SBOL_03_07_2024

City Councilors to Discuss Urgent Care Centers

Councilor Flynn and Councilor Murphy will hold a Hearing to Discuss the Impact of For-Profit Urgent Care Centers on Nonprofit Community Health Centers today at 2 p.m.

In January, Councilor Flynn and Councilor Murphy filed a hearing order to discuss the impact of for-profit urgent care centers on non-profit Community Health Centers. The hearing is scheduled for this Thursday, March 7 at 2pm at the Iannella Chamber in Boston City Hall.

Over the last few years, the City of Boston has seen an increase in the number of urgent care centers, where they offer walk-in services for patients with non-emergency medical issues.

While residents can decide where they choose to receive health care services, for-profit urgent care centers that are placed in close proximity to community health centers can have the potential to undermine the health centers’ patient base and put the financial viability of these invaluable institutions at risk.

A proposal for a for-profit urgent care center on West Broadway, a block away from the South Boston Community Health Center (SBCHC), was recently withdrawn after receiving fierce community opposition. The proposal had received a letter of support by the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) at the Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA). The for-profit urgent care

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Today, March 7, former First Grade Teacher, Sister Evelyn Hurley, SCN, will celebrate her 109th Birthday!

All of us at South Boston Catholic Academy wish Sister Evelyn a Very Blessed and Happy Birthday!

More Photos on Page 10

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Urgent Care Centers

posed serious concerns for the financial stability and operations of the Health Center, which has been providing critical and professional health care services to the neighborhood for 50 years, and services 70,000 visits annually that include families, seniors, persons with disabilities, immigrants, communities of color, and our most vulnerable in public housing.

“For-profit urgent care centers

have the potential to pose serious financial implications for our nonprofit community health centersand therefore threaten the public health of a community - when placed in close proximity to each other. Many of our neighborhood health centers in the City of Boston have been long-time partners in the community with a track record of delivering worldclass healthcare to families and residents,” said Councilor Flynn.

“I look forward to hearing from the leaders of our Community

Health Centers, the Boston Public Health Commission and the Boston Planning Development Agency on the important role that our Community Health Centers play in public health, how for-profit urgent care centers can impact them, and how we can best coordinate to continue ensuring the success of our nonprofit health centers.”

Councilor Murphy stated, “I thank Councilor Flynn for allowing me to join him in what is a vital conversation. I

look forward to hearing from the Planning and Development Agency on why the plan for a for-profit urgent care center was approved, especially in that context and especially with strenuous opposition on the record. I am thankful the voice of the community was heard, and the project was ultimately withdrawn.”

For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.

Community Meeting to Discuss Family Emergency Shelter

By Carol Masshardt

Over two hundred attended a zoom meeting to hear and question the plan for 20-25 families to move into 24 Farnsworth St. Leaders from the collaboration with the Commonwealth of Ma., represented by Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll and her staff, the United Way, the Unitarian/Universalist Association (owner of the building), the YMCA of Greater Boston, and the Black Refugee and Immigrant Community Coalition, were joined by elected officials, Mayor Michelle Wu, State Rep. David Biele, City Councilor’s Ed Flynn, and Ruthzee Louijeune on screen. Lt, Governor Driscoll addressed the need for “overflow shelter” as the state remains committed to offering basic safety and services to families arriving from within and beyond the state, and the current capacity issues.

Far from ideal from any perspective, the plan is an effort to respond to humanitarian and immediate needs of the families. Major specific concerns are listed below. Councilor Flynn emphasized the need for improved and continued community-input and communication. He clearly stated his opposition to the plan, but also his availability to the families and constituents of all involved neighborhoods

as the plan moves forward. The Fort Point Neighborhood Association, who represent the immediate neighborhood. At the conclusion, they posted a message that they are “optimistic” about the plan meeting objectives for the families while “minimizing community impact.”

Following are facts and responses to clusters of questions raised at this meeting:

A family is defined as parent/ parents with children or a pregnant woman. Individual adults without homes have other resources through the city and are not included in this target group.

The families have “legal entry” to the US. Work authorization is a separate and complex process that providers will be addressing given the motivation most of the adults have to work and the need to do so.

The agreement is through June 2024, with some extension possible. It is not a longer-term housing solution.

The families will be housed at Farnsworth St. in a floor of 10,000 Square Feet, with six bathrooms and no cooking facilities or showers.

