CONTINUED ON page 8 MatterUnionsShouldButDoThey?TheyDoToUs September 1, 2022: Vol.10 Issue 33 SERVING SOUTH BOSTONIANS AROUND THE GLOBE I n a country where business money permeates every pore of the body politic, unions are about the only organized vehicle for working people to express their political will. Every election sea son, union members study issues and candidates, make endorse ments and contributions, and go www.southbostontoday.comads@southbostontoday.com @SBostonToday S outhBos tonTod a y @SBostonToday TODAYSouthBoston Online • On Your Mobile • At Your Door 380 Dorchester ave. South boston,ma 02127 thespotclothing.com 617-752-4771 “THERE HAPPYSUBSTITUEISFORHARDWORK”LABORDAYNO
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crazy people with guns and knives. Virtually all of those schools that were attacked were defenseless against weapon wielding fanatics with murderous intentions. Anyone but the reality chal lenged have now come to realize that putting up ‘Gun Free Zone’ signs is not only useless and ridiculous, but also an open invitation to those fanatics looking for an easy target. Whether it is pri vate security, police details or trained teachers, students need to be protected at all times. There is even a suc cessful movement in some states now where armed military veterans are being recruited to act as school se curity and there are plenty of vets more than willing, able and happy to do it. Parents need to be assured that when they send their children to school they will be safe. It’s important to re member that just because it hasn’t happened in this com munity yet, that it won’t. Being prepared is always the best policy. As a society, we owe it to do everything pos sible to ensure the safety of young students. Could there be anything more important than that?
“What causes sibling rivalry? Having more than one kid” - Tim Allen Publisher John Ciccone info@southbostontoday.com PO Box 491 South Boston, MA 02127 Mobile 617.840.1355 email ads@southbostontoday.com he weather might still be toasty hot, and the calendar says it’s still summer until September 22nd, but back to school time is upon us just the same. As the students, some reluctantly, return to school and many of the little one’s experience it for the first time in their young live with wide eyed anticipation, it’s important that all of us, whether our children have long graduated, just starting or moving up in grade, insist that the buildings the kids will be entering this year are safe havens and sanctuaries. This newspaper has several times editorialized about putting an end to the indoc trination of other peoples’ children by activist school personnel and we will, for as long as there are those in po sitions of authority and influ ence who continue to advo cate it and attempt it, we will never stop being a force to oppose it. Happily, the quiet scheme of school indoctrina tion has been publicized and made aware to parents all across America and is be ing forcefully opposed by a massive and rapidly growing number of those concerned parents. This will ultimately, either put an end to these practices or an end to public schools doing this, as parents have found other option for their children. There is however another very important goal in the effort to make schools once again into those safe havens and sanctuaries that used to exist in our country – school safety. And if it takes put ting armed security in every school building, so be it. This idea is being fought against tooth and nail by teachers’ unions, politicians and the main stream media. Their reasoning is that it will send the wrong message and create an unwelcoming atmosphere for students. But many Americans now suspect, the opposition is more political than sincere. But protecting students from danger should be a priority right up there with educat ing them. To repeat the often-stated mantra: “We protect our banks, airports, court houses, politicians and visiting foreign dignitar ies with armed security, do our precious children not deserve at least the same consideration?” We’ve all seen the videos of the attacks on schools by
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Armed School Security. Has The Time Come?
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The current occupant of the White House, Joe Biden, finally – FINALLY made mention in a political speech early this week, of the plague of dangerous illegal drugs, particularly Fentanyl that’s flooding our country and killing thousands of Americans, mostly the young. He said, briefly, that it is serious. Really Joe? Are you finally getting it or was it just inserted into your teleprompter to make political points? What he didn’t and wouldn’t mention is how much of the steady flow of these drugs is flowing over the southern border that the democrats absolutely are refusing to secure, which by the way is also endan gering national security. Ameri can children as young as 13 years old are getting their hands on this poison and dying in droves be cause the Democrats, for political reasons, just will not turn off the faucet of illegals pouring in. Now some say that to bring this up at all is insensitive and cruel. I say too damn bad. This is America and I can speak my mind and will keep
Note: talk back to John Ciccone by email at jciccone@southbostontoday.com
SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.comSeptember 1, 2022 3
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The current regime in power in DC is putting the lives of Ameri cans in danger in so many ways. They are doing it in the ways mentioned above as well as al lowing the streets of so many of our big cities to become crime infested. They want to hire 87,000 new IRS agents; many of them armed so they can better harass taxpayers, while at the same time they have no problem with big city mayors and some blue state gover nors drastically cutting funding for police departments. If all of this isn’t a coordinated plan to weaken our country, it would come as a surprise to many. So, what can Americans do about this? Well, one of the most impor tant things to do; and I know it’s been said here before, is to boot ev ery last one of those politicians out of office who are going along with what’s happening. It starts with this coming fall’s elections and should be finalized and completed with the 2024 elections. Forget the old poli tics as usual. If we as Americans are to save our county and take it back from those who are weaken ing it, this is a must do.
doing it. I don’t particularly care who it offends.
t was just three weeks ago that Americans were beginning to have some hope when they saw gas prices at the pumps slowly start to trickle down. Could this be the beginning of possibly going to the levels they were before the Demo crats took over the federal govern ment people were asking? Well, the dropping prices have slowed down, almost grinding to a halt so the possibility of them going to the levels we saw during the Trump administration probably won’t even come close. But as the public began to learn just why and how those prices were falling, they became even more concerned. Our nation’s Emergency Strategic Reserves were being drained to give temporary and minimal relief because Demo cratic politicians and the news media were reading the political polls and they aren’t looking good for them. People were angry at the price of fuel which also is causing the price of everything else to rise. But most would agree that drain ing our strategic fuel reserves is not a good idea and jeopardizes our national security.
