Post-Gazette

VOL. 121 - NO. 42 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, OCTOBER 20, 2017 $.35 A COPY $2.5 Million North Square Reconstruction Project Mayor Martin J. Walsh cel- End. A popular tourist desti- ebrated the groundbreaking of nation, North Square features a $2.5 million reconstruction the Paul Revere House and the project of North Square in the Freedom Trail, which receives North End on October 11th. four million annual visitors. The project, when completed, Project highlights include: will transform North Square • New, wire-cut brick around into a livable, walkable, multi- the perimeter of the project modal, green and sustainable • A reset of granite blocks in square, developing its identity the roadway and center plaza as a cultural destination, while area accommodating all users of this • New accessible granite paver historic space. pedestrian paths throughout “In Boston, we are just as the square excited about our future as • Reset nautical chain in we are proud of our past,” roughly the same location said Mayor Walsh. “Today, we • Moon Street (Sacred Heart begin the next chapter of North Church side) raised to same Square, one of the North End’s level as the sidewalk and plaza most treasured, historic places. to ease crossings and call I want to thank everyone who motorists’ attention to the large lent their voice to this process, number of pedestrians in the and I look forward to seeing the Square square, a convening place, and space a priority and are looking The community design pro- transformation of this square.” • Enhanced street lighting a beloved piece of the North forward to a fully rejuvenated cess began in 2014, and priori- North Square is one of Bos- within the square to improve its End’s rich history,” said Nina and accessible North Square ties resulting from those discus- ton’s oldest occupied neighbor- functionality and safety Zannieri, Executive Director of that allows it to continue to sions led to the current designs hoods and is a part of a vibrant “North Square has been for the Paul Revere Memorial Asso- serve as a critical part of the for the square, which include community fabric in the North almost 400 years a working ciation. “We are so pleased that history and fabric of the North the Mayor has made this special End.” (Continued on Page 10) News Briefs by Sal Giarratani Mayor Walsh, Massport Announce New Commitments to East Boston The Colts Have Unveiled a Statue of Peyton Manning City and Massport to Partner on Key Projects to Enhance East Boston Neighborhoods The Indianapolis Colts have unveiled a statue of Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the members of our communities for many years to come,” said Peyton Manning on a plaza outside Lucas Oil Sta- Massachusetts Port Authority a new place to gather, when State Senator Joseph Boncore. dium (what a horrible name for a stadium, sounds (Massport) recently announced we invest in and improve our The award-winning Piers Park like a place the Oilers should be calling the team’s new commitments to the resi- neighborhoods together, great is an active community center home) and hundreds of fans were there for the dents of East Boston, including things happen.” in East Boston with lush green- ceremony. Phase II of Piers Park on Boston Mayor Walsh announced scapes, playground equipment, I hope the statue doesn’t have him dressed in a Harbor, additional funding for a new Orient Heights Senior exercise equipment, and a pier Confederate uniform, because the U.S. History the East Boston Foundation, Center to serve the senior resi- extending into Boston Harbor Deniers would be marching against it. operational funding for a new dents of East Boston, with with gazebos highlighting the Speaking of the Colts ... senior center for East Boston Massport providing operational neighborhoods of East Boston. At that recent Colts-49ers game, many players residents, and a traffi c study funding for this important proj- The park features some of the took a knee during the National Anthem and Vice to help mitigate congestion on ect. The City of Boston will most spectacular views of the President Mike Pence got up after the anthem ended Neptune Road. These commit- help facilitate this plan, with Boston skyline. Opened in 1995, and walked out of the stadium in protest. Kudos to ments were identifi ed as high vital input from the community the park won the 2014 “Best of the former Governor of Indiana for doing so. Play- impact projects by both the City incorporated into all aspects of Boston” Award for “Best Green ers have a right to protest anytime they want, except of Boston and the community the project. Space” in the city. Several local while they are at work. Do it on your own time and members and organizations “Community spaces and organizations offer programming not on our dime. of the Logan Impact Advisory engaging programming cre- in the park, including free con- Group (LIAG) through their ate meaningful connections certs from Zumix, exercise offer- Trump Still Creating Horrible Optics review process for both the Ter- in our neighborhoods that are ings such as tai chi and yoga, Sometimes I just wonder about President Trump minal E modernization and the important for older adults,” said and the annual Eastie Pride Day. being so tone deaf. He goes down to San Juan, P.R., addition of 5,000 new parking Emily Shea, Commissioner on “These commitments present to a distribution center and starts tossing rolls of spaces. Affairs of the Elderly. “We look exciting opportunities for East paper towels at the large crowd assembled as if he “I am proud to partner with forward to continuing to build Boston and are the result of a were Brady looking for Gronk. These people on the Massport to enhance the thriv- supports and services here in collaborative, community-driven island have far more to worry about than having ing neighborhood of East Bos- East Boston.” dialogue among local stakehold- enough paper towels. Hey, at least he wasn’t tossing ton. These projects build on “As one of Logan Airport’s host ers,” said State Representative toilet paper, which would have been a pretty [deleted] our commitment to provide new communities, East Boston has Adrian Madaro. “A ten-year thing to do. and additional pathways for been impacted by the airport extension and increased funding Do you think he thought the folks he was facing economic mobility and avenues in many ways, and today, I’m for the East Boston Foundation, needed these paper towels to absorb all the water to improve quality of life for resi- proud to join my colleagues from a new senior center, and an dents,” said Mayor Walsh. “From the City of Boston and Massport expanded Piers Park will have (Continued on Page 10) improving and building upon to announce these new commit- lasting impacts on our neighbor- our green spaces, to enhancing ments which will, no doubt, have our streetscape, to providing positive impacts on East Boston (Continued on Page 10) THE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE HAS MOVED TO 343 CHELSEA ST., DAY SQUARE, EAST BOSTON This offi ce is open on Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, for the convenience of our East Boston and North Shore clients and contributors Call 617-227-8929 for more information PAGE 2 POST-GAZETTE, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Res Publica by David Trumbull Attorney General Sessions Issues Guidance on Protections for Religious Liberty VESPASIAN’S COLOSSEUM, PART II On October 6th, Attorney Gen- 12. RFRA does not permit the eral Sessions issued guidance federal government to second- We know that the Colosseum as 1362. If it appears to a visi- to all administrative agencies guess the reasonableness of a was the scene of fearful barbari- tor to Rome and to the Flavian and executive departments religious belief. ties during the persecutions of Amphitheater that more than regarding religious liberty pro- 13. A governmental action the Christians; however, it was half of the building stones have tections in federal law and made substantially burdens an exer- also used for gladiatorial com- been removed, it is because the the following statement: cise of religion under RFRA if it bats during the fi rst 300 years Romans themselves have done “Our freedom as citizens has bans an aspect of an adherent’s after it was built. For the provi- more harm to their own city always been inextricably linked religious observance or practice, sion of this fatal service to the than all of the invading armies with our religious freedom as compels an act inconsistent emperor, the Roman Empire, put together. We are reminded a people. It has protected both with that observance or prac- and the glory of the Colosseum, that, during the Renaissance the freedom to worship and the tice, or substantially pressures they always kept ready in Rome era, many of these priceless freedom not to believe. Every the adherent to modify such about 10,000 gladiators who buildings of antiquity were used American has a right to believe, observance or practice. were held as prisoners. They as quarries to furnish building worship, and exercise their faith. 14. The strict scrutiny stan- were strong, athletic, well-fed, stones for a number of churches The protections for this right, dard applicable to RFRA is well-lodged, skilled in the use and palaces. This structure enshrined in our Constitution exceptionally demanding. of combat weapons, and had at has been despoiled by vandals and laws, serve to declare and 15. RFRA applies even where one time been soldiers them- and plundered by the Romans protect this important part of our a religious adherent seeks an selves who had fought against Vespasian themselves, but majestically it heritage.” exemption from a legal obliga- the Roman legions and, in some Marble.

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