Families will have transportation via vans to

the “Y” in either Chinatown or Huntington Ave during the day where they will have meals, activities, showers, and assistance with longer range plans. They will have access to Boston Community Youth and Family Centers on the weekends. The Boston Public Schools are evaluating plans for children to attend.

All adults are screened for background issues, and health status is reviewed with assistance from the Dept. of Public Health to assure vaccinations are up to date.

There is minimal traffic increase expected and vans will be parked on private property. Security will be present at the address for the well-being of all when families are present.

Trash pick-up will continue to be the responsibility of the building owner and will be modified as needed.

Cots and supplies will be delivered within the week. Meals are not prepared at the site, and additional deliveries will be minimal.

There will be opportunities to make donations and volunteer, and information about this and on-going communication was directed to: unitedwaymassbay.org/SafetyNet.

Lydia Polaski, the City of Boston, South Boston liaison, is the point person for neighbors and will have additional assistance to respond to needs as they arise. She can be reached at Lydia. polaski@boston.gov or 617-2938328. Councilor Flynn will also be attentive to community concerns.

The 2024 St. Patrick’s/Evacuation Day Festivities Kick Off!

by Rick Winterson

First, a few welldeserved credits: the South Boston Citizen’s Association (the SBCA) is America’s oldest civic group. It was founded 144 years ago in 1880. Among its functions is a celebration called the Jimmy Flaherty Kick-off Breakfast. The Breakfast took place two weekends before Evacuation Day on Sunday, March 17, 2024. This is a key historic day for South Boston and, back in 1776, for the budding United States of America, too. It’s also St. Patrick’s Day

Our second plaudit goes to the Seapoint Restaurant on Covington and Eighth, which has hosted the SBCA Kick-off Breakfast for the last several years. A jam-packed, joyful crowd partied the morning away in fine style. And an endlessly sumptuous breakfast was provided for the Kick-off crowd by Marissa Walsh’s Deja Brew.

Finally, we’d like to salute Curragh’s Fancy, a trio that provides traditional Irish music at many New England get-togethers. Founder Bob Fowkes (guitar), Michael Kelley (guitar, bass), and Dave Leahy (banjo, mandolin, anything with strings)

all sing, play, and harmonize. At the Kick-off last Saturday morning, they entertained non-stop, to the delight of Seapoint’s capacity crowd.

In addition to kicking off South Boston’s two-week “Season” each year, when both Evacuation Day and St. Patrick’s Day are celebrated simultaneously, the SBCA’s Breakfast confers “Unsung Hero” Awards on five worthy recipients. These Awards are presented by various South Boston officials; Rep. David Biele, the Breakfast’s Chair, opened the award ceremony with a Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem

First off, Billy Connor received

his “Unsung Hero” Award from State Sen. Nick Collins. City Councilors Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy next presented an Award to Billy Allen. Then, 2024 General Chairman John Powers awarded an “Unsung Hero” plaque to Shannon Maloney. “Unsung Hero” Jay Arthur received the Breakfast’s fourth Award from U.S. Congressman Steve Lynch. The morning’s fifth and final “Unsung Hero” Award recipient was Anne Marie Adduci, who received it from David Biele.

A brief listing can only hint at the many, many good works performed by this year’s “Unsung Heroes”. An athlete himself, Billy Connor has coached our

Senior Babe Ruth team in Moakley Park for the past 18 years. At 6’8”, Billy Allen now uses his basketball know-how as a Youth Worker in the BCYF at the Condon Community Center. Shannon Maloney’s most recent volunteering involves South Boston’s Special Kids and Young Adults and fundraising for the L Street Brownies. As the owner of ProPrint of Boston, Jay Arthur has donated free printing to countless South Boston non-profit agencies, and after 33 years of teaching, Anne Marie Adduci now serves as Treasurer for three (yes, 3!) different South Boston organizations. South Boston’s 2024 “Season” has begun. Take part in it; enjoy yourself!

Councilor Flynn Calls for the Establishment of a Blue Ribbon Commission on Downtown Office Vacancies

Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn has filed a resolution this week calling for the establishment of a Blue Ribbon Commission - made up of business leaders, city and state officials, and relevant experts - to study and make recommendations regarding the issue of office vacancies in Downtown. This follows a hearing that was held last year by Councilor Flynn on bringing back all City of Boston Board meetings in-person, with a hybrid option for the public,

in an effort to both bring muchneeded foot traffic and economic activity downtown, and improve community engagement.

