South Boston Today November 10 2022

Is a Generation of Youth Lost to Educational Experimentation?

The 1-2 punch of the pan demic-related impact on the scholastic progress of half a generation of young students and the public safety-related teacher short age permeating public education nationwide needs the kind of leader ship that rebuilds the foundational early childhood curriculum that will prepare middle school students for the rigors of high school and be yond. Some experts warn that edu cational experimentation should not be a guidepost in light of the fallout from not only the pandemic, but the overlaying of vague and dubious political ideology on the vital and required academic fundamentals.

On Veterans Day and Every Day, May God Bless Our Veterans

Army, Navy, Ma rines, Air Force, Coast Guard, it doesn’t matter in which branch of the United States Armed Forces our veter ans served, those men and women put their private lives on hold for the pur pose of defending our very way of life. To serve one’s country, often putting them selves in harm’s way to do their part to protect their fellow country men and women, is something each and every American should be grateful for.

Friday, November 11th,

has officially been desig nated as Veteran’s Day – a federal holiday. But in the hearts, minds and souls of most South Bostonians, every day makes us proud of those who have served and still do. The different branches of the service have full time active military as well as reservists and of course we have the National Guard. All of them – every last one of them who wears the uniform of our country, serve a vital purpose; they protect us all.

Since our nation was founded more than 200

years ago, to the present year of 2022, the United States Military has been the lifeline that has allowed America to continue to ex ist and to prosper. If not for our veterans throughout our history, there would be no America today. It’s just that simple. Our military has also been a force for good that has literally saved the world from falling victim to brutal and cruel forces of corrupt monarchies early in our history, and in modern times, from the evil that is Communism and Fascism. Today, the added chal

lenge is terrorism, which, if given the green light, they will meet it head on anytime and in any place. But it’s not just during war time that US troops save the day. During times of peace, when and where there are natural disasters anywhere in the world, the American mili tary rushes to the rescue. Our veterans can take pride in who they are and what they’ve accomplished. They have earned the re spect, the love and the pride Americans in turn, feel for them. Our Veterans deserve very special praise, not just

on Veteran’s Day but every day. From the entire South Boston Today Team to ev ery veteran and their family members, we say God Bless You and Thank You all, so much, for your service and for your sacrifice.

Stop & Shop) will be ac cepting Christmas dona tions for the Chelsea Sol diers Home on Saturday, November 19th and Satur day, December 3rd between 9:00AM and 12:00PM: gift cards, hats, socks, scarves, toiletries, etc. Please sup port these men and women for their service

Change of Mass time - Saint Augustine Chapel

Starting this Saturday, No vember 12th the Saturday Afternoon Mass will be held at 4:30PM and not 5:00PM. This change helps those who attend the Mass during the winter darkness to be home 30 min utes earlier. Thank you for your understanding.

“To

thank you” - President Ronald Reagan

Lastweekend, I had the honor of talking with a local man, a Vietnam veteran and friend about the significance of Veteran’s Day and the plans he and his wife had made to honor some of his friends who never returned home. Mixed in with the conversation were current events and things going on in our country and around the world as well. The vet was pondering a question that I too often think about. And it was “what would so many of our fallen veter ans, those who fought so hard and gave so much for this country in all of Amer ica’s wars as far back as the Revolution, think if they were to come back and see America as it is today under this pres ent leadership and the culture that is so prevalent ?” We went on to list so many things that just don’t seem right.

What would our long-passed veterans think about our nation’s unwillingness to defend properly and effectively our southern border from an illegal immi grant invasion that has been proven to include a relatively high percentage of America hating terrorists, who vow to destroy us, as well as drug dealers, cartels and human traffickers? How would our deceased vets react when they learned that not only are people breaking our laws and over running our border, but when they make to this side, American taxpayers wind up being forced into paying for their healthcare, their food, their education and even a free telephone among a long list of other free perks?

How difficult would it be for our vets from so many wars over so many years to understand why this country allows America’s colleges to be infiltrated and controlled by so many leftist, Socialist and even Communist professors who preach to their young students that everything wrong with the world is the fault of the United States, all the while being paid large salaries and in the case of state run colleges and universities, by American tax dollars?

What would these veterans think of a

Would Veterans From Long Ago Be Shocked

America’s Leaders in 2022?

nation that allows babies to be aborted in late term, when they are living, breathing, pain feeling human beings? Would they be shocked that court houses are being ordered to take down plaques with the Ten Commandments inscribed on them and that public schools ban prayers now but are filled with drugs, gangs and all the free condoms they want - even some middle and elementary schools? Would they be stunned to see the sexual groom ing that’s been proven over and over of young students, including those of Elementary School age? Would they be able to understand how there are actu ally American citizens and organizations who make a career out of trying to ban the words ‘Merry Christmas’ or Happy Easter’ from being used in those schools but cursing out a teacher, or wearing T-Shirts to class with four letter words is ok? Would they be able to comprehend the concept of granting special privilege and rewards for getting a job or into a school based solely on the color of one’s skin? Did not the northern veterans of the Civil War fight against that practice?