Now, the public has learned just this week even more concerning news which directly relates to our national security. Some Pentagon officials, at least those military sources that were not installed as puppets by the current regime that occupies the White House, that our stockpiles of weapons AND ammunition in some cases are reaching critically low lev els. Why? Well, in addition to the many billions of dollars worth of sophisticated weaponry and ammo that the Biden regime left for our country’s enemies the Taliban during that disorganized and hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan, where we lost 13 of our heroes and left many other American citizens behind, even our stateside sup plies of weapons and ammunition are dwindling, as we are shipping it to the Ukraine. Though most people wish the Ukrainians the best and hope they boot the Rus sian invaders out, our country’s security must take precedence over all others. It’s almost as if the Biden Regime is deliberately trying to weaken our country mili tarily, including the new ‘woke’ regulations, and forcing thousands of good people out for not taking the Covid vaccine, as well as eco nomically. I use the word ‘almost’ lightly as a growing number of Americans are now convinced that this is exactly what’s going on.
SOUTH BOSTON TODAY John Ciccone Information CenterThe Casper’s specializes in Massachusetts Cremation Services & Veteran Services Established in 1930 Let Our Family Help Your Family CASPER Casper Funeral Home Funeral Directors: Joe, Dave & Ken Casper Home of Personal Service Serving Families with Dignity and Respect through the toughest of times for over 80 years Pre-Planning Specialists David Casper Please visit our website for information you may find helpful during a time of need www.casperfuneralservices.com 187 Dorchester Street South Boston, MA 617-269-193002127Funeral&Cremations Services How America Is Being Weakened From The Inside
T he Ward 6 and Ward 7 Demo crat Committees have en dorsed candidates for elected office running in the September 6 primary. The Committees encourage you to vote by mail, to vote early or in person on September 6. The polls will be open from 7:00am until 8:00pm. The endorsed candidates are: Stephen Lynch, Congressman; Maura Healey, Governor;
-- FTA delivers damning assess ment of MBTA’s priorities The Federal Transit Administra tion released its much anticipated full assessment of safety at the MBTA on Wednesday, a 90-page indictment of management at the public transit system who investi gators blamed for putting too much of an emphasis on capital spend ing at the expense of day-to-day operations. WBUR’s Laura Krae gel and Beth Healey report that the federal agency said it did not plan a full takeover of the system, as it once did in Washington, D.C., but will remain involved as the T works to develop plans to address the 53 problem areas identified in the report, ranging from staffing and safety management to commu nications and operating policies. State House News Service’s Chris Lisinski writes that the FTA found at all levels of the agency inci dents tended to be viewed as “’one of a kind’ or ‘freak accidents’ rather than the result of systemic failures,” despite the MBTA be responsible for 38 percent of colli sions and 94 percent of associated injuries for the entire country’s light rail industry between 2017 and 2021. Baker simultaneously filed a fiscal year 2022 close-out budget that would spend $200 mil lion of the state’s surplus on safety fixes, acknowledging the FTA’s
The tension in city politics caused by the allegations of sexual assault made against Councilor and district attorney candidate Ricardo Arroyo boiled over at Wednesday’s City Council meet ing with councilors and spectators at each others throats. It even got physical among attendees outside the chamber after Council Presi dent Ed Flynn had everyone re moved. GBH’s Saraya Wintersmith and the Herald Sean Philip Cotter captured all the drama.
The FTA’s report was greeted by top Democrats, including U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, with sharp criticism of Baker’s management of the T since he took over in 2015. U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton was also among those calling for top-tobottom leadership changes at the agency, including General Man ager Steve Poftak. SHNS’s Chris Lisinski has more on how current and future leaders of state govern ment reacted.
-- Wu, Warren and Markey dis tance themselves from Arroyo They held out as long as they thought they could. But after one of the women who accused Ri cardo Arroyo of sexually assault ing her in high school spoke to The Globe this week, it was time to walk away. Some of Arroyo’s highest-profile backers, including both U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, withdrew their support for Arroyo Wednesday, as did Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, state Rep. Jon Santiago and oth ers. The backlash being felt by Arroyo to the Globe’s reporting on the 17-year-old accusations has
“We believe that Suffolk County needs a District Attorney who is committed to being present in all neighborhoods and communities, working together with residents on the critical issues facing us all, we have no doubt that candidate is Kevin Hayden. We are proud to officially endorse his campaign and look forward to continuing to work with him moving forward.”The Ward Committees
-- Student borrowers in the clear on forgiven debt tax bill Yesterday, we shared a MassLive story about how student borrowers in Massachusetts who have their loans forgiven under President Biden’s new plan could face tax bills of $500 from the state. Turns out that won’t be hap pening. MassLive’s Tristan Smith reports that the Tax Foundation wrongly included Massachusetts on a list of 12 states that could include discharged student loan debt as taxable income. The error was picked up by Rep. Steven Owens, who explained that the Legislature already voted to ex empt forgiven student loans from taxable income
-- Calls for new leadership at MBTA
In addition to the $200 million for MBTA safety, the governor proposed $40 million for school safety and $108 million for ongo ing costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, all part of a $1.6 billion spending bill that Baker said would leave the Legislature $1.5 billion in surplus funds to put toward tax relief. The totals outlined by the administration account for a projected $2.941 billion being returned to taxpay ers under the controversial and overlooked law from 1986 that put a cap on state revenue growth.