Downtown Boston is an important economic driver of our city, state, and regional economy. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many of Boston’s neighborhoods, especially Downtown Boston and the Financial District, have been negatively impacted, with office vacancies and decreasing building values continuing to be a serious issue.

Recent analysis from brokerage firm Newmark indicated that office vacancy rate is up from 14.8% last year to 20.1% in Downtown Boston at present. With three quarters of the City of Boston’s annual budget generated from property taxes, research by the Boston Policy Institute and Tufts University’s Center for State Policy Analysis also

indicated that the decreasing value of office spaces could lead to a potential shortfall of $1.2 to $1.5 billion in city revenue over the next 5 years. The same report identified remote work policies and high interest rates as having led to this dynamic, and referred to these challenges as a potential “economic act of God”. While the city has since conveyed that they have not seen any indicators from real estate markets that would lead to a revenue shortfall, they are monitoring the situation closely.

At the same time, commercial real estate executives have also sought city, state, and federal assistance to help bring more workers and foot traffic back to Downtown Boston and the Financial District. It is imperative that the city takes proactive steps and plan accordingly for all contingencies to effectively

Sports by the Numbers

by Rick Winterson

The National Basketball Association (the NBA) has completed just over two-thirds of its 2023-2024 season. The NBA’s 30 teams have all played around 60 games out of 82. Here in Celtics country, it’s time to take a look at the rest of the season.

Using exact numbers to describe pro sports is thought to be a risky endeavor, because it often seems that bad luck results from any attempt to analyze sporting records. As just one recent example, two of the four Celtic’s centers (Prozingis, Queta) were benched last Sunday due to injuries. Is it superstitious to believe their injuries predicted this “Sports by the Numbers” column in advance?

Yes it is, because this

write-up was actually triggered by the Celtics’ 140-88 rout of the Golden State Warriors on Sunday – a 52-point thumping. Jaylen Brown was the top scorer at 29 points; Jason Tatum was a close second at 27. The Celts have now had three 50-point wins this season. In addition, the Celtics earned their 11th win in a row – the best streak in the NBA. Sunday evening, the Celts completed an even 60 regular season games and held an 48W-12L record. That’s an .800 winning percentage, meaning they’ve won four out of every five games played so far.

As of this week, the Celtics are the only .800 team left in the NBA. Right now, no other team possesses as much as a .700 winning percentage. In the NBA’s Eastern Conference,

address any potential revenue shortfall in the future.

“Given the alarming reports of potentially significant budget shortfalls on the horizon, I am calling for the establishment of a Blue Ribbon Commission made up of business and labor leaders, city and state officials, real estate executives, neighborhood advocates, and other relevant experts to study the impact of office vacancies and strategize ways to fill these vacancies,” said Councilor Flynn. “A vibrant Downtown is critical to the long term prosperity of our city, and we all agree that healthy economic activity and higher foot traffic is muchneeded to restore confidence and also improve public safety in the neighborhood.”

For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.

the two second best teams are Milwaukee (at .656, have lost 21) and Cleveland (at .650, have also lost 21). In the West, the LA Clippers are at .661 (have lost 20); three other teams –Denver, Minnesota, Oklahoma City – are currently around .690 (each one has lost 19).

The Celtics haven’t clinched a first-place finish in the NBA’s Eastern Conference yet. But it’s close, very close. Even if the Celts only won 11 and lost 11 in their last 22 games, both Milwaukee and Cleveland would still have to win about 19 or 20 out of the remaining 22 or 23 games they have left, before catching up with the Celts. Will that happen? Almost certainly not! Credit for building an .800 team goes to Brad Stevens –every player on the roster fits in

well and contributes something. There are no major holes. When a player is benched due to an injury, another talented player is available to fill in. Joe Mazzulla provides coaching excellence with a combined two-point/threepoint strategy, accompanied by a stingy defense. The Celtics’ first team has a huge Hall of Fame potential, starting with the two “J’s” – Jaylen Brown and Jason Tatum. Hall of Fame nominations may eventually be extended to Al Horford, the starting team’s “Sixth Man”, as well as to still youthful Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis.

And last Sunday, March 03, was Jason Tatum’s 26th birthday. We simply can’t wait until the NBA regular season ends on Sunday, April 14, and the playoffs begin.

Armed Robbery in West Broadway/D Street Public Housing

Yesterday morning, South Boston’s police responded quickly and resolved a possible public threat.