How about the snobbish condo and housing associations in those ‘up scale’ developments that try to pass rules against flying Old Glory from one’s own home because they feel it’s tacky or the colors don’t go with the décor of the area?

I bet that would bring anger and maybe even a tear to the eye of a vet from long ago who would probably have no chance of understanding that one at all.

If veterans from long past were some how able to return, what would they think if they were to pick up a newspa per or see a broadcast that reports the surviving Boston Marathon Bomber has his own fan club, had a team of lawyers eagerly waiting to defend him and sup porters in the mainstream media writing sympathetic stories about the man who killed and maimed so many or that he even still lives at all?

What about an out-of-control Depart

ment of Justice that targets law abiding Americans for their political and some times even their religious beliefs? How about a president and an administration acting more like a dictatorship- run regime that not only gifted billions of dol lars of our country’s modern sophisticated weaponry to enemies in Afghanistan that want to destroy us, caused 13 American troops to die because of an incompetent retreat and even left dozens of American civilians to fend for themselves?

As I and my friend brought our conver sation to a close, he said it straight out and bluntly: “If the veterans from all the wars over our nation’s history were to come back and see their country today, they

would probably be stunned and saddened and would most likely say that this is NOT the America they fought and died for. I believe he’s right. He also agreed that the millions of patriots alive in the America of today, still the greatest coun try on earth, need to drive those in the positions of power, who are actively and intentionally bringing our nation down, from the positions they now occupy. The voters managed to take down a few in this past election but nowhere near as many as there should have been. We owe it to all those who fought to MAKE America, to do everything in our power to KEEP it great. We cannot let up until that mission is accomplished.

Note: talk back to John Ciccone by email at jciccone@southbostontoday.com

SOUTH BOSTON TODAY

John Ciccone

David Casper

The transition has begun. Attorney General Maura Healey won a convincing victory over Re publican Geoff Diehl on Tuesday and in January will become just the second Democratic governor of Massachusetts in the past 32 years. More than that, she made history as the first woman and first openly gay governor to be elected in the state, and with Kim Driscoll will make up the first all-woman gover nor and lieutenant governor team in the country’s history.

Window Into The State House

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. 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.

Healey’s victory was the capstone on a good night for Democrats in Massachusetts, who have solidified control of state government by claim ing all six Constitutional offices and appear to have built on supermajori ties in the Legislature. In the night’s big upset, former state lawmaker and Attleboro Mayor Paul Heroux also toppled long-time Republican sheriff Thomas Hodgson, who once offered to send inmates to the bor der to help President Donald Trump enforce immigration law.

Healey, in a speech to a packed Fairmont Copley Plaza ballroom, paid homage to the moment when she spoke directly to the young girls and LGBTQ youth that she said she met throughout the campaign. “I hope tonight shows you that you can be whatever and whoever you want to be and nothing and no one can ever get in your way except your own imagination,” Healey said.

Healey Driscoll met with Gov. Char lie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito today to begin the work of transition ing administrations. In a speech panned by cable news pundits on NECN as boring and lacking detail, Healey repeated her campaign pledges to cut taxes, fix roads and bridges and fight climate change while creating green energy jobs. “Our job for day one will be to make our state more affordable,” Healey said.

Some ideas for how to make that happen have already been presented to Healey’s team. An advisory committee on economic development submitted a memo to the campaign at the end of October recommending initiatives to help the new administration hit the ground running, according to one member. The group includes past Cabinet secretaries and elected officials, including Dan O’Connell, Tim Mur ray, Steve Grossman, Rick Sullivan and George Ramirez.

While the tsunami in Massachu setts was decidedly blue, across the country the predicted “red wave” petered out with Democrats like U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan hold ing on and Democrat Seth Maga ziner claiming victory in a closely watched Congressional race in Rhode Island where Baker helped fundraise for his GOP opponent Al lan Fund.

Unlocking the full magic of mushrooms (and other plants)

Three doctors from Massachusetts

General Hospital have raised an initial $30 million in startup capital to finance their research to use plantbased compounds to treat disease in a modern medical world. Sensorium Therapeutics, headquartered in South Boston, is focused on maximizing the medicinal benefits of the leaves, berries and mushrooms that have been used for centuries to treat pain and produce other effects in the hu man body. Boston Business Journal’s Rowan Walrath has more on the sci entists, their initial research and the funding that will make it happen.

