Blackstonian supports Setti for Senate

Blackstonian supports Setti for Senate

Blackstonian is pleased to hear of Newton Mayor Setti Warren's decision to run for US Senate.

Setti is the 1st Black Mayor of Newton and the son of Boston icon, the late Dr. Joseph Warren.

Setti is a sharp, honest candidate who I think is perfect to balance the responsibilities of a US Senate seat. I believe he can navigate through issues of race, class and gender. As the Mayor of Newton, he recently traveled to Roxbury to visit Blackstonian Family Salih Rowe ate Facing Love IV.  This gesture showed not only commitment but the ability to move in either suburban or inner city circles.

The Blackstonian is pleased to support the candidacy of Setti Warren for US Senate.

(photo from Setti Warren campaign all rights reserved)

Setti Warren Website

Get Involved with the Setti for Senate Campaign

Setti Warren Facebook

Setti Warren Twitter

Setti Warren YouTube

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Running into trouble?

Running into trouble?

By Adrian Walker
Globe Columnist / April 23, 2011

You might remember the glossy campaign brochure, the one that proclaimed the current mayor good, but his challenger better.

Or the quirky 11th-hour alliance between the second- and third-place primary finishers, who believed that united they could topple the longest-serving mayor in city history.

Quirky might be good, but it didn’t turn out to be better, at least not in the minds of Boston voters. They sent Michael F. Flaherty to a hard-fought but sound defeat in the 2009 mayor’s race. True, Flaherty came closer than any Menino challenger ever had, but that isn’t really saying much. Menino garnered 57 percent of the vote, cruising to a 15-point win.

It was Flaherty’s classic, coulda-been-a-contender moment. And since then, his challenge has been to craft an encore. For months now, he has been semipublicly mulling a run for the City Council and is said to be close to announcing a decision, maybe as soon as next week.

FULL STORY HERE
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/04/23/running_into_trouble/

READ MORE - Running into trouble?

Lantigua is focus of federal, state probe Corruption allegations for Lawrence mayor

Lantigua is focus of federal, state probe
Corruption allegations for Lawrence mayor

"I do want to stress that I remain committed to the job that I was elected to do," Lantigua said in a statement April 4.
By Sean P. Murphy and Maria Sacchetti
Globe Staff / April 23, 2011

Federal and state authorities are investigating Mayor William Lantigua of Lawrence on possible corruption and other wrongdoing, intensifying controversy surrounding the leader of one of the state’s most financially troubled cities, according to law enforcement officials and one person who was interviewed by the FBI.

The FBI, the Essex district attorney, and other agencies are looking into Lantigua’s dealings with companies that work for the city and into his ongoing public battle with the Lawrence Police Department, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement officials are particularly interested in the mayor’s control over which companies get towing business with the city and who is permitted to operate taxicabs.

One person who has been repeatedly interviewed by state and federal investigators said the agents were very interested in Lantigua’s financial connections, if any, to half a dozen bars and nightclubs, some of which opened since he took office in 2010.

Lantigua’s wife has served on the Licensing Commission that controls which establishments can sell alcohol; police say that Lantigua regularly frequents downtown clubs such as Centro.

FULL STORY HERE
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/04/23/lawrence_mayor_is_focus_of_federal_state_probe/

READ MORE - Lantigua is focus of federal, state probe Corruption allegations for Lawrence mayor

Lawrence mayor’s report of threat rejected No evidence of attack on Lantigua, police say

Lawrence mayor’s report of threat rejected
No evidence of attack on Lantigua, police say

Mayor William Lantigua of Lawrence has clashed with the city’s Police Department almost since the day he took office.
By Andrea Estes and Maria Sacchetti
Globe Staff / April 21, 2011

Lawrence police say they have found no evidence to support the assertion by Mayor William Lantigua that he was nearly run down in front of City Hall last month by a mystery car with unregistered plates, the latest chapter in an increasingly bitter dispute between the controversial mayor and the city’s police.

In a 12-page report made public yesterday, Lawrence Police Captain Denis Pierce concluded there is no evidence the car threatened Lantigua in any way. The report said that an eyewitness to the episode contradicted Lantigua’s insistence that he had been in danger.

The report suggested that on the day of the alleged assault, Lantigua may have been under surveillance by men in a car with unregistered plates similar to those used by undercover law enforcement officials. No further explanation of that possibility was offered.

“We are closing this investigation; no crime was committed,’’ Lawrence Police Chief John Romero said in an interview.

FULL STORY HERE
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/04/21/no_evidence_of_an_attack_on_lawrence_mayor_police_say/

READ MORE - Lawrence mayor’s report of threat rejected No evidence of attack on Lantigua, police say

Boston police officer sues city

Boston police officer sues city

By Associated Press  |   Tuesday, April 19, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

BOSTON - The former president of a Boston police union has filed a lawsuit against the city and Mayor Thomas Menino alleging he has been passed over for promotion in retaliation for supporting Menino’s former opponent.

Lt. Joseph Gillespie says in his federal suit filed Monday he has been passed over for promotion to captain three times even though he has the top civil service score of eligible candidates.

