South Boston Today January 19 2023

After 28 Years Rent Control Debate Has Begun In Earnest

It’s been 28 years since voters ended rent control in Massachusetts. But with a housing shortage and rising rents, there’s renewed interest in bringing back the measure.

Mayor Michelle Wu campaigned on a platform that included rent control, but she calls it rent sta -

Parking Is Not Fun In Southie

So Don’t make It Worse

Only a very small percentage of South Boston Residents are lucky enough to have driveways to park their vehicles. Some have been fortunate enough to find parking spaces in yards or garages to rent, but those rates are sky high. So as city neighborhood living would have it, most must park on the street. And no one has to remind anyone who lives here, that THAT can be difficult too. Sometimes riding around block after block hoping to find a space is a terrible waste of time and fuel.

Wintertime can be an even tougher time to find a spot for your car. So far this year, no major storms have hit us, but the odds are, that won’t be the case for too much longer. So, can anything be done about it? Well, for the most part, no, but if everyone were to show a bit of courtesy and consideration when parking; whether the streets are snow covered or not, it could help ease the task somewhat. While most longtime residents pretty much know the unwritten rules of

parking in Southie, some ignore them and many of the new arrivals aren’t really aware of them. So, here are a few suggestions: Please, do NOT park your car where your bumper touches the bumper of the car in front or in back of yours. This has caused drivers to actually be locked in place and unable to move their vehicles; especially if the vehicle at the opposite end of theirs is doing the same. It’s dangerous in cases of emergencies and has been the cause of many confrontations; especially if it makes the blocked-in owner late getting to work. Never park with the front of your vehicle or the back, sticking or jutting out onto the street. Traffic is bad enough on our streets without improperly parked cars blocking the flow. People with common sense know you never park in front of a fire hydrant, a Handicapped ramp or space and never park in a fire lane to run in to get coffee. The extra time it takes for the fire trucks to maneuver around you if they have an alarm could

possibly make the difference between life and death in a tragic situation.

Snowy streets compound the difficulty in parking. If/ when we do get a storm, if when shoveling out your vehicle you’re caught tossing the snow in the street, the city can and often will hit you with a hefty fine. And as we all know, the unwritten rule concerning space savers is if you shovel it, you own it – at least for a couple of days. People have been known to go to war when after spending sometimes hours shoveling out their car and carefully placing a space holder to mark it, someone comes along as soon as the shoveled-out vehicle drives off, tosses the space holder and drives right in. Though there is no law against it, the reality is, you may be doing so at your own risk.

The bottom line is this, while there are many nice things about living in South Boston, parking is definitely NOT one of them. If we all show consideration for one another, it can help ease the problem.

Michael Murteira has been promoted to Vice President, Information Security Officer, according to an announcement by Victoria Graves, Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer at Dedham Savings.

Noted Graves, “We’re pleased to recognize Mike’s outstanding oversight of the Bank’s Information Security, Vendor Management and Security Awareness programs. We’re fortunate to have his level of daily commitment to the safety, protection and well- being of Dedham Savings, customers, employees and infrastructure.”

Murteira joined Dedham Savings in 2021 with nearly 20 years in the financial industry. He has extensive experience in corporate network security, cyber defense, and information systems security. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Stonehill College. He also completed the New England School for Financial Studies Graduate program and holds a Certified Information Systems Security Professional certification from (ISC)². In the community, Murteira serves as a member of the Stonehill College Alumni Council, serving on several sub-committees. He lives in Attleboro with his husband.

and

- Hank Williams Jr.

yachts.”

It’s been a slow week so I thought I’d go with some short take comments. If you’re a regular reader of this column, you know that sometimes I just can’t help it and feel the need to make fun of some of the Hollywood types that so often spout off about how superior they are to us commoners and how much smarter than the rest they believe themselves to be. So, it would be tough not to bring up the brilliant revelation made by ‘actress’ Chelsea Handler recently. She stated, in all seriousness, that until she turned forty years old, she really thought that the sun and the moon were one in the same and that during the day that big ball in the sky was called the sun, but during the night, it was called the moon because it was dark out. This is the person that lectures Trump voters and all Conservatives and calls them stupid. Which brings me to another Hollywood creation I enjoy pointing fingers and laughing at and that would be that boring waste of time known as “The Golden Globe Awards’. Each year, the number of people who actually watch the show shrinks. Year after year, the show hits record lows in numbers and each year it’s said it couldn’t possibly get any less popular. But each year it manages to do just that. There have never been fewer people watching the Golden Globes than this last time. As the ratings continue to get more dismal each time, not just for the Golden Globes, but for every entertainment awards show (except for the Country Music Awards Shows – their ratings continue to climb), it seems the Hollywood producers just aren’t

smart enough to realize that the saying ‘Go Woke, Go Broke’ is exactly what’s happening. Could they all be as dumb as Chelsea Handler and just don’t get it or is it that they just don’t care.

Whatever the reason, at this current rate of decline, they’ll soon be able to combine the Golden Globes, The Emmy’s, Oscars, Grammy’s and the rest and will be able to hold them as one and shown at the same time; maybe at lunch time on a Wednesday and held in a Starbucks Coffee Shop, where there will still be some fans – possibly.

What made this year’s Golden Globes even more yawn worthy than others was the host they selected. Some character named Jerrod Carmichael, who most Americans never heard of, which explains why he’s popular in Hollywood, opened the show by whining about racism. At this point, when Americans of all backgrounds hear this tired old bellyache, the response is often ‘Oh please, will they ever let it go?’ It seems the answer is no. Race baiters really have nothing else, so it seems they will be crying racism forever.