Question 1 backers claim close victory after long wait

It took a little longer than expected, but supporters of taxing the wealthy more to help pay for transportation and education were able to claim vic tory - albeit a narrow one - Wednes day. Question 1, which will add a 4 percent surtax on household income above $1 million, won the support of roughly 52 percent of voters, alter ing the state’s tax code after decades of failed attempts by advocates to change the state’s flat income tax. The Globe’s Jon Chesto has more on the outcome of a campaign that saw millions of dollars spent on both sides as business groups warned the tax could lead to Massachusetts becoming less competitive, while the Massachusetts Teachers Associations dug deep to spend on a reform they hold will pay back dividends to the state’s public schools.

Voters say “yes” to driver’s li censes for unauthorized immigrants

An answer also arrived Wednesday on whether to keep a law that would allow immigrants to Massachusetts who are unable to prove their legal status to obtain a driver’s license. Voters said yes, making Massachu setts the 17th state in the country to adopt such a position toward licens ing undocumented immigrants.

REP. BIELE HELPS RESTORE FUNDING FOR ABCD

funding would not be renewed.

In terms of background, ABCD is Greater Boston’s anti-poverty organization, established in 1962 to empower marginalized and vulnerable people by equip ping them with tools and sup ports needed to overcome pov erty through a comprehensive approach. For 55 years, ABCD has helped over 100,000 people each year in the Boston region to obtain tools, support, and re sources they need to move from poverty to stability.

mortality and teen pregnancy have been drastically decreased. Staffed primarily by community health workers, ABCD has built one of the largest, most effec tive, and lowest-cost-per-patient Title X programs in the coun try under the umbrella of local health centers.

Earlier this year, ABCD re ceived notice that the program’s application for renewal as the region’s Title X grantee was viewed favorably but would not be funded.

$1.6 million for previously funded through Title X grants. The amend ment was adopted by the Massachu setts House of Representatives.

“Action for Boston Community Development has provided critical care to the most vulnerable families in the City of Boston and through out Massachusetts for decades,” said Rep. Biele. “I am thankful for the support of my colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Represen tatives in providing funding and resources which will allow ABCD to continue providing vital services in Boston and beyond.”

State Representative David Biele helped secure state funding to support Action for Boston Community Based De velopment (ABCD) after ABCD received notice that its Title X

Since 1973, ABCD’s Title X program has responded to vital needs in low-income neighbor hoods through partnerships with 23 community health centers, school-based health centers and hospital-based clinics, where historically high rates of infant

Following that announcement, Rep. Biele and Representative Carole Fiola filed a budget amendment dur ing this year’s budget debate in the Massachusetts House of Representa tives to authorize ABCD to utilize state appropriations for its success ful Title X program and allocate

Following passage by the House of Representatives, the funding was included in the final budget for fiscal year 2023 sent to Gover nor Baker’s desk earlier this year. The budget was signed into law by Governor Baker and included the funding for ABCD.

ABCD provides a wide variety of resources and services to resi dents in the Boston and Mystic Valley areas. For more, please visit bostonabcd.org.

50 Pioneers Nomination

We are now accepting nominations for RCC’s 50 Pioneers! The 49 individuals who have made significant contributions to the College over the past 50 years will be honored, with the one pioneer representing the collective contributions of the Greater Roxbury Community. Nominees will be evaluated based on leadership; community influence and impact; innovation and achievement; commitment to RCC’s values; academic contributions; and excellence in student support.

I Was Just Thinking…

So, now, it’s up to our leaders to come together and find common ground con cerning the issues facing Americans.

And our concerns are many.

Inflation, crime, education, foreign policy, the military, homelessness, abortion rights, drug addiction, bor der security, and immigration woes have divided this country. Allow ing these problems to fester and the failure to remedy them, for reasons unfathomable to me, has led to the deterioration of the quality of life so obvious to us all.

It’s time to change.

forward. Calling millions of Ameri cans neo-Nazi’s is ridiculous. Saying domestic terrorism is our number problem is untrue, also ridiculous. Making statements like the border is secure is insulting. Saying Democracy will end if one party doesn’t have complete control is sinisterly ironic.

by Kevin Devlin

The midterms have come and gone and Democracy, con trary to some, is still alive and kicking. The Red Wave never materialized but Biden’s control, that being one-party control, has been weakened by the Republican victories. Which is good and without doubt not bad for Democracy.

To address these problems before it’s too late.

Our leaders need to work together to serve the people and safeguard the country. Nothing whatsoever will be accomplished by stubbornly refusing to compromise.

Because division is not accept able, and I think most Americans are sick of it.

Name calling or belittling those one disagrees with doesn’t move the clock

Partisan bickering needs to be erased from our daily repertoire and replaced with good will and harmony. One person can’t simply blame another, one race can’t blame another race, one party cannot blame the other party, for problems imag ined or real. Placing blame or pro jecting stereotypes doesn’t help the process of coming together to solve differences and resolve problems.