Early on, two armed robberies had been committed in the West Broadway/D Street projects. The police were immediately notified; both suspects fled the scene. The police intercepted them

at Andrew Station and they continued running, dropping two pistols inside the station’s street level. In their haste, one of the suspects actually ran his shoes off, leaving the pair of them behind. Both suspects have been apprehended and are now in custody. According to the police, there is no further threat to the public.

Massport is currently accepting applications for the following Scholarships:

• THOMAS J. BUTLER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Awarded to a high school senior who resides and is involved in community service in South Boston, with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

• DEBORAH HADDEN GRAY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Awarded to a high school senior who resides and is involved in community service or employment in the city of Boston, Chelsea, Revere or Winthrop, with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

• LOWELL L. RICHARDS III MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Awarded to a high school senior who resides and is involved in community service in the city of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, or Winthrop, with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

• DIVERSITY STEM SCHOLARSHIP

Awarded to high school seniors of color who reside or attend school in the city of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop, Worcester, Bedford, Concord, Lexington, or Lincoln, and are involved in community service with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Scholarship applications must be received by Massport no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2024. For more information on these scholarships, including application and criteria please visit www.massport.com

Please Join Us

The South Boston Citizens’ Association

“The Nation’s Oldest Neighborhood Civic Organization”

Thomas McGrath

President

2024 Evacuation Day Events

Boxing Show

PETER WELCH’S GYM 371 DORCHESTER AVE.

When: SATURDAY, March 9th & 16TH, 2024 @12:00PM DOORS OPEN AT 11:30AM

SPONSORED BY: PETER WELCH and SBCA

PETER WELCH

MIKE LARKIN

REGISTER OF DEEDS STEVE MURPHY Honorary Chairmen

Saint Pat’s Day Events

Chief Marshall Banquet – Friday, March 8, 7:00 p.m. Aloft Hotel, 401D St, South Boston

Boxing Tournament – Saturday, March 9, & Saturday March 16, 12:00 p.m. (doors open at 11:30) Peter Welch’s Gym, 371 Dorchester Ave. South Boston

Tom & Eddie Butler St. Patrick’s Senior Salute – Saturday, March 9, 11-2:00 p.m. Curley Community Center 1663 Columbia Road, South Boston

Pop Lynch Bowl-A-Rama – Sunday, March 10, 2024 12:00pm-3:00pm Boston Bowl, 543 E. Broadway, South Boston, MA must be 21 to attend *

Poster & Essay Award Ceremony – Wednesday, March 13, 2024 5:00pm-7:30pm The Broadway, 726 E. Broadway, South Boston, MA*

Condon Athletic Competition – Thursday, March 14, 2024 4:00pm-6:00pm James F. Condon School, 200 D St. South Boston, MA*

Evacuation Day Memorial Mass – Saturday, March 15, 2024 9:00 a.m. St. Augustine’s Chapel, 181 Dorchester St. South Boston

Historical Exercises – Saturday, March 15, 2024 10:30 a.m. Old Harbor & Telegraph Streets South Boston

South Boston Citizen’s Association Dinner – Friday, March 15, 2024 5:30 p.m. Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, 415 Summer St, South Boston

St. Patrick’s Day Road Race – Sunday, March 17, 2024 Race begins at 11:00 a.m. at Edgerley Family Boys & Girls Club, 230 West Sixth Street, South Boston

Gerard (Jerry) Wheeler 2024 Chief Marshal

The Allied War Veterans of South Boston is honored to announce that it has nominated Gerard C. (Jerry) Wheeler as the Chief Marshal of the 2024 Evacuation

Day/St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Jerry was born on August 21, 1939 to Jerry & Ann (Orchard) Wheeler of South Boston and grew up in South Boston’s Old Colony housing development on Carmody Ct with his siblings George, Diane, Kenny, Judy, Mary, Chuck & Carol. He attended St. Augustine’s Grammar School, The Patrick F. Gavin Middle School and graduated South Boston High School. He would further his education by attending The College of the Holy Cross where he received a BS in Education. He would later go on to attend the US Naval War College in Newport, RI and then earn a MS in International Affairs from George Washington University and a MS in Management

from Troy State University. Commander Wheeler (Ret) has served our nation and the United States Navy with honor and distinction for over 22 years on Active Duty and then an additional 22 years as Senior Instructor, Navy Junior ROTC unit (Warick HS, Newport News, VA). During his time on Active Duty, Cmd Wheeler served in many roles: Maintenance OfficerNorfolk VA with a deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Flight Instructor-Coronado, CA, Administrative OfficeBunh Thuy, Vietnam, Liaison Officer to Japanese Maritime Self Defense Forces-Yokosuka, Japan, Operations Officer—Cecil Field, FL, Commanding Office of Flag

