SouthBoston
Mayor Wu Officially Pledges $100M Investment Fund For Housing Production
The Boston Business Journal reported that the City of Boston is exploring how to create a $100 million fund to invest in permitted housing projects, Mayor Michelle Wu told the city’s business elite Wednesday morning. Money for the fund would come from the city’s free cash balance. The first project to benefit from the “Housing Accelerator Fund” will be a 265-unit building in Leggat McCall Properties’ redevelopment of the Boston Housing Authority’s Bunker Hill public housing project in Charlestown, according to a fact sheet released by the mayor’s office.
“By investing alongside private capital, we’ll be able to accelerate the production of housing, and use our return on these investments to
reinvest in future projects,” Wu said in her annual speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.
“We’re also going to explore whether this will work for other mixedincome, public-private partnerships and for fully private projects, as well, that could complement the state’s Momentum Fund.” The Momentum Fund was created by part of Gov. Maura Healey’s $5.16
billion housing bond bill.
According to the mayor’s office, Boston has a pipeline of over 20,000 permitted-but-unbuilt housing units, including 13,000 approved by the BPDA since 2022. The new accelerator fund, she said, would help kick-start construction on some of these projects. “While lower interest rates aren’t a solution to all the challenges we face – they are a hopeful signal of the shift we’ve been preparing for. Loosening capital markets are creating a more favorable environment for financing,” she said.
The mayor also touted a planned “restructuring” of the city’s Inspectional Services Department which, she said, would
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September 26, 2024: Vol.12 Issue 39 SERVING SOUTH BOSTONIANS AROUND THE GLOBE
Change Simply For The Sake Of
In last week’s editorial in this newspaper, we mentioned how most residents cheered at the announcement by Mayor Wu that the experimental bus lanes along Summer Street that were causing more traffic problems and confusion than they were worth will soon be eliminated. It was the feeling of most, who must travel that street to get to their place of employment and other destinations, that the makeup, layout and design of those lanes bordered on insanity and the planners who created them were unfamiliar with how traffic in Boston actually works. Some locals even suggested that those planners may have been visually impaired. What else could explain the mess they created? It was the hope of this newspaper in response to the wishes of many Southie residences that now that common sense prevailed on Summer Street, the same might/should happen to the equally ludicrous plans the city has for East and West Broadway.
As was also stated here last week, the plans to eliminate the travel area and parking along our com-
munity’s main street would definitely be a hardship to many local business owners, but also to residents who need to be able to drive to and from and park their vehicles. Yes, there is illegal double parking on the 2 ends of Broadway, but it’s been a system that has worked for generations. And as was stated in our last editorial – ‘If something isn’t broken and suits the needs of the people, don’t fix it’. And ‘change for the sake of change’ is no way to operate; especially when that change will adversely impact so many.
There are many senior citizens living in the neighborhood who cannot physically walk from their homes to Broadway to do their banking, shop for groceries, needed mediations from the pharmacies and other necessities. They can’t get to the many restaurants without a vehicle either. And it’s not just some seniors and the disabled who need their vehicles to shop. Families with small children also need to drive there. If there is limited to no open lanes to drive and the parking spaces are eliminated as so many of
them would be in the plans; this would create hardship for a major part of this neighborhood’s population.
If the number of shoppers and diners getting to Broadway is diminished; as the stated plans as shown would cause, the businesses there would suffer, and some might be faced with the decision of going under or pulling up stakes and relocating to another town. Are these problems we mention exaggerated or worst-case scenarios? Not really.
When plans are drawn up to drastically change a
neighborhood, every scenario and possibility needs to be thoroughly considered. It should be the obligation – the requirement of the people who draw up such plans to be absolutely sure that the effects of what they are doing and designing is for the betterment of the community. Experiments are no way to go when dealing with peoples’ lives and the customs and traditions of the area.
Because in most cases, such major, ill thought-out plans are expensive and once in place, are nearly
impossible to undo. We are lucky that the Summer Street experiment can easily be rectified. But what is planned for East and West Broadway won’t be so easy if not impossible.
Too often, the planners don’t realize what works in some parts of the country may not work everywhere. And once in place, the damage is done and those responsible move on to other cities to make changes and leave behind the mistakes for real people to live with. Don’t let that happen in South Boston.
“I can smell autumn dancing in the breeze, sweet chill of pumpkin and burnt autumn leaves” - Ann Drake
TInformation Center The Big Changes Might Be Coming In November
he world is a bit crazy right now and has been for the last three and a half years. Which according to polling, is giving more Americans by the day more reason to get out and vote and remove the current people in charge. Ukrainian President Zelensky arrived in Pennsylvania this week to tour an ammunition plant and ask for more weapons, but mostly to make another play for more American tax dollars. The outflow of US dollars to him has gone from a flood to a tsunami. Meanwhile, Americans are struggling to pay bills and support their families and our citizens, including many of our veterans are living in the streets.
In addition to wanting more American cash and equipment to the tune of billions, Zelensky is being accused of trying to interfere in the upcoming November election. He was meeting with the Democrats while trashing Vice Presidential Nominee J.D. Vance and even Donald Trump. Zelensky is well aware that if Trump and Vance win, which polls now indicate that possibility grows, he faces a lot more scrutiny about what he is doing with/how he is spending all this American money he’s been getting. A thorough accounting of how every cent being shipped over there shouldn’t be too much to demand. The feeling is that openly supporting one party over another by the Ukrainian president could backfire on the Democrats. Add to that, Jane Fonda is how actively canvassing for Kamala Harris and it’s leaving a bad taste in the mouths of millions of voters.
In the Middle East, the war rages on as Israel has gone on a major offensive against the Iranian backed terrorists that call themselves Hezbollah. The Israelis have had enough of being attacked year after year and then being pressured by the rest of the world to back off and compromise with cease fires. They’ve learned that all that does is let their
enemies survive, rearm and then attack Israel again. But no more. The Israelis have shocked the world by using new tactics. We’ve all seen the videos. Somehow, the Israeli military has found a way to cause their enemy’s cell phones and pagers to explode by remote. Then their walkie talkies also began to explode. Wartime technology sure has advanced. It’s being said that ‘carrier pigeons’ are being sought out as the only safe way Hezbollah has to communicate with their forces in the field. If they have no luck with that, they might have to resort to the method American children used to talk to one another – by connecting empty tin cans with lengths of string. Americans are longing for the days when the world was for the most part at peace. When Trump was president, no new wars were started. Once Biden and Harris took the reins all Hell broke loose. Aggressive nations can sense when the leadership in the United States is weak and incompetent. It’s their signal to go on the attack and take what they want.
