SouthBoston TODAYOnline • On Your Mobile • At Your Door OCTOBER 24, 2013; Vol.1 Issue 52 SERVING SOUTH BOSTONIANS AROUND THE GLOBE out the issues that distinguish them. Connolly, with city government experience, presented as the Last Week’s independent candidate who can be trusted to makes the tough choices, when it comes to protecting the fiscal Poll On health of the City. Walsh, with state government experience, presented Page 2 as the candidate who is a working guy who’s spent his life fighting for working people and who wears his union credentials proudly. But from the first question by moderator Margery Eagan, Connolly went on the offensive. Connolly South Boston Today called out Walsh about the second consecutive inaccurate and negative campaign mailing from super PACs Mayoral Candidate Debate supporting Walsh sent to voters just days after Walsh asked them to stop. Indicates the Race Has Connolly then questioned Walsh’s @SBostonToday SOUTH BOSTON TODAY ability to control the very interest Staff Report Finally Started groups that he claims to be able Go to our South Boston Today ith many more voters for City Hall was the opportunity for to uniquely negotiate with stating, page to vote on our weekly poll. watching this week, the City Councilor John Connolly and State “Those are the exact group of people Make sure you like & share Wsecond round of the battle Representative Martin Walsh to stake CONTINUED ON page 6 Go Ahead, Laugh Boston. Premier stand-up club now open! 617.72.LAUGH laughboston.com Neighborhood Special! 50% off tickets this weekend Jeff Dye Every Wednesday, Reese Waters Gary Valentine + Oct 24-26 Top local headliners Oct 31- Nov 2 Justin McKinney Promo code: Nov 7-9 Southie 2 SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com October 24, 2013 EDITORIAL Tax Relief For Seniors? South Boston Today reporters and editors have property taxes for seniors. For anyone over 65 who frequently pointed out that while new real estate has lived in their home for 20 years, the property development projects are springing up all over town tax is frozen. For people who own multiple rental there is a dramatic increase in the contribution of properties, that are buildings in which they do not this community’s valuable land and property into the reside, pay a per unit flat fee per year on top of city coffers. We have editorialized that consideration what they pay in taxes. should be given to putting a percentage of that To be sure, the devil is in the details, but the revenue in reserve to pay for the increase in police State of New Jersey’s Senior Freeze (Property resources and officers that have been promised. A Tax Reimbursement) Program reimburses eligible good idea? Yes. Here is a better one. New Jersey residents who are senior citizens or Along with this high end development comes disabled persons for property tax increases on not only an increase in rent for the new apartments their principal residence (home). They have a coming on line but tremendous pressure on other questionnaire that you might take a look at just to property owners to consider selling so they can see if you are eligible under their guidelines and cash in. But where does it leave the average perhaps we can start a petition. worker who strives to reach middle class status. Here is the link: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/ As importantly, where does it leave our seniors, taxation/questions/senior-freeze.shtml whose principal asset, if any, are their homes. Take a few moments to complete this While it has been proposed before and in fact questionnaire to see if you may be eligible for a is a law in New Jersey, how about a freeze on 2012 Senior Freeze. “Little League Baseball is a very good thing because it keeps parents off the streets.” -Yogi Berra Last Week’s Poll Last Week’s Poll Asked SBT Readers The Following Question: What Should The New Mayor’s First Priority Be? Here’s What Readers Feel The Top Priorities Should Be – There’s a three way tie for first place priority among schools, housing and BRA reform with mental health resources following strong in second place. Institute & Improve Walk To Schools For All 26% Make sure you like & Revamp The BRA To Ensure Transparency 26% share South Boston Rebuild Middle Class Housing Back Into Our Neighborhoods 26% Ensure That The Streets Of Boston Are Safe For Females 1% Today with your friends! Bring Comprehensive Mental Health Resources To The War On Drug Addiction 22% www.southbostontoday.com www.SouthBostonToday.com South BostonToday @SBostonToday SouthBoston PO Box 491 • South Boston, MA 02127 TODAYOnline • On Your Mobile • At Your Door South Boston Today is not liable for errors appearing in advertisements beyond the cost of Publisher Editor In Chief Managing Editor the space occupied