Fair-minded men and women want to enjoy happy and prosperous lives. We want to feel safe at work and secure in the communities in which we reside. We need to feel that our leaders, our government are looking out for the welfare of all Americans, not just select groups.

Our political leaders have the responsibility to walk down a path towards prudence, cordiality and mutual respect. They need to work together to assure everyone is happy, everyone is fairly represented ac cording to their needs and desires. That is their primary responsibility as public servants who serve us.

We as individuals also have the same responsibility.

Is that too much to ask?

I don’t think so, but we must change our mindset and open our hearts to acceptance, tolerance and understanding.

Is that also too hard to do?

Again, I don’t think so.

America has had a turbulent his tory but survived the tribulations these challenges presented.

This is another time in our history, a crucial time indeed, that we must come together, work together, share a similar vision, and stand as a unified nation as we move forward together as Americans, above all else.

Data from the California Department of Educa tion earlier this year confirmed what education officials across the country have warned about during nearly two years of COVID-19-related shutdowns: Public school students — especially poor and minority students — are falling further behind in their studies. Some researchers even fear a “lost generation” of students. “The de partment found that only 49 percent of students met or exceeded the state standard for English Language Arts. Fewer than 34 percent met or exceeded math standards. These represent notice able drops from the last full school year before the pandemic. State officials’ excuse — that only a quarter of students took the tests this year — isn’t reassuring”.

In California, during the 2020-2021 school year, absenteeism soared, and graduation rates continued to dip. Consider that only 67 percent of English learners graduated in four years — and only 72.5 percent of Black students did so. These are failing numbers for every category of student. And this in a notably well-funded school system. The challenges that students and educators faced during the pandemic were multi-dimensional and disruptive to learning and mental health.

This fall, as students headed back to school this year, they discovered that some teach ers weren’t there. According to observers and others, it was clear that teachers hit a breaking

point last year and walked away. The tension and responsibility that educators faced during the pandemic — combined with long-standing issues plaguing the profession, plus the de bates about classroom control, teacher pay and respect — have caused many to make the tough choice to leave the classroom.

Recently, Chalkbeat, a nonprofit news organization covering public education, asked teachers who quit, WHY they left. The 80 teachers they talked to said ‘respect, support, better pay, and more flexibility’ are just a few of the things that might have kept them working in education. The in sights shared were diverse, touching on many polarizing issues facing schools today — teacher burnout, school funding, teacher training, equitable education, cultural rep resentation within curriculum.

Boston Superintendent Mary Skipper said she is committed to hiring a workforce of educators who reflect the racial, cultural, and linguistic di versity of its 49,000 students, although the staff ing update indicates the diversity of new teachers and guidance counselors hired externally for this year has decreased from the previous year. BPS employs about 11,000 people.

“BPS is committed to hiring the most-qualified teachers possible to educate the next generation of leaders while building a robust BPS communi ty,” she said in a statement. “We’ve already hired more than double the number of teachers [than]

we did during this time last school year.”

More than 800 teaching and other positions remain vacant across Boston Public Schools two months into the school year, as the district grapples with an acute labor shortage nation wide and expands its workforce. The larger workforce, combined with declining enroll ment, means BPS has more educators per stu dent than in the recent past, according to state data, although critical positions still remain empty. During the last school year, the studentteacher ratio was 10.8 to 1.

The staffing shortages are emerging in a fastpaced hiring season that already has resulted in the filling of 2,760 positions, representing an “unprecedented hiring volume,” accord ing to a staffing update the district released this week. The job postings have been issued for more than 1,500 teachers and nearly 800 positions in its central offices. “There is a lot of competition and poaching: districts going after people in other districts,” said Thomas Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents. “They are actually calling teachers in other districts to see if they are interested in coming to their district, pointing out they have better pay or other resources.”

One question looms. Are the needs of students playing second fiddle to the demands of the public-school work force. According to some, it appeared to be the case during the pandemic.

Education Experimentation continued from front page

n Friday, November 11, 2022, the Fitzgerald VFW Post #561 will hold its 71st annual Veterans’ Day Memorial Service. The or der of events will be as follows:

• 9:00 AM: Assembly at Post Quarters for refreshments

• 9:40 AM: March to St. Brigid Church

• 10:00 AM: Memorial Mass –Upstairs

Beginning Veterans’ Day, the Post will be accepting Christmas donations for the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home – gift cards, hats, socks, scarves, toiletries, etc… The resi dents will be forever grateful.