Here at home, in Blue states in Democrat run cities, crime is exploding. As the border remains open and gang members and other criminals continue to pour in, the streets are becoming more dangerous all the time. While the liberal politicians claim that crime is on the decline, what they are doing in their attempt to fool the public into believing that is making it so that many crimes are not even being prosecuted. In some California locations if you steal less than $950 worth of items, you won’t be prosecuted with a felony charge. Activity by violent gangs is being denied by officials, yet we’ve all seen videos that prove that it’s happening and mostly committed by criminals coming over the southern border. The crime rate in Venezuela is now said to be at an all-time low, because their criminals are coming to the United
talk back to John Ciccone by email at
These are the tactics the Biden/ Harris Administration is using to claim that crime is lower when the victims of that crime know better and agree that they are being lied to.
The former head of the Department of Homeland Security, Chad Wolf, recently testified under oath that he was ordered by the Biden / Harris Administration to cover up the infiltration of migrants on the terrorist watch list into our country. With every move they make, every sneaky tactic they use and every lie they tell, this current administration makes America less safe by the day. And this is why
the number of Americans wanting to clean house in Washington and in Blue States and Blue cities grows by leaps and bounds. And it’s what gives the public hope. That with a little luck, a lot of determination and the number of patriots going to the polls to make that change, we can take back our country. If the surge of voters demanding change overwhelms those in power and thwarts any planned attempts to steal this next election it will happen this November. By massive numbers we can make the election ‘Too Big To Rig’ and America will be greater than ever.
Note:
SOUTH BOSTON TODAY
John Ciccone
MCAS TESTING-YES OR NO?
It seems Bay Staters can’t escape hearing about MCAS on a near-daily basis, and a new campaign ad in the mix will keep up that trend.
Yesterday, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released 2023-2024 MCAS data, showing that Massachusetts students have fallen further behind pre-pandemic English and math scores. The new stats fueled the flames of standardized test talk that has taken the state by storm in anticipation of a ballot question that would eliminate the MCAS as a high school graduation requirement.
Question 2 proponent Committee for High Standards Not High Stakes says the scores are further proof that the current evaluation sys-
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.
tem doesn’t work. The Massachusetts Teachers Association, which is the chief backer of the question that would decouple MCAS from graduation standards, added Tuesday the timing of the release does not leave enough time for teachers and districts to adjust curricula in a way that could help improve scores.
And “Yes on 2” is at it again with the advertising — the group releases its first broadcast TV ad this morning, which will kick off its planned eight-figure purchase and run through Election Day. The ad argues life without an MCAS graduation requirement would allow teachers to teach to individual student needs and features a ninth-grade world history teacher from Waltham who says Question 2 “replaces the high-
stakes” requirement.
Technically, a “yes” vote on the question wouldn’t provide a statewide replacement for the test, though it’s expected that local districts would create their own sets of graduation standards as replacements. That’s exactly what those pushing against the question say shouldn’t happen, and they think the drop in MCAS scores aids their effort, arguing that removing it would set the state back. Plus, state education officials say students are given multiple opportunities to pass the tests and alternative options are provided for students with other learning needs.
A recently-released poll showed a slim majority of public support for the question, despite mostly
opposition from the Healey administration and many (but not all) top Democrats. In the meantime, the campaigns will just keep spending. Boston’s development agency has a new overseer in former city planner Kairos Shen
Mayor Michelle Wu plans to introduce Kairos Shen as the city’s next chief of planning on Wednesday morning at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s mayoral address. Shen will fill the seat of Arthur Jemison, the former overseer who left earlier in September. Wu and Shen have known each other since working together in the Menino administration. Shen left City Hall in 2015 when Marty Walsh became mayor and has years of design experience specific to Boston. Shen plans to start
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Bunker Hill CC And UMass Boston Adopt Admissions Partnership Pact
UMass Boston and Bunker Hill Community College have signed a partnership agreement to streamline the pathway from community college to fouryear college through the new Future Beacon Joint Admissions Program. The partnership is intended to build a new pathway to student success and improve outcomes for community college transfer students in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
“The UMass Boston community has long been enriched by the diverse life experiences and perspectives of transfer students from BHCC,” said Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco. “The Future Beacon Joint Admissions Program opens a welcoming, supportive pathway for them to continue their educational journeys, find what they love, and shape meaningful careers. UMass Boston is proud to contribute to this significant public higher education partnership.”
Establishes ‘Future Beacon Joint Admissions Program’
UMass Boston welcomes more than 1,500 new transfer students annually, more than any other public university in Massachusetts. BHCC is the largest institution sending students to UMass Boston, with more than 300 students transferring annually. The Future Beacon Joint Admissions Program provides a comprehensive support network and a seamless experience for transfer students looking to move from BHCC to UMass Boston to continue their education.
“The Bunker Hill Community College-UMass Boston connection is a special one: the university has always been one of the top transfer destinations for BHCC students, and we both understand what it means to serve our urban and gateway communities of first-generation college students, of immigrant families, and post-traditional learners,” said BHCC President Pam Eddinger.
“This joint admissions agreement not only brings our institutions closer together and more focused than ever on that critical work, it also means our students will have a seamless opportunity to go from community college to bachelor’s degree and beyond.”
The Future Beacons Joint Admissions Agreement was signed as part of an event co-hosted by The Boston Foundation, EdVestors, and the Boston Opportunity Agenda focused on emerging best practices and opportunities for Boston students to participate in high-quality, relevant, and equitable college and career pathways that increase access to higher education and real-world work experiences leading to meaningful, family-sustaining wage jobs.
To this aim, UMass Boston and BHCC have been critical partners in two citywide collaborative efforts: New Skills Boston and Success Bos-
ton. Today’s event highlighted the collective work of UMass Boston and BHCC, and other partners in these efforts: Boston Public Schools, Boston Private Industry Council, The Boston Foundation, The Boston Opportunity Agenda, City of Boston, EdVestors, and Massachusetts Executive Office of Education.
Through the Future Beacon Joint Admissions Program, prospective students may simultaneously apply to both BHCC and UMass Boston and enjoy both schools’ support and services. Prospective and enrolled BHCC students will have opportunities through their enrollment and advising experience at BHCC to learn about and participate in the Future Beacon Joint Admissions Program. BHCC students can access campus resources, including a UMass Boston Student ID, Wi-Fi, various athletic and student life events, Bea-
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Rep. Lynch to Host Service Academies Information Session
Sunday, October 20th, 2024, Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) will host an information session at East Middle School in Braintree for all high school students interested in applying to one of the United States Service Academies. All students and their families are welcome to attend.
