JEFF BOWEN 781-201-9488 | SANDRA CASTILLO 617-780-6988 BOSTONJEFF.COM [email protected] Boston Harbor Real •Estate | 188 Sumner Street | East Boston THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019 FREE charlestown PATRIOT-BRIDGE Sullivan ‘pays TREE LIGHTING AT Uprooted it forward’ in CHARLESTOWN NAVY YARD Charlestown Learn For young people in Bunker Hill, new to Skate program development could mean major life changes By Seth Daniel By Seth Daniel When Joe Sullivan learned to There has been an ongoing skate and played youth hockey in assumption during the redevelop- Charlestown, he lived so close to ment meetings for Bunker Hill the old rink, that he could hear Development that those living the scoreboard buzzer from his in the development would hap- bedroom at 6 a.m. in the morning. pily leave their long-time homes It gave him just enough time to behind – no questions or no con- roll out of bed, crawl into his gear cerns about it. and run over to the rink next door Yet, that assumption has come for his 7 a.m. game. without really consulting a lot of But while he slept those early those living there, particularly the mornings, a whole crew of adults young people that have grown up volunteered their time tirelessly there. Many of them have more every weekend to clear the ice and questions than answers, and are shovel out the benches alongside worried they could be uprooted Fatima Fontes said not everyone the rink (as it had no sides back from their homes and schools to another part of the city, while also – especially young people - living then and was an outdoor rink in the Bunker Hill Development is Photos by Derek Kouyoumjian losing many of the places that hold with a chain-link fence around it). excited about losing their homes Richard and Charlotte Chute (below) came as their own Christmas dear memories of their childhood. Those same adults would referee to the new re-development. She Trees, but for those that didn’t dress up as one, there were multiple Fatima Fontes is one of the the games, coach the games and said many living there have more Christmas trees lit up at The Anchor on Sunday night, Dec. 15, in the most outspoken of the group, and questions than answers, and it’s (SKATE Pg. 8) Navy Yard. For the first time, holiday events took place in the Yard at the second-year student at Boston causing a lot of stress. the event space, with a huge day coming on Dec. 21 this weekend – a University – who grew up in the day that includes a story time from Police Commissioner William Gross. development since she was 5 and New Wynn casino See Page 16 for more photos. attended all Charlestown schools – is worried for the entire commu- did my first pull-up in the park money to begin nity of children and young adults here. I have a lot of memories in disbursements there. that park right there. It’s where I “I just feel like they’re wiping met my best friend Zaire when we next year out my whole childhood,” she were little. That park will be gone, said last week. “I just wonder will and who will the park be for when By Seth Daniel anyone be left that I grew up with. they build a new one. Will the Will anything be left that I remem- For several years, the Town’s ber as a kid in Charlestown…I non-profits have been working (CHANGES Pg. 3) through the initial $1 million mit- igation payment from the Encore casino through a very detailed process, but 2020 will bring about HOLIDAY PUBLICATION SCHEDULE: the beginning of a lot more money Newspaper will be published on Tuesday, Dec. 24 & Dec. 31 and a new process for that money. TH In September, the casino sub- The Christmas Advertising Deadline IS FRIDAY, DEC. 20 mitted a $2 million payment to The New Years Advertising Deadline IS FRIDAY, DEC. 27TH the City of Boston to be used for Charlestown as mitigation. It was the first such payment to be The Office will be CLOSED Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 made since the opening, and it in observation of Christmas and New Years holidays. (WYNN Pg. 3) 2 PAGE 2 THE CHARLESTOWN PATRIOT-BRIDGE DECEMBER 19, 2019 editorial GUEST OP-ED Christmas is still special By Dr. Glenn Mollette There will be an empty chair or maybe several empty chairs. Make a mental decision that It may be tough and depress- Christmas is going to be great. ing when we think about how Our world exists in the space Christmas was a few years back. between our ears known as our Christmas will never be the same brains. We can dread or hate for those of us missing loved ones something or just decide it’s going and tears often come. Go ahead to be wonderful. and cry but determine you won’t Faking it is not always easy. We spend all Christmas day crying. As can fool people some of the time, you remember the past remember but we can’t fool everyone all what it is about that person or the time. The hardest person you Christmas you miss and hold tight actually have to fool is yourself. to that joyful remembrance. Sometimes we can fool ourselves Keep in mind that this Christmas for awhile, and it’s never fun fool- is still special because you are here ing ourselves for a long period of in the world to celebrate the occa- time. Sometimes it’s necessary to sion. Whoever the people are in fool ourselves briefly if we need to your life today hold them close convince ourselves of something in and be merry together. order to survive. From the Old Testament the For example, if you are going to people of God were instructed be in a big gathering for Christmas by Joshua to “Hold tight to God, there is probably going to be one or your God, just as you’ve done up two obnoxious or ridiculous peo- to now.” (Joshua 23:8) For all of ple in the crowd. You may already us holding tight to our faith, our dread seeing them. Just convince family, our friends and our life’s yourself it is okay and that people values. are different and no one is perfect. Glenn Mollette is the publish- Just decide to let ungratefulness, er of Newburgh Press, Liberty weird or negative comments roll Torch and various other publish- off your back. You can override ing imprints; a national columnist CLERGY VIEWPOINT stupidity with Christmas cheer for – American Issues and Common a day. Just remember this is only Sense opinions, analysis, stories F ROM THE C HARLE S TO W N C LERGY A ss O C IATION for a day or two. and features appear each week Also, this Christmas will not In over 500 newspapers, websites bring back any past Christmases. and blogs across the United States. What is it about these days? By Very Reverend James Ronan, VF – Pastor, St. Mary-St. Catherine of Siena Parish The Independent Newspaper Group reserves the right to edit letters for Yes, there is the seasonal stress the month of December running ents – God acts first. with many feeling there is too up to the 25th includes all kinds space and clarity. We regret that we cannot publish unsigned letters. Therefore, it is for us to respond, much to do and not enough of holiday activities from parties and we do, each in his or her own Please include your street and telephone number with your submission. time and resources to meet our and dinners to frenzied shopping way. For some in these days, pain, The Independent Newspaper Group publishes columns, viewpoints and needs and wants. Nevertheless, for gifts both big and small and grief, and brokenness might be letters to the editor as a forum for readers to express their opinions something can put a skip in our the mailing of tons of Christmas exasperated because of lost loved step in these days as we rush cards. ones, setbacks, and disappoint- and to encourage debate. Please note that the opinions expressed are toward Christmas. For me it hap- How is it that the birth of a ments. Yet for most, these days pens when I am quiet enough to child in a remote village stable not necessarily those of The Independent Newspaper Group. Text or find us delighted to hear from old attachments emailed to [email protected] are preferred. hear a beautiful piece of music or 2000 years ago brings the world walk around the town at eventide into such a state wherein acts friends in lovely Christmas cards enjoying the lights and decora- of kindness, generosity, celebra- and intrigued to find a fitting gift tions in homes and parks. There is tion, and gratitude become com- for someone special. We look for- an uplifting, a sense of hope perco- mon. Moreover, everyone is more ward to the time off from work lating, as we recall the mystery of upbeat from the giddiness of chil- and the holiday meals and gather- the birth of Jesus Christ. dren to the smiles of grandparents. ings with family and friends. This is the season of Hope. It seems as if for this tiny window On Christmas Eve and morn- c harlesTown More people are philanthropic, of time, Christmas Angels touch ing, we go to Church and hear the responding to the Globe Santa, us and our attention is drawn to PATRIOT-BRIDGE story once again of Joseph and the giving trees at the Parish, and something bigger and so much Mary seeking shelter.