Thank you, Thomas J. McCarthy Commander

David Biele State Representative 4th Suffolk District

Guy The Wine

From the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving to the one coming up, most people have had and will have a Turkey on their holiday table, but if you’re one of those persons who prefers a Ham or Roast Beef, then you’re in luck! Read on to review some “non-Turkey” wine suggestions…

If you’re planning on a Ham dinner, a nice Riesling would be an enjoyable complement. One of the best from the place where it all started, Germany, is JJ Prum. The Prum family has a 400-yearold history in Wehlen and has been unofficially making wine for centuries. However, the JJ Prum wine house was officially established in 1911 by Johann Jo

sef Prum. The family has always been known known for its Ries lings and started making sweet Auslese wines in the 1920s. Today, JJ Prum produces a full range of Pradikat level wines. (Pradikat is the German system of classifying wines based on their sweetness and the ripeness level of the grapes used.). Just as Thanksgiving isn’t your typi cal Sunday dinner, neither are these wines- the JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese, 2020, ($66.95) is the cheapest bottle on the market. But its rich structure, supple finesse and astoundingly long finish are a rare combina tion and one that you and your guests will long remember!

Just in case you didn’t win Powerball, you can get a very nice Pinot Grigio for under $20.00.

Elena Walch Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige, 2021 ($19.99) is a great se lection, coming from the northern Italian area so associated with this varietal. Notes of honeysuckle, mocha and caramel on the nose are followed by aromas of wildflowers and blueberry on the palate with a pleasantly moderate finish. You’ll also be pleased by the way it enhances your sweet potatoes and yams without overwhelming them. Have enough for dessert, too, as

Apple, Blueberry and Mince pies are that much better with this one. This one, unlike the Prum wines doesn’t get better with age, so don’t be fooled by the lower prices on older vintages. As well, this wine is also a great one to pair with game birds, like Cornish Hen or Quail.

If Roast Beef is your idea of the perfect Thanksgiving feast, no problem! I’ve got a great Caber net at an even greater price. Avalon Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon, ($12.00), hits the spot on every level. Wine Enthusiast’s Jim Gor don says of the 2019 vintage tasted just this past May, “This mediumto full-bodied wine boasts cherrycola and blackberry flavors on a lightly tannic texture. Light salt and pepper accents give it a beefy edge.”. Wine and Spirits magazine gave it an 89-point score, which you don’t see every day for a $12.00 Cab. Suffice it to say, any piece of quality beef will be just that much better with little gem and don’t forget to grab more, be cause I checked with CBS Sports and they’re doing the Football on Friday thing-again.

Last, but hardly least, take a look at this Zinfandel from Sonoma. Bedrock Wine Co. Old Vine Zin fandel, ($25.99). ” Tempting fruit

flavors and an appetizing structure combine nicely in this full-bodied wine, making it taste and feel complete. Classic blackberry and black-pepper aromas give way to juicy, berrylike flavors wrapped in just-firm-enough tannins and acid ity for a good grip on the palate.” Jim Gordon, The Wine Enthusiast, whom I’m in total agreement with. I also think that one sip of this rich, intense wine will remind you more of a good Chateauneuf- dePape or Australian Shiraz. Whether it’s for the Day or for the next time you’re enjoying a good piece of beef, have this one; you can thank me later. We’ll do one more preThanksgiving column, this time, all dedicated to “the Bird”.

REMINDER: Additional Bus Network Redesign Virtual Public Meeting

DATE: Monday, November 14

TIME: 6:00 PM

LOCATION: Virtual via Zoom

Due to overwhelming interest, the MBTA will host a subsequent virtual public meeting on Monday, November 14, at 6 PM to discuss the Bus Network Redesign Program for those who were not able to attend the meeting on November 2.

At this additional virtual public meeting, MBTA staff will present a revised network and answer questions about it.

The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/ register/tZ0ld-yppz4rH9VgI1tfFpJdjWx-KDx66gkV

The meeting will be recorded and posted online for those who cannot attend.

Accommodations:

These meetings are accessible to people with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. Accessibility accommodations and language services will be provided free of charge, upon request, as available. Such services include documents in alternate formats, translated materials, assistive listening devices, and interpreters (including American Sign Language).

For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation and/or language services, please email BetterBusProject@MBTA.com or call (617) 651-1363.

South Boston Transportation Action Plan

Monday, November 14 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Project Description:

Zoom Link: bit.ly/3sCXljJ Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 161 775 6725

Please join city transportation staff as we begin the community process of the South Boston Transportation Action Plan. At this introductory meeting we will be reviewing the existing conditions of the transportation network in South Boston. The existing conditions report includes travel patterns within the neighborhood, parking statistics, identified areas of pedestrian conflict, bike network gaps, as well as information on congestion & crash data for all modes.

The information at this meeting is crucial to you as a Boston resident, and stakeholder. Language Access services are available at no cost to you. If you require these services, please contact (Mark.McGonagle@boston.gov) no later than 11/10/22.

