VOL. 117 - NO. 22 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, MAY 31, 2013 $.30 A COPY DTA Needs to Strengthen Efforts Citywide Crowd Attends First to Protect, Maximize Resources Memorial Day Remembrance Concert Welfare Agency Uses Report to AT CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS PARK Develop Road Map for Reform by Matt Conti A large citywide crowd From the Office of State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump came out on Memorial Day State Auditor Suzanne M. of these issues and improve 2013 for a new tradition at Bump today issued an audit its operations.” the North End Waterfront’s of the Department of Tran- DTA is responsible for Christopher Columbus Park, sitional Assistance (DTA), administering a variety of honoring America’s soldiers which details millions of financial assistance pro- that have paid the ultimate dollars in questionable ben- grams for families, elders, price. Officially known as efits, inadequate security and disabled people includ- “Remembrance 2013: A over blank electronic benefit ing the Supplemental Nutri- Musical Tribute to Our cards (EBT cards), and a need tion Assistance Program Fallen Heroes,” the concert for improved fraud detection. (SNAP, formerly known as replaces a Memorial Day The audit has resulted in food stamps), Transitional observance previously held the state welfare agency Aid to Families with Depen- at McGillivray Park in the creating an action plan to dent Children (TAFDC), and Fens. enhance its program integ- Emergency Aid to Elderly, Hosted by the City of Boston rity and restore public con- Disabled and Children Veteran Affairs, the concert fidence. DTA’s action plan (EAEDC). In FY 2012 DTA event featured the Metro- was announced in March of administered more than politan Wind Symphony led 2013. $1.7 billion in total benefits. by Lewis Buckley and the Veteran of two wars: WWII and Korea. “This audit demonstrates Questionable Benefits Boston City Singers. A color that DTA can do more to Auditors identified 1,164 guard and wreath laying ensure that only eligible cases where recipients con- ceremony paid respects through the present-day Moderating the event were people are receiving benefits tinued to receive a total of to fallen soldiers from conflicts in Iraq and Veteran Affairs Commis- and that those benefits are $2.39 million in benefits the American Revolution Afghanistan. sioner Francisco Urena, not being abused, Auditor from six to 27 months after Deputy Commissioner, Bump said. “I am encour- they were reported to be Bryan Bishop and LTC (Ret) aged that DTA has imple- deceased. In a majority of Gerald T. Wellman. mented a 100-day plan and Several political candi- is working to address each (Continued on Page 14) dates also showed up at the event including U.S. Senate candidate, Gabriel Gomez and Boston Mayoral candi- dates John Barros, Charlotte News Briefs Golar Richie and Marty Walsh. For the Boston City by Sal Giarratani Council, current District One City Councilor Sal LaMattina attended as did Obama Says One Thing to Students City Councilor At-Large candidate Jack Kelly. The but Actions Speak Louder event was held on Monday, Than Words May 27, 2013 at Christopher Recently, President Obama delivered a speech North End’s Angelo Picardi (left), John Bailey from the Columbus Park in the North to graduates at Ohio State University and told Parks Department and Parks Commissioner Antonia End of Boston. students to dismiss those warning of government Pollak. tyranny, but he probably would have never brought the subject up if he didn’t feel the need to prop up his challenged administration. Since that campus speech, we have been hearing lots about negative things like spying on reporters, the IRS targeting conservative groups and the real story about what happened before, during and after the deadly Benghazi attacks. The president warned graduates about the “voices that incessantly warn of government as nothing more than some separate, sinister en- tity that’s at the root of all our problems…They’ll warn that tyranny is always lurking just around the corner…reject these voices.” Our president has apparently forgotten Thomas Jefferson who cautioned that “every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone.” Or how about James Madison the “Father of the Constitution” that government is power and ‘will ever be liable to abuse.” (Continued on Page 14) City Councilor Sal LaMattina introduced at the Memorial Day concert. (Photos by Matt Conti, www.NorthEndWaterfront.com) THE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE IS NOW OPEN AT 35 BENNINGTON STREET, EAST BOSTON This office is open on 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, MAY 31, 2013 Stirpe by Prof. Edmund Turiello Res Publica Nostra