-- Tax relief due to residents pegged at $2.94 billion
SHNS’s Colin A. Young breaks down more of the governor’s budget bill.
More on that end-of-year bud get filed by Baker Wednesday.
Window Into The State House provides our readers a synopsis of important issues of interest, past and current, that are being proposed, debated or acted upon by the Massachusetts Legislature. Many issues that are not related to local city government services are acted upon and have a direct impact on daily life. They are tax policy, transportation infrastructure, judicial appointments, social services and health, as well as higher education.
Andrea Campbell, Attorney Gen eral, Diana DiZoglio, Auditor; Bill Galvin, Secretary of State, Kevin Hayden, Suffolk County District Attorney; Steve Tompkins, Suffolk County Sheriff; Nick Collins, State Senator (1st Suffolk); David Biele, State Representative (4th Suf folk) and Jon Santiago, State Repre sentative (9th Suffolk).
Window Into The State House
We will excerpt reports from the gavel-to-gavel coverage of House and Senate sessions by news sources focused on this important aspect of our lives. These sources include a look ahead at the coming week in state government and summaries and analyses of the past week, re-caps of a range of state government activity, as well as links to other news.
Auditor Suzanne Bump must still certify that figure by Sept. 20, and Legislative leaders are holding off on final decisions about tax cuts and additional economic devel opment spending until she does.
Democrat Ward 6 and 7 Committees Endorse Candidates report as one that will help make the T safer and more reliable.
not, however, necessarily accrued to his opponent’s favor. In with drawing her support for Arroyo to become the next Suffolk district attorney, Wu went so far as to also take a few swings at Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden and none of the aforementioned political lead ers switched their endorsement to Hayden. For his part, Arroyo is su ing in court to try to gain access to the police records from the two disclosed investigations, neither of which led to charges. Arroyo be lieves they will show police found the claims to be unfounded.
September 1, 20224 SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com
-- Boston council meeting erupts in chaos
T o many people, Labor Day often means the unofficial end to the summer vacation season. The days grow shorter and there is that distinctive chill in the air. It also means time to kick back and enjoy that last long weekend for the warm season. But as we all know and according to the US Department of Labor, it’s a federal holiday with a history leading up to its designation. Labor Day is always celebrated on the first Monday in September and is dedicated to the American worker. It constitutes and recog nizes the many great contributions and achievements by America labor. On June 28th, 1894, it was officially designated as a legal holiday by the Congress of the United States. The character of the Labor Day celebration has changed in recent years; especially in large indus trial areas where there are some times parades, large gatherings with speeches and special trib utes that recognize the contribu tions made by the American labor movement and the organized labor unions that make it up. The vital force of Labor added to higher living standards which includes higher wages and job protections in many industries. So, it is appropriate that the nation pay tribute to those who made it all possible – the Ameri can workers themselves. So, this year, during the Labor Day weekend of 2022, whether you are relaxing at home, visiting with family and friends, enjoying a back yard barbecue or maybe even travelling, be sure to re member the true meaning of the holiday and who made it all pos sible: The American worker, the work ethic that they possess and the creativity that is ingrained in so many. And of course, the labor movement itself. Enjoy!
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Labor Day Celebrates the Greatness of the American Worker
Wishing You A LaborHappyDay! Thank you to all of the hardworking men and women of the state of Massachusetts Senator Nick Collins and Family First Suffolk District (Paid for by the Committee to Elect Nick Collins) Happy Labor Day! to all the working families that helped build our City and Country (Paid for and authorized by the Friends of Ed Flynn Committee) Boston City Council President • Ed Flynn and FamilyBOSTON CITY COUNCILOR AT LARGE www MichaelFlaherty com Paid for by the Flaherty Committee Thank you to the men and women in our workforce for your hard work each and every day and for all you do to support our City and our State. David Biele State Representative 4th Suffolk District Happy Labor Day! (paid for and authorized by the David Biele Committee)
Last year, House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, stated only Con gress has that right to cancel student debt, not the president, but has now reversed course and said it was okay for him to do so. What a difference a year makes. So, if that’s the case, why do we even need a Congress, if Biden is going to control the purse strings, make the laws, and do whatever he wants to do without approval from the legislative branch?
