VOL. 113 - NO. 8 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, FEBRUARY 20, 2009 $.30 A COPY The Obama-Pelosi-Reid ‘Stimulus’: EAST BOSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE A Victory for Socialism Installation of 2009 Officers and Directors by Herman Cain Despite an avalanche of politics of fear and political objections from the public, pandering to the gullible at the so-called “Economic its best. It’s a perfect combi- Stimulus Bill” has passed nation for more socialism. Congress and President Former Congressman Obama will sign it into law. Ernest Istook summed it up The result is bigger govern- the best. “This stimulus bill ment and a smaller economy. is worse than just more big Since 65 percent of the government, pork barrel $789 billion is spending by projects, expansion of the the government for the gov- welfare system and bailout ernment, that means bigger of irresponsible state gov- government. ernments. It’s the road to About half of the remain- perpetual debt.” (Human ing 35 percent goes to tax Events.com — February 12, cuts for workers. According 2009) to an analysis by Congress- On the road of perpetual Back Row: East Boston Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, John Dudley, man Jack Kingston (R-GA), debt we will borrow more Outgoing EBCC Director, Derek Brodin, Michael Sulprizio of State Representative that means about 20 cents money from foreign coun- Carlo Basile’s office, EBCC President, Angelo Vigliotta Jr., State Senator Anthony an hour for the average tries that do not like us. We Petruccelli, and EBCC Director, Pat Capogreco. Second Row: Boston City Councilor working American. That’s will experience more taxes, Sal LaMattina, EBCC 1st Vice President, Neffo Cappuccio, EBCC Secretary Kim Altshcul, the same $800 per working more political pandering, EBCC Director, Michael Nicastro, EBCC Directors Franz Israel and Scott Warren. couple or $400 per single more politics of fear, more Seated left to right: EBCC Director Ann DiMaria, 2nd Vice President, Diane J. Modica, worker that other stories class warfare, more arro- 3rd Vice President Rhonda Dean and Treasurer Grace Previte-Magoon. have reported. gance by the all-knowing On Wednesday, February 11, 2009, the Anthony Petruccelli installed the following Advice, don’t spend it all at political class (as opposed to East Boston Chamber of Commerce held new directors, Pasquale “Pat” Capogreco, once. the working class, the busi- the annual Installation of Officers and Franz Israel, and Scott Warren along with The remaining half of the ness class and the shrink- Directors at the Courtyard Marriott in East second term officers, Neffo Cappuccio, 35 percent goes to increased ing investment class) and Boston. Outgoing Director, Buddy Mangini Diane J. Modica, Rhonda Dean, Grace P. spending for government even more national eco- was the Master of Ceremonies. The EBCC Magoon, Kim Altshcul and President Angelo assistance programs. That’s nomic pain. saluted outgoing directors, Derek Brodin, Vigliotta Jr. good, because more of us The Obama-Reid-Pelosi Michelle Salvaggio-Capurso and Buddy To become a member of the East Boston may be getting in line soon. cure for more national eco- Mangini. Citations were given to the out- Chamber of Commerce, call John Dudley at The bill passed because of nomic pain — more spend- going members from Congressman Michael 617-569-5000 or you may visit their website a populist new president (he Capuano, State Senator Anthony Petruc- at www.eastbostonchamber.com. says all the right things), the (Continued on Page 15) celli, State Representative Carlo Basile, and City Councilor Sal LaMattina. Senator (Continued on Page 7) News Briefs by Sal Giarratani Mayor’s Column by Thomas M. Menino, Mayor, City of Boston $10 Laptops from India? After two debate-filled weeks in both My administration’s Economic Recovery Did you hear about those ten buck laptops the U.S. House and Senate, and after Team worked proactively to generate an they’re making in India? They come fully- months of review and collaboration with inventory of potential shovel-ready and loaded with viruses. They’re powered by one our partners at the federal and state shovel-worthy projects in Boston, and we squirrel on a tiny treadmill. The mouse is real. levels to submit a package of Boston’s will manage any investments in a way Finally, the brand name is I.D.OTT. potential shovel-ready projects, Con- that will lead to both short-term job gress last week passed the $787 billion creation and long-term growth and Hiding in Plain Sight American Recovery and Reinvestment development. This is an honest to truth story. I think it Act, commonly known as the stimulus The Boston Housing Authority (BHA), happened in a Pittsburgh zoo. A chimp escaped bill. I want to