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VOL. 112 - NO. 31 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, AUGUST 8, 2008 $.30 A COPY EAST BOSTON OBAMAPALOOZA TRANSPORTATION Choosing a President? Or a Hallmark Card? by Dan Calabrese ACTION PLAN We have strong indica- the dyed-in-the-wool, ideo- brand or that? I have no idea. tions that America is about logical left preferred Obama I just don’t want to have to $3.5 Million Revitalization of Central Square to pick its president in the over Hillary Clinton because re-learn the buttons. It would same way it picks out Hall- they consider him to be the make me cranky. mark cards. more reliable ideological Silly, perhaps, but if that’s “Oh, this one just makes liberal. There are contin- how I want to choose my car, me feel good. I just like it. gents of the electorate — one that’s my business. This will give her a warm at each end — for whom the The fact that we entertain feeling.” only thing that matters in such silliness in the choice What is a President? a president is ideological of a president, however, sug- Clean and serene purity. The more he agrees gests to me that we really He connects to my pain with me, the more likely he don’t think about what the Fresh yet alive is to get my vote. president does. Once in of- His words far from plain There is another segment fice, it will matter little how The hope of our land of the electorate that just much he agrees with you, as He seeks to renew wants something different. opposed to how skillfully he I feel such a thrill These people are tired of makes appointments, deals O what will I do? the Iraq War, tired of Presi- with Congress, issues execu- Barack Obama is young, dent Bush or both — and/or tive orders and chooses po- fresh and eloquent. His body feeling emotional fatigue litical priorities. language and his inflection about lots of other things. I As to how he makes you Mayor of Boston Thomas M. Menino discusses exude empathy, intellectual would not imagine most of feel? He may “inspire” you, revitalization plans of Central Square in East Boston. depth and a deep, emotional these folks are ideologically but to do what? Are you going Mayor Thomas M. Menino said Mayor Menino. “I want connection to the common aligned, but they can get to change the way you live released a Transportation to ensure that Central man. He is new and exciting. cranky after seeing the same your life because some guy Action Plan for East Boston Square is a healthier and He inspires people. Or so we face for eight years, and they who will never know your that lists short and long safer place for people to are told. don’t want another face that name sent a chill down your term recommendations to live, work, walk, shop and do What does any of this have will say many of the same spine? What will happen enhance pedestrian safety, business. We want to im- to do with the job of president things because, well, those when you get tired of him? If improve traffic and provide prove traffic, reduce con- of the United States? Not a things are the same! you expect the president to more parking for residents. gestion and enhance the thing as far as I can see, but I understand that politics, inspire you to greatness, per- The Action Plan includes a pedestrian environment. I in order for that to matter, much like advertising, is haps you should reassess and new design for Central urge everyone to get involved the electorate would have to about emotional connection look within yourself. Square and a commitment to with the community pro- take seriously the fact that and personal comfort as The president of the United add new angle parking on cess for this important a president is elected to per- much as substance, if not States has to manage a Sumner Street for local project.” form certain functions. The more so. I can be like that. gargantuan and unruly bu- residents. A public meeting will be electorate is showing no such My last five cars have been reaucracy, make impossible “I am proud to announce a held in September to begin seriousness. Nissans. Why? I’m used to national security decisions $3.85 million commitment the redesign of the Square. Left-wing blogs and mes- where the buttons are. Are for the design and recon- sage boards make clear that they better cars than this (Continued on Page 14) struction of Central Square,” (Continued on Page 14) Mayor’s Column News Briefs by Thomas M. Menino, Mayor, City of Boston With the ultimate goal of provid- City in collecting information about by Sal Giarratani ing Boston residents with the highest healthcare trends, but most importantly quality of health care, I announced a will help some of our most vulnerable new referral line residents can call residents get access to quality care in For Anti-saggy Pants Chief, to find a primary care physician in the the neighborhoods. No Butts About It city among other recommendations. The Task Force’s primary recommen- Police Chief David Dicks of the City of Flint, This new resource is important for dations are: Michigan says he isn’t backing down in his every neighborhood. It will be managed 1. Advance uniformity and alignment crackdown on saggy pants. by the Boston Public Health Commis- of performance measures, payment The ACLU has given him an ultimatum. Halt sion (BPHC) and will be free to the methodologies and payment incentives; the stopping and searching of folks in low-riding public. 2. Support expanding the roles of non- pants exposing underwear or face its wrath. By knowing what primary care pro- physician health professionals; Dicks isn’t listening and ain’t changing any- viders in the neighborhoods are accept- 3. Promote financial incentives to re- thing. Bring on the legal action. ing patients at any given time, the cruit and retain a robust and diverse “I’m going to keep on doing what I’m doing,” referral line will help the most vulner- primary care workforce in Boston; said the police chief. He’s expecting a lawsuit. able populations to make sure they have 4. Reduce the burden of chronic dis- The ACLU says the chief’s policy violates the quality, continuous and consistent ease in Boston residents; U.S. Constitution. The chief doesn’t think so. health care. This service will allow 5. Establish an ongoing primary care The battle in Flint goes on. Stay tuned. everyone an opportunity to find a quali- task force to monitor progress and pri- fied physician in Boston. It will also give oritize opportunities to improve access West End Just Won’t Die the City data that will help track trends to primary care. and health care service delivery in all I am also asking that the area insti- Boston’s West End was destroyed by urban of our neighborhoods. tutions, all of whom are represented on renewal fifty years ago, but the neighborhood The recommendation to create the the task force, begin working together despite the odds against it survives. Recently, referral line came from a Task Force on immediately to identify workforce train- the West End marked the homecoming of four Improving Access to Primary Care in ing and recruitment efforts that will neighborhood agencies under one roof. Boston, which was started in February make sure we have enough trained The West End Civic Association, West End with the leadership of Dr. Paula primary care clinicians in Boston to Community Center and West End Senior Cen- Johnson, the Chair of the BPHC Board. serve our residents. ter joined the West End Museum at 150 Staniford There is no easy way to measure the I am also suggesting the creation of a Street. Fifty years ago the address would have health of our city. This referral line Boston Health and Wellness Collabora- (Continued on Page 12) and the other recommendations made by the task force will not only aid the (Continued on Page 13) Page 2 POST-GAZETTE, AUGUST 8, 2008 Res Publica by David Trumbull I Have No Choice in the Matter The State Primary Election 16th Primary does present HELIOS and SOL is just over a month away — contests to voters in two of We know Helios as the seven herds of cattle. There the ground and the joints Tuesday, September 16th. these districts. In the 5th Sun god, son of the Titan, were fifty animals in each of meat dropped off the spits Here in Suffolk County (Bos- Suffolk District Democrats Hyperion, and brother to flock or herd making a total while roasting. The wind ton, Chelsea, Revere and Marie St. Fleur and Roy Selene or Luna, goddess of of 700, which number recog- soon became fair and the Winthrop) most voters will Owens both seek their the moon, and Eos or Aurora, nized the 700 days and party left the island. Before find only one race of inter- party’s nomination. And in goddess of the morning. The nights of the lunar year. they had gone very far the est, that for U.S. Senator, the 6th Suffolk District Roman counterpart to Helios It was the pleasure of weather changed and a se- where incumbent Democrat there is a primary contest was called Sol. This Sun god Helios to look down upon vere thunderstorm wrecked John F. Kerry faces a pri- between Willie Mae Allen was usually represented as these animals on his daily the vessel.

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