Administrative Unit assigned to Commander Pacific FleetCoronado, CA, Safety Officer USS Midway-Yoksuka, Japan & Air Operations Officer, US Naval Air Station-Rota, Spain. Among Commander Wheeler’s accomplishments during a distinguished career are: 150+ aircraft carrier arrested landings, 200+ combat missions (Vietnam), 40+ military decorations including Meritorious Service Medal, 16 Air Medals (Vietnam) Combat Action Medal, 5 Navy Commendation Awards, 3 Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation Awards The Chief Marshal Banquet is Friday, March 8th at the Aloft Hotel 401 D Street, South Boston from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.

Official Route of 2024 South Boston Evacuation Day Parade

The parade will start at Broadway Station and up West Broadway. It will continue onto east Broadway and turn right onto P Street and then right onto East 4th Street. Follow East 4th Street and left onto K Street and right onto East 5th street. It will continue up East 5th, and take left onto G Street. The parade will stay left of the South Boston High School and onto Thomas Park and then left onto Telegraph Street. It will continue down Telegraph Street and left onto Dorchester Street. Follow Dorchester Street until you arrive at Parade ending in Andrew Square.

Gerard (Jerry) Wheeler

Citizens’ Association Swim Competition

Citizens’ Association

Free Throw Contest at the Tynan

Today, March 7, our former First Grade Teacher, Sister Evelyn Hurley, SCN, will celebrate her 109th Birthday! All of us at South Boston Catholic Academy wish Sister Evelyn a Very Blessed and Happy Birthday! The students at SBCA made her beautiful cards wishing her a Happy Birthday and they were mailed to her at the Mother House in Nazareth. KY. Some students wrote...”Dear Sister Evelyn, how fun was it to teach First Grade?”; “Where was your classroom?”; “When you were a kid, were there any

Happy 109th Birthday Sister Evelyn

cars?”; “ Do you have any sisters or brothers?”; “Do you have a cat or dog?”; “Congratulations Sister Evelyn on being 109! Have a great birthday!”; “SBCA misses you so much!”; “Wishing you the best birthday ever!”; We all wish you a very wonderful birthday!”; and “Dear Sister Evelyn, Happy Birthday! 109 years old, that is an accomplishment. One more thing...Happy St. Patrick’s Day, too!”

Sister Evelyn was born in South Boston, MA on March 7, 1915. She became a Sister of Charity of Nazareth in 1933. She

resided at St. Brigid Convent for over 60 years and taught in the First Grade at St. Brigid School for most of those years. She is an

amazing woman and Religious Sister and she prays for everyone daily. “God has been good to me.” -Sister Evelyn Hurley.

The Annual South Boston Citizens’ Association Evacuation Day

Ice-O-Rama at Murphy Rink A Big Success

Local Union Electricians Team up with Boston Bruins to Host an Unforgettable Evening for Young Fans at TD Garden

A

group of South Boston youths had a memorable experience attending Thursday, February 29’s exciting Boston Bruins hockey game at TD Garden, where the B’s skated to victory over the Vegas Golden Knights 5-4.

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Local 103 IBEW and NECA Greater Boston, a group of enthusiastic kids from South Boston Youth Hockey enjoyed an action-packed evening and gave the youngsters an amazing experience by placing them at the heart of an exciting NHL hockey game.

Local 103 and NECA are official partners of the Boston Bruins, teaming up to create unforgettable experiences for young people throughout Greater Boston. Part of the evening included the kids getting to see themselves featured

on the TD Garden jumbotron and an appearance by Blades the Bruin.

“IBEW Local 103 is very excited about this partnership and the opportunities it offers. Our goal is to put a smile on these kids’ faces and give them an experience they won’t forget,” said Lou Antonellis, Business Manager of IBEW Local 103. “They had a great time and got to see one of the NHL’s top teams in action.”

“We’re very proud of our partnership with the Boston Bruins and proud to provide this opportunity to children throughout the greater Boston area,” said Kristen Gowin, NECA Greater Boston, Executive Manager. “Together, we’re creating unforgettable moments where we can show more young people teamwork right here in their community.”

Law Office of

Paul J. Gannon PC