As was stated, most Americans of every background are tired of it and just want to get along with each other. But the race baiters never want that to happen. Think about it, do you really believe that the likes of Al Sharpton, Joy Reid, Whoopi Goldberg, Maxine Waters, Colin Kaepernick and yes, people like Steven Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel too, really want unity among the races? How about the anchors on the liberal news networks? With Donald Trump out of the Oval Office for now, what would the

news media carp about if they couldn’t cause division, distrust and hate? They sure don’t report news. It’s a constant drum beat as they try to make Americans believe that this group is ‘under attack’ and that group is under attack, when in reality, it’s not the case at all. Racial attacks are happening less now than at any time in our country’s history, but the media and the race baiters are doing everything they can to convince the public otherwise. The thought of a unified America terrifies them because for most of these cretins, it’s how they make

their living. And they are paid quite well for what they’re doing. To close this week, a mention of the raging inflation causing so many things to be priced through the roof. There was a time that some families tended to name their children after expensive items for whatever reason; maybe to give them an air of being ‘upper class’ and wealthy. Names like Mercedes, Dior, Lincoln, Royce, Ambrosia etc. But with prices the way they are today, we might see future babies being given names like Eggs, Butter, Coffee, Gasoline and Electricity, Just a thought.

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

SOUTH BOSTON TODAY

John Ciccone

David Casper

--Healey Gets Right To Work

Governor Maura Healey will address business leaders at an executive forum hosted by Associated Industries of Massachusetts next Thursday morning at the Boston Marriott Newton. As important speeches go, a stop at the AIM event has not historically ranked up there with the attention paid to ones given before the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce or the Massachusetts Municipal Association. But it does come first on the calendar. And given the importance of getting off on the right foot with business leaders after eight years of Charlie Baker, it will be one worth listening too.

It’s not that Healey and business leaders have to agree on everything. But it wouldn’t hurt to at least have a respectful and open relationship. Healey, of course, supported passage of the “millionaire’s tax” on the ballot in November, despite opposition from major business groups. But her agenda will require cooperation from executives and groups like A.I.M and the Chamber if she hopes to pass meaningful tax

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.

reform and advance her housing and climate agendas. She must also walk a fine a line and take care not to appear too cozy with business interests, lest she lose the confidence of an already skeptical progressive left.

-- Uncertain future for Cape Cod bridges

After losing out in bids for federal funding to help cover the cost of replacing the Bourne and Sagamore bridges over the Cape Cod Canal, the Globe’s Brian MacQuarrie reports that the state must wait now until next year when the next round of funding becomes available. But time is not on the bridges’ side. The two spans have outlived their usefulness, designed in a different era and badly in need of replacement. So what happens now?

-- Boston’s ghostly office real estate market

It feels like I’ve shared this story, or some derivation of it, at least a handful of times in the past few months. And that’s probably because it’s happening, and its effects on cities like Boston and

the economy are widespread and multifaceted. The Globe’s Catherine Carlock that Boston’s office real estate market ended 2022 with the highest vacancy rate in three decades, fueled by the continuation of remote work and the shaky economy. This has implications not just for the businesses that used to inhabit those spaces, but the businesses who depended on people to come to work in those offices and the vibrancy that can bring to a city.

-- New green building code being put to the test

A controversial new building code discouraging the use of fossil fuels to heat and cool new construction has been adopted in Brookline and Watertown, testing a piece of the 2021 climate law that some have worried could raise the price of housing and new building in Greater Boston. The Globe’s Sabrina Shankman writes that the two communities are the first to adopt the optional new building code finalized last month, but likely won’t be the last with at

Tax Tips From The Better Business Bureau

This year, United States taxpayers must file their income tax forms before the April 18, 2023, deadline. For many people, major life changes, business ownership, or simply a lack of knowledge about the ever-changing tax laws make finding a trustworthy tax preparer a good idea. That said, not all tax preparers have the same level of experience and training. Here are tips for finding someone you can trust with your finances and sensitive personal information. Which type of tax preparer is right for you? First, it’s important to understand the different types of tax preparers and their qualifications. Only enrolled agents, certified public accounts, and attorneys may represent their

clients to the IRS on matters such as audits, collection issues, and appeals.

Enrolled Agent (EA): An EA is a tax preparer that has been approved by the IRS to represent taxpayers. An EA must either have prior qualifying employment with the IRS or pass an intensive two-day exam on federal taxation and complete a background check. To maintain EA status, they must complete a specified number of credit hours each year of continuing education in accounting methods and tax regulations. An EA may work independently or as part of a firm and specialize in specific areas of tax law.

An EA is a good option if you have a more complex tax situation. However, you’ll want to make

least 22 cities and towns considering similar moves.

-- Panel finds “no evidence” to support election challenge

Gov. Maura Healey will swear in Rep.-elect Margaret Scarsdale of Pepperell today after a special House panel determined that the Democrat should be seated as the winner in the First Middlesex District. State House News Services’s Chris Lisinski reports that the committee found “no evidence” to support the claims made by her Republican opponent that counting irregularities resulted in her seven-vote win margin. The same panel, however, is still reviewing Republican Rep. Lenny Mirra’s one-vote loss to Democrat Kristin Kassner on the North Shore, and has not yet made a decision. These are the last two outstanding races to be decided.

-- Truro, Provincetown plot next steps after ambulance service quits

The Lower Cape Ambulance Association plans to stop providing

sure their area of expertise applies to your personal situation. Fees and availability may vary, but you can expect an EA to charge less than a CPA. An EA is also qualified to help you with financial planning and give you tips that could help you reduce your taxes in the future.

