VOL. 114 - NO. 18 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, APRIL 30, 2010 $.30 A COPY BOSTON HOSTS Citizens Bank Unveils Life-size Freedom Trail Map Dante’s International Conference in Partnership with the City of Boston and the Freedom Trail Foundation by Lucia Clark and Stefano Salimbeni Map Details 16 Nationally Significant Historic Sites Throughout Boston President Spencer di Scala (left) and Secretary General Alessandro Masi honor the memory of Carlo Alberto Pescosolido, the main benefactor of the Dante Alighieri Society of Cambridge. The importance of the Ital- For the first time ever, ian language as a worldwide Dante’s top brass from Italy, vehicle of culture, and not and representatives from Joining 18 Century Tour Guides at the unveiling of the Freedom Trail Map in Boston’s necessarily only among the nine different chapters in historic North End neighborhood are from left to right: Robert Matthews, Vice descendants of Italian fami- the United States and Can- Chairman, Commercial Banking at Citizens Financial Group; Mimi LaCamera, lies, was the main focus of ada spent an entire day, all President of the Freedom Trail Foundation, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino; and the the first international together under the same State Representative Aaron Michlewitz. Dante North American Con- roof, discussing the main To commemorate Patriots’ Freedom Trail walk that The Freedom Trail is the ference held Friday, April 23 issues and challenges faced Day, which was celebrated weaves through the North largest attraction in New at the Society‘s headquar- this week and recognizes End, Charlestown, Beacon England with three-million ters in Cambridge. (Continued on Page 10) the first battles of the Revo- Hill and downtown Boston. visitors walking the painted lutionary War, Citizens “This map will serve as a red trail annually. In 1946, Bank in partnership with reminder to residents and the Freedom Trail Founda- the City of Boston and the tourists alike of the promi- tion was established as the News Briefs Freedom Trail Foundation nent role Boston played in umbrella organization to pro- today unveiled a six and one- the establishment of our in- mote and preserve the Free- by Sal Giarratani half foot high, nine-foot-wide dependence,” said Robert dom Trail and raise public map of the Freedom Trail in Matthews, Vice Chairman, awareness of the 16 na- Tea Party Front Page News Today Boston’s historic North End Commercial Banking at tional historic sites on its neighborhood. Citizens Financial Group, route, including Paul On Tax Day, April 15, I was in the City of The map, which is located Inc. “We are proud to display Revere’s House, the Old Lowell on business and read The Sun’s front page on the exterior wall of the it as part of our commitment State House and the USS story on the Tea Party Protest on the Boston Citizens Bank ATM vesti- to supporting the communi- Constitution. Common the previous Day. I just wanted to com- bule at the corner of Hanover ties where we do business. “The map is located along mend The Sun’s coverage of this important and Cross Streets, details The map will provide a his- both the Freedom Trail, at political protest rally. The liberal news media the 16 nationally significant tory lesson to those who pass still likes to paint the Tea Partiers as a bunch historic sites of the 2.5-mile by it each day.” (Continued on Page 15) of fringe extremists but they aren’t. Kudos to Sarah Palin for her rousing speech that inspired the crowd. Massachusetts still may be the blu- est state in America but obviously there are Mayor’s Column many Bay Staters who are seeing red over the by Thomas M. Menino, Mayor, City of Boston growth of big government. As Palin told the crowd, As the City of Boston enters the 2011 gations and continue to deliver the best “We cling to our constitution.” budget process and works through the services to our residents for the next Liberals in the print and broadcast media try recovery from one of the nation’s dark- several years. and paint a picture that those involved in the est economic periods in history, we are My priorities for this budget reflect Tea Party movement are either “right-wing again confronted with serious chal- those I have outlined as priorities for whacko racists” or attendees at a “Klan rally lenges and difficult decisions. While the my fifth term — building a comprehen- without the pillow cases.” Seemingly, this ridi- budget has increased this year by 2.5%, sive youth development strategy, improv- cule means the Tea Partiers are a political we are looking at