Representatives from each of the following academies will make brief presentations and be available for questions:
United States Military Academy at West Point, NY
United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD
United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO
United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY
United States Coast Guard Academy at New London, CT
Massachusetts Maritime Academy at Buzzards Bay, MA
WHAT: Congressman Lynch’s Academy Day
WHEN: Sunday, October 20th, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
WHERE: East Middle School, 305 River St., Braintree, MA 02184
CONTACT: Seamus Buckley, 617-428-2000
For those unable to attend, more information on the Service Academy nomination process is available on our website: https://lynch.house.gov/ service-academy-nominations
Senator Collins Votes for Supplemental Budget, Ratifying Collective Bargaining Agreements
The Massachusetts Legislature passed a supplemental budget that ratifies 38 collective bargaining agreements and directs funding to the health and human services workforce, childcare assistance programs, community services, and initiatives vital to the wellbeing of Massachusetts residents.
The legislation directs funding to deficiencies outlined by the HealeyDriscoll Administration and makes numerous clarifications to state policies to cut red tape and create efficiencies in state government.
“I am proud to have come to a consensus on this supplemental budget and. In working with the House and my Senate colleagues we were able ratify 38 previously approved collective bargaining agreement, which our unions workers have been tirelessly advocating for. These agreements will positively impact the Commonwealth by improving the quality of life to our workers and
ensuring they receive the pay they deserve, said Senator Nick Collins.
The legislation appropriates $362 million in funding from Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations that would be made available through Fiscal Year 2025. It directs $228 million in funding for the American Rescue Plan Act Home and Community Based Services (ARPA HCBS) Reserve to promote innovative services that enhance the quality of life and independence of people in their home and community, an investment that comes at no net cost to the state.
It includes $61 million for a critical health and human services and workforce reserve to cover projected deficiencies in Fiscal Year 2024 related to the continued need for direct care staffing to respond to health needs in nursing homes, group care settings, state hospitals, and veterans’ homes, as well as other patient health and safety supports.
Additional investments include:
• $29.7 million in early education and care subsidies to ensure providers can maintain access for all income-eligible families in need of childcare.
• $20 million to replace lost federal funds for services to victims of crime.
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Councilor Ed Flynn Files Resolution to Rename Soccer Field in Saunders Stadium in Honor of Billy Baker
At this week’s Council Meeting, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn filed a resolution in support of renaming the soccer field within Saunders Stadium to the Billy Baker Soccer Field. Billy Baker, a native Bostonian born and raised in South Boston, was widely known for his dedication to bringing soccer to the youth of South Boston. He worked diligently for years to make his dream a living reality. In 1985, he established the South Boston Youth Soccer League, with the mission of enabling “the ongoing development of youth soccer players in an inclusive, safe, affordable and fun environment.”
For three and a half decades, Billy led the South Boston Youth Soccer League as President and was committed to the growth and success of the league by collaborating with other suburban community sports leagues, attending countless meetings with Parks and Recreation
$100M Investment continued from front page fix time-consuming and costly bottlenecks in permitting that delay buildings when they’re actually under construction. Two weeks ago, the city set up a new call center for inspection requests to fix a situation Wu likened to “nailing jelly to a wall” and plans a new online portal to submit and track requests. Wu has long stated that streamlining the ISD permitting process was a top goal of her first term.
ISD will soon have two separate teams, one for fast-track permitting for smaller and simpler projects and another dedicated to big, complex projects. The current structure “means that not only do all projects – big and small – go through one person, but because there’s no specialization or division on the team, if you’re trying to build a skyscraper, you could get stuck behind someone who’s building a triple-decker,” Wu said. The city is also planning on
officials, completing permit applications, preparing for games every Saturday and Sunday morning and recruiting coaches and referees. He was also deeply committed to making the soccer league affordable for every child by soliciting funds from community businesses, merchants, and government officials to purchase jerseys, trophies and yearend gifts. Later, Billy established a sports collaborative with other fellow leagues in order to open and operate a snack bar and restrooms at Saunders Stadium.
Through Billy’s tireless dedication to his duties as league president, South Boston Youth Soccer registered up to 1,300 players per season ranging from ages 3-18. Beginning each season, an Opening Day Parade of Athletes consisting of players, led by an Honor Guard, would proudly march around the track and field at Saunders Stadium with teammates and signs representing their team mascots. Al-
making the certificate of occupancy and certificate of inspection processes “fully digitized” by “the middle of next year,” the mayor said. The mayor criticized the drawn-out nature of the Article 80 approvals process, calling it “unacceptable,” and while she didn’t commit to establishing a “shot clock” or a definite time, she said pledged that affordable housing projects would see their permitting time cut “in half” from pre-pandemic norms. Wu also pledged that every development proposal in a rezoned area will be given a fact sheet that explained “what they’re entitled to from the outset, rather than finding out two to four years into the process.”
On top of the planned changes to the city’s Article 80 development review process and rezoning processes underway across the city, Wu sought to paint a picture of a city “open for business,” eager for more development and already beating national trends in
though these events included many dignitaries including mayors, senators, elected officials and professional athletes throughout the years, Billy’s focus always remained on the players of the South Boston Youth Soccer League.
Well after his own children had grown up, Billy Baker remained the one constant presence of the South Boston Youth Soccer League. Throughout his life, he consistently devoted his time and efforts at a moment’s notice to ensure that children from the neighborhood had the opportunity to participate. The success of the league today is a testament to his unwavering dedication to bringing soccer to the youth of South Boston and their families.
“With little fanfare, Billy Baker selflessly devoted much of his life to ensuring that all children in South Boston had the opportunity to participate in playing soccer. Billy’s steadfast dedication and commitment to the people of South Boston
class A office utilization – up to 96 percent of leased office space, she said, citing data provided by Boston Properties.
But when asked by Greater Boston Chamber President Jim Rooney during a Q&A after the speech about the city’s new hike to affordable housing requirements city-wide, which are set to go into effect Oct. 1, Wu confirmed there would be no delay to a policy that a city-commissioned analysis predicted would make condominium projects financially unfeasible in Dorchester, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Roxbury and West Roxbury. Wu couched her decision in what she said was her administration’s efforts to deliver a much more predictable development climate. Major developer trade group NAIOP-MA sent a letter to city officials last week urging Wu to delay implementing the proposal, citing ongoing challenges in the commercial real estate
allowed generations of his neighbors to be able to experience the joy of competing in youth sports, to be part of a team, and feel more connected to their neighbors and community. In short, Billy’s vision also helped our youth develop and learn how to become good citizens and neighbors,” said Councilor Flynn. “When the people of South Boston think of youth soccer, they think of Billy Baker’s service to our community. There is no one more deserving of having the soccer field within Saunders Stadium at Moakley Park named in their honor.”
For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.
financing environment. Boston’s new policy requires 17 percent of units to be reserved for households earning a maximum 60 percent of area median income, and another 3 percent for those with housing vouchers and incomes below 30 percent of AMI. Projects also could qualify by reserving 15 percent of units at a maximum of 50 percent AMI, plus the 3 percent voucher component. For-sale condominium projects would have a 20 percent affordable unit minimum but be required to reserve half of the units at 80 percent of AMI and half at 100 percent of AMI. In a statement to the media earlier this week, Wu’s office had said there would be “flexibility” granted to developers in meeting those new targets and clarified that “flexibility” meant that projects that were filed before Oct. 1 of this year would be allowed to move forward under the old affordability requirements.
