuck by us every step of the way. And together, we have made a real difference.

The Metropolitan in Chinatown is a great example of what “Leading the Way” is all about. When it is finished, it will include 251 units of housing and nearly half of them will be affordable. The project is a collaboration of Ed Fish Associates and the Asian CDC. It was a great location to celebrate the successes of “Leading the Way.”

All the success of “Leading the Way” is tempered by the fact that we know there is still so much work to be done. Too many families, seniors and young people are struggling. Homelessness is on the rise, and the cost of housing is still through the roof.

While “Leading the Way” and its goals are complete, our drive to create and preserve affordable housing is stronger than ever. We will continue to move forward. And we will continue to build on our partnerships and on our success with a new plan and new goals to address our housing needs.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 30 Jun 2003 04:00:00 GMT

In the past week, I’ve helped introduce the band Guster to the stage on City Hall Plaza, took in part of the Blondie concert at the same venue and kicked off my Monday Night Movies series with “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” on the Boston Common. That is just a taste of what’s to come this summer, as the Boston Centers for Youth and Families, Boston Parks Department, Office of Special Events, Tourism & Film and other city agencies work to ensure fun for everyone in the months ahead.

We even got a helping hand from Nomar Garciaparra, whose Nomar 5 Fund’s generosity resulted in a $200,000 donation for Nomar’s Play Lot at the Vine Street Community Center. This tot lot is just one of the ways that Nomar is giving back to the community.

Through the Nomar 5 Fund, he has also supported summer jobs and several community-based organizations.

The Vine Street Community Center is on track to have a great summer. In fact, each one of the 44 community centers across the city is geared up and ready to go. To find out about the top-notch programs we offer, get a copy of the Boston Guide to Youth Services. You may do so by contacting the Boston Centers for Youth and Families at 635-4920 x. 2130.

In the guide, readers will see that we offer something for everyone, whether it’s sports, arts, computers or environmental studies. Speaking of sports, the Boston Neighborhood Basketball League opened across the city this week for its 34th year. And our 20 swimming pools are opening up across the city, including the Clougherty in Charlestown and the Mirabella in the North End. Both are outdoor pools.

The 44 community centers will also host more than 50 summer day camps for young people and numerous sports and fitness programs citywide.

On City Hall Plaza, Arts at the Arcade is a great experience for residents and visitors. At the Arcade, there is always something going on. Throughout the summer, people will enjoy the Farmers Markets, cultural activities, music, art exhibits and the unique lights that are the hallmark of the Arcade.

Still on the Plaza, the popular Dorothy Curran Concert Series will return, starting July 9 with the U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty and running for six consecutive Wednesday nights. Popular acts include a Vaudeville Night, the Glenn Miller Orchestra and others. All concerts start at 7 p.m.

The popular Adams Park and Waterfront concert series both return as well.

My Monday Night Movies, with Keyspan’s cooperation, will show films in eight neighborhoods this summer. I kicked off the series on Boston Common and different neighborhoods will be treated to family-friendly movies through August 18. This summer’s screenings will include “Monsters Inc.,” “Stuart Little 2,” “Spiderman” and “Spy Kids 2.”

The Office of Special Events, Tourism & Film has produced a brochure that highlights many summer activities. Copies are available at City Hall or someone can call 635-3911. Events are also listed on www.cityofboston.gov/calendar.

ParkARTS, entering its seventh season, will entertain neighborhood residents. People from all over Boston will have the chance to participate in theater, music and art right in their own backyards. This summer, ParkARTS will host nine neighborhood performances and over 70 different arts workshops.

Commonwealth Shakespeare will tour 13 parks with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and there will be top-notch music by the Boston Landmarks Orchestra and Berklee College of Music.

For more information on ParkARTS, please call the Boston Parks Department at 635-4505.

The Parks Department has renovated several parks in anticipation of the summer. Improvements to the Lambert Avenue Playground will mean new seating, fencing, state-of-the-art play equipment and landscaping. Similarly, a commitment to the Willis Beauford Jr. Playground will mean new swings, seating, pathways and landscaping for all to enjoy.

The Mattahunt Schoolyard will also be a brighter place this summer because of a renovation to that lot. Students can also learn this summer by keeping an eye out for the ReadBoston Storymobile, which will visit sites from July 7 to August 15. After having the thrill of a story brought to life, a child can bring home a book. To learn more, please call ReadBoston at 918-5290.

Summer is sure to bring hot weather but these are some of the cool ideas the City of Boston has arranged for your entertainment.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 08 Jul 2003 04:00:00 GMT

Here are some highlights:

· We permitted nearly 7,730 new units of housing.

· Nearly 2,250 of those units are affordable.

· We kept nearly 3,150 units of affordable housing funded by the federal government from going to market rate.

· We renovated more than 1,000 units of vacant public housing.

· And we made more than 1,000 units of housing available to the homeless.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 23 Jun 2003 04:00:00 GMT

Summer jobs are about more than just work. For some kids, summer jobs provide money to help out with expenses at home. For other kids, summer jobs provide work experience that helps them prepare for college and a future career. For others, it’s about building relationships with kids from neighborhoods all over the city. And for many young people, summer jobs are about all of these things – and more.

In the past, some people have used tough economic times as an excuse to walk away from important commitments – like providing summer jobs. And I want to thank all the people who have worked with me on this effort for standing by our young people in tough times.

When I began to see just how tough this budget was going to be six months ago for the City of Boston, I started to reach out to the business community. I asked them to step up their commitment to the young people of our City and provide opportunities or funding for my Summer Jobs Program.

I’ve committed $3.3 million of City funds to the Summer Jobs program, but that’s simply not enough. This year, we had 4,400 kids call the Hope Line – but we only had 2,200 slots. We had to turn away nonprofit organizations that desperately need these counselors so that they can run their programs.

So I began a campaign to raise private funds to support summer jobs.

And I want to recognize some of the terrific support we’ve gotten from our friends in the business community. Together, we have raised more than $1.2 million to help put our kids to work.

Here are some of the commitments:

· The Empowerment Zone has committed $500,000 to City-supported CBOs and $250,000 to ABCD . That’s a total of more than 500 jobs!

· John Hancock and Simmons College have teamed up to form John Hancock Scholars, where 200 teens will be placed in a variety of jobs and attend leadership development seminars

· $250,000 from Harvard University

· $120,000 from the Yawkey Foundation

· $45,000 from Boston University

· Hemenway & Barnes donated $25,000. When this law firm was thinking about how to celebrate its anniversary, the firm’s members decided they wanted to make a contribution back to the City they’ve called home for 140 years.

· $20,000 from Citizens Bank. They’ve increased the number of young people they’re hiring at the bank this summer, plus they’ve committed $20,000 in cash. This doubles the number of jobs Citizens supported last year.

· And we’ve had other successes in the private sector with businesses committing to hiring teens for the first time and from our long-time partners, like Fleet Bank, which just last week agreed to take on 25 young people in addition to the 135 they’ve already hired.

The goal line is within reach – and to help us get there, I’m announcing a challenge to the business community. For every dollar we raise from the private sector, I’ll match it with a dollar from the City, up to $250,000. That’s a dollar for dollar match up to $250,000. If we reach that goal, that will mean another $500,000 for summer jobs. And that’s another 400 jobs for our young people.

I want to remind businesses that by stepping up to the plate and providing summer jobs, you open a world of opportunity to kids. And by investing in our hardworking young people, you make a solid investment in our future.