fixed costs that con- ing our schools, enhancing government’s threat to them. tinue to rise much faster than revenues. personal connection to the neighbor- Kudos to the Greater Lowell Tea Party mem- Boston is facing an expected decline of hoods and fostering job creation for all ber Maureen Stamas quoted in the story say- over $29 million this year alone in state job types and income levels. The FY 2011 ing, “Sometimes, I think liberals don’t know aid and grants, the city’s second largest budget also targets greater efficiencies about me ... I am a free thinker and I’m glad we source of revenue. My administration and service improvements from all cor- can gather here and express ideas and let people has worked hard to create a responsible ners of city operations — from our neigh- (Continued on Page 14) plan that reduces spending in several areas while allowing us to uphold obli- (Continued on Page 15) THE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE IS NOW OPEN AT 35 BENNINGTON STREET, EAST BOSTON This office is open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PMPM, for the convenience of our East Boston and North Shore clients and contributors Call 617-227-8929 for more information Page 2 POST-GAZETTE, APRIL 30, 2010 Res Publica by David Trumbull You Can Bet On It On Saturday, May 15th, meaning that about three Suffolk Downs in East out of four representatives Boston opens the season of voted yea. Support was bi- THE ROMAN FORUMS live thoroughbred racing. partisan, with 12 of the 16 The grand old track, cele- Republicans (again three out A Roman Forum was a This is where the famous the Vestal Virgins. It was brating its 75th anniversary of four) in favor. large open space, usually in Roman Senate met, and the duty of the Vestals to this year, has been in the Hurrah for Representative some convenient or central from its rostrum, which is keep alive the sacred fire in news lately as part of the ef- Elizabeth Poirier, Republi- location. It was surrounded still standing, they debated the Temple of Vesta. If the forts to bring casino gam- can, from the 14th Bristol by many fine buildings and the destiny of the world. The fire was allowed to go out, bling and other forms of gam- District (North Attleboro, was used as a center for busi- entire life and concerns of the Vestal in charge was ing to Massachusetts. Plainville and part of ness, political activity, meet- the most famous of peoples scourged for her careless- I’m a fan of Suffolk Downs, Mansfield), during the de- ings and as a market place. were resolved in this space. ness. If the Vestal violated and I appreciate the number bate on expanding gambling The idea for the Forum This Rostrum probably in- her vow of chastity she was of jobs the track provides in Massachusetts she of- came from the Greek Agora spired more oratory than any condemned to death by be- right here in the City of fered an amendment to pro- (market place) and most other speaking platform in ing buried alive. Boston. That’s why I’m very mote the purchase of U.S.- likely furnished the inspira- the world. It is also believed The growth of the city and sympathetic to the legisla- made slot machines. I don’t tion for the Italian Piazza, that this is where Mark An- the increased use of the ture’s plans for limited ex- know if any of those ma- the Spanish Plaza, the Ger- tony appealed to the Romans Forums required the separa- pansion of gambling in the chines are made in Massa- man Platz, the French Place, for vengeance on Caesar’s tion of some functions. They Commonwealth — two re- chusetts, but at least they the English Square and the murderers, while the dead built a Forum Civilium for sort-style casinos and 3,000 will be made in the U.S.A. A American Village Green. Caesar lay at his feet. legal and administrative slot machine parlors at the law that will result in putting At various times the Constantly embellished affairs, a Forum Boarium for state’s four racetracks. people to work — now that’s City of Rome contained the during the time of the cattle, a Forum Pecuarium Those who say that we a good bet. Forum Romanum Magnum, Republic and the Empire, the for sheep, a Forum Suarium should have competitive bid- “I am proud to be a citizen the Forum of Caesar, the Forum became surrounded for pigs, a Forum Olitorium ding for locations rather than of the United States of Forum of Augustus, the by some of the most mag- for vegetables, a Forum “giving” the slots to the America,” said Representa- Forum of Vespasian, the nificent structures the world Piscatorium for grain, a tracks — although having tive Poirier.