News

Over this last weekend, an important management change occurred in South Boston. Friday, was the last day that John McGahan served as the long-time leader of the Gavin Foundation. Peter Barbuto formally assumed the position of Gavin Foundation’s President and CEO. The changeover was marked with a breakfast at the Gavin’s Devine Center. Obviously, John and Peter’s transition was “in process” for a considerable time before this weekend – they spent more than full time for several weeks making sure their transition was both smooth and successful. For more than 30 years, John had been an excellent leader of the Gavin Foundation, with highly significant accomplishments in programs devoted to recovery from substance abuse. Peter brings significant knowledge and past experience in recovery work to [...]

The South Boston elected officials support the installation of Shot Spotter technology to assist law enforcement response to shootings in real time. After a series of shootings in South Boston, the South Boston delegation had a meeting at the MaryEllen McCormack and West Broadway Housing Development and have remained united in support of this technology. Despite some pushback from advocates and some City Councilors, the South Boston delegation is united in support of this technology. It was a focal point of a meeting at the Maryellen McCormack and West Broadway Housing Developments after a series of shootings. “We simply do not have enough police to cover every street and every neighborhood 24/7,” said Congressman Lynch. “Many of our police officers are already working long hours [...]

by Rick Winterson   Over the past twelve months, the Summer Street Pilot Program has progressed from a concept to the actual six-month execution of the Pilot Program between early December in 2023 until early June this year.  Last month, we reported upon this Program, after an update meeting and Open House in the CRISPR meeting room on A Street.  The Boston Traffic Department (the BTD) presented its early conclusions, led by Matt Moran, the Director of the BTD’s Transit Team – the group who actually designed and managed the entire Pilot Program from start to finish. The Transit Team’s second in-person update/Open House took place yesterday evening at the Tynan School.  The Open House generated significant interest and many comments from the attendees; it ran [...]

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston’s 11th Annual Dinner Honors the Brett Family. By John Joseph Fahey The venue was the Seaport Hotel in Boston on April 23rd and the occasion was the Living the Dream Mission Alive annual dinner hosted by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston.  The gathering was definitely celebratory, as Mission Alive raised over $800,000; The theme of Mission Alive as Sister Mary L. Murphy, CSJ, President of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston indicated at the well-attended dinner is a continuation of the goals which the original congregation of Sisters had when first arriving in Boston over 150 years ago. Although their first ministry was in education (and impacting countless students) ensuing ministries and community outreach followed. [...]

by Rick Winterson Two weeks ago, we covered a quickly-called meeting that was organized by District 2 City Councilor Ed Flynn at the Condon Community Center.  Flynn used his impromptu meeting to gather South Boston’s reactions to SBTAP (the “South Boston Transportation Action Plan”), which was being developed for South Boston by the BPDA/BTD.  The comments from those who attended Flynn’s meeting were almost uniformly negative.  Since then, we met with Councilor Flynn and his Chief of Staff Charlie Levin to further clarify the situation with SBTAP. In this meeting, Councilor Flynn once again stated his firm opposition to SBATP as proposed, which agrees with the opinions plainly expressed by residents of South Boston at Flynn’s previous in-person meeting.  He enlarged upon one of his [...]

By John Joseph Fahey The Mary Ann Brett Food Pantry held its annual fundraiser – in fact it was the 15th anniversary of the second largest food pantry (after Catholic Charities) in Dorchester. Relevant because the food pantry, named after the mother of former Dorchester State Representative and now president of The New England Council Jim Brett, is located in the lower level of St. Margaret’s Church on Columbia Road. The imposing Romanesque Revival style edifice was designed by Patrick C. Keely, a prominent church architect with roots in Ireland. St. Margaret’s was erected at the confluence of Columbia Road and Dorchester Avenue in 1904 – only 50 years after what is referred to as the Great Famine in Ireland (1845-52) a difficult era where [...]

STATEMENT FROM THE SOUTH BOSTON ALLIED WAR VETERANS COUNCIL & SOUTH BOSTON ELECTED OFFICIALS REGARDING THE 2025 ST. PATRICK’S DAY & EVACUATION DAY PARADE Following the St. Patrick’s Day & Evacuation Day Parade, the South Boston Elected Officials met on Friday afternoon with the leadership of the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council and officials from the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security, the Massachusetts State Police, MBTA Transit Police, Boston Police Department, City of Boston Licensing Board and Special Events Division. The focus was on the issues that took place during and in the aftermath of the Evacuation Day & St. Patrick’s Day Parade that we all need to work closely together on and address moving forward. In an effort to maintain this [...]

By Carol Masshardt Over two hundred attended a zoom meeting on Friday evening 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 [...]