I want to thank all of our partners – those who have stepped up already, and those of you who I know will step up after hearing this challenge.

I look forward to hearing from you and I’ve set up a summer jobs number to make it easier for me to hear from you.

Please call 635-3558 and give a teen a rewarding opportunity this summer.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 03 Jun 2003 04:00:00 GMT

This summer, despite what the weather is telling us, is rapidly approaching. So too, is the dour prospect of a large number of Boston youths who won’t have a job.

This is the first year since I took office that budgetary constraints have severely limited the number of summer jobs the city can afford to provide through the Boston Youth Fund. In recent years we have developed a true public private partnership that has put thousands of kids to work. With support from the private sector and with the help of the Private Industry Council (PIC) and Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), we were able to provide as many as 11,000 summer jobs – 5500 supported by the City budget and another 5,500 employed at private businesses. This year, however, drastic cuts in local aid have forced the city to reduce the number of youth it employs to 2,200, the majority of whom will work at community-based organizations that serve younger children.

There will be no Gray Shirts program this summer. That program allowed youths to clean up neighborhood problem areas. There was also the difficult decision made to eliminate job offers to 14-year-olds, based on the tremendous state cuts we have had to weather. The 187 community-based organizations that my Boston Youth Fund is partnered with will remain intact and service thousands of youth through its’ programs. It was imperative that these partners were kept to 100 percent capacity to ensure our young families a safe and affordable activity for their children.

Everyone recognizes the difficult financial situation. The City is facing layoffs and tight budgets and the available resources that we have been able to utilize in the past to employ more than 10,000 teens in past summers are just not there.

We are quickly reaching a crisis point as the prospect of thousands of children are on the street this summer, without the discipline and reward of a summer job. It is imperative that businesses answer the call and offer a child hope this summer.

Summer Jobs are about more than work. They teach young people new skills – while at the same time, keeping them out of trouble and on the right track. A job gives a young person a sense of meaning and for far too many, it means an additional way to help out a struggling family.

This year, I need companies to do even more. Decimated funding is not an excuse to walk away from our commitment to the future of young people. I am asking everyone to pitch in and provide summer jobs.

I have worked closely with the PIC to have businesses provide jobs, but it isn’t enough. My private sector partner and co-chair, State Street Bank CEO David Spina is helping to lead this charge. Businesses of all sizes can help and every job that is offered a teen makes a positive difference.

We are close to summer vacation and we still need to create additional opportunities for our young people. I’ve set up a Summer Jobs hotline for those who want to help. Please call me today at 617-542-WORK.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 27 May 2003 04:00:00 GMT

The former Boston State Hospital site in Dorchester and Mattapan sat vacant for too many years – more than two decades. That’s why it was such a pleasure to be in Dorchester last week to break ground on 99 units of affordable housing. I was especially pleased that some units will be set aside for the homeless.

This development, called Harvard Commons, is the direct result of a lot of hard work by the City of Boston and its partners. The Department of Neighborhood Development committed more than $1 million, and the Boston Housing Authority is ensuring a low-income housing aspect by providing 35 project-based Section 8 certificates.

I also want to thank our partners, Lend Lease Real Estate Investments, Bank North, and the state, all of which worked together to put the land to good use.

But it’s not just in Dorchester or Mattapan where we are working hard to build new housing that’s affordable to working families. In fact, during the month of May, we were particularly busy, cutting ribbons on 107 units of newly completed affordable housing and breaking ground for another 236 units.

We started the month cutting ribbons in the South End, at the 82-unit Susan Balis Assisted Living facility, and on Magnolia Street in Dorchester, at the 25-unit Sister Clara Muhammed Cooperative Housing Development. And in addition to Harvard Commons, in May we marked the construction start on five other housing developments:

· In Dudley Square, the reconstruction of the Hotel Dartmouth into 65 units of affordable housing and artist space, and Pine Street Inn’s seven-unit, single-room-occupancy facility on Zeigler Street;

· In South Boston, five new, affordable homes being developed by Habitat for Humanity, and the 15-unit Costello Homes;

· And in Dorchester, the 45 units of elderly housing off Geneva Avenue.

Everybody needs a safe, secure, and affordable place to call home. And yet we all know that decent housing is hard to find - and hard to afford. Harvard Commons and the many other housing construction projects underway will help meet that need by giving people the kind of homes they need and deserve. And we continue to work hard to make sure that housing is available in every neighborhood because we are not just producing housing, but building stronger communities.

We have an ambitious housing agenda. But we can’t do it alone. The economy has taken a turn for the worse, and so has the housing situation. Housing costs are still sky high - and on top of that, people are losing their jobs, and in many cases, their health care.

At this crucial moment, when the lack of affordable housing is reaching crisis proportions, the federal government is walking away, leaving countless families out in the cold. We need the federal and state governments to do more.

It's great to have record numbers of homeowners, but we also have record numbers of homeless, and too many people paying too much for housing - that has to change.

I know that if we keep working together, we can continue to make progress and make Boston a place that is open and affordable to everyone.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 13 May 2003 04:00:00 GMT

Graduation season brings hope to all those who are moving on. After all, a commencement is about a new start.

I have now participated in five Technology Goes Home graduations, the most recent occurred earlier this week at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Over 500 family members participated in the ceremony and each graduate completed more than 40 hours of computer training.

Like all graduates, they worked hard to get to the final celebration. With five grandchildren, I know how hard it can be to get anywhere - all together - on time. But they did it. And now that they have the tools, the question is – What are they going to do with them?

Already, many of them have put their skills to work. Some of the adults have gotten better jobs. And almost all of the kids are doing better in school. And I know that each graduate will continue to make the most of this great opportunity.

I have been to five Technology Goes Home graduations. And I really look forward to meeting the families who have completed this program. All of the graduates have great success stories to tell. And I know that countless families who graduated this week had similar stories – stories of hard work and remarkable achievement.

Stories like Natasha and Kostian Iftica’s. The keynote speakers – mother and son - graduated from the Allston Brighton Technology Goes Home program in June. Natasha, after taking part in a 16 week office skills training program, has found a full-time job as a librarian in Brighton and her children, through hard work, have been accepted to O’Bryant and Boston Latin School next year.

I want to thank all the organizations that pitch in to make Technology Goes Home a success. We have six Neighborhood Technology Collaboratives, composed of 60 community-based organizations. Six schools recently completed the TGH pilot program – and 14 schools are signed up for next year.

TechBoston leads the way for every class. And Wentworth Institute of Technology President John Van Domelen and Sandy Pascal and her team really rolled out the red carpet for our most recent graduates.

The program would not be possible without our partners. So many individuals and companies have stepped up to the plate, and their commitment has made a difference for countless families in Boston. Companies like Fleet Bank, Lexmark, Intel, HiQ Computers and Microsoft help make the program a success.

Understanding technology is a key that can open many doors – especially when it comes to education and the job market. This program makes sure that no one in Boston gets lost in the information highway.

(For additional information about the Technology Goes Home program or TechBoston please contact Rachel Gogos, 617.918.4286 or via email rachelg@digitalbridgefoundation.org)

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 06 May 2003 04:00:00 GMT

I have been at several events in Boston's neighborhoods over the last two weeks meeting new homeowners. And I’ll tell you, it’s great to see the pride that families take in their new homes. And the excitement they have in getting involved in the neighborhood, whether they are new to the area or just settling down in the neighborhood where they grew up.