Councilors Flynn and Murphy Joint Statement on Boston Public Schools Transportation
Good morning, Chair Craven and esteemed members of the Board. We are here today to express our ongoing concerns regarding the significant transportation issues affecting Boston Public Schools. The Memorandum of Understanding between BPS and DESE clearly mandates a 95% on-time arrival rate for school buses. However, the reality is troubling: over 66% of buses were late during the first week of school, impacting more than 14,500 students and their families. It is important to note that this data only reflects morning bus arrivals; it does not account for the delays many students and
teachers face during afternoon pickups, with some waiting well past 6:30 PM for their buses to arrive.
To illustrate some of the challenges parents faced on the first day of school, we heard from parents who shared with us that they waited with their child for as long as 30 to 45 minutes for school buses to arrive. One parent drove their child from Hyde Park to a school in the South End School when their school bus did not arrive. Another parent’s child was on the school bus for over 2 hours from Dorchester to South Boston on the way back and had to provide the bus driver directions to their house. Later in the week, a parent from Roxbury picked up her daughter at the Josiah Quincy School at 7 p.m. as her school bus- which was supposed to arrive at her house at 4 p.m.- never showed up. These are just a small portion of some of the complaints that we received, which has created a lot of stress and
frustration for working parents.
In March 2020, DESE released a district review report that identified significant structural challenges within Boston Public Schools. These challenges include chronic absenteeism, critical facilities issues, the effective delivery of special education services for our most vulnerable students, and the teaching of our ESL students. Most notably, the report highlighted a lack of reliability in our transportation system. In response, BPS committed to partnering with DESE to address these issues and implement the initiatives outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to be held accountable for achieving specific annual goals.
Unfortunately, Boston Public Schools has been unresponsive to our calls for action, disregarding our role on the Boston City Council as advocates for our families and students. It is disheartening that when we scheduled a Council hearing for September 27th to address these urgent issues, BPS chose not to attend, instead proposing October 29 as their earliest availability—more than 30 days into the school year. By that time, 20% of the academic year will have already passed, and
Fall-o-Ween Children’s Festival returns to Boston Common October 18
Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department will host the fourth annual Fall-oWeen Children’s Festival on the Boston Common Parade Ground at the corner of Beacon and Charles Streets on Friday, October 18, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Fall-o-Ween Children’s Festival is presented by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with the Skating Club of Boston. Key sponsor is HP Hood LLC. Additional support is provided by LEGO® Discovery Center Boston, New England Dairy Council, Polar Beverages, and Cirkul. Adults and children are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and participate in a wide range of free, fun, and spooky family-friendly activities. Show off your skills at the Ultimate Gaming Truck or test your courage in our Haunted Zombie Maze. Try the Jumpin’ Pumpkin and Scarecrow Slide, test your skills at Pumpkin Bowling, and enjoy nighttime fun in our Glow in the Dark Park with LED swings and LED seesaw.
A “monster mash” of activities will include music, arts and crafts, treats, rides on the trackless train, field games facilitated by Knucklebones, and sensory play with Play Boston. LEGO® Discovery Center Boston will be in attendance with fun Halloween LEGO builds as well as LEGO Halloween build activities with a Master Model Builder. Visit the New England Dairy displays to enjoy both the Mobile Dairy bar and the Mobile Dairy Experience. Enjoy live entertainment at the Parks Department Stage with music from Matt Heaton, dancing with Family Zumba, and a spooky storytime with Boston Public Library librarians. For more information please visit boston. gov/falloween. To stay up to date with news, events, and design and construction work in Boston parks, sign up for our email list at bit. ly/Get-Parks-Emails and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
our families deserve answers now. We are requesting DESE’s support in addressing these critical transportation failures. We need a thorough investigation into the root causes of these delays, along with a comprehensive action plan that includes clear timelines, improved communication with families, and a robust monitoring system to ensure accountability. These transportation issues not only disrupt learning but also jeopardize the educational progress of our students. With your intervention, we can work together to establish a solution that guarantees safe and reliable transportation for every Boston student.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We look forward to your support in resolving these critical issues.
Sincerely,
Erin Murphy
Boston City Councilor At-Large
Ed Flynn
Boston City Councilor, District 2
Guy The Wine It’s Not Just For Devils Anymore
It’s difficult, sometimes, to pin down when it’s time to shift from summer wines to fall wines. In the American northeast, where I live, we almost always have a few unseasonably cool days in late August or early September. “Cool” may be stretching it, but it’s days when it’s not totally boiling and muggy, with a nice breeze and
a slight morning chill. Let’s call them sweatshirt-and-shorts days. Inevitably, that’s when those of us who love fall try to pull the season forward. We begin sharing all the autumn memes—soup season, spooky season, sweater season. Then the cold snap ends and it goes back to being 90 degrees and everyone sweats their butts off again until October.
This current state of fall confusion, of course, is a more serious issue in the world of wine. Grape harvests traditionally took place in September and October in the northern hemisphere. But climate change is pushing harvest dates of grape harvests earlier and earlier every year. This year, I saw some favorite producers in southern Spain start the harvest as early as late July. Take a look (and a sip) of some of the following to kick off your Fall season…
2023 Storm Point Chenin Blanc, (15.99). Roll around the orchard at harvest time. Juicy apples, with a
good splash of tartness. Very energetic, super crunchy with minerality, and great drive. A drink-all-day kind of wine. Not just a really good deal from this South African producer—this is a really good wine, period.
NV La Staffa “Mai Sentito!” Marche Verdicchio Pét-Nat, ($21.99). “Mai Sentito” means “never heard of it”—a phrase that may well come to mind if someone mentions sparkling Verdicchio. This is a fun pét-nat with a cidery edge to it: notes of grilled almonds, Asian pear, white peaches, and fresh herbs, all riding the variety’s soaring acidity. Perfect for picnics on bright, autumn afternoons.
Johanneshof Reinisch St. Laurent 2021, ($21.99). Not so long ago, the Sankt Laurent grape, from Austria’s Thermenregion, would have been the height of obscurity. Now, a wine like this is commonplace, at least on certain big-city wine lists. And why not? This is a perfect red wine to pair with the shift from warm weather to those first chilly evenings. Lively, balanced, elegant, a swirl of red fruit, zest, and minerality with notes of cherry, plum, and blood orange, grilled herbs, tobacco, ripe tannins, and a saline finish. Delivers a lot for the price, too.