Certified Public Accountants (CPA): CPAs have a college degree (or the equivalent in work experience). They are licensed after passing a state professional qualifying exam. They are

South Boston Veteran Advocate

Tom Lyons (USMC) Receives Veterans Excellence Award

Thomas J. Lyons has been awarded UMass Boston’s William Joiner Institute’s Veterans Excellence Award for the month of January 2023. Lyons, a native of South Boston and a longtime Wakefield resident, is a Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War and has provided decades of distinguished service to veterans and veterans’ causes.

Recipients of the William Joiner Institute’s Veterans Excellence Award embody core values of integrity, grit, leadership, and inspiration as they continue to demonstrate a commitment to serving others and making a positive difference in society, the Joiner Institute said.

“His tireless work supporting, honoring and promoting veterans over his lifetime is truly awe inspiring and includes leading the New England Center and Home for Veterans, driving the establishment of the South Boston Vietnam Memorial, and founding the Semper Fidelis Society of Boston,” said Thomas Miller, CEO of the William Joiner Institute, and a Coast Guard veteran.

“Mr. Lyons’ unflagging support to New England’s community of veterans is a testament of his continued conviction so nobly articulated in his chosen service’s creed ‘Semper Fidelis.’ His generosity of spirit, his concern for his fellow man and his

enduring labors of love are truly remarkable,” said Brendan O’Connor, Director of the William Joiner Institute, and an Army veteran.

Lyons is a founding member of the committee that created the South Boston Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the founder and president of the Boston Semper Fidelis Society, which every November hosts the nation’s largest annual Marine Corps Birthday luncheon from which proceeds benefit veterans and their families through various programs and scholarships.

In 2014, he was honored by the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation for his many years of work on behalf of veterans their families. The Tommy Lyons Scholarship was created in his name for the child of a Marine Corps or Navy Corpsmen veteran.

Lyons is a former Vice President of External Affairs at MassHousing. He spent 10 years as Boston’s

He was chairman of the committees for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s annual conventions in Boston in 2001, 2006, 2015 and 2021.

Citizens’ Association Announces

of Boston in 1776,” said McGrath. Eddie is a lifelong resident and active member of the SBCA his entire adult life. His dedication to the South Boston Citizens’ Association and the neighborhood will continue to make it a great place for all who live here. We are honored to list him as a member, and even prouder to name him this year’s General Chairman.”

Edward

Flynn as 2023 Evacuation Day General Chairman

Global War on Terrorism.

South Boston Citizens’ Association President Thomas E. McGrath has announced that Boston City Council President Edward Flynn and of the U.S. Navy (Retired) will serve as General Chairman of the Association’s 2023 Evacuation Day commemoration by the SBCA Executive Board.

“The executive board and I look forward to working with Ed, to ensure once again the success of this unique community celebration, the commemoration of the British evacuation

Ed Flynn enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1987 and retired from military service in 2014. While in the U.S. Navy, Flynn served on active duty at Joint Task Force Guantanamo, with the Navy’s 5th Fleet in the Persian Gulf and on the Iraqi oil platforms and served on a U.S. Department of Defense task force in Washington, D.C., helping coordinate transportation services for the 2005 presidential inaugural. Flynn served as public affairs coordinator at the U.S. Naval War College and completed training in homeland security, public safety and leadership development. He retired from the Navy and is Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and the

In his professional life, Ed Flynn currently serves as President of the Boston City Council working on quality of life issues every day to make Boston a safe and better place to live. As a former Probation Officer at Suffolk Superior Court he helped coordinate their reentry program and worked with local law enforcement officials on public safety concerns and community policing efforts. Additionally, Flynn worked at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C., and worked on efforts to increase the federal minimum wage, the Family and Medical Leave Act and for safer working conditions for millions of American workers.

Ed Flynn is married to Kristen and they have two children, Caroline and Stephen, and is the son of Former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn and Kathy Flynn.

The Association, along with The City of Boston Credit Union ,Mass Bay Credit Union and Comcast will once again be sponsoring a full roster of civic and sporting events over a three-week

period as part of its annual commemorative celebration of Evacuation Day. The Association’s events begin with the Jimmy Flaherty Kick-Off Breakfast on Saturday March 4th, at the Sea-Point Restaurant 10:00A.M., where the Henry Knox Un-sung Hero Awards will be presented, followed by a host of educational and athletic events throughout the month of March. This year’s SBCA commemorative events will also include the Memorial Mass and Memorial Exercises at the Dorchester Heights Monument on Friday, March 17th, with the 143rd Annual Evacuation Day Banquet at the Boston Convention Center later that evening.

The full schedule of events, as well as the identities of the 2023 Henry Knox Award, John W. McCormack Public Service Award, The SBCA Presidents Award and James “Jim” Kelly/Margret “Peggy” Flaherty Shamrock Community Service awards, will be announced in the coming weeks.

“I remind everyone that a limited number of tickets are available for our Banquet, which is the capstone event of the 2023 commemorative activities,” Stated McGrath. “Anyone who is interested in purchasing tickets to the banquet should email me as soon as possible at tmcgrath1963sb@gmail.com.”

Deputy Commissioner for Veterans and seven years as Executive Director of the New England Center and Home for Veterans before joining MassHousing.

I Was Just Thinking…

McConnell have all been in D.C. for over thirty-seven years.

They think they are entitled to their positions.

But they are old and have lost touch with the pulse of the American people.

And some have become quite wealthy somehow way beyond their annual congressional salaries.

It’s time to change that.

limits would limit the potential for corruption in government and curtail the influence of corporate lobbying.

But there are those who oppose term limits.

the needs of their constituents. And it would limit incentives, the pressure of gaining policy expertise on specific issues because this knowledge won’t be useful in the future.

by Kevin Devlin

Since 1943, proposals for term limits have been introduced in almost every session in Congress yet the politicians are against this, dismissing the wishes of the American people as inconsequential. Some of our elected officials-career politicians-have been in office far too long. Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch

The implementation of Congressional term limits would change the perception of what it means to be a politician. Instead of making it a career of its own, this political service, as originally intended under the original Articles of Confederation, would become a civic duty.

