If the reader will permit, here are some stray observations as we lament confirmation that Jayson Tatum’s injury is— in fact— a season-ending calamity for the future Hall of Famer and reigning NBA champion.
• There are now 75 candidates who have “pulled papers” to run for mayor and/or city council this year. If history is our trusted guide, not all will make it on the ballot, but enough will to ensure a preliminary election in September for mayor and at-large. And all nine district councillors have at least one potential opponent.
With apologies to the political spouses whose summers are certain to be disrupted a bit more than usual by drawing a challenger, that’s a good thing. It’s healthy to have competition for these seats
There are 17 men and women collecting signatures in District 7 this week. That’s a whole lot of activity for one part of the city. Perhaps it’s an indicator of pent-up demand for better representation mixed with authentic anxiety about development pressures and other constituent services that need urgent attention.
At first blush, there are at least a few compelling candidates in this D-7 field. We’ve invited them to share their rationales for seeking office and once they’ve secured a place on the ballot, we’ll publish their ideas in The Reporter. Stay tuned.
• A city council oversight committee has scheduled a hearing to discuss the highly controversial Blue Hill Ave re-design on Tues., June 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Carter American Legion Post, 1531 Blue Hill Ave. in Mattapan Square. It’s likely to be a long afternoon and evening. The city’s current proposal to reconfigure the avenue with dedicated center bus lanes and bike lanes has been a lightning rod since it first surfaced more than two years ago.
Sometimes we forget that the whole process was launched when the city received a $15 million federal grant secured by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, who asserted that the status quo on Blue Hill is “not acceptable and must change.”
And while most would generally agree that Blue Hill needs improvements, there’s also widely held skepticism that the current proposal will cause even more headaches for motorists, business owners, and those it’s most intended to help – bus-dependent commuters.
With the Wu administration already re-thinking dedicated lanes in other sections of the city, it may be time for leaders to reconsider the scope and specifics of this Blue Hill Ave. revamp. This June 10 oversight meeting will give the key players a chance to listen and absorb the legit concerns up and down the length of Blue Hill Ave.
• The early reviews are in on the latest White Stadium- Boston Legacy transportation plan and they amount to a yellow card for the franchise and the mayor’s team. A Reporter story last week surfaced that the soccer team’s home games will trigger rigorous parking restrictions and enforcement — including $100 fines and tows for non-permitted cars— on 203 streets in a “walk shed” zone impacting JP, Dorchester, and Roxbury. And with the impacts of the team’s home schedule now expected on a wider range of days— not just Saturdays as many first believed— it’s got the potential to disrupt many private events.
This space is on record supporting the team’s use of— and investment in — White Stadium and Franklin Park. But residents in our communities shouldn’t be penalized for their proximity to the stadium. City officials and the team are accepting comments on the plan through next Friday, May 23. Now’s the time to speak up and let them know this plan is far too intrusive and burdensome on close-in residents.
Finally: Let’s go Celtics! Let’s win three for our MVP.
