Editorial

Menino's had his chance, time for him to go! now its time to vote for Sam Yoon as the next Mayor.

He's for term limits and has the intellect, drive and support to make this city world class once again not just for some but for all!

I'm self-respecting, but I'm not here to play the race card on the Menino issue 9I was taught you should't play that card unles sit's a trump). The Elmer Lewis situation is one of many small oversights on the Mayor's behalf, just as the Boston University BioLab was for former Senator Diane Wilkerson. Sometimes in politics, our leaders must and will make decisions that are not agreeable with some of us. However, in these times, I'm countingon the person who's stood the test of time for 17 yeras to help guide us through this financial crisis in our great city. I'm not a personal supporter of the Mayor, but a POLITICAL supporter. I trust Menino will do more than fair in the next term and I'm not afraid to sy this race issue is a bunch of crap

Our so called great Mayor does not and will never respect people of color ,  do your homework and you will see the only time that we truly had real black men of color in the hall was when the Flynn adminstation was in power , even though I was never a big fan of him he did look and recruite men of color in leadership postions in the hall , George Russell , city Tresury, Leon Stamps city auitor, Ben Thompson Sr advisor to name a few ....so please do your homework...Menino has and will always have issues with people of color , remember he works for us ,should I really be thankful for him to do a job at a minmal level  NOT......ITS TIME FOR A CHANGE.....

He will only do only when he is forced to do it .......and that is truly shamefull.........for any Mayor of a great city as Boston........

I am born and raise in Boston living and watching the going's on in my community of Roxbury....

When will a reporter from the Boston Globe cover this issue?  Is it true Menino has never appointed a black male to an important city department?  Why is the Boston Globe afraid to cover Menino objectively?  It is clear the Boston Globe and its newsroom and editorial board are in the tank with Menino?  The Boston Globe could win a Pulitizer Prize if they actually uncovered the real Tom Menino!

Menino has shown the same tendence to twist city policy for a personal agenda with the biolab.  His close friend, Robert Walsh, is the developer of the project and Menino continues to back the project despite community oppositon and failed safety assessments.  Recently, Menino's appointed Boston Public Health Commission appeared before the City Council to defend Menino's pet project.

Why has Menino never appointed a black male to a meaningful city position?

Why has Menino also refused to appoint an Hispanic to lead a city department?

Where is the Boston Globe?  Are they in the tank with Menino and afraid to report this lack of respect?

Where is the outrage of white liberals?  Are they also afraid to speak out against Menino as well?

To say that Menino has never appointed a black male to an important position in city government is a serious charge.  To say that Menino has never appointed an Hispanic to lead an important city agency is a serious charge. 

Where is the Boston Globe on this story? Have they covered this story in the past?  Is that accurate?  If it is, I agree with the editorial of the Bay State Banner....where are the other white pols on this issue?  Did they know about this?  Did they ever ask Menino to appoint a black male to a city agency?  Or, where they afraid to ask the mayor because he would lash out at them and put them on his enemies list???????  Does anyone know these answers??????

Homework - I agree with you on several points.  People are often not honest about themselves on these comment pages!  That was my thinking on one of the previous comments - that it came from the mayors office.  That's fine if it is but just be upfront.  Full disclosure - I am a white male - living in Roxbury.  It has been a learning experience and I can say from my perspective the community has not been treated fairly.  I TOTALLY agree with you on the project being done fairly which is the whole point of the editorial - it was not done fairly at all.  As you say - do the homework and you will see that the BRA made it impossible for the Elma Lewis partners to comply with some of the requirements - they were given the run around and you have to ask "why"?  Although I am white I do read the Banner farily regularly and have seen favorable coverage of the mayor on many occassions.  This particular subject has just touched a nerve.  Roxbury needs a place that both blacks, whites, latinos, and asians can come together at a cultural center.  As of now, the city is pretty segregated - and it was when Haley House came to Dudley that I really saw that "if they build it" people will come.  Go there any day of the week and you will see the real Boston reflected in the diversity of the people there.  I'm tired of either being the only white man in the room, or being in a room with only people that look like me.  That is my hope.