Politicians wouldn’t have to dirty their fingernails to get their foot in the door and be able to govern as they should, and with courage. Politicians would work faster to pass their agenda because they know that they’re on a deadline. They would know they could effectuate real and meaningful change because their time in Washington D.C, was limited and outside unwarranted influences neutralized. Therefore, term

They say it would force good politicians to retire from Congress too soon, since it takes time to learn how Congress works legislatively, develop relationships, getting involved in committees caucusing, and overseeing office management which requires skills that need to be honed over time. It is felt that efficiency would be derailed since newly elected officials would have to start from scratch to learn the ins and outs of the job and establish personal and professional networks necessary to help pass crucial legislation. Term limits might increase the passing of legislation thereby reducing gridlock, but it could also result in hastily passed legislation.

With term limits on the books, being near the end of one’s allotted service could result in a politician losing interest. They might not care any longer since they feel they’re being forced out of their job due to term limits, subsequently ignoring

Freshman members of Congress would still defer to experienced lawmakers when composing legislation, passing laws, and learning how things operate in D.C. As a result, we would have a new, less-experienced establishment still running things, which could create many policy-making problems in the future. Political gridlock could get worse if that is even possible in today’s political climate.

Opponents of term limits say they would take power away from voters, restricting who they can choose to represent them. Lastly, it wouldn’t shift the power dynamics in Washington but would impact local elections which could be time-consuming undertakings more expensive to taxpayers.

Nevertheless, according to a recent Rasmussen poll, 87% of Republicans, 83% of Democrats and 75% of Independents nationwide support term limits.

It’s time Congress heeded the wishes of the electorate they serve.

Rent Control continued from front page bilization. Before the election, Wu said rent control — which limits how much landlords can hike rents each year — has “worked to keep people in their homes in cities across the country.” The measure has a long history in Massachusetts.

Several communities in the area, including Cambridge, Brookline and Boston, enacted rent control around the 1970s. And the policy remained popular in all three cities. But landlords helped put a statewide ban on the ballot which passed in 1994. Opponents say rent control discourages people from investing in apartments — hurting tenants in the long run. With the cost of housing energizing supporters of rent control, they hope to finally end the ban. Home prices in Boston have more than quadrupled since the ban took effect and rent increases have followed.

Activists agree that the state needs more housing, but also say that cities need to tackle rising rents. Mayor Wu has said that cities and neighborhoods need to be able to consider all options for policies, including capping rents.

Progressive lawmakers have filed several bills in recent years to overturn the statewide ban and give local leaders more options. But none have passed, and some lawmakers have reservations on the unintended consequences of capping rents, that being a slow down in building housing.

There is also the concern that while rent control could help reduce the rents for some tenants, it could drive up the rents for others.

But the ultimate fate of rent control could depend on what kind of plan cities put forth. Wu had said she’s open to teaming up with other cities to develop a rent control plan and proposing that lawmakers carve out an exception for the plan. Despite the political hurdles, housing advocates hope Mayors like Wu and others follow through on their campaign promises and find a way to reinstate rent control.

Mayor Wu did just that. In a bid to bring rent control back to Boston for the first time in three decades, the mayor has developed a plan that would limit allowable rent increases to 10 percent per year. It outlines one way Wu aims to address the city’s housing crisis and fulfill a major pitch of her mayoral campaign.

Wu’s approach is modeled on versions of rent control that have recently taken effect in Oregon and California, tying allowable rent hikes to inflation. In this case, it would allow annual increases up to 6 percent higher than the federal government’s Consumer Price Index. In a typical year, with 2 percent inflation, landlords could increase rent by up to 8 percent. In high inflation years, like 2022, the measure would never allow increases of more than 10 percent.

It would exempt new buildings for the first 15 years after they open, as well as small owner-

occupied properties such as three-deckers. And it would be paired with so-called “just cause” eviction protections for tenants, which require landlords to have adequate reason to launch eviction proceedings on a tenant.

The ‘draft’ plan, which was floated on Tuesday to an advisory committee of tenant advocates, developers, and housing experts, is a long way from becoming reality. It would need approval from both the Boston City Council and lawmakers on Beacon Hill, where there is a new legislature that was sworn in this month. Furthermore, committee assignments have yet to be made by the House Speaker and Senate President.

Then there is the new Governor Maura Healey, who weighed in on this topic during campaign debates. Healey at that time suggested that she would oppose changing state law to restore the practice. “I don’t think that’s the solution,” Healey said when asked on WGBH’s “Boston Public Radio” whether as governor she would sign a rent-control bill if one made it to her desk.

Now that Wu’s plan is on the table, key stakeholders have begun to react cautiously in most cases, but not all. House Speaker Ronald Mariano, saying he has “questions” about the policy, including fears that it could discourage investments in housing. Senate President Karen Spilka office said only that she would review “any finalized proposal” that came continued on page 8

“A Remarkable Life”

singers, professional athletes, and a well-known gangster.

Brian loved basketball (and Southie) and in his new book, he recalls his fondest Southie boyhood memories when he played basketball at the South Boston Boys Club, at other local hoop courts, and while playing in high school. He was a ball boy for the Celtics and met great players like John Havlicek, Bill Russell, Bill Cousy, and arch nemesis Wilt Chamberlain. He would meet Dave Cowens, Larry Bird and the legendary Celtics broadcaster, Johnny Most. And he had a few beers with Charles Barkley.