The Boston Globe reports that he alleges his First Amendment rights were violated because he supported Menino’s opponent, City Councilor Michael Flaherty Jr. during the 2009 mayoral race.

Gillespie is a 29-year veteran who was president of the Boston Police Superior Officers Federation union from 2001 to 2009.

Spokeswomen for Menino and the police department said they could not comment on pending litigation.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1331806

READ MORE - Boston police officer sues city

$2.4B budget eliminates programs, jobs

$2.4B budget eliminates programs, jobs

By Dave Wedge  |   Wednesday, April 13, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

The city is pulling 30 staffers out of five community centers and bracing for potential layoffs in the schools and possibly other departments as part of a tight $2.4 billion spending plan set to be unveiled today.

The budget calls for the Boston Centers for Youth and Families to stop running city-funded programs on June 30 at the Kent School in Charlestown, Tynan School in South Boston, Harbor School in Dorchester, Orchard Gardens School in Roxbury and the Mason Pool in Roxbury.

“I’m greatly concerned about losing another resource,” said state Rep. Nick Collins, who represents South Boston and parts of Dorchester. “I have received some calls from constituents about it. With summer coming, this is a great concern.”

The city hopes to avoid closing the five community centers by bringing in non-profit groups to run programs.

The budget, which Mayor Thomas M. Menino will present to the council this morning, also figures in the elimination of 240 school jobs, many of which will be cut through retirements and attrition, as well as staffing changes due to the department’s closure of nine schools and merging of eight others into four. Officials said there could be school layoffs but just how many will be unknown until the fall.

“There are still challenges, and we’re asking each department head to do more with less,” said Councilor Mark Ciommo, head of the council’s Ways and Means Committee. “We’ve laid the groundwork the past couple years toward sustainability, but we’re not out of the woods yet.”

Most departments will be funded at the same level as 2011 under the plan, but the Police Department would see a $2 million cut, shutting down one of the department’s “neighborhood interaction units” — a civilian call center for non-emergency calls.

Despite the cuts, the city is bringing in a new police class in June and is planning to hire 35 new cops.

Health-care costs continue to hamstring the city and are due to hit $315 million in 2012 — a $17.5 million increase — while city officials project state aid cuts of up to $37 million.

The budget also includes $8 million toward the design of Menino’s highly touted redevelopment of the Ferdinand Building in Dudley Square, a $115 million project that will transfer hundreds of city workers to new digs in the Roxbury neighborhood.

— -dwedge@bostonherald.com

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1330366

READ MORE - $2.4B budget eliminates programs, jobs

SHOT BY THE POLICE: BOSTON & BEYOND

LOCAL COP SHOOTINGS

This list is a compilation of cases from Boston, Cambridge, Framingham and the Cape. Each incident is the responsibility of that Police Department, but still is indicative of a Statewide and Nationwide epidemic of People of Color being killed by Police.

BPD Killed 5 people in 1988 alone. 4 out of 5 were Black
BPD Killed 6 Between 1995 and Nov. 2000
BPD Killed 8 Between Nov. 2000 and Sep 2002
BPD Killed 2 Between June 2004 and July 2004
BPD Killed 3 from 2005 to present
All Victims were Black, Latino and Cape Verdean

BPD now has a regulation that expressly forbids firing at a vehicle, unless the occupant first displays a weapon. Former commissioner Paul Evans put that rule on the books in 2002, to mollify a public aghast at eight fatal civilian shootings by Boston police officers in a 23-month stretch, culminating in Eveline Barros Cepeda (a 20 yr. old Mother) being shot unarmed in the back of a car. The BPD has a pattern of determining that these shootings are "justifiable" and The Boston Globe stated that the shooting of Willie Murray, jr. 2/12/02 is the first time since 1991 that a Boston Police officer faced criminal charges in a fatal shooting, the city later paid $75,000 settlement (6/29/07).

January 11, 2011 Eurie Stamps, Sr., 68 yrs. old Retired 68-year-old bus MBTA mechanic was shot by a Framingham police officer during a drug raid at his home. According to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office it was an accident. The actions of Officer Paul Duncan ‘‘do not rise to the level of criminal conduct,’’ and ‘‘do not support a criminal charge,’’ the DA said. More coverage of Eurie Stamps, Sr. shooting and death

April 3, 2010 Manuel "Junior" DaVeiga, 19 yrs. old 19 yrs. old Shot by BPD in Dorchester, investigation ongoing, Suffolk DA and BPD say he shot himself in the head which was the fatal and final shot. More information coming soon. RIP Manuel July 3, 1990 - April 3, 2010 *Questions are now arising as to Mental Health Issues More coverage of Manuel "Junior" DaVeiga shooting and death

August 11, 2009 (Dartmouth, MA) Joseph M. Ramos, jr. Born May, 5, 1967, Joseph M. Ramos, jr. was killed by Dartmouth Police on Aug. 11, 2009. He was shot by Officer Jared White after becoming disoriented and wandering through his neighborhood asking for help. Joseph suffered from a dehabilitating disease which make the police version of events impossible. Joseph’s Civil Rights were violated and he was wrongfully killed by the Police. If Joseph was not a Man of Color, he would be alive today. More coverage of Joseph M. Ramos Murder