by the error. All South Boston Today produced artwork, design, and layout John Ciccone Brian R. Mahoney Brian P. Wallace remain the sole property of South Boston Today. Reproduction in whole or part is strictly forbidden. South Boston Today reserves the right to cut, edit or reject any copy without notice. [email protected] • [email protected] South Boston Today is a Series of the Today Publications Series LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company Deadlines 396 West Broadway • 617.268.4032 • Office hours: Mon-Fri 10:00am - 2:00pm Press Copy - Tuesday at 3:00 P.M - Advertisements - Space Reservation - Monday at 5:00 P.M. Ad Material - Tuesday at 3:00 P.M. Camera Ready Ads - Wednesday at 9:00 A.M. October 24, 2013 SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com 3 InformationThe Center In Memory of a Great Man, Jim Kelly Blood Drive, Nov 2nd SOUTH BOSTON TODAY John Ciccone Note: talk back to John Ciccone by email at [email protected] ith so much talk of matter how numerous or powerful you stand up to bullies, and worked had a friend for life and literally politics as the election who threatened the wellbeing of hard to paint him in a negative thousands proudly called him W approaches, combined his neighbors. He did this at first light, it was always said, once you friend. with all the uncertainty facing the as a volunteer with neighborhood actually got to meet Jimmy Kelly, On Saturday, November 2nd, the South Boston Community such groups such as the South Boston it was difficult to dislike him. His annual blood drive to honor the as encroaching and what seems Information Center and the South attributes of courage, honesty memory of James M ‘Jim’ Kelly unrestrained development being Boston Resident’s Group and later and loyalty became legendary. If will be held at the South Boston rammed through often with little as a Boston City Councilor and that you were Jim Kelly’s friend, you CONTINUED ON page 4 to no input from residents, it body’s president. brings back memories of one of Jim Kelly could not be South Boston’s greatest leaders intimidated. For years, the major and protectors of all times. His media attacked him for his stands name was James M ‘Jim’ Kelly. in defense of South Bostonians. He NEIGHBORHOOD Jim’s Birthday, October 31st is never let their slanted and biased fast approaching, which is another reporting or editorials influence a reason he is on the minds of so thing he did. The courts in some many lately. cases would try to make him GROCERY Longtime residents remember moderate or compromise what he Jim well. He surely left his mark believed in to no avail. He was a and legacy on this neighborhood. man who when he knew he was But for the new residents who never right, would draw a line not in the Citizen Dis got to meet this great man and may sand but in concrete and never back ior cou en nt not have even heard of him, it’s away from it even an inch, if he S 10% unfortunate. I really think if you was standing his ground on behalf Every Tuesday got to know him, you would have of his constituents. admired, liked and respected him The powers that be in this city, like so many others here did. Why? state and even in Washington DC, Take the Southie Shuttle! For those new to town, here’s a though often disagreeing with Jim little background on the man. Kelly on the issues, developed a Now you can take the shuttle and do your grocery Jim Kelly was what would respect for this man and knew that shopping the fun and easy way!* today be called an ‘activist’. any plans that they had for South *Shuttle Service is available in South Boston only. As an advocate for his beloved Boston had better be acceptable to South Boston neighborhood of South Boston, him and this neighborhood or they 230 West Broadway (617) 269-4700 there could be none stronger and would have one heck of a battle on Duxbury more dedicated. His tireless efforts their hands. Because of his courage 46 Depot St. on behalf of this community came and willingness to take them all (781) 934-5544 from the heart. He was passionate on no matter what the odds, he Boston South End in his defense of the people he was often able to hold this town’s 1421 Washington St. loved so much. Fearless beyond enemies at bay. For Gourmet and Everyday (617) 266-9911 belief; he would take on and go Though his detractors were many, foodies-market.com toe to toe with any and all, no it comes with the territory when 4 SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com October 24, 2013 Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, Dear Editor, Dear Editor, It’s time for real change in City Hall, and I On November 5th, Boston will hold an Over the last year, I have been asked the following genuinely believe John Connolly is our best election for Mayor.