Brian P. Wallace’s latest book, “A Remarkable Life” is truly about a man-a true Southie guy through and throughwho has had remarkable experiences, and more interesting, intriguing and worthwhile stories to tell others than the tallest building in Boston.

I can still remember the day I walked into the gym at South Boston High School in 1966 to try out for the varsity basketball team. The first person I noticed was this little guy shooting around. He was wearing glasses, a headband, and wristbands. I shook my head. This guy needed a step ladder I thought to myself. Didn’t think much about him until I saw him play. Boy, can first impressions throw a person off kilter.

Brian was an incredible player, a great shooter, and one of the best players in the tough Boston City League. Upon graduation he went to college in Canada but due to an injury didn’t see his hoop college dreams fulfilled. Nevertheless, that setback didn’t deter this young man who would travel through life and fulfill his dreams in the political, social and literary fields. Along the way Brian would meet four presidents, senators, a cardinal, and a Pope at the Vatican when his lifelong friend, Ray Flynn, was the Ambassador to the Vatican. And he would meet movie stars, iconic

In the world of hockey, he met Derek Sanderson and Bobby Orr. In the football world he met Jimmy Brown, Lance Alworth, and Joe Bellino, to name just a few. He met movie stars such as Kevin Bacon, Sean Penn, Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Clint Eastwood.

Brian stayed busy serving as a state representative, being the Southie Boys Club Director, working at Brighton District Court and the Tynan School, as well as being a main operational cog in the Flynn administration. He wore Southie on his shirt sleeve and was instrumental in the formation of the South Boston Pop Warner Football League, the South Boston Sports Hall of Fame, and many more local endeavors.

In between all of this he would write “From Broken Glass”, “Final Confession”, “A Southie Memoir,” and “Night Runner.” He kept busy.

All of Brian’s stories in “A Remarkable Life” are incredible but those centering on his childhood memories and friends are emotionally stirring. He cherished his friends and their friendship and brought them to life in a refreshing fashion. And I can vividly imagine his face when he stood face to face with the infamous Whitey Bulger, and he didn’t know what was in store for him.

All of Brian’s experiences and adventures can be read in his new book “A Remarkable Life” which can be purchased on Amazon.Com.

A Book Review by Kevin Devlin

Register your drone before your first flight

Comply with Remote I D rules

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FAA.gov/UAS for more information

Guy The Wine Looking Forward To AlsaceLorraine

The region of Alsace-Lorraine, located in the Northeast of France, has been making wine since the Romans occupied it. Moving forward a bit, today’s wines, made primarily from Riesling and Pinot Gris, offer some of the best value in the country. Look for the following wines, which are available locally; I believe you’ll be pleased with any of them.

Domaines Schlumberger Spiegel, Grand Cru Pinot Gris, 2018, ($29.99). Domaines Schlumberger is renowned for its luscious wines, full in body and flavor. Their richness and delicate sweetness is balanced by excellent acidity. As a result, the wines are never cloying or overly heavy. Even the vendange tardive, or late harvest dessert wines - the Gewurztraminers Cuvée Anne and Cuvée Christine- capture exquisite, honeyed flavors with an ethereal lightness. This wine will be even more enjoyable with pungent cheese, shellfish and dishes like Chicken Piccata. While it’s very enjoyable today, it can be laid down

and enjoyed for up to five years.

Trimbach Pinot Blanc, Alsace, 2019, ($15.99). This family has been making wine since 1626. In Old World terms, you can take that to mean that they’ll probably be around for a bit longer and why not? With wines of this quality at such competitive price points, it’s no surprise. Its delicate bouquet, the beautiful balance between its dry character, its distinguished fruitiness and its natural liveliness contribute to its exceptional richness.As required by the style of the house, it is made in a dry, straight, precise style. As far as food goes, try it with cooked and raw fish, shellfish and seafood, white meats, white wine sauces, Asian fusion items, especially Beijing Duck. As with most Alsace wines, it’s delicious right now, but can be aged for anywhere between 3-5 years.

Willm Riesling Reserve, 2021, ($18.99). Willm Riesling Reserve is limpid pale yellow with green hues. The nose presents notes of fresh fruit and citrus aromas. In the mouth, the attack is fresh and well-structured, and the flavor is reminiscent of fresh fruits and citrus. A persistent, slightly spicy finish. If Willm isn’t in an American history book, it should be. The winery was the first producer in Alsace to export to the United States after prohibition, and it’s said that Al Capone favored the wines after his release from Alcatraz. Though the Willm family has been making wine in Alsace since 1896, their French heritage dates back to 1398. Willm’s portfolio includes four Grand Crus, sparkling Cremant d’Alsace and late-harvest sweet wines, in addition to their reserve range.

The winery is known for its easydrinking, well-priced Riesling that pairs well with shellfish, grilled

seafood and white meats. Among Alsace’s rarer sparklers is Willm’s Crémant d’Alsace Blanc de Noirs, a white bubbly made from 100% Pinot Noir. The vineyards span the Haut-Rhin (upper Rhine) and the Bas-Rhin (lower Rhine) in three locations, encompassing a diversity of soils and allowing Willm to produce a range of styles. The winery received its organic certification in 2012.

Pierre Sparr Riesling, Alsace, 2019, ($19.99), is the latest example of the Sparr family’s centuries-old love affair with the land. Maison Pierre Sparr was established by the Sparr family in 1680 in the desirable Haut Rhin area of Alsace. Today, quality remains Pierre Sparr’s primary focus and the winery consistently exceeds AOC guidelines (Alsace

produces only AOC level wines). Minimal intervention in the winery preserves the characteristics of the land; gentle whole cluster pressing followed by slow, cool fermentation. Sparkling wines are all traditional method (as in Champagne) and the grapes are farmed sustainably. Pierre Sparr wines are a pure expression of Alsace with its varied geology and topography; authentically Alsatian wines - aromatic, fruity, elegant, clean and vibrant. Pierre Sparr wines are food-friendly and accessible for everyday consumption. I’ve known the Sparr family for more than 30 years and can tell you that their commitment to quality has always exceeded any questions regarding quantity. Poultry, seafood, cheese and rich, creamy desserts will all taste better with this one

Rent Control continued from page 6

before the Legislature. Governor Healey, meanwhile, avoided taking a position on Wu’s proposal, saying, “It’s something I have to look at and review.” It’s not at all clear when that might happen.

