E of the I Community Newspaper Company • www.townonline.com/allstonbrighton OCTO BER 27 - NOVEMBER 2, 1998 Vol. 3, No. 28 80 Pages 8 Two Sections 50¢ Councilors: Menino is stealing our ideas The councilors say the mayor has Charges suggest rift stolen their thunder on initiatives as between mayor, diverse as the recently-approved restaurant smoking ban, living-wage City Council ordinance and funding for mam­ mography screenings. By Linda Rosencrance ''Nothing is beneatjl this adminis­ TAB Staff Writer tration, I guess," said Murphy. homas Menino's tenure as Menino's office disputes the Boston's mayor has been claims and says that the mayor is T framed, in part, through his more than willing to share credit co1legial relationship with the with the council when the credit is Boston City Council, which has tra­ merited. ditionally been unwilling to throw any wrenches into his strong politi­ cal machine. "Nothing is beneath this But recent comments from City Council members suggest that there administration, I guess." is growing tension between Menino and the council. Several councilors City Councilor Stephen Murphy . - including Peggy Davis-Mullen, Stephen Murphy and Brian Honan - recently told The TAB that they believe the mayor is stealing their But some councilors point to ideas and passing them off as his Menino's actions following the own; a charge that could dramatical­ city's decision to purchase two pub­ ly strain Menino's relationship with lic health vans in April as an exam­ the council and alter the balance of ple of what they say is a growing power at City Hall. CITYHALL,page 28 Candidates hit the home stretch As election nears, prime issues. ''I wi11 agree that HMOs have Senate candidates become too profit-oriented," said Carbone. "Everybody knows that spar over health care doctors are told what they can expend per patient. That they can't By Jeff Ousbome administer to patients as they see fit, TAB Correspondent that they're put on a tether by tate Rep. Steven Tolman providers. And then lawyers are out After months of delay, the A-line tracks in Oak Square could be coming out this fall. \ (D-Brighton) and there suing them left and right over S Republican Guy Carbone malpractice, and the poor doctors agree about one thing: that the are caught in the middle." much-maligned managed-care But he's been quick to point out Removal work back on track industry has his opposition to public health plans The Board of Commissioners of the - like the one he accuses Tolman Agreement may pave way for Massachusetts Highway Department voted last El£(TION~l8 :~~~~ter- of supporting. Wednesday to approve an agreement between the ested in A-line reconstruction to begin ''What Steve wants is socialized state and the city of Boston to remove the tracks turning profits than treating medicine," said Carbone. "I say fix before winter, officials say . and begin a major road reconstruction project patients. But the two candidates for what you have. Don't abandon the along Cambridge, Washington and Tremont streets the Middlesex and Suffolk County best health care system in the world. By Debra Goldstein in Brighton. McCourt Construction Company was State Senate seat diverge widely Can you imagine the state getting TAB Staff Writer chosen to do the work. over what should be done about it. involved in deciding who gets ith the end of the construction season loom­ The city of Boston needs to approve the agree­ And as .the campaign for the seat healthsare ?" ing, the state and city reached an agreement ment next, according to State Rep. Kevin Honan enters its final week- Election Tolman, who did co-sponsor a bill Wlast week that could have the fallow A-line (D-Brighton). If the city approval comes through, Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3 - health that proposed a Canadian-style sys- tracks in Brighton removed before winter. TRACKS, page 28 care has emerged as one of their ELECTION, page 30 1---~-~~!!!: l !~_~_m_p~k-~_e_~_i_oo_p_re_~-~~ see inside Page 2 The AllSfon;.Brfghton TAB, October 27-November 2, 1998 www.townonline.com/allstonbrighton m:w UNITEDST~TES Statement of OWnershlp, Management, and Circulation ~ POST4LSERVIC£,.. (Requited by 39 USC 3685) .. ...__ 3.F9ng0... The Allston-Brighton Tab z.-- 10-1-98 1011141-J? lol6l "lllUOFfoqtJOO<Y 5.-ol-Pul>lllhodl«ut/tr 6 .-~- Weekly 52 $24.00 1.~~-ol-Ollcool-(f'lotptftWtJ/StNf.""'c:<>l.Wlt)<-OtldZIP-4) C..-l"wwon _,,..,..,.Brian Ha~ 254 Second Avenue, Needham, Norfolk, MA 02494 WEATHER· TITE 781 ·433-6743 SSAVES Carole Brennan, 254 Second Avenue, Needham, MA 02494 _(Name _____) WINDOWS • DOORS • SIDING • TRIM George Donnelly, Editor-in-Chief, 254 Second Avenue, Needham, MA 02494 Peter Panepento, Editor, 254 Second Avenue, Needham, MA 02494 Community Newspaper Company 254 Second Avenue, Needham, MA 02494 CNC Corp. 