thank the members of for example, will receive approximately from his caged area by climbing over a tall fence Boston’s congressional delegation for $30 million in direct funding that will that had sharp wire at the top. He used a tee helping to see that Boston and the help preserve our public housing shirt he had in his cage to cover the sharp wire. Commonwealth benefit from sensible resources, improve the infrastructure He jumped over to freedom. The daring escape investments that will go a long way in of BHA developments, and maintain was short lived. He was caught by zoo officials jump-starting our economy. While the these developments for the long-term. as he was about to exit the zoo walking between economic recovery plan is by no means BHA developments could benefit from a crowd of people with lots of little kids. He prob- a cure-all for our fiscal challenges, its energy efficiency upgrades and upgraded ably would have made it if he had put on the passage establishes funding for projects plumbing and heating systems that tee shirt. Next time I’m sure he’ll remember to that will stabilize our neighborhoods by eventually pay for themselves and take the tee shirt with him, right. investing in affordable and public hous- conserve energy at the same time. ing, sustainable infrastructure and job Economic recovery funds will also allow Television Violence creation. for the redevelopment of properties that Did you know the odds of a person sustaining As I’ve said before, because of the fun- are in need of dire attention. For a nonfatal injury from interacting with a TV damental strength of Boston’s economy, example, funding will assist in the re- set are one in 5,613? I view the recovery plan as an opportu- development of Washington Beech, so (Continued on Page 14) nity to build on our City’s position as the economic engine that drives the state. (Continued on Page 14) THE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE IS NOW OPEN AT 35 BENNINGTON STREET, EAST BOSTON This office will be open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 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, FEBRUARY 20, 2009 INITIAL ANALYSIS SUGGESTS PROMISING GAINS FOR BOSTON FROM THE AMERICAN RECOVERY PHIDIAS AND HIS ATHENIAN SCULPTURES AND REINVESTMENT ACT Ask any Italo-American while her shield was resting most ancient buildings, the Mayor Menino to Visit with President Obama who the world’s greatest on the ground at her feet. All Parthenon had its share of Mayor Thomas M. Menino important to note, however, sculptor was, and Michel- of the gold portions were as- abuse down through the is encouraged by President that a portion of this funding angelo will probably get the sembled so that they could ages. It was used as a Barack Obama’s signing the will be allocated to other Title vote. The Greeks have their easily be removed for safe- Roman temple, a Greek $787 billion American Re- I-eligible parochial and char- favorite, too. His name is keeping during times of war. Orthodox Church, and even covery and Reinvestment Act ter schools located in Boston. Phidias, and he was born in It’s easy to understand the a Mohammedan Mosque. (ARRA). The act contains a In addition to Title I and Attica about 500 B.C. This reason for this feature when Greece was conquered by variety of direct and competi- Title IDEA funds, the City particular time in Greek we realize that at today’s the Romans, overrun by the tive funding sources for expects to receive additional history is known as the “Age market price all of the gold Goths, occupied by the America’s cities. Much of the funding for school modern- of Pericles” or “The Golden was worth about twenty-two Crusaders and the Turks. funding is directed toward ization. Age of Greece.” Pericles was million dollars. About 1690 when the Vene- priorities that Mayor Menino Public Safety — The Re- the statesman who gave The second masterpiece, tians were besieging Ath- has long championed, includ- covery and Reinvestment Act out the commissions but it the bronze statue of Athena ens, the Parthenon was ing modernizing public hous- will fund a total of $1 billion was Phidias who sculptured Promachos (Athena the turned into a powder maga- ing, investing in neighbor- in COPS (Community Ori- those splendid statues. In Warrior) was also attributed zine. A well-aimed Venetian hood development, support- ented Policing Services) addition to his position as to Phidias. It stood on the cannonball landed in the ing youth opportunities in grants to be used for the hir- the superintendent of public Acropolis near the Par- middle of the temple and the education and summer jobs, ing and re-hiring of police of- works for Athens, Phidias thenon and was erected by explosion ripped the building strengthening public safety, ficers.