Wu says she is aiming to strike a balance that stabilizes the rental market without discouraging much-needed new housing. Tenant advocates, however, prefer that the cap on

rent increases be lower, while industry groups and real estate developers generally oppose rent control in any form.

The commercial real estate industry group NAIOP-MA contends that rent control will deter the production of new housing, and ultimately worsen the region’s supply shortage. Boston is far behind other major metros in creating housing, a spokesperson said, and rent control “will

only worsen the situation.”

Some tenant advocates are unhappy with the plan, noting the proposed cap would still allow landlords to hike rents by hundreds of dollars a month, increases that would accumulate each year, deepening the burden on lower-income tenants who often already pay one-third or more of their income for housing each month.

The debate will be interesting.

BBB Tips continued from page 4

highly skilled in accounting. This makes them good candidates for complex tax planning and preparation if they are experienced in handling tax matters and enrolled in continuing education programs that keep them abreast of the constant changes to tax laws. If your return is quite complex, a CPA may be your best choice for tax preparation, but keep in mind they will charge much more than basic tax preparers.

Attorneys: Tax attorneys often charge the highest fees as tax preparers. For taxpayers looking to shelter part of their income legally or for those who need specialized advice on municipal bonds, estate planning, and the like, hiring a tax attorney is a good option.

Non-Credentialed tax preparers: There are about 700,000 people who work as non-credentialed tax preparers in the United States. They often work part-time or only during the tax season. These preparers must have an active preparer tax identification number (PTIN) through the IRS, but beyond that, regulating tax

preparers is done at the state level. In the vast majority of states, anyone can prepare tax returns for others without having to take an exam, get a license, or comply with other government regulations. Learn more about your state’s requirements here. Read more about “ghost tax preparers” here.

Most tax preparers are legitimate and competent, but keep in mind that without a national license requirement, they may be working off of their own personal research and experience. Because of this, it is important you conduct a thorough interview with the tax preparer before you hire them.

How to choose the right tax preparer:

When it comes to choosing the right kind of tax preparer for you personally, much will depend on the complexity of your tax situation. After you’ve decided what qualifications your tax preparer needs, the following tips will help you choose someone who is trustworthy and competent:

• Review the tax preparer’s

Window continued from page 4 emergency services to Truro and Provincetown this summer and the two towns on the outermost part of Cape Cod are searching for replacements, the Cape Cod Times’ Denise Coffey reports. The impacts of the changes could help push Provincetown to become the last Cape town to fund a

full-time fire department.

-- Would-be casino site in Palmer eyed for water park

A parcel of land just off the Mass Pike in Palmer that had been floated for years as a potential casino site could instead host a massive water park after it was sold to a Wisconsin-based devel -

credentials. EAs, CPAs, and tax attorneys are all qualified to represent their clients to the IRS on all matters. Other preparers can help you with forms and basic matters but cannot represent you in case of an audit. Don’t be afraid to ask about these or other qualifications before you hire someone.

• Be wary of spectacular promises. If a tax preparer promises you larger refunds than the competition, this is a red flag. Many such tax preparers base their fees on the amount of your return and may be likely to use shady tax preparation tactics. In addition, it’s wise to avoid tax preparers who offer “refund anticipation loans” as you’ll probably lose a large percentage of your return to commission fees.

• Get referrals from friends and family. One of the best ways to find a trustworthy tax preparer is to ask your loved ones for recommendations. Once you have a few options, check BBB.org, paying careful attention to other consumers’ reviews or complaint details. This will give you a clear

oper. MassLive’s Jim Kinney has the details on what could happen on the parcel where Mohegan Sun proposed a resort casino before voters in town shot the notion down in 2013.

-- Winter winner: Encore table games help state set high score

Encore Boston Harbor posted its

view of what you can expect.

• Think about availability. If the IRS finds errors in your tax forms or decides to perform an audit, will your tax preparer be available to help you with the details? Find out whether you can contact the tax preparer all year long or only during tax season.

• Ask about fees ahead of time. Before you agree to any services, read the contracts carefully and understand how much the tax preparer charges for their services. Ask about extra fees for e-filing state, federal, and local returns, as well as fees for any unexpected complications.

• If things don’t add up, find someone else. If a tax preparer can’t verify their credentials, has a record of bad reviews from previous clients, or their business practices don’t seem convincing, don’t do business with them. Remember that if you hire them, this individual will handle your sensitive personal information – information you need to keep safe from corrupt or fraudulent tax preparers.

best month ever in December as gamblers returned to table games with gusto. When combined with strong months at MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino, the action pushed state casino revenues to a new record high of $28.8 million for the month. Bruce Mohl of CommonWealth has all the numbers.

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. South Boston Catholic Academy News

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., (1929-1968) is a civil rights legend. In the mid-1950s, Dr. King led the movement to end segregation and counter prejudice in the United States through the means of peaceful protest. His speeches— some of the most iconic of the 20th century—had a profound effect on the national consciousness. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the most quotable speakers of the 20th century. Some of his famous quotes are… “The time is always right to do what is right.” “Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.” “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” “The surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.” He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964; he was the youngest person to ever receive this high honor.