Republicans are against the rule of law he cries out, against the police and dismissive of law and order, further proving his so-called semi-fascist claim. Biden certainly has a good imagination. He needs to look in the mirror, lightly slap him self on the face to bring him back to reality. BecauseWhy? he’s delusional, and
Yet Biden doesn’t care and is doing as he pleases, bypassing Congress, laughing at them as nonessential. Biden said the Republicans are against the rule of law. But it wasn’t the Republicans who wanted to defund the police and passed soft-oncrime laws which has allowed repeat offenders to remain on the streets, repeatedly terror izing law-abiding citizens and destroying small businesses. It wasn’t the Republicans who turned a blind eye to the so-called peaceful protests in 2020 which resulted in an estimated two billion in dam ages, over 25 deaths, and over 2000 injured police officers. It wasn’t the Republicans who attacked free speech and em braced censorship in violation of law. It wasn’t the Republi cans who espoused an opendoor policy on our southern border, allowing hundreds of thousands of illegals-a record number-to cross over the bor der. It wasn’t the Republicans who made it possible for more drugs, especially Fentanyl, sent from China to Mexico, to be smuggled over the border, killing thousands and thou sands of Americans. No, it wasn’t the Republicans. It was Biden and his Dems. And the results of these poli cies; a historic rise in violence, despair, uncertainty, and law lessness throughout the country. I say, c’mon man, how does this safely float beside law and order and the rule of law? Biden needs to stop hiding behind his inept press sec retary and media sycophants and answer questions honestly without being evasive or con descending.Heneedsto unify our nation, not further divide it. He needs to change course and be a leader for all Americans. Americans deserve that much because being that man behind the curtain, which has now been opened, Biden has been exposed for who he truly is. And many of us simply don’t like what we see. by Kevin Devlin
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S eptember 15, 2022, 6:00 pm. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experi ences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. This group will be held in conjunction with our sister community, Standish Village. Call 617-268-5450 or email Program Director Dean Tricarico at forfordtricarico@compassonthebay.commoreinformationandtoregisterthevirtualmeeting.Thisisavirtualeventsponsoredby
Sounds like Democracy dying in sunlight, right in front of ourOureyes.Founding Fathers wanted separation of powers so that the powers of one branch weren’t in conflict with those of the other branches. Congress has legislative powers to pass laws, the President has ex ecutive power to enforce laws passed by Congress, and the Supreme Court holds judicial power. This system would pre vent abuse of power, prevent the concentration of power by providing checks and balances.
P resident Biden has de clared war on the Re publican party even though he promised during his inaugural address that he’d work to unify the coun try. That didn’t last too long.
Compass on the Bay Assisted Living and Memory Support Community, 1380 Columbia Road, South Boston.
He’s declared Republicans persona non grata, semifascists who are hell bent on destroying Democracy. But he can’t or won’t even specify as to what he means when he calls them semi-fascists.
I Was Just Thinking… is talking about himself, but doesn’t seem to realize it: clas sicBiden’sprojection.theone destroy ing Democracy, acting like a dictator and not a president. He thinks he can do whatever he wants by executive order, whether constitutional or not. He really doesn’t care either way and has admitted the same. With a stroke of the pen, he cancelled the Keystone Pipeline project, terminated adding more fencing to the wall at our nation’s southern border, removed penalties for “sanctuary cities” that disregarded laws broken by illegal immigrants, mandated undocumented immigrants be counted in the census, required travelers to wear masks in airports and when traveling on planes, buses, etc., mandated employers over 100 enforce COVID vaccina tions, restored the Mexico City policy that had forbidden any U.S. financing of abor tion in foreign countries, and reinserted our nation into the Paris Accord dealing with international environmental rules. And his big one to date was his announcement that he’s canceling student debt by an executive order (otherwise known as a dictatorial edit).
September 1, 20226 SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com
Hearts, Hugs & Hope Virtual OfferedSupportAlzheimer’sGroupbyCompassontheBay
Audrey Nagle, Manager of Charitable Giving, Massport; Tommy Butler, Deputy Director of State Affairs & Community Relations, Massport; and Kathy Lafferty, Executive Director, South Boston Neighborhood House with South Boston Neighborhood House staff and program participants.
“Back-to-school costs can be a burden on a lot of families and through the Backpack Project, we are able to make the process of returning to the classroom less stressful and more enjoy able,” said Massport Director of Com munity Relations & Government Affairs Alaina Coppola. “We are grateful to our employees who are always willing to lend a hand to our neighbors in need. Seeing the joy on the students’ faces when they receive these backpacks is an unmatched feeling, and we wish them the best in the school year ahead.”
14th BackpackannualProject
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between the ages of 4 and 17, indi vidually or as a group, and providing them with school supplies and a new outfit for the school year.
“South Boston Neighborhood House is grateful to have a partner like Massport,” said South Boston Neigh borhood House Executive Director Kathy Lafferty. “Through this pro gram we are able to send our children back to school with the supplies they’ll need to learn and succeed.” This year, over 125 Massport employees participated in the Back pack Project by sponsoring children
Back-to-SchoolHelpsMassportPrepareStudentsfor
benefitted nearly 100 children Employees at the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) joined together this year to help prepare students in neighboring com munities for the upcoming school year. Ninety-six students from local organi zations in East Boston, South Boston and Winthrop were gifted with new backpacks, school supplies and clothes donated by Massport employees through their annual Backpack Project.
