JUNE 10, 2021 PUBLISHED EVERY OTHER THURSDAY TT HEHE NN OROR TT HH EE NN DD EMAIL: [email protected] WWW.NORTHENDREGIONALREVIEW.COM [email protected] RR EGIOEGIO NN AA LL RR EVIEWEVIEW Community meeting held for Cutillo Park choices By Phil Orlandella tative results for final approval,” Romano noted. Friends of Cutillo Park and One of the differences in plans the Boston Parks and Recreation for the rehab of the public park Department discussed design was should the basketball court be review possibilities of the public half or full-court. area located between Morton and Reportedly, some residents Stillman Streets in the North End. believe half court would open up “Three meetings have been held additional space in the children’s thus far,” City Hall North End area and other areas of activities. Liaison John Romano Jr. told the Cutillo Park has a history of Review. drug use and sales, especially on “The Parks Department based warm weather nights. on community input, will devel- Residents believe that with op a construction plan and once proper lighting, more police again will meet with the neighbor- patrols and community activity hood residents to present the ten- the problem will go away. Durgin recipient of NEWRA Award By Phil Orlandella imagine,” said Janet Gilardi, Chair of the Award Committee. Daniel Durgin of Fulton Street “He does this with all the love was the newest recipient of the that his heart can hold,” Gilardi North End/Waterfront Residents’ added. Association (NEWRA) “Good “Originally from South Boston, North End Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center recently received accreditation from The Joint Commission Neighbor” Award. Deann took to the North End like for its nursing care. Pictured from left are: Medical Director Dr. Masaya Higuchi) Administrator Sami He was selected for the com- a trooper and is well deserving of Almadi, Director of Nursing Beth Fearon and Assistant Director of Nursing Beth King. (Courtesy Photo) munity award for “helping and this community award,” Gilardi caring for more people in the noted. North End Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center receives neighborhood than anyone can certification from Healthcare Accreditation Commission Special to the Regional Review accreditor of nearly 21,000 health- patients and long-term care resi- care institutions throughout the dents,” said Sami Almadi, Senior North End Rehabilitation and United States. Administrator of North End Healthcare Center announced “The Joint Commission’s Rehabilitation and Healthcare it has received accreditation for accreditation is an important val- Center. “We are honored and skilled nursing care and certifi- idation of the high level of nursing proud of our entire medical team cation for post-acute care from care that the North End team reg- The Joint Commission, a leading ularly provides to its rehabilitation (HEALTHCARE, Pg. 3) Deer tranquilized in North End and safely moved By John Lynds to trap the deer. quilized and safely transported to Videos and pictures show police the Blue Hills in Milton. Maybe she heard the line at trying to coreal the animal on side “On Friday, June 4, 2021, Umberto’s was getting long or streets, in parks, between cars to Massachusetts Environmental Mike’s Pastry was having a sale no avail. Police Officers responded to the Police did their best to ensure on cannolis. report of a deer in the North End of the deer wouldn’t dart out onto Whatever the reason, a deer Boston,” said the Environmental a busy street and get hit by car Police in a statement. “Due to the wandered into the North End or at the very least knock over an populated location and amount last Friday causing some chaos outdoor dining table on Hanover as Boston Police, Boston Animal Street and spill a bunch of cap- of activity in the area, the deter- Control, Environmental Police all puccinos. mination was made to relocate descended onto the neighborhood Eventually the deer was tran- (DEER, Pg. 4) Daniel Durgin and Janet Gilardi. 2 PAGE 2 REGIONAL REVIEW JUNE 10, 2021 editorial HAS AMERICA GONE FROM ON THE GUEST OP-ED BRINK TO OVER THE EDGE? Boston needs more affordable housing With Americans emerging cicada-like from the restrictions imposed ket rate. This large gap is causing mortgage of the same amount—we by COVID-19, one would think that this would be a time of joy as we By Councilor Annissa Essaibi George low to middle income families to just have to make home ownership resume participating in all of the things that make life worth living. Right now, Boston’s residents fall through the cracks. We need accessible! But rather than embracing in a positive way our newly-rediscovered are struggling to pay rent, our affordable, multi-bedroom hous- The City also has to invest more freedom after 15 months of restrictions, it would seem as though we families can’t find or afford stable ing for our families and we need in our first time homebuyers pro- have lost our collective minds. housing, and too many individuals to push developers to build it. We gram, which not only prepares Fights and other outbreaks of violence, once rare in our airports and are experiencing chronic home- must also look into amending and first time home buyers looking to on airplanes, have become so commonplace and dangerous that two air- lessness. The past year has only updating HUD’s Area Median purchase their first homes, but also emphasized these realities and the lines, American and Southwest, have decided to halt all sales of alcohol Income (AMI) standard for the offers residents, many of whom effects will last long after the pan- city. The formula does not reflect would not be able to otherwise, the until September. demic. the income of the many residents opportunity to purchase a home by Mass shootings are more prevalent than ever all across the country Affordability and accessibility who need more affordable hous- qualifying to make a below aver- thanks to the easy access to high-powered weaponry in many states. of both rental units and homes for ing. age down payment upon purchase Drug overdose deaths soared in 2020 to record heights and show no sale is key for a thriving city. We For those who do qualify for and lower monthly mortgage rates. sign of abating. need to ensure that everyone who subsidized housing, the housing Finally, more must be done to Random hate crimes, especially toward the AAPI and Jewish commu- wants to call Boston home has the voucher allocation processes are encourage the creation of more nities, have soared in the past year. opportunity, option and a path- not consistent and the number of senior-specific housing and ensure way to ownership to do so. We can Our political discourse has not been this divisive since 1861, when the available vouchers varies dramati- that those who have made Bos- start by building more housing and cally year to year. As Mayor, I will ton their home can stay here. We Confederates fired on Ft. Sumter to start the Civil War. ensuring what we build is actually push for dedicated investments must support our seniors to age in We finally can travel, but who wants to venture to our usual getaway affordable for Boston’s residents. in public housing and extremely the community they call home by destinations (especially cruise ships with unvaccinated passengers) along Our housing stock must also be low-income housing and improve creating more secure and accessi- with the hordes of other travelers who have the same idea? It’s one thing a reflection of the needs of those measures to prevent race-based ble affordable housing options, for airports and flights to be jammed, but the crowds will be huge wher- who call this city home. That’s and income-based voucher dis- including housing for older resi- ever we might want to go, which only will exacerbate the new epidemic why I’ve called for a hearing on criminatory behavior. dents who identify as LGBTQIA+ of short-temperedness that seems to be infecting our present emotional our City’s existing residential unit Housing production should also or older residents with disabilities. state. diversity, so we can understand provide our residents more oppor- I was born and raised in Boston. what units we have and what units tunities for home ownership. In I feel so fortunate that my parents Here’s our theory to explain the sudden surge in the general level of we need to equitably house our res- order to address the affordable were able to settle here and make unruliness among our nation’s population: After 15 months of being told idents and more proactively shape housing crisis and the racial wealth this city my family’s home. I’m what to do, some people feel as though they now are entitled to do as an inclusive and thriving city. We gap, we need to make sure our proud to raise my children here. I they please with no regard for the basic rules of civility that allow us to need to see what’s out there and investments in affordable rental want that for all of Boston’s fami- coexist peacefully. then act accordingly. We need to units and homeownership units lies and anyone else that loves Bos- It’s as though some Americans, in their eagerness to make up for 15 plan, then build for the realities of are aligned. Many of the residents ton enough to choose it over any months of lost time, have forgotten how to be polite and respectful of our residents. in our City-funded rental units are place else in this world.