To own a home is a dream come true, but it is a dream that is out of reach for too many families.

That’s why last week I visited Washington, D.C. to speak to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, which presented me its National Housing Award. It was a real honor to be recognized by an organization that knows how to get the job done.

At this crucial moment, when the lack of affordable housing is reaching crisis proportions, the federal government is walking away, leaving countless families out in the cold. It's great to have record numbers of homeowners, but we also have record numbers of homeless, and too many people paying too much for housing.

By eliminating Hope VI from their budget, by slashing funds for public housing, and by refusing to produce housing, the current administration has sent a strong message - that affordable housing is not their problem. But those of us at the local level know that the housing shortage is everyone’s problem. And its effects are devastating.

I’ve been active in the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) for several years and have learned a lot from the mayors I’ve met. Our membership ranges from small city mayors in places like Hempstead, Long Island to the leaders of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and other big cities.

I talk to people in Boston every day, both tenants concerned about rising rents and young people who want to buy their first home but can’t find anything they can afford. This situation exists despite all we’re doing. We have issued building permits for more than 6,000 new units in the last two and a half years, and I have set aside $33 million in city funds for affordable housing.

What my experience with the USCM shows is this: The lack of housing is an issue not just in high-cost cities like Boston and San Francisco, but across housing markets. My fellow mayors all across the country – from Augusta, Georgia to Indianapolis to Redwood City, California – see an unprecedented need to focus their energy on the housing issue. That's why we formed a network of regional housing chairs to help lobby on these issues and we have some of the hardest working mayors on it, including Laura Miller of Dallas, R.T. Rybak of Minneapolis, and Peter Clavelle of Burlington.

While mayors can, and should, invest in developing housing, they can’t do it alone. The problem is our partner, the federal government, is missing in action when it comes to housing.

That’s why the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund is so important. It’s time to go beyond the tired housing policies of the past. Back then our policy was to throw up 30 story buildings that were neighborhood eyesores. Well, times have changed, and most of those buildings are being demolished.

Many cities, including Boston, know that the best way to build housing is to create mixed-use developments and design the buildings so that they compliment and strengthen the neighborhood. People want a sense of ownership of their housing, whether it's a single family home or a rental development. We try to give people a front yard, a back yard, and a sense of dignity.

The Boston Home Center, at 635-HOME, helps families who are facing problems. So while we work to create a national housing policy that creates more homes and apartments that working families, seniors, low-income workers, and the disabled can afford, I urge you to call that number.

Housing isn’t a luxury; it’s an essential.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 29 Apr 2003 04:00:00 GMT

I recently filed an updated version of the Rental Unit Inspection Ordinance with the City Council. The ordinance requires that the fitness of most non-owner occupied units be certified soon after a lease begins.

Everyone who lives in Boston deserves a safe, clean place to live. We’ve all seen the consequences of poorly maintained living conditions. Lives have been lost because health and safety regulations were ignored.

Apartment inspections provide both landlords and tenants with peace of mind. Certified inspectors will make sure that the minimum regulations – set by the Commonwealth to ensure the health and safety of occupants – are met.

The updated Pre-Rental Inspection Amendment Ordinance includes changes that will help both tenants and landlords. The amendment will expand applicability of the ordinance to absentee-owned one- and two-family buildings, but exempts apartments in one- to six-family owner-occupied buildings.

Other exemptions include units inspected within the past 12 months with no violations and all units owned by federal, state or city government. Government-owned apartments are already required to meet minimum sanitary standards. The amendment also proposes increasing the pool of professionals authorized to perform inspections. All owners will be held to the standards of the State Sanitary Code. An inspector filing a false report could lose his or her professional certification or license and be subject to criminal prosecution.

Inspectional Services Department will intervene when a tenant impedes an owner’s ability to comply with this ordinance. Non-compliant owners will be subject to penalties up to $300 per month.

My goal is not to inconvenience landlords or put an undue financial burden on tenants. My administration will work in good faith with owners to bring their properties into compliance. It is in the common interest of all Bostonians to have housing that is well maintained and a credit to our neighborhoods.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 22 Apr 2003 04:00:00 GMT

Transportation plays a key role in every Boston neighborhood. It directly affects the quality of life. Residents and visitors alike depend on good public transportation – whether they are going to school, to work, to a doctor’s appointment, or to a ballgame.

Today, 57 percent of Boston residents and 79 percent of its jobs are within a 10-minute walk to the subway or commuter rail. At the same time, only half of the people who come to Boston from the surrounding areas use public transportation. What these numbers mean is simply this - we have to work together to better connect people to jobs and to their neighborhood schools, libraries and community facilities.

That is why I released a report last week that clearly outlines our priorities in support of several ongoing projects.

We all know that these are tough times. And funds for new projects are scarce. But that doesn’t mean we sit back and wait for the next economic boom to improve public transportation. It means that we use our resources in the most effective way. And we move forward on the projects that matter the most.

Projects like the Fairmount Line upgrade. By adding new stations to the already existing commuter rail line, we will make a world of difference for Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan.

Our new Traffic Management Center is up and running – and it will be fully operational in time for the Democratic National Convention. Integrating this center with state agencies will improve the flow of traffic in our City.

The Washington Street Silver Line is a success with a 50 percent increase in ridership. Now we must ensure that the Silver Line Phase 3 Tunnel is built to improve access to the South Boston Waterfront. And let’s make sure the tunnel continues under D Street.

Bus service must improve. And I support the T’s plans to buy more than 100 new clean-fuel busses. The City has already installed bus shelters along many major routes. And we also support the Night Owl program.

The Urban Ring will connect residents to jobs. By focusing on Melnea Cass Boulevard, a bus rapid system could be implemented to connect the Longwood Medical Area to Crosstown.

To connect the Back Bay to the South Boston Waterfront, we support the Sling Shot – a proposed U-turn within the turnpike. And I hope that the environmental review will be completed as soon as possible.

The City also supports protecting rail access to Beacon Yards in North Allston. After all, the efficient movement of freight is important to our local Back Streets businesses – and it reduces traffic on streets and highways.

Finally, we all know how important tourism is to our economy – and we are working to address Tour bus and Trolley routing and parking.

The report goes into greater detail about these – and other projects. It is a valuable tool for solving transportation issues - downtown and in the neighborhoods. And it will give everyone the information they need to make informed decisions regarding specific projects and priorities.

For more information or a copy of the report, please call the Boston Transportation Department at 635-4BTD.

I want to thank our partners who continue to work with us – especially Mike Mulhern at the MBTA, Dan Grabauskas at Executive Office of Transportation and Construction, Craig Coy at Massport as well as the Turnpike Authority and Massachusetts Highway Department.

We know that a thriving City depends on good roadways and transit systems. And I want to thank everyone for working with us to make sure that Boston – a world-class City – offers world-class transportation to every resident, in every neighborhood.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 15 Apr 2003 04:00:00 GMT

Youth Opportunity Boston is a program that works. Over the past two and a half years, more than 2,500 young people from the Empowerment Zone have participated in the comprehensive career development programs offered by Youth Opportunity.

I have long underscored the need for investing in people as a way to stimulate the economy. Through job training initiatives, like YO Boston, people are readied with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace. Recent studies show that a lack of a skilled workforce is one of the greatest challenges faced by employers in the region.