2022 Les Lunes North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon ($32.99). If California Cabernet Sauvignon evokes thoughts of something with heft—this is not that. Les Lunes North Coast Cab is refreshingly acidic and surprisingly light, mak-
ing it wonderful for cool-but-notcold nights. Located just outside of Berkeley, Les Lunes makes wines that are beautiful expressions of the local terroirs of their leased vineyards: herbaceous, saline. This dark fruit-forward Cabernet has traditional textures and tannins, but a crisp and bright finish that make it perfect for a season of warm stews and rich sauces.
2020 Sierra de Toloño “Raposo” ($25.99). People have been conditioned to think one way about Rioja—big, oaky reds that are reliable but unexciting. But, as we wrote a few months ago, there’s a new wave in Rioja, and it’s one of the most dynamic stories in wine right now. This bottle, by winemaker Sandra Bravo, is a great introduction to that new wave, and at an incredible price for such complexity. Tempranillo with classic notes of leather and dusty tannins, but with a freshness and bright, juicy fruit that you’ve rarely tasted. And the soon-to-be-released 2021 vintage may be the best-ever version of this.
2021 Mas de Brousses Terrasses du Larzac ($27.99). Serious garrigue wafts up from the glass. Rich, but not too rich, and comforting like a good bistro wine. Dark fruits mingle with sage and rosemary on the palate. This and a takeout rotisserie chicken sounds like a pretty fine weeknight in late October to me. Mourvèdre, Syrah, Grenache; the Mourvèdre cuttings for this Languedoc wine come from Domaine Tempier.
Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC)
980 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02119
WATER MAIN FLUSHING NOTICE
Boston Water and Sewer Commission will commence Water Main Flushing in the South Boston/Seaport area starting:
September 30, 2024, through November 5, 2024
The boundaries for the areas being flushed are Boston Harbor to the north, Dorchester Bay/William J. Day Blvd to the south, Pleasure Bay/Castle Island to the east and the Southampton MBTA /Yard Fort Point Channel to the west.
The purpose of the Water Main Flushing Program is to improve drinking water quality for residents and businesses.
Water Main flushing will take place between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M.
The flushing process may cause discolored water and a reduction in pressure. The discoloration of the water will be temporary and is not harmful. If the condition persists, please contact BWSC’s 24 Hour Service at (617) 989-7000.
BWSC appreciates your patience as we work to improve the quality of drinking water we will provide to the residents and businesses of Boston.
PM - 8:00 PM
Register: bit.ly/4dlhJeO
Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864
Meeting ID: 160 612 2952
PROJECT PROPONENT: Monarc Development LLC
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Planning Department is hosting a Virtual Public Meeting for the proposed project located at 736-742 East Broadway in the South Boston neighborhood of Boston. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Small Project Review Application (SPRA) that was filed and its potential impacts. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and comments from the public. The proposed project located at 736-742 East Broadway proposes a new four-story building to contain 12 dwelling units, with a ground-floor restaurant and six off-street garage parking spaces.
Mail to:
Phone:
Zoe Schutte Planning Department One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 617.918.4311 zoe.schutte@boston.gov
Website:
bit.ly/3AIRvnU
Close of Public Comment Period: 10/10/2024
If you have any questions, contact BWSC’s Night Operations Manager at (617) 989-7000 or visit our website @ www.bwsc.org. Let’s Protect Boston’s Waterways.
that discharge the runoff to the nearest brook, river, or Boston Harbor. Substances carelessly spilled, onto our streets or directly into a catch basin can pollute Boston Harbor, the Charles, Neponset and Mystic Rivers.
The Best Fall Foliage: Where and When to Go in 2024
The passing of summer sometimes brings a bit of sadness to people who really enjoy spending their free time outdoors. We tend to get used to the easy living and all those activities that the warm months encourage. The good thing is, to many, that sadness doesn’t last all that long because once we roll into October, New England explodes into a kaleidoscope of magnificent colors as the leaves turn into one of nature’s wonders and we still have a good dose of nice weather. That’s right, it’s fall foliage time and ‘leaf peepers’ are in their glory.
2024 seems to be one of those rare years that come around every so often where an unusually warn September tends to delay the peak foliage in New England. But not this year. Some in the know are speculating that because of the unusually wet August and dry September, the color show is arriving a bit early this year. But early or late, we’ll take it. If you don’t make an effort to get out there and enjoy the splendid display, you are really missing something special.
The Northeastern part of the United States is among the most picturesque areas in the world this time of year. When peak foliage hits, and it comes in waves; depending on what part of the area, enjoying one of the season’s best features is anywhere from a 20-minute drive to the edge of the Blue Hills just outside of Boston to a weekend getaway to the Maine Wilderness; whatever makes you happy. While some have their favorite spots to view autumn’s splendor, others are always looking for suggestions as to where they can
see the best colors and really get into the spirit. For those of you who DO want some suggestions, South Boston Today might be able to help with our annual guide to great leaf viewing. The following locations are said to be some of the best places to see the brightest colors of the season.
Baxter State Forest, Maine: If you like long drives into some of the northeast’s true wilderness, and it’s soon you want to make the trip, Baxter State Forest in the state of Maine is one of the finest locales around for early leaf watching. It’s a long drive; between 5 and 7 hours; not something you’d want to try on a day trip. This requires at least two days; preferably a full weekend or more. There are many package deals and bus trips that will make it a great vacation destination. This is also a good place to view wildlife as the area is teeming with moose, deer and black bears. It’s a great place to watch birds as the eagle and hawk populations there are thriving. And the scenery is breathtaking. Thick forests, rivers and lakes fill hundreds of square miles with beauty. And the colors; in early October are incredible. The area peaks early. Now is the time to go.
White Mountains, New Hampshire: In most years, as the calendar pushes deeper into October, New Hampshire’s White Mountains come alive with brilliant red, orange and yellow trees looking almost like a sunburst. Here again, in the White Mountain area, it has started a bit early. Its approaching full bloom and amazing to see. Many believe this area is by far the best in the entire United States for viewing autumn foliage. This is a trip that can be made in just 3 hours to get
the best effect. The ride up along Rt. 93 will show some great color once you get into the higher elevations. But if you want to see the White Mountain’s color at its absolute best, take some of the smaller country roads and really be impressed. The small towns along the way will often have Fall Festivals to add to the experience and this is an area too where the odds of seeing deer, bears, moose and other wildlife are very good. The best time for foliage viewing in the White Mountain’s area is usually around the Columbus Day weekend. And though in most years, the long Columbus Day holiday weekend is at its peak and getting ready to fade, it could actually start to fade before that.