La información de esta reunión es fundamental para usted como residente de Boston y parte interesada. Dispone de servicios de idiomas de forma gratuita. Si los requiere, comuníquese con (Mark.McGonagle@boston.gov) antes de la siguiente fecha 11/10/22.

mail to: Mark McGonagle

Boston Planning & Development Agency

One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 phone: 617.918.4283 email: mark.mcgonagle@boston.gov

7 Channel Center Public Meeting

Project Proponent: 7 CC 73 Owner, LLC

Project Description:

The Redevelopment is a part of the Channel Center Project (the “Channel Center Project” or the “Project”) which was originally reviewed by the Boston Redevelopment Authority (“BRA”) in the early 2000s. Since that time, six Notices of Project Change have been submitted for review and approval. This seventh Notice of Project Change (“Seventh NPC”) is for the Redevelopment Site only; the remainder of the Channel Center Project will remain as previously approved.

mail to: Daniel Polanco

Boston Planning & Development Agency

One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 phone: 617.918.4460 email: dan.polanco@boston.gov

Virtual Public Meeting Bo@BostonPlans stonPlans.org

Teresa

Close of Comment Period: 12/5/2022

BPDA Launches South Boston Transportation Action Plan

Avenue, South Boston Seaport Stra tegic Transit Plan, and the South Boston Waterfront Sustainable Transportation Plan.

The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) and the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) announced the launch of the South Boston Transportation Action Plan (SBTAP), which will be completed in close partnership with the Dis abilities Commission (DC) and Boston Public Works Department (PWD). The BPDA is evaluating the unique transportation chal lenges in the core of South Bos ton’s residential neighborhood, and through the South Boston Trans portation Action Plan planning and engagement process, will improve transportation access, efficiency, and safety.

Building on the vision and goals in Imagine Boston 2030 and Go Boston 2030, the South Boston Transportation Action Plan will evaluate safety concerns in South Boston and focus the City’s re sources on proven strategies and people-first improvements to eliminate serious and fatal traffic crashes in South Boston. The plan will study key transportation con nections to and within the South Boston area and recommend im

provements that can be implement ed immediately, within the next 15 years, and beyond. The recommen dations will reflect an understand ing of South Boston as it exists currently, as well as the forecasted effects of new development. This Action Plan will develop commu nity-driven mobility improvements and conceptualize future complete streets and transit network improve ments to respond to this growth and allow the neighborhood to reach its full potential.

The BPDA and BTD will release a detailed analysis of the existing and future multi-modal network to determine the necessary sequenc ing of improvements to safely meet future mobility needs. Following a future conditions analysis, the South Boston Transportation Action Plan will release recommendations aimed at eliminating serious and fatal traffic crashes, simplifying intersections for all users, and im proving the transportation network. The recommendations will build upon nearby recent existing plan ning initiatives including, but not limited to:

PLAN: South Boston Dorchester

In conjunction with the launch of this Action Plan, the BPDA and Boston Transportation Department (BTD) will be hosting a virtual public meeting on Monday, No vember 14, 2022. This meeting will include a presentation on the South Boston Transportation Action Plan and where South Boston’s trans portation network stands today, and planners will be available to answer questions from the public. Transportation planners and engi neers will describe recently com pleted and planned transportation and infrastructure improvements in and around the Study Area, and share what they have found out so far from their existing conditions report. The topics in the existing conditions report include bike net work infrastructure, pedestrian con ditions, travel patterns and trends, parking statistics, crash histories, and speed data.

The BPDA is also collecting feedback from residents through a survey that will be open until December 15, 2022. This survey covers everything from transpor tation habits and preferences to future improvements that could be implemented through the plan ning process.

The agency will host pop up opportunities at several locations in the neighborhood - including heavily trafficked bus stops and stores - during November and early December. This effort is intended to raise awareness of the planning process and the survey. The sur vey will also solicit volunteers for 60-minute focus groups which will help the project team identify key mobility challenges and opportu nities. In addition to community meetings, the survey and focus groups will allow the BPDA to collect input from a wider swath of South Boston residents and receive targeted feedback.

Post Office will be Closed in Recognition of Veterans Day

Post offices across the Com monwealth will be closed on Friday, November 11, in honor of Veterans Day. There will be no street delivery, except for guaranteed overnight parcels, and all retail operations will be closed for the day. Full retail and delivery operations will resume on Satur day, November 12.

As one of the largest employers of US veterans, nearly 10% of our workforce nationally, the Postal Service is proud to honor the men and women who have selflessly served our country in war and in peacetime and those who continue that tradition today. As the saying goes, “America is the land of the free because of the brave.”

The Postal Service generally re ceives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

South Boston Catholic Academy News

Honoring All Saints’ Day

All Saints’ Day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church celebrated annually on November 1. All Saints’ Day rec ognizes all those who are known to God as Saints-not only those canon ized by the Catholic Church. There fore, All Saints’ Day celebrates all the faithful followers of Jesus Christ throughout church history. It’s a feast

day remembering those who have gone before us, honoring their lives and their faithfulness to God.