November 21, 2007 Marquis Barker 38 yr old Father of Five, Suffolk County Jail Officer - Nashua 18 yrs. Killed Wed. Nov. 21st, 2007 by Boston Police at Walgreen's on Corner of Norfolk & Morton St. *Mental Health Issues **5th Fatal Shooting since 2002 More Coverage of Marquis Barker's Murder

October 3, 2005 Stanley Seney 28 yrs Old. Killed Oct. 3 2005 in the Theatre District

July 2, 2004 Luis Gonzalez, 57 years old More Coverage of Luis Gonzalez's Murder Gonzalez, 57, who weighed no more than 110 pounds, was fatally shot inside the Tremont Street apartment he shared with his mentally retarded sister by two cops as he approached them with a knife. Neighbors said they told police the Puerto Rican native was mentally ill before they entered his apartment. *Mentally Ill Person **Dirty Cop Keeler Involved

June 27, 2004 Bert W. Bowen 40 yrs. old killed in Roxbury: Brookford/Blue Hill Ave The June 27 shooting angered the community because Bowen, 40, was shot three times (once in the back of the head) while fleeing after a traffic stop, and because some witnesses said he was unarmed. After an "investigation" the government determined this murder was "justifiable" Officers James Sheehan (3 Shots), Brian Smigielski (4 shots) More Coverage of Bert Bowen's Murder

September 25, 2002 Eveline Barros-Cepeda Eveline Barros-Cepeda was shot to death by a Boston Police Officer. She was riding in the back seat of a car that police tried to stop after it ran a stoplight. The car allegedly struck Boston Police Officer Michael Paillat prompting his partner Officer Thomas Taylor Jr. to fire five shots into the car as it sped away.

July 15, 2002 Daniel Furtado 59 yrs old (Cambridge, MA) On July 15, 2002 Cambridge Police broke down the door of Daniel Furtado, and shot him dead in his home. He was accused of cutting a cable TV wire, a misdemeanor. Police had no warrant, nor a court order to enter his home. * 8 Man Swat Team 3-4 rounds More Coverage of Daniel Furtado's Murder *Mentally Ill Person

July 2, 2002 LaVeta Jackson, 36 yrs old On July 2, 2002 Boston Police shot and killed LaVeta Jackson in her home. She suffered from a psychiatric illness. *3 Cops 15-20 rounds *Mentally Ill Person

May 2002 Nelson Santiago In May 2002, two officers shot and killed Nelson Santiago after he allegedly rammed a stolen car into their cruiser in Roxbury.

February 12, 2002 Willie L. Murray jr.  37 yrs old killed in Roxbury, Crawford St. February 12th, 2002 by BPD officer Shawn West (Black Cop) According to the Boston Globe, "For the first time in more than a decade, a Boston police officer could face criminal charges after using deadly force in a fatal shooting. Police and Suffolk County prosecutors said yesterday they will convene a grand jury to investigate the death of Willie L. Murray Jr." A man sitting in the front seat beside Willie Murray Jr. when he was shot described the terrifying moment. He said he watched as West shoved the barrel of his gun in the crack of Murray's opened window, ordered him to open the door. Murray was shot after his foot slipped off the brake and the car rolled forward. The grand jury probe was a rare move that may put the case into the hands of a civilian jury. The Boston Globe stated that this is the first time since 1991 that a Boston Police officer will face criminal charges in a fatal shooting. UPDATE: 6/29/07 Five years after Willie L. Murray Jr. was shot to death by a Boston police officer (Black Cop Shawn West) after a traffic stop in Roxbury, the city agreed yesterday to pay $75,000 to settle a wrongful death suit that was about to go to trial in federal court.

July 15, 2001 Rene Romain  19 yrs old killed in Mattapan July 15, 2001 A Boston Globe article reported that a the mother of a Mattapan teenager, after seeing the medical report on her son, claims he was shot in the back last summer without justification by Boston police. Carline Seide-Murphy said the Boston Police first reported that her son suffered a fatal wound to the abdomen. The medical report said her 19-year-old son, Rene Romain, was shot in the back July 15 at the Mattapan Square T station. The police said Romain had threatened two officers with a knife

May 29, 2001 Jose Pineda

December 27, 2000 Ricky Bodden, 29 Shot in the back of the neck by officer Kyle Wilcox on Dec. 27 in a Roxbury park. Boston Municipal Police officer fired at 29-year-old Ricky Bodden of Dorchester. The shooting occurred after Bodden allegedly ran when the officer tried to question him outside a Dorchester park. The force patrols city-owned buildings.

November 27, 2000 Carlos M. Garcia

March 24, 1994 Rev. Accelyne Williams, 75 years old Acting on a wrong address from a bad tip by an informant, the police conducted a no-knock raid on Retired Methodist minister Accelyne Williams' Boston, MA apartment. The door was battered down and Williams was chased around his home by a SWAT police team looking for drugs and guns. Williams was tackled to the floor and his hands tied behind his back. Williams collapsed and died of a heart attack at the age of 75. No guns or drugs were found, as it was soon discovered they raided the wrong apartment!