Woodstock, Vermont: Once again, peak viewing should actually begin on Columbus Day but as is the case in northern New Hampshire in 2020, it has arrived a bit early. Here the Billings Farm and Museum gives an added attraction. You not only get to see the autumn leaves in all their glory, but you get a taste of the Revolutionary War era culture that still holds on here. Old farmhouses and country stores make you feel like you’re visiting a bygone era. A drive through the forest lined roads leading to and from Woodstock can put you in awe of nature and make you forget the fast pace of the city while you’re there. And yes, here too, wildlife is abundant, but you also get to see many horse and dairy farms as well.
Berkshire Mountains, Western Massachusetts: You don’t have to travel north to see the sights of the season. A trip west, here in the Bay State will bring all the colors and fes-
tive autumn feel as the northern states do. The drive or bus trip a few hours along Route 2 heading west in mid to late October is absolutely beautiful. The farther west you go the higher the elevation becomes until you are in the Berkshire Mountains with all its scenic views. If you travel far enough, you’ll come to the Mohawk Trail area known worldwide as a destination to many tourists looking for that special fall atmosphere with all its history even before the American Revolution. This is an area rich in farmland and dotted with lakes and ponds. The apple picking is excellent here. Orchards are everywhere and the sweet aroma from those apples will make you want to bite into one.
Blue Hills, Canton/Milton, MA: And finally, if you want to get to see the fall foliage but really don’t want to spend too much time getting to where the peak sights are, as we mentioned early on, there is always the Blue Hills, just a 20-minute trip from Boston. The colors in the Blue Hills peak late in the season, so when other more distant areas have become past peak and faded, the Blue Hills, especially along Chicatawbut Rd. are still bright and fresh. In fact, some years you can still see great foliage in the Blue Hills as late as Halloween and beyond.
Well, there you have it folks. South Boston Today’s picks for fall foliage viewing in 2024 for those who love being outdoors and seeing Mother Nature at her best this time of year. We hope these tips are helpful and that if you go, you have a great time. Oh, and be sure to bring a camera or a smart phone. You’ll definitely want to take some great photos.
MAYOR WU APPOINTS KAIROS SHEN AS NEW CHIEF OF PLANNING
Wednesday, Mayor Michelle Wu announced she has appointed Kairos Shen to be the City’s new Chief of Planning. In this role, Shen will lead the City of Boston Planning Department, which was established by Mayor Wu in July of 2024 to restore planning as a core function of City government. Shen will build on the work launched under former Chief Arthur Jemison, moving the city to a consistent and modernized zoning code, comprehensive short and long term planning, inclusive design standards, and streamlined and predictable development review.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Kairos into leadership of Boston’s Planning Department and all the critical functions shaping the built environment for affordability, equity, and resilience,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “As a longtime friend and advisor, Kairos brings an unparalleled knowledge and expertise of this work and our communities. His decades of public, private, and institutional experience in Boston, and the relationships he has built across the City, will help the new Planning Department advance our ambitious work to grow Boston and make our City a place everyone can call home.”
Over the last two years, Mayor Wu has taken significant steps to change
and improve the culture of planning and development in Boston, reforming the structure of the department and launching the first citywide rezoning and development review reforms in many decades. Mayor Wu has counted Kairos as a mentor and trusted advisor since her early days working under the Menino administration nearly 15 years ago. For the last two years, he has served as a member of the Article 80 Modernization Steering Committee, which will release consensus recommendations for public feedback this week.
“I’m excited to return to City Hall with a fresh perspective after a decade of teaching, research, and mentoring the next generation of urban planners and designers,” said Kairos Shen. “Boston is a different City than it was ten years ago, and I’m inspired
by the incredible strides Mayor Wu has taken in just two and a half years. I’m looking forward to advancing the significant work that has already begun including zoning reform and making development review more predictable and transparent.”
Shen will begin transitioning into the role in early October and will begin serving as the Chief of Planning on October 15. He will maintain an affiliation with MIT while working for the City. Shen currently teaches “City Making” at the MIT Center for Real Estate, drawing on knowledge, research, and practice across the fields of planning, design, public policy, finance, and real estate. Shen was Executive Director of the MIT Center for Real Estate from 2020-2024. In that role, he oversaw the Master of Science Real Estate Development degree program as well as the Center’s relationships and partnerships with the development, architecture, and design industries. Shen’s passion for teaching was to guide, mentor, and prepare students for solving complex challenges within urban planning such as social equity, housing affordability, and climate resiliency.
Prior to his career in academia, Shen worked in City Hall in a number of different roles in planning and design over the course of two decades under Mayor Thomas Menino and Mayor
Martin Walsh. Shen had a hand in shaping the City’s most pivotal planning initiatives and development projects from 1993-2015, a period of substantial growth and investment in the City. Shen is a graduate of Swarthmore College and has a Master of Architecture from MIT.
Devin Quirk, who has been serving as Interim Chief of Planning, will resume his role as Deputy Chief of the Planning Department. Quirk will continue overseeing all aspects of day-to-day operations of the Planning Department and serving as advisor to Shen and Mayor Wu. Quirk has 14 years experience working in the City of Boston, recently leading efforts to create and launch the City’s Planning Department, and has served in roles leading real estate development, affordable housing creation, and community planning across multiple cabinets within City Hall.
“Kairos brings a rare set of expertise to this role – exceptional professional experience of all aspects of our work, deep knowledge of Boston’s neighborhoods, and relationships across the real estate industry and community,” said Deputy Chief Devin Quirk. “He is the right leader to advance the Mayor’s agenda for a more predictable and transparent development environment and I’m excited to work with him in this new capacity.”
24th South Boston Street Fest to be held Sept. 28
The South Boston Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation (South Boston NDC), is excited to announce the 24th South Boston Street Fest, happening on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. East Broadway, between I and L streets,
will be transformed into a bustling celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Building on a rich tradition, the 2024 Street Fest is set to be the biggest yet, with nearly 100 local businesses, artists, and community organizations participating, along with many of the neighborhood’s top
restaurants. With more than 5,000 attendees expected throughout the day, the event has solidified its place as a beloved community tradition.
The Thomas J. “Tommy” Butler South Boston Small Business Leadership Award will be presented to Mona Connolly Casper of the Seapoint Bar &
Grill. The presentation will take place at 11:15 a.m. on the Library Stage. Shoppers can take advantage of exclusive one-day-only deals from local retailers; art enthusiasts will be able to explore the vibrant local art scene, with works from acclaimed South Boston artists.
con Fitness Center, and Healey Library resources. Upon graduation, they are guaranteed admission at UMass Boston with a 2.0 GPA or better (excluding competitive programs).
“UMass Boston is thrilled to enhance our partnership with BHCC through this agreement,” said Joseph Berger, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.
“The Future Beacon pathway breaks down traditional barriers for equitable access and provides tangible opportunities for belonging and student success across our two great institutions of higher education.”