Boston is taking an unprecedented approach to empowering our city’s young people for their future in the workforce. Through YO Boston, young people are taking advantage of valuable programs ranging from interview training, resume building and other career development courses. More than 600 youth have been assisted in finding work, more than 300 have returned to school and attained a diploma or GED, and many of those graduates have enrolled in higher education programs. With this experience, young people will be better prepared to meet the needs of Boston’s 21st century labor market.

YO offers many programs, such as the Transitional Employment Program, which gives young people a chance to earn wages while serving the community and building the skills for private sector employment. I am proud that this program has become a national model.

The professional Y.O. staff provides young people with the services they need to continue their education and succeed in careers. All of us know that when you reach out and give a young person an opportunity to learn and grow – it can literally change their lives.

That’s why I am glad that every day Y.O. staff members visit the Suffolk County House of Corrections. These dedicated staff members open a world of opportunity for young people who are returning to their communities. They are given the skills to stay on the right track. But more than that, they are given hope.

We have accomplished so much together, but we’ve got so much more to do. Just as the need for these services is increasing, resources are being slashed. The Bush Administration has indicated that they will not fund Youth Opportunity programs in the upcoming Federal Budget.

I want to thank everyone who works hard to make this program a success. Let’s continue to work together and invest in the future of Boston’s young people.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 08 Apr 2003 04:00:00 GMT

Earlier this week, I testified on Beacon Hill before the Local, State, and Federal Revenue Task Force. At the hearing, I outlined how the existing framework for raising local revenues is hurting the cities and towns of Massachusetts and the impact it's having upon residents who are struggling to muddle through this tough economy. Because this issue directly concerns you, the residents of Boston, I feel it is important to share my testimony with you.

Over the past 30 to 60 days, I have made some of the toughest decisions of my career. Cutting programs and laying off workers might look good on paper, but I am well aware that each decision affects the lives of real people – and their families.

That’s why I am committed not just to balancing the budget, but also to striking a balance between the economic reality and our public responsibility. The budget that I will submit to the City Council later this week includes tough reductions. It continues the process of making Boston government more efficient. And it carefully invests some of our reserves. Yes, we have been forced to make tough decisions. But I am proud of the work that my Administration has done to maintain core services, even in these tough times.

Today, let me talk about how we can work together to deal with cuts and keep our commitment to the people we serve. One thing we need to do is to reorganize the revenue structure in Massachusetts so that cities such as Boston have the power to tap their own resources. We are using a framework that is completely out of date. Otis White, a management consultant and columnist for Governing Magazine, recently wrote, “No place ties the hands of its biggest city the way Massachusetts does Boston.”

Let’s get rid of these outdated revenue restraints that keep us locked into a “boom or bust” cycle. It's not fair. It's not good management. And it's not good public policy.

During the last recession, I was on the City Council. At that time, I watched Boston lose $100 million dollars over three years. All we could do was wait out the bad economy. Everyone remembers those days of layoffs and stunted growth. They pale in comparison to what we face today.

Already, $53 million was cut from this fiscal year – and that was after the city budget was enacted. According to our staff analysis, the reduction in aid is $65 million for the coming year. And if we have to cut to the level stated by the Ways and Means Chairs, cuts could exceed another $100 million.

We cannot just stand by with our hands tied. I am already doing what it is in my power to do. We have undertaken management reforms, and we have reorganized human service agencies to be more efficient. We have implemented early retirement incentives. And in one year, we reduced the payroll by nearly 500 employees. We have re-financed our debt four times. City employees, from the Cabinet to administrative staff, have taken voluntary furlough days. And we expect to draw on our reserves, as necessary, to balance the ’03 budget.

But even with these efforts, we are still facing major layoffs and an acute reduction in services for the FY ’04 budget. I am talking about closing schools, laying off teachers, and other difficult decisions that will be more apparent as the budget becomes public.

This economic crisis is too serious to just “wait out.” That’s why I put before your Committee on Taxation a range of options to raise revenue and close loopholes. These proposals will allow cities and towns to derive revenue for their local economies.

People know about the more high profile proposals like the 1 percent meals tax and the 50-cent entertainment tax. Last year, you sent the meals tax option to the Governor's desk, where it was vetoed. I hope our new Governor will be more responsive to the idea of local decision making.

He asked for the power to make cuts, I am asking for the power to save services.

We can also raise more revenue at the local level by closing tax and other loopholes that are draining resources for Boston and other impacted communities.

We cannot have a system where some telecommunications companies pay taxes and some don’t. Some parking facilities pay taxes and some don’t. Some Massport-owned property, and MBTA property, pays taxes – and some don’t.

We need a system that is fair. We need a system that empowers cities to raise new revenue and to collect the revenue that is rightfully theirs.

And in the long run, let’s get out of this boom and bust mentality. These swings are not fair to the people we represent. It’s not fair to the good, young teacher who receives a pink slip. It’s not fair to the senior who cannot buy the medicine he needs. And it’s not fair to the homeless woman and her children who are turned away from shelter.

Let’s take a comprehensive look at the way the state raises revenue, who pays, who doesn’t pay and how we can bring more predictability and fairness to this process.

The Hamill Commission was formed to deal with these same issues in terms of the state-local relationship. Many good recommendations were made, but few were adopted.

I applaud the House and Senate for its commitment to pass a budget as soon as possible so that cities and towns are not left in the lurch. But after the budget is passed, let’s take the opportunity to plan for our future stability by forming a group by July 1, 2003 to address the issues raised by the Hamill Commission.

Mr. Chairman, thank you again. I look forward to working together so that all of us emerge from this crisis stronger and better equipped to build a future of lasting prosperity.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 01 Apr 2003 04:00:00 GMT

Supporting local business is good for the local economy. A recent study by Livable City in Austin, Texas showed that a purchase in a local store could generate three times the local economic benefit of a similar purchase at a large chain store. Boston Main Streets was established in 1995 to strengthen our neighborhood commercial districts because we knew how important our local businesses are to our city. By supporting Main Streets, we are investing in our neighborhoods. That is why it was a pleasure to celebrate recently the 7th Annual Boston Main Streets Volunteer and Business Awards.

At that event, I was pleased to honor the many volunteers and businesses from the 19 active Main Streets districts across the City that make this program work. This year alone, volunteers logged over 15,000 hours of volunteer time. Fifty-one net new businesses opened in our districts, creating over 260 new jobs. Eighty-one Main Streets events attracted 13,000 people into our neighborhoods. Fifty-six storefronts were improved with grants from Boston Main Streets totaling $223,469. These grants leveraged $1,819,150 in private investment. These statistics show important economic activity in our neighborhood districts, even in a time when the economy is suffering.

Since 1995, the numbers are even more impressive. Volunteers have contributed 97,153 hours of hard work to improve their districts. Over 440 businesses have opened and 3,057 jobs have been created. Business owners have leveraged $1 million in grants six-fold to create more attractive, lively businesses.

Shopping locally is also putting money in the pockets of those who utilize their neighborhood shopping districts. A new initiative called Shopping on Main Streets enables residents to join their local Main Streets organization and receive discounts at over 285 neighborhood shops and restaurants.

Boston Main Streets continues to be a national model for urban, commercial district revitalization. In June, we hosted the first-ever Urban Main Streets Forum. For three days, Boston hosted people from all around the country who were involved in setting up their own Main Streets programs.

Main Streets’ accomplishments could not have happened without many partnerships and collaborations. For the third year, Verizon of Massachusetts and Rhode Island hosted the Boston Main Streets Annual Award Celebration as well as provided direct assistance to the districts. This year’s $25,000 grant is for technology and communication as well as sponsorship of Shopping on Main Streets. Verizon’s grant will allow our local programs to launch new web sites or make information about our local business districts available in other languages. Our Corporate Buddies continue to provide critical operating support to the local programs.