On the morning of All Saints’ Day, Tuesday, November 1, 2022 the students at South Boston Catholic Academy were able to watch their classmates in grades 4A and 4B, who were dressed up as their favorite Saint in the All Saints’ Day Mass that

was televised on the Catholic TV Channel. In the afternoon, the grade 4A and 4B students, also, partici pated in the school Mass honoring All Saints’ Day at St. Brigid Church. They did a marvelous job dressing up again as their favorite saint and telling us a little about the saint they were representing. They also did a fantastic job as Greeter, Readers and Gift Bearers.

Our Children’s Choir did an awe some job singing…God Is A Part Of My Life and the grade 4 students sang an inspiring version of…Oh,

When The Saints Go Marching In, Oh, when the saints go marching in, O Lord, I want to be in that number when the saints go marching in… The SBCA students, families, faculty and staff attended this Mass, also and Father Robert Casey, Our Pastor, was the celebrant at both these Masses. “Let us shine with the light of Jesus and become like saints.” – Unknown. New families are welcome to email our admissions team at: ad missions@sbcatholicacademy.org for more info. about South Boston Catholic Academy.

week,

Death, taxes, and it’s never Mac Jones’ fault.

The media’s uncondi tional love for Jones is embarrass ing. And I honestly don’t under stand it at all. Expectations for our quarterback in this town are ex tremely high, and for good reason. Nobody is asking Jones to be Tom Brady. But can he at least be better than, let’s say, Derek Carr? The New England Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9, by a score of 26-3. But for the third straight week since returning from a high ankle sprain that forced him to miss three games, Jones wasn’t very good.

Against the Colts, Jones fin ished 20-of-30 for 147 pass yards, with one touchdown, while being sacked four times. The week prior, in a win over the New York Jets, Jones was 24-of-35 for 194 pass yards, with one touchdown and one interception. And the week before that, well, we all know how that Bears game on Monday Night Football went. We don’t need to revisit that.

Jones doesn’t seem limited with his ankle. He just seems to be — how do I put this — not good.

In Foxboro though, a win is a

win is a win. New England now heads into the bye as a 5-4 team in last place in the division, with a rematch against the Jets waiting for them in Week 11.

At some point this season, Jones needs to show that he’s making that ever-so-raved-about second-year leap that Bill Belich ick constantly refers to with his younger players. Last season, Jones had a very good rookie year. Even before his high ankle sprain at the end of the Patriots’ loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3, Jones didn’t look as if he was making any kind of leap into stardom. Which, in my opinion, is a problem, considering how many other young quarterbacks are seemingly making that leap.

Could Jones snap out of it and start moving in the right direc tion? Of course he can. But does that mean we can’t be critical of his average-to-below average play here in 2022? Don’t ask most of the media that question, if you want an honest answer.

Take ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, for example. A former NFL quarter back, Orlovsky is quickly becom ing the Mother Ship’s go-to NFL analyst, especially when it comes

to quarterbacks.

This is what Orlovsky tweeted this week:

“If anyone tells you it’s Mac Jones’ issue in New England they’re out their freaking minds. This offense has completely re gressed this player, and it’s awful.” Out of their minds? Really, Dan?

See, this is the problem I have with the Mac Jones lovefest by media members like Orlovsky. The kid has four touchdowns, seven interceptions, and has been sacked 15 times thhis season, in just six games. And we’re “out of our freaking minds” if we criti cize him?

Since when did we start treating our pro athletes — and specifi cally, our NFL quarterbacks — with baby gloves? Is it unfair for Jones that he has to constantly be compared to Brady? I guess it is. But that’s just the situation he’s fallen into.

Right now, what Jones is do ing, has nothing to do with Brady. So the idea that some in the media just won’t let us criticize Jones without calling us crazy, is preposterous.

Everything Jones is doing — or not doing — is somebody else’s

fault? Come on, Dan. That’s unfair to Belichick. And where I come from, if you’re going to side with a young quarterback over Belichick, you’re the crazy one. At least, that’s the way it should be. I know what I’m watching. And right now, when I watch the Patriots, I see a quarterback that isn’t very confident. I see hesita tion. I see deep breath work on the sidelines. To be honest, I see a poor man’s Drew Bledsoe.

I think most of these NFL ana lysts like Jones as a human. The kid seems like a sweetheart. And he was massively successful at one of the country’s top football schools, at Alabama. Nick Saban probably raves about him. Team mates — past and present — pro abably enjoy his friendship. He’s a good kid. There are many people in the football world who root for someone like that. And that’s fine. But if he’s not making progress as my quarterback, right now, for the New England Patriots, then I don’t have to give him any free passes. Neither do you. So don’t worry, you’re not out of your freaking mind.