Now in its fourteenth year, the Back pack Project is Massport’s annual backto-school drive aimed at assisting local families in need. Participating organi zations this year included Crossroads Family Center in East Boston, Condon Community Center in South Boston, East Boston YMCA, South Boston Neighborhood House and 21st Century Afterschool Program in Winthrop.
Republicans have employed a strategy to peel away layers of Democratic support by taking socially conservative positions on divisive noneconomic issues. Beginning in the ’60s, Republi cans courted support among those uncomfortable with that decade’s racial and social upheavals. And in the ’70s and ’80s, the party appealed to conser vative Christians who opposed abortion and ho mosexuality. The Republican Party platform added planks opposing legal abortion. And then added a plank in support of amending the U.S. Constitution to prevent states from sanctioning gay marriages. None of these are typical “bread-and-butter” issues that unions would weigh in on, yet they are issues that many union members care about.
Here we are in 2022 and as Labor Day week end is upon us and a primary election is sched uled for the day after (September 6), unions have weighed in on various offices. IBEW headquarters has a prominent and much sought after video display sign right on the main high way into Boston. The Ironworkers have a loca tion on a major local road leading in and out of Boston. Mailboxes are inundated daily with endorsement literature from the AFL-CIO, teachers’ unions, Teamster, and other labor and tradeTheunions.Democrat party leans heavily on the ability and willingness of unions and their membership to ‘ Get Out The Vote’ (GOTV) on election day and the days leading up to it. Given the state of affairs in Washington DC and around the country, the Republi can Party, while not being endorsed by the union organization constituency, may very well get their votes from the rank-and-file members. It’s a dilemma and phenomenon that has endured for decades. If not in a primary election, most certainly in the November general election. Political Party beware! But, in any event, enjoy this Labor Day weekend, one and all.
WineThe start. Rose petals, watermelons and raspberry preserves lend perfume to this plum-pink wine. It’s a rich, sul try sip packed with luscious black berry and plum flavors edged by a firm mineral backdrop. The finish is spicy and long lasting. A structured, powerful rosé with elegance, it’s likely to please both red- and whitewine lovers well through 2023. Languedoc, the world’s largest wine-growing region, is France’s leading producer of rosé. Recent figures suggest that it accounts for around 34% of the country’s pink wine, and about 11% of global rosé production. The 2021 Chateau la Negly La Natice, ($24.99) begins with peach and melon aromas that leap from the glass of this light salmon-pink rosé. It’s partnered with touches of fresh pressed herbs and orange peel. The palate has slight weight at first, but it’s quickly countered by medium-plus acidity and lively, tart citrus and berry fruit flavors that continue through to the bright finish. Refreshing, well bal anced and satisfying, have this one with your favorite summer salads and grilled seafoods. Closer to home, one of California’s best labels offers its version of the French classic. Sonoma-Cutrer Rosé of Pinot Noir, 2021, ($26.99) offers something not seen-or tasted-nearly anywhere else. This beauty is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, giv ing it a lighter tone, but one with a deeper taste than any other Rose I’ve tried. The finish is long and surpris ingly full and will leave you wanting more. Really perfect for your favorite Lobster roll or steamed Mussels. Segura Viudas Brut Rose, NV, ($11.99) Spain is a country that’s full of value for the money wines and this is certainly one of them. ThisSpanish cousin to champagne was originally created to help promote and save the indigenous Trepat grape varietal that was slowly being removed from Spanish wineries in favor of tradi tional French grapes. It lends this sparkler a lush, red fruit palate with an addictively spicy edge that will shake you out of any mid-summer rosé rut. This one will liven up any poultry or seafood-based Tapas, as well as many raw bar items. Ruinart Rose Champagne, NV, ($89.99), If you’re looking to splurge on an unforgettable bottle of rosé Champagne, this is your best bet. Dating back to 1729, Ruin art makes a non-vintage medium salmon in color rosé Champagne with flavors of under ripe strawber ries and fresh mint. While it’s one of France’s smaller Champagne firms, its body, bubbles and great finish will only enhance your Duck Confit, White Truffle Potatoes or Oysters and Cherrystones. Have a great Labor Day weekend! continued from front page door-to-door like no other force in America. The stakes this year are high, and unions are raising and spending more money than ever on politics and are working harder than ever to educateOverwhelmingly,members. union political support goes to Democrats, to the dismay of some union members who favor the Republican Party. Yet while the vast majority of labor’s contributions go to Democrats, a significant number of union members vote Republican. Unions, in general, still support Democrats, but the members in creasingly support Republicans. In the early years of the Labor Movement, it steered clear of political commitments. Samuel Gompers, the founder of the American Federa tion of Labor was very adamant about keeping the AFL out of politics. Unions had members in either party, so politics was potentially divisive. Just as important, Gompers believed that unions’ role should be limited to winning concessions for members by bargaining with employers. That attitude changed in the labor move ment that came up out of the 1930s. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt demonstrated to labor leaders that having a pro-labor party in power could transform life for working people much more rapidly than employer-by-employer bargaining. In less than 10 years, FDR and the Democratic majority in Congress established a legal minimum wage; created Social Security as a way to eliminate poverty among the old; put mil lions back to work in public works projects; and set up a legal structure that forced employers to deal with unions that had the support of a majority of workers. That era set a pattern that has yet to be broken — unions tend to support Democrats, and anti-union forces support the Republican Party.