With the continued hard work of all of the volunteers and businesses, local Main Streets directors, members of the Boards of Directors and Committee members throughout our districts, Main Street commercial districts will continue to thrive and grow.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 25 Mar 2003 04:00:00 GMT

Boston’s families got a big boost on Saturday with the opening of the Boston Centers for Youth and Families site, located at the Tobin Building, 1483 Tremont Street in Mission Hill.

I am proud of the renovation of this facility. The architects, Powers and Company and the construction company, Braite Brothers Company, and our team at the Department of Neighborhood Development did a great job.

This Center creates a one-stop shop for parents and coordinates all of the city’s youth and human service programs under one roof.

What this means is that we can deliver our top-notch services more efficiently. It is easier to connect with City resources. And with all of our agencies working together, we maximize our resources and eliminate duplication.

The BCYF is a more streamlined approach to human services. It is a consolidation of Boston Community Centers, the 2:00 to 6:00 After-School Initiative, my Office of Community Partnerships, and the Recreation Division of the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Because of this consolidation, partners, funders, parents and business leaders can go to one place to get services or to offer support. Already, business leaders and community members in Grove Hall have partnered with us to develop a new community center.

Also, Stop & Shop has decided to be a long-term partner and provide nutrition workshops, field trips, educational and job opportunities as part of the Spring Into Summer Fun. I want to thank Pat McGuire and all the people from Stop & Shop. This is a great partnership – and it will make a difference for countless families.

Spring Into Summer Fun is our showcase of summer programs. Representatives of summer programs and camps gathered with information for families looking for fun and educational experiences for their children this summer.

The Police Activities League is also one of the main sponsors. The groups gathered at our kickoff confirmed to me that Boston offers a wide range of summer activities. There is something for everyone, whether your child is interested in sports, arts, computers or environmental studies.

While it may seem like summer is a long way away – it is really just around the corner. We know that camps and programs fill up fast. But by signing up early you won’t be disappointed as summer catches up to us. For information about BCYF’s summer camps and programs, go to cityofboston.gov/bcyf or call 617-635-4920. You can also stop by your local community center.

It is important to keep young people engaged in constructive activities – especially during the summer. We know that while children are out of school, they are at a greater risk of getting into trouble – especially if they are at home unsupervised. Plus, during the summer months, children have an opportunity to learn and develop their interests.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 18 Mar 2003 04:00:00 GMT

Our City is a haven for people from all over the world seeking top-notch healthcare. Yet for far too many of our residents, even basic healthcare is out of reach.

Every year, my Health Line staff talks with thousands of Bostonians seeking help because they can’t find coverage they are able to afford or get the care they need. Some of the saddest stories come from parents unable to get care for their children. With rising unemployment, more people are losing the health benefits and finding themselves uninsured.

Unfortunately, many of the “safety net” programs that have been put into place to help low-income uninsured residents access needed health services are being cut back or even eliminated. On April 1st, 43,000 Massachusetts residents – one-quarter of them living in Boston – are slated to lose their insurance coverage because the Governor has completely eliminated a program that provided health benefits to the long-term unemployed. Many of these people have chronic health conditions that make it difficult for them to work and at the same time require on-going medical care. Without insurance, they will not receive needed health services.

Currently, we have more than 3,000 uninsured low-income children on the waiting list for health insurance because the Governor has capped enrollment in the Children’s Medical Security Plan at 26,000 as of November 1st. This is a major setback that makes it impossible to keep our promise to provide health insurance to every child in Massachusetts.

Under the Governor’s proposal to cut the Pharmacy Advantage program, 80,000 seniors and some disabled adults will lose their pharmacy coverage, forcing many to forgo taking life-saving medications. The state is also considering proposals to cut Medicaid benefits for legal immigrants and people who are disabled or HIV positive.

Government is supposed to be about helping people. These cuts might look good on paper, but in our neighborhoods they hurt real people. It is just not right to balance the budget on the backs of children, elderly, homeless and poor people.

And frankly, it doesn’t even make economic sense. After all, when people are not treated properly, they end up in the emergency room – where treatment is even more costly.

Just look at the current situation in our City. Over 40 percent of uninsured adults with a chronic disease like diabetes or asthma report that they did not visit a doctor in the last 12 months. What that means is that when they finally get to a doctor, their condition is so bad that they often need to be hospitalized. Or worse, they may die of diseases that would have been preventable with the proper medical care.

When will the state and federal government get the message that healthcare is a right – not a privilege? In the richest country in the world, we must find ways to make sure that all our residents – and not just those who can afford it—have access to quality health care.

If you or someone you know needs help to find health care or health care coverage please contact the Mayor’s Health Line at (617) 534-5050 or 1 (800) 847-0710.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 11 Mar 2003 04:00:00 GMT

I recently spent time with a group of international students from the Glocal Youth Parliament who were visiting the United States in preparation for the upcoming May conference in Rome. Their commitment to making a difference, not only in their cities, but also in their world, impressed me.

The young people who represent Boston on the Mayor’s Youth Council are also doing a great job. This year, two representatives from my Youth Council, Meghan Doherty from Roslindale and Stanley Onuoha from Mission Hill, will attend the Glocal Youth Parliament meeting in Rome. I think it’s important that the perspective of Boston youth be heard at this international gathering. These two young people are great additions to an already excellent team.

In Boston, we are doing everything we can to give young people the tools they need to build a good future. Much of our focus is on giving young people a solid, state-of-the-art education. That means combining old-fashioned academic skills with expertise in using the latest technology.

And learning does not stop when the school bell rings. The City also provides young people with after-school programs to keep them on the right track and develop their interests.

We often say that young people are the leaders of tomorrow – and that’s why I also focus on getting them involved in government. The goal is involving teens to identify the challenges that young people face, and have them be part of developing programs and solutions.

Nine years ago, I created the Youth Council to help us better serve the young people of Boston. Today, I have over 36 young people from across the City involved with my office. They represent their neighborhoods and their schools on a citywide basis.

Some of their activities include:

· Running my Youth Line – which young people call for a variety of reasons – from talking about their problems with a peer to finding out about city resources like tutoring or summer employment. That number is 635-2240 and the line is open weekdays from noon-8 p.m.

· Creating Boston Youth Zone – a web site made by and for Boston teens. It highlights youth programs, scholarship links, registration for summer jobs and applying for the Youth Council. The web site is www.bostonyouthzone.com.

· Organizing my Youth Summit – now in its 9th year. The Youth Summit provides teens with an important forum where they can discuss the issues that are important to them – and help find solutions. The summit will be held this year on April 19 at Boston Latin School and the theme will be “Be the Difference.”

· Members of my Youth Council lobbied state representatives to lower the age of Massachusetts age of the state ID from 18 to 16. Because many city families do not have cars – and teens without a driver’s license had no access to a legal ID for banking, employment, or college testing. It took four years, thanks to members of my Youth Council, sixteen year olds can now get the state ID’s they need.

· Working directly with the Superintendent, they helped make a curriculum so that students had a better chance of staying in school and getting an education tailored to their needs.

· And the Council members helped the Public Health Commission with a Mental Health Campaign. They worked with the Police Department to improve communication between teens and police. And they are currently work with Consumer Affairs Office to develop a Teen Consumer Rights Guide.