Follow Danny on instagram @ DannyPicard.

This

Danny shared his thoughts on how Mac Jones has looked since returning from his injury:

SPORTS TODAY

WHAT TO WATCH

NFL THURSDAY, NOV. 10 Atlanta (-3) at Carolina 8:15 P.M. PRIME

SUNDAY, NOV. 13 Seattle vs Tampa Bay (-2.5) (in Germany) 9:30 A.M. NFLN

PATRIOTS ENTER BYE WEEK WITH WIN OVER INDIANAPOLIS

SBT Staff

The beating that the New England Patriots put on the Indianapolis Colts on Sun day was so bad that the Colts fired their head coach afterwards.

One day after the Patriots defeated the Colts, 26-3, at Gillette Stadium, Frank Reich was fired, and former Colt Jeff Saturday was hired to replace him.

New England sacked quarterback Sam Ehlinger nine times in the game, holding Ehlinger to just 103

Tweet of the Week

yards passing, while forcing him to throw an interception, which was a Jonathan Jones pick-six in the fourth quarter.

Linebackers Matthew Judon and Josh Uche each had three sacks. Judon leads the NFL in sacks with 11.5 on the season.

The Patriots’ offense wasn’t great on Sunday. Mac Jones threw for just 147 yards with one touchdown pass, while Rhamondre Stevenson was their lead rusher, totaling 60 yards

on the ground. Stevenson scored the team’s lone offensive touchdown on a three-yard pass from Jones late in the second quarter, giving the Pats a 13-0 lead at the half.

That touchdown came as a result of great field position, thanks to Jones blocking a Colts punt, which gave New England the ball at the Indianapolis two-yard line.

Nick Folk kicked four field goals in the game. He’s now kicked a total of nine field goals in the last two games

Minnesota at Buffalo (-5.5) 1 P.M. FOX

Dallas (-5) at Green Bay 4:25 P.M. FOX

LA Chargers at San Francisco (-7) 8:20 P.M. NBC

MONDAY, NOV. 14 Washington at Philadelphia (-10.5) 8:15 P.M. ESPN

NCAAF SATURDAY, NOV. 12

#6 Alabama (-11.5) at #11 Ole Miss 3:30 P.M. CBS

#7 TCU at #24 Texas (-7) 7:30 P.M. ABC

for the Patriots. Both were wins.

The Pats’ second straight win on Sunday put them above .500 fro the first time this season. They’re now 5-4 and in last place in the AFC East as they enter the Week 10 bye.

After the bye, the Patriots will host the New York Jets in Week 11. It’s a rematch from Week 8, which was a 2217 win for New England at MetLife.

Some books already have the Pa triots as a 6.5-point favorite. The Jets are also on their bye in Week 10.

Justdays after signing Mitchell Miller to an entry-level contract, the Boston Bruins announced they’ve parted ways with the 20-year-old defenseman.

The Bruins were the target of plenty of criticism following the signing, as there was a reason the 2020 Arizona Coyotes fourth-round pick was a free agent in the first place. In 2016, Miller plead guilty in an Ohio juvenile court on charges of assault after he was accused of racially abusing and bullying a disabled black classmate.

Miller’s draft rights were renounced by the Coyotes after detailed reports of the

situation were released. Miller was also dropped from the University of North Dakota’s men’s hockey team, which was an order from the school’s president.

Days after signing him, Bruins Presi dent Cam Neely released a statement, announcing they were parting ways with Miller, “effective immediately.”

The statement read:

“Today the Boston Bruins have de cided to part ways with Mitchell Miller, effective immediately.

The decision to sign this young man was made after careful consideration of the facts as we were aware of them: that

at 14-years-old he made a poor decision that led to a juvenile conviction. We un derstood this to be an isolated incident and that he had taken meaningful action to reform and was committed to ongo ing personal development. Based on that understanding we offered him a contract.

Based on new information, we believe it is the best decision at this time to re scind the opportunity for Mitchell Miller to represent the Boston Bruins. We hope that he continues to work with profes sionals and programs to further his edu cation and personal growth.

We owe it to our fans, players, staff, partners and community to make sure that our practices and protocols are in keeping with the ethos that we demand from our selves and as an organization. As such, we will be reevaluating our internal processes

for vetting individuals who wish to earn the privilege of playing in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins.

We are sorry that this decision has overshadowed the incredible work the members of our organization do to sup port diversity and inclusion efforts. We will continue to stand against bullying and racism in all of its forms.

To Isaiah and his family, my deepest apologies if this signing made you and other victims feel unseen and unheard. We apologize for the deep hurt and im pact we have caused.

Finally, as a father, I think there is a lesson to be learned here for other young people. Be mindful of careless behaviors and going with the group mentality of hurting others. The repercussions can be felt for a lifetime.”

SBT Staff