January 31, 1988 Donald Johnson killed in Jamaica Plain Donald Johnson (shooting victim) was shot dead by police while he was driving a stolen bus. Boston Police shot and killed five suspects of non-violent crimes in 1988; he adds that four of those five suspects were African American. **5th killing in 1988 4 out of 5 dead were blacks

1981 Levi Hart 14 yrs old killed in Roxbury 1981 by BPD Officer Richard Borque Levi Hart, a 14-year-old African American youth from Roxbury, Mass., was killed in a police chase. (Hart, and two other Roxbury youths had stolen and car. When the officers caught up to them, Hart was shot, arguably by Richard Bourque in an act of police brutality.)

January 1975 James Bowden In January 1975 two white undercover Boston police officers gunned down an innocent black man at the Mission Hill housing project, and then were accused along with other Boston police in a bungled scheme to cover it up. While on stakeout on a suspected getaway car used in an armed robbery, the two gunned down a black man who entered the car. The two claimed the man had a gun and they shot in self-defense. Police investigation decided it was a rightful shooting. The man's widow knew her husband would not be carrying a weapon and became determined to prove her husband's innocence. Attorney Lawrence O'Donnell of Boston, a former officer himself, conducted a three-year investigation on behalf of the widow, Patricia Bowden, which prompted two federal juries to agree in a historic verdict that the death of James Bowden "was malicious, willful, wanton or reckless," and the result was a landmark legal decision which included a settlement of $843,000 for Bowden's widow and two children. In more than 100 years, no one had won such a judgment against any police department. Former Boston Phoenix reporter Dave O'Brian was on assignment to write a feature story about Boston's Tactical Patrol Force, O'Brian was in the back seat of the police cruiser along with a news photographer. When the shooting occurred, he was crouched on the floor in fear. His role became crucial, though, because his notes about what happened in the aftermath contradicted police. Looking for a tall, thin man, the police stake out the wrong car, then shoot a man who's 5 feet 4 and weighs 180 pounds and who's never been accused of a crime. Their versions in court contradict those of eyewitnesses, and also one another. A gun is planted at the scene to incriminate Bowden, but it's the wrong type. Crucial tape recordings from the dispatcher's office are missing. The police arrest O'Donnell's son on a trumped-up charge, and beat him.

READ MORE - SHOT BY THE POLICE: BOSTON & BEYOND

Ray Flynn’s house ransacked by robbers

Ray Flynn’s house ransacked by robbers

By Dave Wedge  |   Friday, March 25, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

Former Mayor Raymond Flynn’s South Boston home was robbed yesterday while he and his wife were at the funeral of former House Speaker Tom Finneran’s mother.

The thieves forced open a door and ransacked the house, swiping expensive jewelry, personal items and priceless keepsakes, including a cross given to the former mayor by Pope John Paul II and letters from Presidents Reagan and Clinton, Mother Theresa and Nelson Mandela.

Police said the theft happened around 8:45 a.m. and that the thieves may have used a tool to “pop open” a locked door on the front of the family’s home on Flint Place. In addition to the jewelry and personal items, the thieves made off with a laptop, GPS and iPod, police said.

“It’s really terrible. It’s really an invasion of your privacy,” Flynn’s wife, Catherine said. “It’s awful to think someone comes into your home and does this.”

Flynn, 71, was unavailable for comment but told the State House News: “Just about everything, everything of value we ever had from the past 50 years is gone.”

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1326084

READ MORE - Ray Flynn’s house ransacked by robbers

City worker quietly held job while facing drug rap

City worker quietly held job while facing drug rap

FLAHERTY-DELANO
By Richard Weir  |   Saturday, March 19, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

A City Hall staffer — who has quietly kept her job for eight months while awaiting trial for allegedly peddling prescription amphetamines in South Boston — was put on paid administrative leave yesterday after a Herald inquiry.

Kristine Flaherty-Delano, a $53,934-a-year administrative assistant in the city’s Property and Construction Management Department — and the sister of a scheduling secretary for Mayor Thomas M. Menino — was nabbed by Boston cops July 29 for allegedly selling Adderall within 1,000 feet of a school.

Adderall, a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, is used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy but is commonly abused as an upper.

Flaherty-Delano, 43, is due to stand trial in May and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charges.

Flaherty-Delano’s attorney, Gary McGillvray, said his client strongly denies the charges. “They have no case,” he said. “I am 100 percent confident that my client will be acquitted.”

Menino spokeswoman Dot Joyce said City Hall had no knowledge of Flaherty-Delano’s criminal charges — despite multiple court appearances, including one yesterday in Boston Municipal Court — until the Herald inquired about her employment status yesterday.

“She has been put on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the court proceedings and an internal review,” Joyce said. When asked when the leave took effect, Joyce replied: “Today.”

“The administration was not aware of the charges,” Joyce continued. “Her supervisor was aware of a court date but was unaware of the charge.”

According to city policy, only public safety workers are required to report their arrests. All other unionized municipal workers are exempt.

Police searched Flaherty-Delano in July after she got out of a car at West 5th and D streets, near the JF Condon School, court documents state. Officers found a bottle with 5A Adderall pills — and another seven Adderall pills in the car —as well as $94 cash, according to court documents.