Peter, because too many people like to use the comments section to distort the truth, specifically by suggesting that they have some sort of local connection to a neighborhood, followed by bombtossing.  It's not only disingenous, but it's sad, and its unfair to local residents like you.  And on the same token, I shouldn't assume that just because of your antagonistic tone ("little minions") that you are in cahoots with that lot, so I apologize.  And no, I don't live in Roxbury, nor did I ever assert that. (But my father did for several years (95-2000) and I frequent the Roxbury Xing/South End area to visit friends & coach baseball). 

I'm just tired of people jumping on the anti-bandwagon, and try to distort policies and people's opinion without any facts.  Kind of like the way you put words in my mouth, "and you're right that there are holes everywhere".  I didn't say that.  But it sounds slick...nice one.  Kudos.

But it just goes back to having the facts and doing the homework.  And to my knowledge, the Mayor has never ignored the "minorities," if anything he has worked hard to make this a city that works for everyone.  Thank goodness, indeed.

And by the way, I hope for the sake of Roxbury and the City, that projects like these can move forward, but it has to be done in fairness to the community and with all of the facts laid out.  So, at the end of the day, your community will have a strong investment that will help it grow.  I hope we can both agree on that.

In response to "Do Your Homework" - I do live up the street - why would you doubt that?  I bet you don't live in Roxbury.   I pass that "hole" everyday on my way to work.  There are MANY problems in Roxbury - and you're right that there are holes everywhere   Another tribute to our Mayor.    LIving in Roxbury for 20 years has not been easy - particularly because of how it is mistreated by the city.  I give credit to Menino for some of his iniativies, but he has fallen short on many issues and now that "minorities" are no longer a small enough population to just ignore the game has changed.  Thank goodness

What an insult to "self-respecting African American(s)!"  First of all, who does the Banner think it is to make such a crass, over-the-top, and "dis" respectful statement?!  And folks neeeeed to do their homework!  There have been many black and latino heads of agencies and departments, Larry Mayes and Barbara Ferrer, just to name the top two, but look it up people!  Don't be lazy and accept that what is written above is the truth.

And I highly, HIGHLY doubt that "Peter" lives up the street, but if he did, shouldn't he be more concerned about a giant hole in the middle of his neighborhood, if there's no money to actually finish this project.  Do your homework folks, that's what the Mayor and the BRA were doing.  And now that they have, we should be hearing some good news today.  So, let's stay tuned instead of tuning out!

That is some type of statement....."Mayor Menino has never appointed a black male to a meaningful position.....Someone also said Mayor Menino has never really appointed an Hispanic to an important position in city government....how many are now department heads?  Do we have a Hispanic in charge on a city agency?  Do we have a black male in charge on an important agency?  These are not difficult questions......Why has the Boston Globe never reported on this? 

Mayor Menino's the man! He definitely has my vote.

"Sadly, Menino has never shown any such willingness to support peer black males." - ???

What kind of accusation is that? We all know that Menino has been very supportive of some of our very own. We should not forget that he has always been very supportive of Chuck Turner, and despite Chuck's recent challenges, the Mayor has not said one negative thing about him. Can we really claim that Menino has never supported our community? No - I think not.

I was wondering how long it would be before Menino got his little minions to comment.  Mel Miller is no longer a partner of Dennis Tourse's and has not been for over ten years - so what's your point??  I live up the street from the area in question and I am furious with the mayor over his handling of this project.   He has lost my vote. 

Today's editorial should really be about money in people's pockets rather than directing this outrage toward Mayor Menino. Isn't it ironic that Mel Miller's law partner, Dennis Tource, is representing the Elma Lewis project?

Flaherty, Yoon and McCrea have done absolutely NOTHING for the African American community. Flaherty was council president for years and the only community he helped - job-wise - was the South Boston community which is where he lives. And now, he is showing up everywhere - and where he has NEVER shown up before - to ask for our votes.

Mayor Menino is the man most concerned for the African American community. He has PROVEN that time and time again. We should all give him our support so he can continue to help our community. VOTE for MENINO for OUR COMMUNITY!!!   

"After the Elma Lewis decision, no self-respecting African American can vote for Menino if he chooses to run again."

Amen. Time for a change.