The students at South Boston Catholic Academy and in the Early Childhood Program read about Dr.

King, Jr. and did projects in their classrooms and in Art Class based on his achievements and legacy… Ms. Massey’s K0A students in the Early Childhood Program talked about Martin Luther King Jr. and how his dream was for people to be kind to one another no matter what they looked like. For our craft we made a heart with two handprints to represent loving one another no matter what we look like. Ms. Vareika’s K1A students read “Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King.” by Jean Marzollo. We talked as a class about who Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was and the important and brave things he did. Then, each student thought of one way they can “change the world.” We wrote their idea on a handprint which they glued onto a paper plate that was painted to look like the world. Ms. Tempinski’s K1B students also read the book, “Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Jean Marzollo. Talked about

what Martin Luther King, Jr. did to change the word. The students then did an art project making the world with blue and green ink then glued on hands with the words, “To change the world I will...” They dictated and wrote words to finish the sentence related to the book and had class discussions about Martin Luther King, Jr. Mrs. Finn’s K1C students celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday by reflecting on how they could make the world a better place. Students first created an earth by using blue and green ink. Next, they were asked what they could do to make the world a better place. They wrote their responses on a hand. Some of these responses included “Play with someone who has no one to play with”, “smile”, “be kind to people” and “plant seeds to grow flowers”. Ms. Sudhalter’s K1D students also talked about ways they can be world changers to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Then painted paper plates with earth colors and added a hand print and a way we can change the world. Mrs. Connolly’s K2A students learned about the great American hero, Dr. Martin Luther

King, Jr. The children learned how Dr. King believed in solving problems peacefully. They practice being calm and peaceful in the classroom and find ways to solve problems with their peers without getting upset. Everyone watched part of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech while working on the classroom magazine, Let’s Find Out. They read books, made books, and created a Dr. King craft to celebrate his birthday.

In Art Class, Ms. Szmurlo’s students read “A Picture Book of Martin Luther King Jr.” by David A. Casilla. We talked about how he changed the world and used his ministry to empower people peacefully. First and second grade drew portraits of Martin Luther King Jr., fourth grade unscrambled a puzzle and fifth grade worked on a collaborative poster. They did a fantastic job with their portraits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Happy Birthday Dr. King! Thank you and God Bless you and your family. New families are welcome to email our admissions team at: admissions@sbcatholicacademy.org for more info. about South Boston Catholic Academy.

St. Peter Academy News

Honoring Martin Luther King Jr., Pajama Day and Open House!

St. Peter Academy has been celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the beginning of January. The students have been reading books and listening to stories about why we have a Holiday to honor him. The

school building is filled with beautiful artwork for him. On Friday January 13th, the students dressed in their cozy pajamas for Tag Day. Every month, the student council conducts an “Out of Uniform Tag Day”. The month of January’s do -

nation will be made to the Animal Rescue League of Boston.

Please join us for an In-Person Open House featuring PreKindergarten - Grade 6 only. Tuesday, February 7th at 3:00 pm. RSVP to spa@stpeteracademy.com

St. Peter Academy is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 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 accepting 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 Available. Two Scholarships will be offered this year for applicants for Grades 1 through 6. You may request scholarship information from the Front Office (spa@stpeteracademy.com). Appointments for individual virtual tours can be made by contacting Maria Blasi, at 617-268-0750 or by emailing spa@ StPeterAcademy.com.

This week,

The NFL Playoffs are in full swing, and now we’re down to the final eight teams.

As you know, I’ve been making my picks — against the spread — all season long for the Boston Herald. In the regular season, I finished with a 40-45-5 record. Not great. But hovering around .500 is where I always seem to end up every season.

That record is strictly for the regular season. The Herald doesn’t have me making picks for the playoffs unfortunately, so I did not make any picks for last weekend’s Wild Card round.

It’s fair to note that in my preseason predictions, I did pick the Dallas Cowboys to beat the Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl. That is still very possible. For now though, I thought I’d give you a few picks for this weekend’s Divisional Round, against the spread, of course.

We have four games this weekend. Two on Saturday, and two more on Sunday. So let’s get to it. Here are my picks for the Divisional Round:

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-8.5) over Jacksonville Jaguars

-The No. 1 seed Chiefs have already beaten the No. 4 seed Jaguars in the regular season, back in November, 27-17, in Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes threw four touchdown passes in that game, and finished 26-of35 for 331 yards. The Jaguars just let up 30 points at home to the Chargers in the Wild Card round, but looked good offensively in the second half, coming from behind and winning 31-30. I cannot bet against Kansas City here at home. The only question is, will they cover? My money is on another 10-point win for the Chiefs on Saturday, sending them to the AFC Championship. Give me Kansas City to win and cover.

NEW YORK GIANTS (+7.5) over Philadelphia Eagles

-I don’t think the No. 6 seed Giants will win this game in Philadelphia on Saturday night. But I do think they’ll keep it close enough to where that half point might end up being huge. The No. 1 seed Eagles stumbled into the playoffs, losing two of their last three. But that was mainly because Jalen Hurts had a shoulder injury. Is Hurts 100

percent? I doubt it. So the firstround bye was huge for Philadelphia. The Eagles beat the Giants in both games they played in the regular season. I expect them to win a third on Saturday. But I also expect the Giants to put up a fight. Eagles win the game and advance to the NFC Championship, but I’m taking the points.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (+4.5) over Buffalo Bills -This is a rematch of the game a few weeks ago that got canceled because of the Damar Hamlin medical situation. And it is somewhat strange that the NFL isn’t making this game be played at a neutral site, given the fact that had Cincinnati won that game a few weeks ago, then this Divisional Round game between the Bengals and Bills would be in Cincinnati. But because it was ruled a no contest, the Bills wound up with the better record and will now host this Divisional playoff game. For that reason, I’m picking the No. 2 seed Bills to win the game. But I’m putting my money on the No. 3 seed Bengals to cover the spread. This game in Buffalo

on Sunday will be settled by a field goal. Give me the points.