Flaherty-Delano is the third City Hall staffer accused of dealing drugs in the past 16 months. John M. Forbes, Menino’s former East Boston liaison, pleaded guilty in federal court in October to dealing OxyContin and cocaine. Another city worker reportedly pleaded not guilty that month to charges he picked up a package containing nearly 2,000 OxyContin pills at a FedEx Kinkos downtown.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1324447

READ MORE - City worker quietly held job while facing drug rap

Setti Warren weighing 2012 challenge to Sen. Brown

Setti Warren weighing 2012 challenge to Sen. Brown

Baystate Banner (Lolita Parker Jr. photo)

Steve LeBlanc
from the Baystate Banner



He’s been in office a little more than a year, but already Republican Sen. Scott Brown is beginning to attract would-be Democratic challengers.

Among those said to be weighing runs are Newton Mayor Setti Warren; Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll; Alan Khazei, founder of the nonprofit City Year; and two current members of Congress, Reps. Michael Capuano and Stephen Lynch, as well as former mutual fund executive Robert Pozen.

Warren, who previously brushed aside speculation that he might challenge Brown, issued a statement this week saying he’s now considering a run. Warren is an Iraq war veteran and former aide to U.S. Sen. John Kerry. He’s also Newton’s first black mayor.

FULL STORY HERE
http://www.baystatebanner.com/local16-2011-03-10

READ MORE - Setti Warren weighing 2012 challenge to Sen. Brown

Blackstonian Presents the Archie Bunker Award to Boston Police Patrolmen's Association

BLACKSTONIAN EXCLUSIVE

The Blackstonian would like to present the Archie Bunker award for foreward thought and outstanding achievement in intellekchewalism to

The Boston Police Patrolmen's Association

The Pax Centurion

Editor James Carnell

Editor's Note: I couldn't find a photo anywhere of James Carnell, which may be a blessing if his physical appearance is as ugly as his thoughts and attitude or perhaps he has cracked too many lenses in his day so let's just imagine him... think Half Elmer Fudd and 3/4 Porky.... (yes I know the math is right)
The award is being made now it will be presented shortly it has taken us some time... you wouldn't believe how difficult it is to get a trophy fashioned into the shape of an anus.

Boston Police Patrolmen's Association (BPPA)

The Boston Police Patrolmen's Association which is Union for BPD Officers, the very same Union that has fought tooth and nail for well over a decade over every issue that came up for Affirmative Action or improvements in Hiring/Promotions within the BPD. They are the Union which has fought MAMLEO (Mass. Assoc. of Minority Law Enforcement Officials) at every juncture where equality and diversity was in question.

This is also the same Union which produces a racially charged and clearly uber-conservative publication which forces you to wax nostalgic about the Good Ole Days with the Good Ole Boys circa 1950 The Pax Centurion http://www.bppa.org/PAX/default.asp

If you go there right now you can find such intellectual insights and colorful terms like "yummie (young urban maggot)" which really can give you a perspective on the thought process of many of OUR "Public Servants" these are the people who are supposed to Serve and Protect us.

http://www.bppa.org/bppaems/pax/story3_may05.asp

Or really just check this out from the Feb. Edition (ironically in Black History Month) where he calls the young teenage man brutalized by Police a "scumbag" 

By Jim Carnell, Pax Editor

Many of us may have missed the Globe and Herald editions dated Jan. 23rd about

a rather unique and interesting exhibition by the staff of the Boston Police Academy designed for local politicians, media, and community activists. (“In defense of the proper use of force”, Boston Herald, Peter Gelzinis, 1-23-11, and “Police give lessons in how they use force”, Boston Globe, Maria Cramer, 1-23-11).

The exhibition was designed after much criticism was heaped upon the department

following a “You-tube” video which appeared on-line after the arrest of a young

scumbag who resisted arrest at Roxbury Community College last fall

http://www.bppa.org/PAX/PAX%20JabFeb%202011.pdf

Need More Proof of the infinite ability to promote stupidity?

http://oneminutelawyer.com/?p=10560

In the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association newspaper, Pax Centurion, is a cartoon of President Obama dressed as a superhero dubbed “Obama Dog.’’ According to the Boston Globe, another page shows a picture of the First Couple, their left hands over their hearts, instead of their right, as they salute the flag. “Americans?!? Are they really?!?’

So Jeers to you...

It couldn't be a more deserving award for a master of the asinine.

Please Join us in our Public Condemnation of these statements... check out these links.
http://blackstonian.blogspot.com/2011/03/public-condemnation-james-carnell.html

http://www.xtraxtra.com/bostoncom.php/posting/showz/id/3719249

READ MORE - Blackstonian Presents the Archie Bunker Award to Boston Police Patrolmen's Association

ISD says: ‘Shame on us’ Snafu let restaurants duck inspection fees

ISD says: ‘Shame on us’
Snafu let restaurants duck inspection fees
By Richard Weir | Tuesday, March 8, 2011 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Local Coverage

ON THE CASE: The Inspectional Services Department ceased to file paper records of restaurant sales figures until the Herald contacted Boston Corporation Counsel William Sinnott, above.
Photo by Christopher Evans

A cascade of errors in city record-keeping allowed many of Boston’s nearly 1,300 takeout restaurants to avoid paying accurate health inspection fees for four years — potentially costing the Hub hundreds of thousands of dollars, a Herald review found.