The Future Beacon Joint Admission Program provides dedicated advising and scholarship opportunities for BHCC students. The sharing agreement enables both institutions better to support students with course selection and degree attainment. As part of the program, UMass Boston transfer admissions team members will be embedded at BHCC to provide admissions and advising support to facilitate a smooth transition. All students will have access to BHCC Pathway Coaching staff and departmental advisors to help students track their progress toward A.A. or A.S. degree completion. Students enrolled in the Future Beacon Joint Admissions program will also be invited to special group advising and class registration sessions each semester.
“The Future Beacons program is such an important step forward in the Bunker Hill-UMass Boston partnership,” said BHCC Provost James Canniff. “It will give students a direct, barrier-free pathway to a bachelor’s degree and the inclusive support they need to be successful— a program that will appeal not only to BHCC’s current and post-traditional students but to high school students seeking a supportive and affordable pathway to higher education. The Future Beacons program is a truly innovative model for community colleges and our 4-year partners to work together.”
BHCC students in the Future Beacons program will also have access to significant financial support. UMass Boston’s $250 enrollment deposit fee will be waived upon the completion of a student’s enrollment confirmation form. Students who enroll at UMass Boston within one year of graduating with an associate degree will receive the value of MassTransfer Tuition credit. Students will also be eligible for one of four Transfer Merit Scholarships dedicated to the Future Beacon Joint Admissions pro-
gram, up to $2,000 annually. Students graduating in the top 10 percent of their class who meet the overall eligibility requirements will be awarded the Community College Advantage Scholarship, in the form of $5,000 annually for up to two years, and each year, UMass Boston will award one Foster Furcolo Scholarship, which will cover mandatory tuition and fees.
Additionally, students who apply to UMass Boston and still need to meet admission requirements can join the Future Beacon Joint Admissions program at BHCC. Interested students will meet with UMass Boston’s Transfer Enrollment Counselor to learn more about the requirements for the program and get assistance with next steps. Students who decide to participate in the program will complete a Joint Admissions Participation form, provided by UMass Boston. This joint admissions program builds on the strong, reciprocal partnership between UMass Boston and BHCC, particularly around their designation as Boston’s only Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI). With nearly $10 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Education since 2010, this project focuses on the establishment of accelerated and aligned curricular pathways and academic support services; integrated and affinity-based academic advising; career development and work-based learning; and collaborative, asset-based student success outcomes assessment, data-sharing, and dissemination of findings.
In addition, BHCC, UMass Boston, and EdVestors as the backbone partner— along with other partners like Boston Public Schools, Boston Private Industry Council, The Boston Foundation, City of Boston, and Massachusetts Executive Office of Education—worked collaboratively to launch New Skills Boston aimed at providing high-quality career learning opportunities for all young people. New Skills Boston, launched in 2020, is one of six sites selected nationally for JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s New Skills Ready Network, receiving a $7 million investment over five years, with the goal of closing the education-employment gap.
Through Success Boston–Boston’s citywide college completion initiative— the Boston Foundation has also partnered with UMass Boston and BHCC for years to develop more coordinated student advising supports.
• $5.6 million for tax abatements for veterans, widows, blind persons and the elderly.
• $5.1 million to support increased demand for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), which provides fresh healthy food options and supports local growers.
• $2.8 million for the Elections Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
• $2.1 million to be used for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition services to fully support the current caseload of recipients.
The legislation includes changes and clarifications to policy, including:
• Permitting the Operational Services Division (OSD) to procure both electric vehicles and charging equipment on one contract, an efficiency that will help the state reach its climate goals.
• Increasing the amount that the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) can contract with utility vendors for energy conservation projects from $300,000 to $500,000, enhancing the division’s ability to support the state in reaching its climate goals.
• Adding tribal governments as eligible entities to receive funding through the broadband municipal grant program.
• Providing flexibility on the use of ARPA funds for local boards of health.
• Allowing the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to enter new long-term leases of up to 30 years for the operations of ice rinks.
The bill now moves to the Governor’s desk for her signature.
on Oct. 15 but will continue teaching a class at MIT until mid-December. The Globe’s Jon Chesto looks at what Shen’s appointment shows about Wu’s goals and how he might be received by the greater Boston planning community.
Lynn Schools superintendent argues against charter school expansion Lynn Schools Superintendent Evonne Alvarez wrote to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education asking for time to compile evidence against increasing the number of charter school seats allowed in the city, the Item’s Anne Marie Tobin reports. Since Lynn’s average MCAS scores are in the bottom 90 percent of school districts statewide, the city’s charter school could receive $54M in public funding, up from the current $30M.
Researchers identify 300 enslaved people tied to Harvard
The Harvard Slavery Remembrance Program has identified 300 enslaved people linked to the university, more than four times the approximate figure the university generated several years ago. The Crimson reports that Remembrance Program researchers also identified around 100 living descendants of those who were enslaved.
Westwood construction allowed under 3A begins
Construction of a 360-unit residential project began in Westwood on land rezoned under the controversial state law known as the MBTA Communities Act, the BBJ’s Greg Ryan reports. The site is a former industrial property. Westwood is among communities to comply with the law, though a spotlight has been cast on Milton because of the attorney general’s suit against the town for refusing to comply with the zoning reforms.
Vineyard Haven named most expensive town in U.S.
Vineyard Haven, on Martha’s Vineyard, has the highest median home cost among communities with between 10,000 and 50,000 people, Fox25 News reports, citing a Lending Tree analysis of federal Census Bureau data. The median home cost for the recent period measured was $998,100, and towns in Wyoming and Colorado ranked second and third.
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South Boston Catholic Academy News
Grade 6 News
The 6th Grade students at South Boston Catholic Academy led us in the Welcome Back School Mass. They did a fantastic job as Greeters, with the Readings and bringing up the Gifts to the Altar. Our SBCA Children’s Choir sounded
wonderful, as always. They were led by our talented Music Teacher, Mr. Carlo Bunyi and accompanied by our Parish Music Director and Organist, Kathy Clancy.
Our Pastor, Father Robert Casey and Parochial Vicar, Father Peter Schirripa were the celebrants at this Mass. Father Casey, said “It’s going
to be a great year here at SBCA” and gave a Special Blessing at this Mass for all the students, parents, families, faculty and staff at SBCA. Prayer for A New School Year... God of wisdom and might, we praise you for the wonder or our being, for mind, body and spirit. Be with our children as they begin a new school
year. Bless them and their teachers and staff. Give them strength and grace as their bodies grow; wisdom and knowledge to their minds as they search for understanding; and peace and zeal to their hearts. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. New families are welcome to email our admissions team at admissions@sbcatholicadacademy.org for more info. about South Boston Catholic Academy.
So, the Pats are off to a 1-2 start, and if you watch my videos on instagram or YouTube, you know what I think.
I think it’s time to start Drake Maye at quarterback.