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109 11.l(i_,-~,....,OlwSoady-OwringOt Holdlig1 -0tMoroolTOlll-ol---0t Ohr-Wnono.ct.Xbox F\aUHamo . 12. 1USID.. (Rx-byflOl1Pl'OlitOlfl"lllDJ"anS"""'°"""1lomalot.,-n1lu)(~ona/ Thopurpooo, i.n:-. end OOflJfolil1181usolta-end h l)(emptilalUs lorf-lncomo ""- 0 Has Nol a..ng.o DU1ng p,..-.g 12 - 0 Hasctw>godlll.WlngP-12-(l'llbbhor"""'""""" ........""'°'Chanfle""" ... _J PS Foon3526. s..i..-1995 (See lnslflJCfions on Re'lfll'W) 13. Pubiealion,... ••. lolw lla!o toreucu.r-DeJABolow The Allston-Brighton Tab 9-15-98 15. Extent end Natur. of Clr~lldon Av•-ve No. Coplee Each Issue Actual No. CopJH of Single luue D1ning-lng12- Pubi-"-1 lo Flln11 Dote a. T°"" -o/Cooios (Net 1XNS ll#l) 6248 5559 (1) SaletTMi<JghONioraReame..,S1r11tVondOta. b. Poodond/or andC......Soloo(f'lol,,_, 1192 1092 ~ cw..- (2) _,,, ~ MolSWlcnpdorm(/rdude ~ptOOl-lll>d&>«:hengo ......) 3501 2646 C.Tolall'lld-"""'*""'Q!Wabon (S!.mofl5b/1)-•5b(2JJ ~ 4693 3738 d.Ffoo-byMai rsan-"""*'*'laly,ond«twlroo} 460 560 o. Froo Dis1"'"11oo<lul>ido the Mail (c.mer.arOlhor,,_,.J 0 0 L ToOll Fn11 DlsbliuUon (S!.m o/ t5d- IS.) ~ 460 560 11· TolalDisbWtlcn (S!.mol t5cwtd 151) ~ 5153 4298 (1) Offioo Use. Lelll>Yon. Spoiod 11.Cqiioonol 257 358 DisObMd (21RelumsflomNowsAglnll 838 903 LT°"" (SI.mat 15g. 1511(1), wtd 151'(2)} ~ 6248 5559 ---Req-~(15c/15gx IOO} 91% 87% 12-4plll 10-1-98 Showers&. Sinks&. Mirrors &. Cabinet Hardware &. Towel Bars &. ... Wingate at Brighton is a long-term and post-acute skilled nursing facility where compassion meets gracious living. On the outside, 9]bBd] beautifully landscaped grounds surround us. On the inside, ©fl ffibCB elegance and' comfort abounds. Not only are we committed to returning individuals to their optimum lifestyle and independence, [pm~~ ®C?illffit:Bw~ but we provide a place where the partnership between residents, Take a taxi anytime families, and caregivers is deeply valued. and receive Our services include: • 24-hour Skilled Nursing Care ·Wound Management •Comprehensive Rehab Program ·Pain Management Your Round Trip Fare ·Medically Complex Care ·Diabetic Management (up to S5) with any purchase of S20 to enjoy your favorite Management •Surgical Recovery •IV Therapy Gourmet Pizza, Pasta or • Care and Comfort Sandwich To find out more about the home-like setting of Wingate at Brighton, please call 617-787-2300.. WiN~~ JJ ~$6}IfoN 100 NORTH BEACON STREET • BOSTON, MA 02134 JCAHO ACCREDITED 1799 Comm. Ave., Brighton • 254-8309 www.townonline.com/allstonbrighton October 27-November 2, 1998 The Allston-Brighton TAB, page 3 Electronic billboard proposed for Packard's Corner much support from his residential Residents debate. neighbors, who lined up at last sign proposal week's ACA meeting to oppose the plan. By Debra Goldstein "We're not TlIIles Square. TAB Staff Writer We're not Las Vegas," said Packard's Comer Allston resident Bob Pessek. business owner ''This is Allston and I think it's wants to replace an out of place." A old billboard at the Comments ranged from con­ comer of Commonwealth and cerns that the brightly lit board Brighton avenues with an elec­ would be visually unappealing, to tronic messaging system that would display everything from paid advertisements to free announcements about community "What we want is events. the train tracks to be A portion of the revenue from the sign would be invested into removed as the first roadside beautification in front of stage, as the first the U.S. Auto Exchange, on the comer of Brighton and step, before the A nose to nose greeting on a recent afternoon at Ringer Park. Commonwealth. winter season · But good intentions aside, some Allston residents fear that the sign arrives." could become a distraction and a visual blight State Rep. Kevin Honan Going to the dog walkers 'This thing is a strict hazard," (D-Brighton) said resident John Cannilia at last while not free of crime, remains rela­ up in some "rougher areas" of New week's meeting of the Allston Canine lovers tively safe. In early September, York and New Jersey. ''I just get Civic Association. ''It is a safety redefine life at Boston Police arrested two men for excited to come and see who's here." hazard to put a TV screen there." fears the sign would tlistract dri­ dealing heroin in the park, and auto­ Cannano said she walks her dog U.S. Auto Exchange CEO vers and cause accidents at the Ringer Park mobile break-ins and other misde­ through Ringer every day. Bahig Bishay, who is proposing congested intersection. meanors are frequently reported on Some people even prefer Ringer to the sign, says it will mesh with a ''There is a history in this com­ By Meghan Sutherland surrounding streets. the suburbs, where safety is assured DepartmentofTransportation munity of fights against bill­ TAB Correspondent and trash cans abound.