“Let me start with something that I don’t usually say to reporters to begin an interview, and that’s ‘thank you.’ You’ve identified a problem,” said Inspectional Services Division Commissioner William Good. “We are going to go back and clean it up.”

Under city ordinance, takeout restaurants that gross $200,000 or less pay $200 in ISD fees, with fees rising to $1,200 for those that gross $3 million or more. But since 2006, the department failed to require businesses to submit documents verifying sales; did not keep paper records when they were submitted; and, in some cases, mailed forms preprinted with a minimum $200 fee owed — even to businesses that had historically paid far more.

“I think it’s a snafu,” Good said. “Shame on us.”

The agency has taken swift action since the Herald began its inquiry, sending out a letter informing takeout eateries that they have to submit a federal or state tax return or a sworn statement from a company official verifying gross sales.

ISD also has launched a sweeping review of its fee collection process — discovering, for example that the company that runs 60 food and beer concession stands at TD Garden had never submitted sales records. As a result, it has been paying minimum fees for years, shortchanging the city $11,000 annually, according to ISD.

“We weren’t asked to” submit the documents until last month, said TD Garden spokeswoman Tricia McCorkle. The city is collecting updated fees, and McCorkle said the company has fully complied with ISD’s requests

In other cases, even million-dollar eateries received the forms preprinted with a $200 fee.

“We should have left it blank, instead of putting the minimum fee and saying you’ve got to correct it if it’s wrong,” Good acknowledged.

The Souper Salad at 3 Center Plaza saw its longtime $700 fee — for gross sales exceeding $1 million — drop to $200.

“To the best of my knowledge, they didn’t ask for (documentation),” said owner Larry Reinstein.

Even when eateries did submit sales figures, paper records weren’t filed after 2007, when ISD switched to a computer system, said Assistant ISD Commissioner Thomas Goodfellow.

“We reviewed them and then recycled them,” Goodfellow said. “It’s a lot of work, doing all that filing. Each year when the bills came in, the clerical staff would spend many hours filing all the forms.”

The filing recommenced after the Herald contacted Boston Corporation Counsel William F. Sinnott to ask whether ISD had violated public records laws by destroying the documents.

“Since your inquiry, the city of Boston Law Department has been in discussion with Inspectional Services,” Sinnott said. “The law department and ISD agree that . . . such documents will be retained and available to the public.”

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1321725

READ MORE - ISD says: ‘Shame on us’ Snafu let restaurants duck inspection fees

Bill Russell Statue? The Perfect Woman For The Job!

BLACKSTONIAN EXCLUSIVE!

As the Blackstonian Family knows we have been working on the idea of a Bill Russell Statue for some time now. Most recently, after the issue came up in the news again after an article calling for the long-deserved statue to happen, we began flying the idea around several key people.  I spoke with Boston City Councillor Ayanna Pressley who just this week authored a Resolution (click for article) along with City Councillor John Connolly.

I spoke with Boston Athletics Godfather Charlie Titus who got us in touch with Bill Russell's camp. At the time, before Bill Russell's Birthday on Feb. 12th (conveniently in Black History Month) we were alerted that Mr. Russell was soon to travel to DC to receive an award from President Obama.  On Feb. 15th, the world watched the iconic scene of President Barack Obama placing the Presidential Medal of Freedom (US highest civilian honor) around the neck of our beloved Bill Russell. Pres. Obama called for a statue in Boston and the wheels started turning... media across the country picked up the story, Mayor Menino jumped on board, Gov. Patrick jumped on board, Boston Celtics jumped on board and the fans have always known the right thing to do (in this case).

The Blackstonian now focuses attention on who will build this statue? Well, considering the circumstances and the history, what if I told you we had a local artist, and that they were from the community, and that SHE is a Black Woman and world reknown to get down? Are you on board?

THE ONLY AND THE BEST ARTIST SUITED TO DO THE BILL RUSSELL STATUE IS...
FERN CUNNINGHAM.

Fern Cunningham Website for all works, images, bio, etc.

http://www.cunninghamsculpture.com/

Basic Black Feature on Fern Cunningham here

READ MORE - Bill Russell Statue? The Perfect Woman For The Job!

Give Russell his due

Give Russell his due

By Adrian Walker
Globe Columnist / February 19, 2011

Every so often, Boston turns its lonely eyes to Bill Russell, and the spectacle is always fascinating to watch.

One of those rediscoveries occurred in 1999 when the Celtics great assented to a night in his honor at what was then the Fleet Center. Thirty years after his last game, he was celebrated before a packed house, most of which had never seen him play. Legendary adversary Wilt Chamberlain joined in the celebration, and a deep old wound between Russell and Boston began to heal.

Another sign of thaw came during the Celtics’ championship run in 2008, when Russell not only appeared at the Finals, but did television interviews with his newfound buddy, Kevin Garnett.

