City Council Supports Diversity and Recess in Schools

The council also talked about new parking meter technology and approved $1 million for public parks during the May 16 regular meeting.

The Boston City Council supported two hearings related to Boston Public Schools: one on efforts to diversity the teacher workforce and the other to discuss recess as an important part of the school day. Councilors also talked about bringing the latest technology to parking meters, and approved $1 million for park maintenance.  Diversity Boston Public Schools has made efforts to increase diversity in its teaching staff, but it still doesn't reflect the racial, ethnic, and gender demographics of the student body, At-Large Councilor Ayanna Pressley said in her order filed for a hearing on the issue. The racial diversity among students isn't mirrored among teachers, she said. The hearing discussion would center on what's working, where they're…

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Sen. Brownsberger to be at Starbucks Today

Sen. Will Brownsberger will hold office hours at the 755 Boylston Street Starbucks today from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

State Senator Will Brownsberger is holding office hours today from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Starbucks at 755 Boylston Street. A former Belmont State Representative, Brownsberger won the senate seat in the Dec. 13 Special Senate Primary. Stop by and chat with him about issues, concerns, or whatever is on your mind. You can also reach him at the State House at 617-722-1280 or at william.brownsberger@masenate.gov

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Poll Results: Readers Speak Out About Brown/Warren Controversies

Indian claim stirs outrage among some Patch readers against US Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren.

The controversy over US Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren's claim to be part Native American is not going over well with Patch readers in the Greater Boston area, according to an unscientific Patch poll. As of Thursday morning 52 percent of the 304 Patch readers who took our unscientific poll said they believe US Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren is more of a hypocrite than incumbent Republican US Senator Scott Brown. Meanwhile some 19 percent who took the poll said they believe Brown is more of a hypocrite for voting against President Barack Obama's health care law while taking advantage of a key provision in it: the provision that allows him to keep his elder daughter on his congressional health insurance plan. 30 Comments Left on May 3 …

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Richie M : Troll & Victim

11:27 am on Sunday, May 20, 2012

You wouldn't be refering to the same EVIL Wall Street whose donations Liz Warren's campaign accepts? I bet when Liz said ; "I do accept Wall Street donations, but I only accept money from the good people on Wall Street" you breathed a big sigh of relief.   more ›

Ross: No First-Floor Banks on Some Streets

City Councilor Mike Ross said Charles Street on Beacon Hill is an example of a business district where retail is being strangled by too many street-level banks.

Clusters of banks can strangle the retail vitality of certain Boston streets, warned City Councilor Mike Ross. Ross said Charles Street on Beacon Hill is an example where too many "big box banks" are buying up storefronts at inflated prices mom and pop shops can't afford. The resulting row of banks deadens what could be lively retail zones. "It’s not right for every street to make this 'No Bank First Floor' zoning change, but I believe it’s right for Charles Street on Beacon Hill," said Ross, who represents District 8. Ross said that banks close at 5 p.m. and aren't open on weekends, all of which has a deadening effect for the neighborhood businesses. He made his remarks at Wednesday's City Council meeting. The matter will be taken up by …

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Brown and Warren: Is It Just Politics As Usual?

It’s been an interesting week in the U.S. Senate Race between Democrat Elizabeth Warren and incumbent Republican Scott Brown.

First it was revealed that Harvard University once touted Warren’s marginal Native American heritage as proof of their faculty’s diversity. That story was followed up with another revealing one that Warren had listed herself as a minority professor between 1986 and 1995 in the Association of American Law Schools desk book, a major reference for legal professors. On Tuesday it was revealed that Brown, who ran for office vowing to kill President Obama’s health care law (and who has since voted three times to repeal it) took advantage of a key provision in it: the provision that allows him to keep his elder daughter on his congressional health insurance plan. Meanwhile, both candidates downplayed their wealth this week as they revealed their …

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Jay Konieczka

10:14 am on Saturday, May 12, 2012

No. There wouldn't.   more ›

Redistricting Revisited in Weekly City Council Meeting

The Boston City Council's weekly meeting was short on time, as councilors rehashed redistricting districts.

The Boston City Council's weekly meeting was quick and to the point this week with District 2 City Councilor Bill Linehan once again producing a redistricting map that several of his colleagues did not like for their districts. Linehan did say additional public meetings and hearings will be held prior to a Boston City Council vote on a new redistricting map to represent Boston for the next 10 years.  Said Linehan, "This particular task has been going on for nine months now. This map here demonstrates in my mind all of that work. It presents a map in which discussion, presentation and public discourse was fully vetted. It truly is a map that a majority of our body could support. No map will achieve unamimous support." Then District 4 City …

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Last Chance: Property Tax Payments Due This Week

Don't forget to pay your quarterly tax bill this week.

Welcome to May! The temperature's rising, the days are getting longer, and Back Bayers, your quarterly property tax payment is due to the city. You can read a property tax FAQ on the city of Boston's website. What happens if you don't pay? The vig starts running; the city will assess a 14 percent per annum interest rate on the amount owed. And no, the city won't accept the Steve Martin "I forgot" defense.  Click here to pay your tax bill online. And cheer up, because once that payment's processed, you get a whole three months until the next installent comes due.

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Councilor Arroyo: Bring More Recycling, Ads to Streets

With the continuing decrease in federal funding for affordable housing.

Would you tolerate more advertising in the city if it meant convenient recycling receptacles on city sidewalks? That’s what Councilor at-large Felix Arroyo proposed Wednesday at this week’s Boston City Council meeting. Arroyo said he recently visited Chicago, where he found recycling bins positioned with street trash cans. Upon further investigation, he said, he found out that the bins were provided and cleaned by a private company at no cost to the city. In exchange, the company placed family-friendly advertising on the bins. He called it a “no brainer” to bring this kind of program to Boston—whether it be with the company that operates in Chicago or with another firm. The council supported the idea, which has been referred to committee, …

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VIDEO: Lucchino Thanks Fans, Officials for Fenway's 100th

Red Sox owner Larry Lucchino visited Boston's City Council today to accept the council's declaration making April 25 Fenway Park Day in Boston. While there, he thanked the team's "intense" fan base along with dedicated city and state officials for making the ownership's work on the park possible. Watch the video!

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