When I started the Youth Council nine years ago, some people were surprised that I wanted young people to tell me directly what’s important to them. But every year, we prove that when young people have a chance to participate, they have something important-and unique-to contribute. And now, City Departments are asking for input from the Youth Council and other young people.

During the past four years, the Youth Council has worked with more than 80 cities that want to develop their own council. And many cities have used Boston as their model.

I am proud of the work we have done. And I am looking forward to learning what other cities across the world are doing. I think that we have a number of things that we have done that can be helpful and we are always open to new ideas from other areas of the world.

I'd particularly like to see young people using the wonders of technology for networking and sharing information. My generation didn't have this tremendous ability to communicate with and learn more about people all over the world. Today’s youth have that opportunity.

I'd like to see the Glocal Youth Parliament develop web pages and message boards that reach out to young people all over the world and urge them to get involved in their community, through politics, through community service and through educating others.

It’s happening with the Mayor’s Youth Council here in Boston and it can happen globally as well.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Wed, 05 Mar 2003 05:00:00 GMT

With all the uncertainty surrounding government budgets, the recent $15.6 million grant from the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was a welcome bit of good news. Department of Housing and Urban Development Regional Director Kevin J. Keogh visited last week to help me announce the funding awards to 34 Boston area homeless providers.

I’m proud of our partnership with HUD and with the providers who helped us win this grant. The award was the sixth largest amount granted nationally, which speaks to the quality of homeless services and housing here in Boston. There were 475 applicants, and Boston scored a 91 on its application, further proving the good work being done by a large number of people.

Just look at effective programs like the ones offered at Bridge Over Troubled Waters. Bridge does a great job providing housing, education, and support services to homeless adolescents. They work hard to address the problems that lead to homelessness early on, so that our youths won’t add to the sad statistics we face with chronic adult homelessness.

Another funding recipient is Urban Edge. Their Egleston Crossing Project, with 15 new units of housing and on-site case management services, will be built for disabled homeless adults suffering from chronic substance abuse, mental illness, and related diseases.

Boston takes a unique and comprehensive approach to combating homelessness. We link people to supportive services, and then help them move toward permanent housing and self-sufficiency.

The importance of this award goes beyond dollars and cents. We all know that emergency shelter is not a solution – permanent housing and living wage jobs are. And that’s exactly where this money will go.

Thanks to our friends at HUD, this award will support 361 units of permanent housing and 352 units of transitional housing. Also, it will support 26 programs that offer a variety of services like job training and placement, housing search assistance, outreach, case management and legal advocacy.

There are people whom I’ve known for decades who have worked tirelessly on this issue. No matter what budget cuts they’ve absorbed, they keep their doors open. No matter how cold it is, they are on the streets bringing people inside.

I don’t have to tell anyone that these are tough economic times. And that’s why it’s all the more important to celebrate our successes.

Last year alone, as a direct result of this funding 1,800 homeless people moved into permanent housing. And 2,000 homeless people significantly increased their income. Times like these also remind us to thank our friends. We are grateful to HUD for maintaining its commitment to the homeless assistance programs. Here in Boston, believe me when I say - we couldn’t do it without you!

Congratulations to all of the recipients and thank you for the good work you’re doing.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 25 Feb 2003 05:00:00 GMT

Technology has changed the way we do business. Learning that technology through the Technology Goes Home program has changed the way participating families interact and has provided a valuable educational experience.

I set a goal in 1996 of wiring each of our public schools, learning centers and libraries with high-speed Internet access. The student to computer ratio improved to 5:1. Nearly 95 percent of BPS teachers and administrators have computers – and each has received approximately 50 hours of computer training. The Boston Digital Bridge Foundation was created to coordinate the City's efforts in addressing the technology gap and subsequently a training program was established. Technology Goes Home (TGH), a 10-week, intergeneration technology training program, teaches people the basics of computer usage - Microsoft word, Internet surfing and sending email, in addition to hardware and software specifics.

When I set the school goal in 1996, our school system had insufficient technological capabilities and it lacked resources for obtaining them. Internet access had yet to reach the school system, libraries or community centers. The student to computer ratio was 63:1, and only 5 percent of teachers had computers. Fewer than 10 percent of families of children in the Boston Public Schools owned computers. And the BPS curriculum did not offer sufficient advanced technology courses.

TGH is available in six communities in the city, training over 300 families and impacting the lives of 1500 people per year. Families who complete the program create a stronger relationship with their community and get to know other children and parents. They also get to spend more time with their own family in a learning environment. In fact, 35 percent of graduates report obtaining a new or better job after attending the program, and 90 percent of parents report that their child's schoolwork has improved due to TGH.

This past October the TGH program was introduced into the Boston Public School (BPS) system at six schools. We recently completed the pilot round and graduated the first 54 families to complete the training, administered by their child's classroom teacher. Parents and teachers both spoke of improved communication and teachers pointed out that spending extra time with their students each week helped improve their bond as well.

Because of the success, 14 schools are already interested in offering the next round of training. Nearly 350 families will have the opportunity to be trained on the TGH curriculum. A component of the training centers on MyBPS (My Boston Public Schools), an Internet portal that connects parents, teachers and administrators with the intent to monitor a child's performance and grades and exchange homework assignments. The program can even assist administrators with tracking truancy rates.

Preliminary feedback from the Technology Goes Home evaluation conducted by the McCormack Institute at the University of Massachusetts indicates that families are interacting and changing through their participation. They are relating to and supporting one another. And the private sector has responded. We’ve received program assistance from HiQ, Intel, Microsoft, Fleet, Lexmark, and Hewlett Packard.

Technology not only helps eliminate barriers between parents and children, but also among teachers and parents, economic disparities, higher income professions and cultures. There are over 15,000 families enrolled in the BPS that still do not own a computer. Our technology training programs are helping to level the playing field while helping many of Boston's citizens improve their skills. One family at a time, we will improve our workforce and build a stronger community.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 18 Feb 2003 05:00:00 GMT

One of my top priorities as Mayor is to ensure a high quality of life for all Boston residents. The MBTA’s preservation of the Night Owl service will help keep our roadways safe and provide an invaluable transportation service for many employees.

Michael Mulhern and the MBTA Advisory Board made a courageous decision last week to retain the MBTA Night Owl service. Boston Transportation Department Commissioner Andrea d’Amato, who holds a seat on the Advisory Board, spearheaded the effort on the City’s behalf.

Roadway management and ensuring safety are my charges to Commissioner d’Amato, and she was able to protect both with a well-devised plan to ensure the continuation of the Night Owl.

The service fills a compelling public need for Boston residents and non-residents alike. The pilot program instituted in Sept. 2001 has buses traveling along major bus routes and others that shadow subway routes.

Its successes can’t be measured in monetary terms. Thousands of people are getting home safely from jobs in the service industry, fewer cars are on the road, and patrons of business establishments are not tying up neighborhood parking.

My commitment – as well as the MBTA’s – to the service never wavered. I also understand the difficult fiscal times that we are facing. Last December, the MBTA made shaved $1 million from the service by eliminating some pilot program routes and adding to others. The end result was a 5 percent cut in service that resulted in a reduction of more than 40 percent of the cost. That is good government.

Everyone who comes to Boston wants a safe experience, and the MBTA’s Night Owl is safe and efficient.

It enables traditionally low-wage earners who utilize public transportation late at night to get home without having to use more expensive taxi services.