And now, once again, Russell and Boston are in the news. The idea of a tribute to Russell is everywhere: Cedric Maxwell has been lobbying on talk radio for a statue, and even President Obama took up the cause Tuesday, when he presented Russell with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

FULL STORY HERE
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/02/19/give_bill_russell_his_due/


Blackstonian Editor's Note:
We are glad to see that President Obama has come around to the long held idea that Bill Russell deserves a statue in Boston, the Blackstonian has been working on a statue and honoring Bill Russell in Boston for some time. We suggested an Official City of Boston "Day" as well as a State of Mass "Day" honoring Mr. Russell. We suggested his birthday of Feb. 12th. In addition, the ONLY person who should do this statue is Fern Cunningham, the Black Woman who also made the Harriet Tubman statues and the work in Forest Hills Cemetary.
See Basic Black Feature on Fern Cunningham here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNcrUsC63SI
The Blackstonian hopes that when our dream comes to fruition, we at least get invited ;)

READ MORE - Give Russell his due

Hub builds on prez idea for Bill Russell statue

Blackstonian Editor's Note: We are glad to see that President Obama has come around to the long held idea that Bill Russell deserves a statue in Boston, the Blackstonian has been working on a statue and honoring Bill Russell in Boston for some time. We suggested an Official City of Boston "Day" as well as a State of Mass "Day" honoring Mr. Russell.. we suggested his birthday of Feb. 12th. In addition, the ONLY person who should do this statue is Fern Cunningham, the Black Woman who also made the Harriet Tubman statues and the work in Forest Hills Cemetary.
See Basic Black Feature on Fern Cunningham here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNcrUsC63SI
The Blackstonian hopes that when our dream comes to fruition, we at least get invited ;)

Hub builds on prez idea for Bill Russell statue

By O’Ryan Johnson  |   Friday, February 18, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

Two days after President Obama said he hopes Boston will build a statue honoring Celtics [team stats] legend Bill Russell, plans are under way between city officials and the Celtics front office to make that happen.

Support for the idea is pouring in from across the Hub, with the Rev. Bruce Wall in Dorcehster, congressman Michael Capuano as well as several Celtics who are on record saying it should be built.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino said the battle is not being fought over whether to build the statue, but where to build it.

“Where is the most appropriate place to put the statue for the consideration and respect due Bill Russell?” said Menino, who considers Russell a friend. “He’s a very deep person who has a big laugh, but is very serious.”

He said that was the subject of the phone call between the city and Celtics front office Wednesday, and he said both sides are looking at that issue now. While Causeway Street seems like an obvious choice, Menino pointed out that Celtics coach Red Auerbach’s statue is in Faneuil Hall.

In Dorchester, the Rev. Bruce Wall said a Russell statue should be in a place where all who visit Boston can enjoy it.

“He was not just a figure for the black community. He is a world-renowned figure,” Wall said. “Everyone recognized him. Put the statue in a place where people visiting Boston from all over can pay tribute. I would support having it downtown.”

Capuano (D-Somerville), whose district includes the North End, said a statue for Russell — who won 11 NBA championships, two as player coach — should have happened years ago.

A Bill Russell statue is long overdue, Capuano said. “He is a Boston legend, a quintessential Celtic and a true champion — as a coach and a player.”

But Menino said one hang-up remains, no one has talked to Russell.

“We want to connect with Bill Russell ourselves first,” said Menino, to make sure he wants a statue, before plans get too far ahead.

Kilbert Pierce Jr, the boxer-turned-blogger who proposed the idea of a statue more than three years ago, said in addition to a lack of funding, there seemed to be little interest in raising a statue to Russell at the time.

“It makes me feel so good that people are now coming around and showing interest. I think it’s great. Obama has pushed this to a new level. For (Celtics Ray) Allen to say something, for (Coach Doc) Rivers to say something. That’s beautiful. That’s all I ever wanted,” Pierce said.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1317640

READ MORE - Hub builds on prez idea for Bill Russell statue

Feb. 1 Black/Latino Police sue Boston Police Department

BLACKSTONIAN EXCLUSIVE

Feb. 1 Black/Latino Police sue Boston Police Department

Below contains information from the Boston Globe article:
"Ex-Menino driver gets new job, stirring dispute"
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/01/29/ex_menino_driver_gets_new_job_stirring_dispute/

The organization representing the department’s minority officers, MAMLEO, for years have been calling for more women and minorities to be given supervisory roles.

“If the Police Department is going to be serious about community policing, it must reflect the community in which it operates and right now it does not,’’ said Willie H. Bradley, information officer for the Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers. “Once again the Police Department makes the selections, unfortunately, to its command position based on politics, not on knowledge.’’

Of the 19 deputy superintendents and superintendents on the command staff, 10 are white men. There are four black men, one Asian man, one white woman, two Hispanic men, and one black woman. All of the captains in command of the city’s 11 districts are white men.

Currently, MAMLEO has a federal civil rights lawsuit challenging the state’s promotional exam winding its way through federal court. On Tuesday Feb. 1, closing arguments are scheduled to be heard in the case, which was brought by minority officers from several cities, including Boston. The officers contend that the exam for sergeant is discriminatory.