Maye made his debut in garbage time last Thursday night against the Jets. And while it doesn’t look like Jerod Mayo will be getting away from Jacoby Brissett as his starter for Week 4 in San Francisco, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Maye start the second half of that game on Sunday, and then make his first NFL start in Week 5 at home against the Miami Dolphins.
Either way, here’s some of what Mayo had to say in his press conference on Wednesday, heading into a very tough Week 4 matchup against a banged-up but hungry 49ers team:
JEROD MAYO: Good afternoon. Alright, look, we’re excited to get back on the practice field. We talked about Monday really being about NEP [New England Patriots] and handling things that have shown up over the past three weeks. I thought those guys went out there and
did a good job correcting those mistakes with the realization that there will be other things that pop up throughout the season. Now, we’re excited really to turn the page onto San Fran, but before we get there –so, we lost one of our captains in [Ja’Whaun] Bentley. He’s done a great job for us, both on and off the field, a leader in the locker room, all that stuff. So, we’ll be putting Bentley on injured reserve later on today. Now, in saying that, I thought it was important to – just to go back and kind of talk about my experience. As you guys know, there are a few seasons there where I was hurt at the end. Well, more than one. So, I was a captain seven out of eight years, but I remember getting hurt early in the season, and then Coach [Belichick] approached me and said, ‘Hey, do you mind if we had another captain?’ and I didn’t. So, I had a conversation with Bentley, and the same thing with him, obviously not being in the building every single day right now as he goes through the rehab process. But I did ask him; I said that to me,
This week, Danny shared his thoughts on the Patriots through the first three weeks of the regular season:
it’s important that we still have leadership and representation for that side of the ball. When we did the votes for captain, and once again, this is voted on by their peers. It was very close. It was very close, and I’m happy to announce today a guy that has done a tremendous job for us, has really shown a lot of growth on the field and off the field, and that’s Kyle Dugger. So, Dugger is now a captain for us.
Q: With Bentley, is there any hope that he might return this season?
JM: I’m not sure. We’ll see how it goes. I don’t want to speculate on when he’s going to – when he could return or can’t return. I don’t want to get into that. Thank you, though.
Q: Do you see any merit to the idea of adding a veteran quarterback to the roster just so you can have full control over when Drake [Maye] plays, as opposed to having your hand potentially forced by injury?
JM: That’s not in our plans at this current time.
Q: For Sunday’s game, what kind of challenge does this 49ers offense present, especially with some issues maybe with
the personnel right now?
JM: Yeah, it’s a very unique offense. I know everyone says it falls off the same tree, but all of these coaches – you could throw Mike McDaniel in the category – they all put their own twist on it. I would say with San Fran, you look at it all three phases. Look, obviously, their record’s not really reflective of the team that they are and can be going forward. They’re dealing with injuries as well. What I will say is the challenge for us is just in the front: offensive line and defensive line. I don’t want to sound repetitive, but they are a do-what-they-do type of team, and we know what they’re going to do, the fans know what they’re going to do, but you still have to stop them. They have a lot of good players on that team, offensively and defensively, AllPro-caliber players almost at every level if you really look at the roster. So, it’s definitely a challenge, and I think the guys –I tell them all the time, look at it as an opportunity to go out there and perform.
Follow Danny on instagram @DannyPicard.
SPORTS TODAY
PATRIOTS LOSE TO JETS, MAYE MAKES NFL DEBUT Tweet of the Week
The New England Patriots aren’t used to losing to the New York Jets, never mind twice in a row.
After beating the Jets 15 straight times, the Patriots have now lost two in a row to New York after Thursday night’s 24-3 Jets win at MetLife Stadium.
Aaron Rodgers led the Jets to their second straight win of the 2024 season, while handing New England its second straight loss of the season.
“Look, not good at any phase of the game,” said Patriots coach Jerod Mayo after the loss. “Felt like we had a good game[plan], x’s and o’s wise, we just didn’t go out there and execute and that’s what it comes down to every Sunday. I told the guys this is NFL football. This is what it is, and we just have to be better, so the guys will be off the next few days, told them to get their minds right, get their bodies right and then come back and be ready to work. Bonus Monday, got another good team that we’re going to go against next week, just have to be better.
Rodgers was the story, finishing 27-of-35 for 281 pass yards, two touchdowns, and zero turnovers.
“He was getting the ball out fast,” said Mayo. “I was saying one of the
more disappointing things was — that we talked about ad nauseam — was keeping him in the pocket, and I felt like at too many times we let him out of the pocket, and this is a guy that can make all the throws.”
“He’s Rodgers, that’s who he is,” said Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai in his postgame media session. “We knew that going into this game that regardless of his age he’s still the same guy, he can still make the throws and the adjustments. Like I said, we didn’t do well with our fundamentals. You saw there was a little sloppy play on our part and we have to regroup and get ready for next week.”
The Patriots now travel to San Francisco, where they’ll be a 10-point underdog against a 1-2 49ers team that’s also lost two straight.
It’s not expected that there will be a quarterback change just yet, but one of the other major stories in Thursday night’s loss to the Jets was that rookie Drake Maye made his NFL debut during the final possession of a 24-3 game, with just over four minutes left on the clock.
“I just thought it was an opportunity, a good opportunity for him to go out there with the ones and put a few drives together, move the ball,” said Mayo after the game. “We’ll watch the film and evaluate.”
In his one possession, Maye drove
the Patriots down to the Jets’ 7-yard line, but was sacked on the final play to end the game.
Maye finished 4-of-8 for 22 pass yards and was sacked twice.
“I thought the offensive line today had a hard time, had a hard time,” said Mayo. “There were times earlier in the game where the pockets looked pretty clean but as the game wore on, similar to last week, started falling apart as far as the protection. It’s not only knowing how to do it, it’s also knowing what to do. I’ll also say we had some injuries up front that, you know, the next man has to be ready to go.”
Jacoby Brissett was sacked five times and finished the game 12-of-18 for 98 yards. After the loss, he was trying his best to stay optimistic.
“We’ve got to get our energy back,” said Brissett. “I think that’s one. Obviously, attention to detail and focus is another thing. And it’ll
be a good time for us to reflect and see what we’re good at, what we need to do better at and then, I mean it’s early in the season. It’s only the third game, so we’ve got a long season ahead.”
After their Week 4 game in San Francisco, the Patriots return home to host the Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans in Weeks 5 and 6. They’ll then take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in London in Week 7, followed by a rematch with the Jets in Week 8 at Gillette Stadium.
“We’ll watch the film like I said before,” said Mayo. “We’ll do a selfscout to see where we are, but once again, it comes back to fundamentals. I hate to keep saying that, that’s what it is, and so we can sit there and talk about we should do this, we should do that, no. It’s blocking, it’s tackling, it’s throwing, it’s catching, it’s running it’s all those things that we just didn’t do.”
SBT Staff