The Night Owl also serves a student population that much of the time is out beyond traditional T service hours. By continuing the service, the demand for personal vehicles is limited and a safe means of transportation is provided.

The Night Owl also keeps vehicles off of neighborhood streets. Residential parking is limited and neighborhoods that host any type of entertainment or nightlife are not burdened by additional traffic.

The T was able to secure funds to save both the Night Owl program and the Hull and Quincy Commuter ferries, another program that will keep cars off our streets. However, the funds are only good through the end of the fiscal year.

When the T comes back with its fiscal year 2004 budget in the coming weeks, I hope it will be able to continue the Night Owl service beyond the presently funded date so that late-night regional access within our city remains safe and affordable.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 28 Jan 2003 05:00:00 GMT

In today's tough economy, who couldn't use a few extra dollars in their pocket? How about $4,700 dollars? That's how much money you could receive in federal and state funds if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). With all of us working hard to stretch every dollar, the possibility that millions of dollars could go unclaimed by Boston taxpayers this year would be a terrible waste. This is money that could help pay bills, buy food, or help a family invest in their future. The EITC is a credit available to low-to-moderate income families and individuals who worked during the tax year. I have made it one of my priorities to make sure that workers who qualify for this tax credit receive their money.

Last week, the City of Boston and its many partners opened 15 free tax preparation sites throughout the city. Hundreds of volunteers have been trained to prepare returns and to assist residents in a variety of languages including Spanish, Haitian Creole, Russian, Chinese and Vietnamese. All of these sites have access to e-file so that people can file faster and receive their refund sooner. In less than one week, the free tax prep sites have served more than 100 residents and have returned more than $167,000 in tax refunds.

Last year, the EITC brought more than $58 million to Boston residents. Still, approximately 25 percent of eligible people were not aware of the tax credit and did not claim the refund.

The EITC is available to residents who are:

§ Raising one child with an income less than $30,201;

§ Raising more than one child with an income less than $34,178;

§ Who have no children and earn less than $12,060.

To ensure that everyone who qualifies takes advantage of this important credit, the City of Boston and its many partners have launched a public awareness campaign. We need employers to inform their employees about this tax credit. The best way to get this money into the hands of the people who earned it is by getting the word out.

Today, everyone is talking about different ways to stimulate our economy—especially cutting taxes. Let's first start by making sure that every dollar goes back to the people who've earned it. This is real money that can make a real difference in people's lives, by helping parents buy their kids new clothes, pay off a large utility bill, or pay for groceries for the next few months. So let's work together, and make sure that everyone gets the refund they deserve.

For more information on the EITC call 617.918.5275 or log on to www.bostontaxhelp.org

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 11 Feb 2003 05:00:00 GMT

I recently hosted the Greater Boston Real Estate Board at the George Robert White Environmental Conservation Center at the Boston Nature Center in Mattapan to show its members that green building can be economically viable as well as aesthetically pleasing. And it can also be educational.

The Massachusetts Audubon Society and its president, Laura Johnson are doing a great job with the old Boston State Hospital site. They are bringing in school-aged children to teach them about the environment.

When the George Robert White Fund decided to build the center, I realized that the City had an opportunity - not only to house the great programs that Mass. Audubon provides – but also to build Boston’s first high performance building - what we call a “green” building. We took this opportunity to create a groundbreaking project with building materials that are not harmful to the environment. But frankly, what really gets my attention is the potential of this high performance building to use 30 to 35 percent less energy.

With energy costs rising – it just makes sense for the City to conserve energy and cut costs. Our goal is to reduce energy consumption by 10 percent by 2005. To help us reach this goal, I recently named an Energy Management Board. That team is made up of four of my cabinet chiefs - and their charge is to develop a comprehensive energy plan.

There are a number of issues that this energy plan takes on:

First, the Mattapan building is a great learning tool for all of us – and we need to maximize this resource. We need to learn and apply all that we can from its high performance operation. Where it makes sense economically, we should apply the energy efficiency lessons learned from this building to the City’s new construction projects.

I also want to find a way, even in these tough economic times, to retrofit the City’s existing building stock for greater energy efficiency with both traditional and renewable energy technologies. That’s why I have filed a bill to create an Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund.

This proposal will make better use of $20 million already collected for energy efficiency. It will provide loans to cities and towns throughout the state to make public buildings more energy efficient. Because the loans are repaid from the savings in energy costs, the fund can keep making loans for new projects until all public buildings have become energy efficient.

Other states have done this, and it’s a great success. This bill will open up a world of opportunity for us. We will have lower energy costs. And we will create jobs. That’s why I am working hard to get this bill passed.

There are many innovative ways that the City can be more energy efficient. One successful partnership is with Keyspan. They are investing over $1 million dollars to convert 11 public housing developments from oil to gas. Through this public/private partnership, we will reduce heating bills and provide a better service to the residents.

I also want the City to start producing energy with the new renewable technologies. That is why I was pleased to announce a $150,000 grant to the City from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust. This money will be used to conduct a feasibility study to develop the City’s master energy plan. I am looking forward to working with the Trust on ways for the City to take advantage of solar and wind technology.

This grant builds on the work already under way thanks to a $150,000 grant from the Trust to the Island Alliance and the University of Massachusetts. Already, we are looking at the feasibility of renewable energy production on the Boston Harbor Islands, including islands that the City owns.

Planning for energy efficiency and high performance from the start, and you can get the job done. To apply this lesson more broadly, I am convening a Green Building Task Force.

The task force will be supported by the work of my Environment Department, which has already produced a comprehensive set of guidelines on how to develop high performance buildings. The task force’s charge is help the BRA to guide developers to think about energy efficiency in a way that actually streamlines our development review process.

One specific action that I want this new task force to study is how the City can work more closely with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and its Renewable Energy Trust. From now on, the BRA, when appropriate, will suggest that developers apply for the Trust’s funding for early-stage planning.

Energy efficiency is good for the City’s budget. It’s good for the environment. And it just makes sense – especially now with the rising cost of oil.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 28 Jan 2003 05:00:00 GMT

Our Back Streets program has only been at work for one year but it has already helped businesses grow and has protected jobs for Boston residents. I recently helped to celebrate some of the accomplishments of its first year and to announce the Boston nominees for the ICIC- Inc. Magazine, Inner City 100, a list of the fastest growing companies in America’s urban areas. This was an opportunity to highlight to a national audience the strength of Boston’s business diversity.

One such company is Finagle a Bagel. Finagle a Bagel recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and it is more successful than ever.

To think it all started with one small business in Faneuil Hall. And now, Finagle a Bagel produces nearly 100,000 bagels each day at its South Boston facility. And the company employs over 400 people, many of them Boston residents. As Mayor, I want businesses like Finagle a Bagel to succeed and grow.

Back Streets companies are important to our economy. They provide one in five jobs in our city. And they provide goods and services that people need.

That’s why I am proud of the City’s investment in Back Streets. I have made an additional $1 million available for lending to Back Streets companies through the Back Streets Backup Loan program administered by the Boston Local Development Corporation (BLDC). Our business managers connect industrial businesses with the resources they need. That means linking them with financial assistance programs like BIDFA and BLDC. And it means connecting them with the work force development tools they need to prosper.

Back Streets is making a difference.

Here are just a few of the highlights:

At the New Boston Food Market, we cut the ribbon on Metropolitan Meat. This state-of-the-art facility will provide jobs for 30 Boston residents. On this site, there are 24 companies that provide over 900 jobs.