Not Too Red, Not Too White
I t used to be that, not too many years ago, people only drank Rosé wine in the middle of summer. Over the last 10-15 years, though, the character of this wine’s taste, as well as the number of locations it’s made in, have both grown substantially, as have the times of the year when it’s enjoyed. Here are a few that I hope you’ll find interesting… Instead of starting with the Provence region, I thought a “road less traveled” option might yield something different and Château Pesquie Ventoux Terrasses Rosé ,2021, ($17.99) from France’s Rhone Valley is a great place to Guy
September 1, 20228 SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com
Flynn’s decision came down in the wake of the Boston Globe-reported 2005 and 2007 sexual assault al legations against Arroyo, as well as Arroyo’s disingenuous reply, deny ing he had any knowledge as to even their existence. Prior to this decision by Flynn, he, along with former Con gressman Joe Kennedy III withdrew their endorsements of Arroyo. When asked by the Globe whether they plan to rescind their endorsements, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Ed Markey, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Myor Michelle Wu, all took a wait and see attitude.
One of the victims, who has chosen to come forward because of Arroyo’s comments of denial and unaware ness, reached out and spoke to the Globe earlier this week, although she was not named by the newspaper, as is their practice regarding sexual as sault victims. She said she felt com pelled to speak up because she knew Arroyo was lying. In the wake of her doing so, Warren, Markey, Pressley and Wu only then rescinded their endorsement. Meanwhile the Boston Globe has endorsed Kevin Hayden for District Attorney.
Bo@BostonPlans stonPlans.org
One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 phone: 617.918.4418 email: stephen.j.harvey@boston.gov
Close of Comment Period: 10/28/2022 seemed orchestrated by the Arroyo al lies and did significant damage to the credibility of the Council as a body.
The Council as a governing body felt compelled to address these al legations and Councilor Frank Baker called for a release of the police reports and files under a “17F’ re quest, while Arroyo demanded their release himself. Apparently, Arroyo already has the right to get access to his files without his public demand and Mayor Michelle Wu could sign off on it at any time, according to those versed in that process. In what seemed to be a retaliation maneuver by Council Kendra Lara, she called for the release of any and all inves tigation reports on Baker. According to reports, after emerging from a closed-door meeting with Flynn, both Councilors withdrew their requests.
The issue at hand was Flynn’s decision to strip Councilor Ricardo Arroyo of his chairmanship of the Redistricting Committee and his role as Council president Pro-Tem, which could put him in charge of the Council, if Flynn is out of state or incapacitated. As part of the ranting on the floor of the Council cham ber, racism allegations were tossed throughout the hearing, suggesting that the demotion of Arroyo had to do with an attempt to somehow rig redistricting against minority candi dates in the future.
The Council hearing was ‘used’ by Arroyo allies to deflect attention from Arroyo’s behavior in the sexual assaults matters. For all intent and purposes, the chaos in the Council OIL ONLINE MetroEnergyBoston.com South Boston, MA 02127 Evolution
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The audience in attendance was even more unhinged resulting in sporadic physical altercations that the Boston dailies labeled as “brawls”.
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The backdrop created by this rowdy and embarrassing Council hearing is playing out in the race for District Attorney which Arroyo is a candidate for. He is on the ballot with the current acting DA Kevin Hayden. The DA office is also in the possession of the Arroyo files but is prohibited from releasing them. Ar royo alleges that Hayden’s office and/ or the Boston Police Department was somehow involved in a leak of the ar chived files. It’s a charge that Hayden and his office flatly deny.
Project Description: The proposed project consists of a new six-story 74-room hotel, with a ground-floor restaurant, situated at 330 C Street in South Boston. The lot size is approximately 8,202 square feet and is currently occupied by a vacant single-story concrete block building which formerly housed a repair garage.mailto: Stephen Harvey Boston Planning & Development Agency
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ry as he might, Council president Ed Flynn had un derstandable trouble presid ing over Wednesday’s raucous city council hearing that featured some seemingly unhinged city councilors lashing out at fellow councilors, including the use of vulgar language.
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Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary Zoom Link: bit.ly/3TpENzy Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 161 292 9539 Tuesday, September 20 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
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Summer Programming at St. Peter Academy
A s August comes to a close, we look back on the won derful summer at St. Peter Academy. Toddler, Year Long PreK and Urban Explorer Programs were in session. Summer schedules were packed with activities and learning! The weather cooperated for the daily field trips taken by the Full Year PreK and Urban Explor ers Camps. Field trips included
September 1, 202210 SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com
The tans will fade but the memories will last forever Christian Science Center, Rose Kennedy Greenway, Frog Pond, South Boston Beaches, Museum of Science, pretty much every park in Boston to name a few. We love exploring our Boston Community. Water fun was set up in our won derful playground to beat the summer heat for toddlers and afternoon activi ties. Please email spa@stpeteracade my.com to be included on next year’s Summer Program mailing. St. Peter Academy is now accept ing applications for the 2022-2023 school year. St. Peter Academy is an independent, community-based private school and serves students from ages 15 months through grade 6. SPA is currently accept ing applications for the limited spaces available in the year-round toddler program (beginning at age 15 months) and for students in Pre-K (School Year and Full Year Programs), Kindergarten and grades 1-6. Financial Aid Avail able. Two Scholarships will be offered this year for applicants for Grades 1 through 6. Appointments for individual virtual tours can be made by contacting Maria Blasi, at 617-268-0750 or by emailing spa@ StPeterAcademy.com.