by David Trumbull A weekly column highlighting some of the more interesting aspects of our ancestry...our lineage...our roots. Have a Swimmingly Sensational and Safe Summer Just in time for summer JAMES KNOX POLK pool season a new report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) reveals that chil- dren younger than age 5 represent more than 75 per- cent of all pool and spa submersion deaths and 78 percent of pool and spa submersion injuries in the United States involving chil- dren younger than 15 years of age. Government data also show that African- American and Hispanic chil- dren between the ages of 5 DATE OF BIRTH: November 2, 1795 and 14 are at a higher risk PLACE OF BIRTH: Pineville, North Carolina of drowning. DATE OF DEATH: June 15, 1849 “Drowning is the leading PLACE OF DEATH: Nashville, Tennessee cause of unintentional death SPOUSE: Sarah for children between the likely to drown in pools than 5 and 5,100 pool or spa- PRESIDENT: March 4, 1845 - March 4, 1849 ages of 1 and 4 and minority white and Hispanic children related emergency depart- children drown in pools at an that age, according to the ment treated submersion James Knox Polk as our President to some was a mystery, alarming rate,” said CPSC Centers for Disease Control injuries for children younger Was the first dark horse candidate in presidential history; Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. and Prevention. Data from than 15 with 78 percent An excellent orator, always in demand, “The lives of countless chil- USA Swimming indicate (4,000) of the injured being Whenever he spoke, he received a great hand. dren can be saved this sum- that 70 percent of African younger than 5. His campaign slogan “54-40 or fight,” mer. Take simple safety American children and 62 “Learning how to swim Built up his image as our “Mister Right;” steps today, teach all chil- percent of Hispanic children saves lives,” said Suzy Living in the White House, he said was like heaven, dren to swim, put a fence cannot swim, making them DeFrancis, Chief Public Af- In the C.E.O. order he was number eleven. around all pools and always more likely to drown. fairs Officer for the Ameri- watch children in and The new CPSC Pool or can Red Cross. “The Ameri- Met twenty-one year old Sarah from the Volunteer State, around the water.” Spa Submersions: Estimated can Red Cross encourages After a short courtship he made her his mate; Children between the ages Injuries and Reported Fatali- all families to enroll in She was shrewd and ambitious but there were no offspring, of 1 and 3 represented 67 ties, 2013 Report shows Learn-to-Swim programs by Neither one of them cared for that kind of thing. percent of reported fatalities annual averages of: 390 pool contacting your local pool.” She was determined to advance her husband’s career, and 64 percent of injuries. or spa-related drownings for Families can learn about Held formal receptions to draw vote getters near; African American chil- children younger than 15 Red Cross programs and find For the White House she ordered a complete renovation, dren between the ages of 5 with 76 percent (296) of the water safety tips by going to Her critics all said she would bankrupt the nation. and 19 are 6 times more victims being younger than www.redcross.org. She frowned upon dancing and opposed Sunday shows, But she permitted the bottle and loved showy clothes; She survived her husband by forty-two years, East Boston and Revere Republican Committees On her final day, there’s no mention of tears. ENDORSE GABRIEL GOMEZ FOR U.S. SENATOR Learn to Speak Italian this Summer at the Dante Alighieri Society Adult Italian Language School In Cambridge, MA Registrations Are Now Being Accepted Classes wiil be held on Tuesday Evenings from 7 pm to 9:30 pm Starting June 11 and Ending July 30 Tuition $200 For Detailed Course Information Visit www.dantemass.org Newly Specializing in the art of celebration The East Boston Republi- and is the son of Colombian niors, and to impose fiscal RenovatedWedding, Anniversary, Quinceañera, Reunion, can Ward Committee immigrants, who instilled in discipline on Beacon Hill. Birthday, Social and Corporate Events. (EBRWC) endorsed Gabriel him a duty to give back to his Hill was a dynamic speaker Gomez for U.S. Senator at country. He went on explain- and provided the Commit- Convenient location and valet parking makes their last meeting. On May ing how now more than ever, tees with ways the voters Spinelli’s East Boston the perfect location. 15th the Revere Republican we need a leader in Wash- can make a difference in We are dedicated to the highest level of service and City Committee hosted a ington with Gomez’s experi- electing responsible citizens professionalism to ensure the success of your special occasion.