I allocated $125,000 to jump-start the planning process at Newmarket Business District and I presented a $5,000 business enterprise grant for marketing. Newmarket is home to a diverse group of flower, meat, and seafood wholesalers – with 200 businesses that employ ten thousand residents.

At the Alsen Mapes Industrial Park in Dorchester, the City helped Dutch Maid Bakery to expand. We also assisted Royal Label, a company that has been in Boston for more than 20 years.

Legal Seafood broke ground on a new processing facility at the Boston Marine Industrial Park. And a $6 million redevelopment project will soon be underway there that will add 20 new loading docks – and provide as many as 200 permanent full-time jobs.

Companies can sign up to be included in the Back Streets Business to Business Directory. Just log on to our website at www.bostonbackstreets.com or call our Back Streets hotline at (617) 918-4400.

And in the spring, Back Streets will partner with Roxbury Community College and the New England Minority Supplier and Development Council to host a trade fair that will connect your business to local colleges and universities – a huge market in our City.

We need to work with companies, not against them. Especially in these tough times, we have to do even more to ensure that local businesses and jobs stay in our City. When we invest in Back Streets industries, we invest in neighborhoods and working families.

By everyone working together, we can ensure that Boston is the best place to do business.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Thu, 23 Jan 2003 05:00:00 GMT

Tough economic times require creative ways to help people. That is just what we will do with our new workforce development initiative that will be designed to provide our workforce with the marketable skills they need in today’s job market.

The new workforce development initiative is a comprehensive career advancement program that builds on the best practices of our widely recognized workforce system. From the Neighborhood Jobs Trust, we will make an initial investment of $1.5 million in our citizens. The initiative does not rely on tax dollars and it will keep us in the forefront of this issue nationally.

We are partners with The Boston Foundation, which has been hard at work raising over $1 million, and bringing in partners from great foundations like the Hyams, the Fireman and the Rockefeller. The Fleet Charitable Trust and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay are also contributing to this endeavor.

Together we are challenging foundations and other private funders to invest in the workforce development initiative, so that we can reach our goal of raising the first $5 million for this initiative within six months.

I’d like to give a little context on why, in these hard times, this is the best investment the City can make. First, I believe in the people of Boston - new arrivals and life-long residents. Yet, we know from reports, like Mass Inc.’s New Skills for a New Economy, that one-third of our workers do not have the skills to compete in our knowledge-based economy. And that is something we all need to work together and change.

The overall economy is struggling, but there are some bright spots - and the health care industry is one. From patient care to researchers, Boston is a leader in the field. And the good news is that new workers are still needed and there are opportunities to move up the ladder.

Over the past 10 years, Boston has developed one the most effective workforce systems in the country. Our three career centers do a great job, and our community-based job training agencies are first rate. People loooking for employment services can call any of the three centers: The Workplace (737-0093), Jobnet (338-0809), and Boston Career Link (536-1888).

Our business community is committed at the highest levels, and Boston employers have a proven track record of collaboration with the city and the community through initiatives such as welfare-to-work and school-to-career.

Unfortunately, the progress we have made is at great risk just as unemployment is on the rise. The federal government is more interested in tax cuts than in investing in our people.

We cannot wait for better times or better leadership. Our workers need help now. Our employers are willing because they understand that the skill of the workforce will drive the economic recovery.

We are doing this with local funds, but it's an example of the kind of targeted stimulus program that our national economy needs to get moving again. Let's make this program a national model and let's take it to Washington as an example of what can be done when government, the private sector and the foundations work together.

We have a proven track record and we know that these programs work. We also know that investing in people is the best way to keep our City strong and moving forward.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Mon, 13 Jan 2003 05:00:00 GMT

Earlier this week, Boston set a new standard for public safety by being the first City in the nation to adopt “John’s Law.” This citywide ordinance allows police to impound a drunk driver’s vehicle for 12 hours. What that means is that people arrested for Driving Under the Influence will not be able to get back into their cars and onto the roads - until they are sober.

It’s hard to believe, but in other cities and towns across this country, people arrested for driving under the influence can be back behind the wheel within a few hours. And that is very dangerous.

Bill and Muriel Elliot know all too well the tragic results of putting drunk drivers back on the roads. Their son, John Elliot, was killed by a drunk driver who was arrested for DUI just a few hours before – and got back behind the wheel while still intoxicated. That tragedy should never have happened. And all of us need to work together to make sure that it never happens again.

I want to thank Bill and Muriel Elliott for making the trip from New Jersey for being with us at the announcement. And I want to thank them for their courage in taking on this issue – so that other families might be spared the pain that they suffered.

City Councilor Rob Consalvo sponsored this important ordinance and I thank the entire the City Council for passing it. I want to thank the state legislators who are fighting to make this a statewide law. And I also want to thank the police and MADD for being our partners.

John’s Law is about saving lives. Let’s keep working together to get John’s Law on the books – and drunk drivers off the roads.

Mayor's Weekly Column

Tue, 07 Jan 2003 05:00:00 GMT

In tough economic times, the elderly or those living on fixed incomes are usually the ones who suffer the most. That is not right and that is why I sought to protect the elderly in this year’s tax bills.

Along with the City Council, I recently expanded the property tax exemption for elderly taxpayers with limited incomes. The elderly exemption can reduce the taxes of eligible seniors by up to $1,000. The new program also lowers the age requirement for the exemption from 70 to 65.

In addition, the income limits have been increased to $20,000 for single taxpayers, or $30,000 if married. The limit on assets (other than your home) has also been raised to $40,000 for single taxpayers, or $55,000 if married.

The City also offers exemptions for qualified homeowners who are blind, surviving spouses, veterans (with a service-connected disability) and minor children of deceased parents.

Your taxes can be reduced if you qualify for any of these exemptions. And the staff of the Taxpayer Referral and Assistance Center is ready to assist you in determining whether you qualify.

To determine whether you are already receiving a personal exemption, check to see if an amount appears to the right of the box marked “personal exemption” on your tax bill. If you see an amount in this box, you are already receiving an exemption. If you do not see an amount, then you are not receiving a personal exemption.

The residential exemption can save taxpayers who own and occupy their home $988.15 on their tax bill. Last year, I filed a home rule petition with the State Legislature to increase the residential exemption. As a result, this year’s figure is more than $100 over last year’s amount and nearly twice the amount of the Fiscal Year 2001 exemption. To qualify for the residential exemption, homeowners must show proof that the property is their principal residence. To determine whether you are already receiving the residential exemption, check to see if an amount appears to the right of the box marked “residential exemption” on your tax bill. If you see an amount in this box, you are already receiving the residential exemption.

If you are not currently receiving an exemption, you have until March 31, 2003 to apply. You must pay the full amount of the tax by February 3, 2003 even if you apply for the residential exemption. If the application is approved, the exemption will be credited to your 4th quarter payment or refunded to you later in the year.

The state classification law distributes the property tax levy between business and residential properties to determine the tax rates. This year, real estate values for business properties are either stagnant or on the decline, while residential values continue to appreciate. As a result, residential properties will experience a slight increase in their share of the tax levy this year. The median tax bill for a single-family homeowner receiving the exemption is $1,430, an increase of $160 from last year. This amount remains well below the statewide median residential tax bill of $2,837 and is one of the lowest amounts in the Boston metropolitan area.

As Mayor, I will continue to work hard to make sure that everyone is treated fairly, and that the people who have the least are not the ones who are taxed the most.