PACK THE COURT
Tuesday, Feb. 1 2011
Federal Court House
1 Courthouse Way Boston, Massachusetts 02210

READ MORE - Feb. 1 Black/Latino Police sue Boston Police Department

Can One Man Make A Difference?!?! ROXBURIED: The Big Snow Job... pt. II

BLACKSTONIAN EXCLUSIVE

Within hours of the report from the Blackstonian on the horrendous condition on our streets

Our work was featured in the Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/blogs/the_angle/2011/01/shoveling_at_ci.html

AND



as we are reporting to you now at approx. 6pm crews from the BRA are cleaning up the lot that they have not visited for almost a year....

One Man Can Make A Difference!!!!
Especially if that man is a
BLACKSTONIAN

READ MORE - Can One Man Make A Difference?!?! ROXBURIED: The Big Snow Job... pt. II

BLACKSTONIAN EXCLUSIVE: The Big Snow Job... ROXBURIED

BLACKSTONIAN EXCLUSIVE

The Big Snow Job
ROXBURIED

The City of Boston consistently fails its residents in both its own removal and selective enforcement which is heavy handed on tax payers and home owners but lax on others.

The Worst offenders in the City of Boston is often the City of Boston.
Properties seized by Project Pride
BRA - Boston Redevelopment Authority
DND - Department of Neighborhood Development
MBTA
NSTAR

City of Boston Officials have confirmed that all property owners are responsible for snow removal on their property. This means all above entities, including the City of Boston are responsible and accountable.

The Blackstonian did a brief neighborhood walkthrough at 10 am this morning and what I witnessed was atrocious. Much of what I saw was clearly not at all touched from the first storm weeks ago.


BRA owned property on Ruthven St. at Humboldt Ave. I haven't seen them back since the day last summer when they put the locks on the gate to ensure the church couldn't drive to the back of their building.

Unplowed Ruthven St. (Many of the streets along Humboldt Avenue remained unplowed including Crawford, Ruthven, Homestead, Hutchings, Brookledge, Harold

MBTA Bustop buried at Harold and Seaver any Eldery, Disabled, Parents with Stroller, Person with groceries/laundry and you are forced to wait in streets which are also unplowed and it creates a mass public safety issue.

Plows clearing the main thoroughfares this along Columbus on the left of the photo is Franklin Park. All along Franklin Park from Walnut Ave. going up Seaver taking a right on Blue Hill Ave NO SIDEWALK IS SHOVELED all the way to the main entrance of Franklin Park Zoo.

MBTA Bustop buried across from Harold at Seaver any Eldery, Disableb, Parents with Stroller, Person with groceries/laundry and you are forced to wait in streets which are also unplowed and it creates a mass public safety issue.

 Columbus on the left of the photo is Franklin Park. All along Franklin Park from Walnut Ave. going up Seaver taking a right on Blue Hill Ave NO SIDEWALK IS SHOVELED all the way to the main entrance of Franklin Park Zoo.

 Top of Humboldt Ave and Seaver. The Plows in many cases create a huge cliff of snow and slush which makes it almost impossible to get to the sidewalk even if you wanted to.

Buried MBTA stop Top of Humboldt Ave and Seaver.

 Buried MBTA stop Top of Humboldt Ave and Seaver.

 Buried MBTA stop Top of Humboldt Ave and Seaver.

 This is the ONLY spot I found dug out at all... also at the top of Humboldt and Seaver this appears to be have done by a Good Samaritan.

At Seaver and Humboldt in front of the Stores/Restaurant

 Fire Hydrants buried in snow cause a great hazard! as told to the Blackstonian by the Boston Vulcans, Boston's Black and Latino Firefighters Association. (see their link on the main page)

 Many of these bus stops have clearly not been dug out since the original storm several weeks ago.

 In front of 7th Day Adventist church at Humboldt/Seaver

HERE IS A GREAT Example
A Tale of Two Properties

One Property in a adjoining building is citizen owned and they had a path shoveled and the steps cleared.

 The second property right next door... as in attached 257 Humboldt ave is City Owned.

This property has clearly not been shoveled at all since the very first storm!!

The remnants of a path you see here is from the neighbors shoveling and this is where they stopped.

 This property is also a corner property and extends around the corner... which has also never been shoveled!

More MBTA buried bus stops this at Humboldt/Hutchings

Humboldt/Homestead

 

Further down Homestead St. looking at City Properties. Some of the Apartment Building Maintenance Men were plowing/shoveling the streets as well as the City had not come through at all.

Unplowed Homestead St.

NSTAR Owned property at Homestead and Humboldt 

 multiple offenses... Fire Hydrant!

 multiple offense... Mail Boxes...

 Mailboxes and Bus Stop

This was just a basic 15 min walk around a few blocks in the Blackstonian Neighborhood!!!

If you have an issue... report it to the Mayor's Hotline at 617-635-4500

Don't let them snow you!

If you are or know some elderly who need help getting dug out, call the Blackstonian at
617-297-7721.... must be in Roxbury Area

If you are a Brother or Youth who is willing to lend your back to digging out our people in surrounding neighborhoods throughout Boston call the Blackstonian 617-297-7721

READ MORE - BLACKSTONIAN EXCLUSIVE: The Big Snow Job... ROXBURIED