DALLAS COWBOYS (+3) over San Francisco 49ers -Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, is the talk of the town right now. He threw three touchdown passes last weekend in his first playoff game, as the No. 2 seed 49ers beat the No. 7 seed Seahawks. But Dak Prescott put on quite the performance of his own in the Wild Card round, throwing four touchdown passes and rushing for another in a win over the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay. Now, the No. 5 seed Cowboys — who only had one less win than the 49ers in the regular season — head to San Francisco to try and pull off an “upset.” I put “upset” in quotations because if the Cowboys win this game, I won’t be calling it an upset. Dallas’ defense is just as good as San Francisco’s, if not better. And it’s time for Purdy, the rookie, to be brought back down to Earth. I think the Cowboys will win this game and head to the NFC Championship. So I’m taking the points.

Follow Danny on instagram @DannyPicard.

Danny made his picks against the spread for the NFL Divisional Round of the playoffs:

SPORTS TODAY

BRUINS SIGN ZACHA TO EXTENSION

SBT Staff

The Boston Bruins announced over the weekend that they signed forward Pavel Zacha to a four-year, $19 million contract extension through the 2026-27 season. The deal has an annual cap hit of $4.75 million.

Zacha, 25, was traded to the Bruins before this season, in a deal that sent Erik Haula to the New Jersey Devils. Zacha was a restricted free agent at the time of the trade, and the Bruins signed him to a one-year, $3.5 million deal.

“I think we made it pretty clear when we first had the opportunity to bring Pavel on board that we thought highly of him, and we

Tweet of the Week

were hopeful that he’d be a part of our future,” said Bruins general manager Don Sweeney in a press conference. “I know that [assistant GM] Evan Gold, [agent] Paul Capizzano and Pav’s group certainly had discussions about a longer-term deal [when he was first acquired]. With the situation, we found common ground pretty quickly on a one-year deal, and then it sort of allowed us to explore at the right time.

TD GARDEN NAMING RIGHTS EXTENDED

SBT Staff

There won’t be any name changes to the TD Garden anytime soon. The home of the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics had its naming rights extended late last week. Delaware North and TD Bank announced a historic 20-year naming-rights extension that will keep the name “TD Garden” in place through 2045.

TD Bank has been the exclusive naming rights partner of the arena since 2005, and the current deal was set to expire in 2025. Financial terms of the new deal will not be disclosed, according to a statement released on the TD Garden website.

“We are proud to deepen our commitment to Boston and Greater New England by extending our naming rights to one of the world’s most recognized and beloved arenas – the ‘TD Garden,” said Leo Salom, President and CEO of TD Bank, in the statement. “We also want to thank Delaware North and the Boston Bruins for continuing a relationship that began in 2005 and continues through 2045. Serving our customers and building stronger communities brings us together as does the TD Garden, and we couldn’t be more excited about what the future holds for us all.”

“As you all know, every deal kind of has its own cadence and timeline and we’re fortunate to come to a fairly quick agreement and be happy. Certainly happy to have him be a part of our organization, not just this year, but moving forward.”

In his first season with the Bruins, Zacha has seven goals and 21 assists through his first 43 games, with a plus-minus of plus-13.

Zacha was originally drafted

“We are proud to continue our partnership with TD Bank as they share our pride in providing a best-inclass experience for our fans, teams and long-term commitment to our community,” said Charlie Jacobs, Delaware North CEO, in the statement. “TD Garden is the heart of our strong Boston tradition in sports and entertainment. The Bruins are about to celebrate 100 years, making this an exciting time for our arena and city. We’re proud to continue into this next chapter together with TD Bank.

Along with the naming-rights extension, TD Bank announced it is committing more than $15 million in community programming to “make the arts more accessible and inclusive.”

WHAT TO WATCH

NFL SATURDAY, JAN. 21

DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

Jacksonville at Kansas City (-8.5) 4:30 P.M. NBC

NY Giants at Philadelphia (-7.5) 8:15 P.M. FOX

SUNDAY, JAN. 22

DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

Cincinnati at Buffalo (-4.5)

3 P.M. CBS

Dallas at San Francisco (-4) 6:30 P.M. FOX

NBA THURSDAY, JAN. 19

Golden State at Boston

7:30 P.M. TNT

SATURDAY, JAN. 21

Boston at Toronto

5 P.M. NBCSB

NHL THURSDAY, JAN. 19 Boston at NY Rangers 7 P.M. NESN

SUNDAY, JAN. 22 San Jose at Boston 7 P.M. NESN

by the Devils as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. In six full seasons with the Devils prior to being traded to Boston, Zacha scored 69 goals and had 108 assists in 385 games.

His presence has been felt with the Bruins in his first season, as the B’s have the most wins in the NHL, with a 34-5-4 record. Their 72 points is 10 points better than the next closest team in the standings: the Carolina Hurricanes with 62 points.

TD Bank will continue to be the official bank of the Boston Bruins. The TD Bank logo will be featured on the helmets of Bruins players through the 2044-45 NHL season.

“The Boston Bruins are proud to continue our longstanding relationship with TD Bank through 2045,” said Cam Neely, President of the Boston Bruins, in he statement. “Over the last 16 years, I’ve seen firsthand TD Bank’s tireless commitment to our community through their support of youth hockey programs, local small businesses and Hockey is for Everyone initiatives, as well as an unwavering loyalty to our fans at TD Garden and beyond. We are excited to work alongside TD Bank for many years to come.”