• Watch out for phony friend re quests. Don’t accept friend requests from strangers. Also, think twice before you accept a friend request from someone you are already con nected with. It could be an impostor trying to access your information and friends list. For more information See BBB’s article on sharing se nior photos on Facebook, this scam alert about Facebook quizzes, and sharing your COVID-19 vac cine card on social media. Check out BBB’s new page dedicated to scams on social media. For more tips for staying safe online, read BBB’s tips on staying cyber secure.
• Leave off information about kids’ schools. Even sharing the name of your child’s school, teach er, or grade level could make them a target for unscrupulous people. Not to mention, these details are often used as security questions for banking or credit card accounts.
ith the school year start ing again, social media is full of adorable back-toschool photos. Often, these pictures feature a child holding a “first day of school” sign with basic informa tion, such as their name and grade. But before you jump on the trend and snap a similar picture of your little one, read these tips and be cautious about what you share. Back-to-school photo tips • Avoid sharing personal details about your child. Back-to-school photos often involve kids holding a board with their full name, age, height, and other details. Scammers or predators could use this informa
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• Double check your privacy settings. Review your social media account’s privacy settings regularly. Be mindful of whom can view your posts. You may want to remove personal information from your account that others can see, such as your telephone number or address.
Better Business Bureau Tips
Former Vice President Mike Pence spoke at a Politics & Eggs breakfast at the Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, NH. The Politics & Eggs series is a must stop for candidates considering running for President. The event is sponsored by the New England Council. In the photo: Former Vice President Mike Pence and Jim Brett, President & CEO of the New England Council.
tion to commit identity theft or earn your child’s trust.
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Jones was drafted in the first round out of Alabama, so with that alone, there’s a high expectation hanging over his head. And then you add in the whole “shadow of Tom Brady” aspect to this whole thing, and it has to be somewhat overwhelming, I don’t care who you are or how mentally stable you might be. We’re expecting Jones to not just win the division, but to also lead the Patriots to the AFC Cham pionship, at the very least. That’s the bar. It’s been set. I use the word “we” loosely. Me personally, I don’t actually expect Jones to get the Patriots to the AFC Championship this year. But when he doesn’t, in just his second NFL season, people here in New England are going to be very upset. Because again, the bar has been set, and we’re used to seeing the Patriots win. And it’s been a few years now without a trip to that AFC title game. Yes, we’re spoiled. But that won’t stop the post-Brady delusion. Like I said a few weeks ago while ques tioning the team’s offensive play calling, I do think the Patriots can win 10 games again, like they did last year. Maybe even 11. Much of that success will have to do with Jones. But he’s not Brady. And he never will be. So my concern is that this Patriots team lacks talent in too many other areas, that Jones won’t be able to overcome.
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This week, Danny shared his thoughts on some of the top stories in the sports world:
his is the last time in which you’ll see something other than my weekly NFL picks in this space, until February. The 2022 NFL season begins next Thurs day, Sept. 8, as the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams host the Buffalo Bills in primetime. Here in New England, all eyes will be on the Patriots, as they begin their season in Miami next Sunday, Sept. 11 with a 1 p.m. kickoff. The Patriots underwhelmed in the pre season. But it’s the preseason. I put no value at all in the preseason. Still, Bill Belichick has always put a lot of stock in a player’s develop mental leap from year one to year two of his NFL career. And there’s no more important player in that category right now than quarter back Mac Jones, who’s entering his second season after playing all 17 games in his rookie season.
So there’s a teaser for you. I don’t have the Patriots winning the Super Bowl. Who will win the Super Bowl? Check back next week. —The entire world should be sticking up for Novak Djokovic right now. The fact that the entire world is not sticking up for hi right now tells you just how much people have lost their minds. Djokovic is one of the top tennis players in the world. He is un able to compete in the U.S. Open, which is currently taking place in New York, because he refuses to get the COVID-19 vaccine. That’s right, even though the CDC just recently updated their COVID-19 guidance to remove any distinction between vaccinated and non-vac cinated individuals in how they’re treated for a COVID-19 infection, the non-vaccinated Djokovic is still being punished. Because non-vaccinated, nonAmerican citizens are banned from coming to the United States, Djokovic has officially withdrawn from the U.S. Open, a tournament he played in last year, losing in the finals, while being a non-vaccinated, non-American citizen. “Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open,” said Djokovic in a statement on social media. “Thank you #NoleFam for your messages of love and support. Good luck to my fellow players! I’ll keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again. See you soon tennis world!” The US Open also released a state ment on social media. Here’s what tournament director Stacey Allaster had to say: “Novak is a great champion, and it is very unfortunate that he will be unable to compete at the 2022 US Open, as he is unable to enter the country due to the federal govern ment’s vaccination policy for nonU.S. citizens. We look forward to welcoming Novak back at the 2023 USSo,Open.”isthe US Open Tournament Director expecting Djokovic to get vaccinated by next year’s tournament? Or is she expecting the federal government to get its head out of its behind before next year’s tournament and remove all vaccine mandates for non-Ameri canThecitizens?wholething makes zero sense. It’s never made sense. Vaccine man dates — when you know that the vaccine doesn’t prevent transmis sion — are as irrational as irrational can be. I’m just rooting for Djokovic — and anyone else who lost out on making a living because of a vaccine mandate — to win the lawsuit. Follow Danny on Instagram @ DannyPicard.
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The statement read: “Steve Nash and I, together with Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai, met with Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman in Los Angeles [on Monday]. We have agreed to move forward with our partnership. We are focusing on basketball, with one collective goal in mind: build a lasting franchise to bring a championship to Brooklyn.”
“There’s so much story that goes along with this behind the scenes. I was never going to tell that story until Gronk just said it. Let me tell ya, Brady was not happy.” To which, Gronkowski replied, “And Dana, that is exactly what happened. You just told the story. That is exactly what happened.
NCAAF SATURDAY, SEPT. 3 Colorado State at #8 Michigan 12 P.M. ABC #11 Oregon at #3 Georgia 3:30 P.M. ABC #5 Notre Dame at #2 Ohio 7:30StateP.M. ABC SUNDAY, SEPT. 4 Florida State at LSU 7:30 P.M. MONDAY,ABCSEPT. 5 #4 Clemson at Georgia Tech 8 P.M. ESPN MLB SATURDAY, SEPT. 3 Texas at Boston 4:10 P.M. NESN SUNDAY, SEPT. 4 Texas at Boston 1:35 P.M. NESN
“I own a [expletive] box there,” added White. “I wanted Brady, you know what I mean? Crazy, but ya, it’s true. And I thought that I would never tell that story publicly. “It would’ve been amazing for the city, and it would’ve been amazing for the Raiders . . . I’m sure [Raiders owner] Mark Davis is real happy to hear this Accordingstory.”toPro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Davis knew all about the deal that White was brokering, and wanted it to hap pen. Davis though, played dumb when asked about it. “That was what — two to three years ago or something? I don’t know, man. Talk to Dana,” Davis told the Las Vegas Review-Jour nal. “I remember that Tom Brady went to Tampa Bay. That’s basi cally what I remember. I have no idea. Dana has the stories. I love Dana. He is a great, great promoter. Why would this make me upset?” It makes sense that Davis would not discuss his knowledge of the situation. This story comes just weeks after the Dolphins were punished for tampering with Brady in 2019 while he was still the quarterback of the New England Patriots. RESCINDS TRADE
GRUDEN NIXED BRADY, RAIDERSDEALSGRONKWITHIN’20 DURANT
So much for Kevin Durant to the Boston Celtics. Nearly two months after Du rant demanded a trade out of Brook lyn, Nets general manager Sean Marks released a statement last week, saying Durant isn’t going anywhere.
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Durant, 33, has a four-year, $198 mil lion extension that begins this season with the Nets. It takes a trade with the Celtics off the table, as it had been ru mored Boston offered Brooklyn a trade package centered around Jaylen Brown. Assuming Kyrie Irving also now re mains in Brooklyn with Durant, the Nets are expected to be one of the fa vorites to come out of the Eastern Con ference in 2022-23.
F irst it was the Miami Dol phins. Now it’s the Las Vegas Raiders. The rumored destinations for Tom Brady back in 2020 con tinue to pop up, and according to UFC President Dana White, Brady and Rob Gronkowski were “really close” to joining the Raiders before they eventually ended up with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where Brady is still playing in 2022. During last Saturday night’s UFC 278 PPV event, White joined the Gronkowski family for a special watch-along broad cast on ESPN. During the con versation, White explained how it all almost went down, while blaming then-Raiders coach Jon Gruden for the deal falling apart. “I worked to put that deal together, for Brady and Gronk to come to the Raiders,” said White on ESPN while talking to the Gronkowski family. “And it was almost a done deal. And at the last minute, Gruden blew the deal up and said that he didn’t want him. All hell broke loose, man. It was crazy. “Brady was already looking at houses,” added White. “It wasn’t being said yet that Gronk was coming. So, Las Vegas would’ve had Brady and Gronk the year that the Bucs won the Super Bowl, except Gruden blew the deal up.
“It worked out for the best, and I’m glad it did not go through,” added Gronkowski. “It all worked out for the best, man. I’m glad we went to Tampa. It just worked out. I love that place.” White obviously opened an unexpected can of worms, and so he was then asked about it dur ing the UFC 278 post-fight press conference. In which, White doubled down and confirmed what he said during ESPN’s Gronkowski watch-along. “I didn’t want to talk about that, no, but [Gronk] sort of sucked me into it on live TV,” said White. “Ya, it’s true. I talked Brady into playing for the Raid ers. And Gronk was coming with him. They were negotiating the deal, and they were really close to getting it done, and then Gruden pulled the deal, and Brady was not happy about it. Neither was I. And that’s that. He went to the Buccaneers and won the Super Bowl.
