Frozen pens, rain-frazzled hair and thermal-insulated snowsuits aren’t typically the things of political campaigns, but cold weather campaigning has been the only option for the candidates of the 2nd Suffolk District over the last few weeks due to a unique race that has transpired over one of the worst winter stretches in years.

Snow came down and the temperatures dipped into the teens for several days earlier this month, but nonetheless candidates Roy Avellaneda, Dan Ryan and Chris Remmes – all Democrats vying for election in next week’s March 4 Primary – have not taken a day off or curled up on the coach to make phone calls.

There simply is not enough time.

The three candidates have been out in the thick of it; and oh the stories they have to tell.

“I was at a Senior Center the other day and bringing in several boxes of pizza for a meet and greet,” said Avellaneda. “I was all scarfed up and had my big rain boots on as I carried the boxes. I took a step and slipped, and literally fell completely on my back. This was in front of a bunch of people who were inside looking out at me. I landed flat on my back. When I got up and went in, one guy told me that any guy who would break his back for a state rep seat had his vote. That’s been the reaction across the district. Everyone is amazed the candidates are coming out. Most say that because I’m willing to come out in this weather, then they are impressed enough to vote for me.”

At the Dan Ryan campaign, they have learned a few tricks through the experience of trudging through the snow and ice to get our their message.

“Normally, you would go out for about three hours at a time, but that’s not possible in sub zero temperatures,” said Adam Webster of the Ryan Campaign. “You go out for 15 minutes and come in and warm up and then go out again. We’ve been doing everything a regular campaign would have done in warmer weather, but the cold has made it trickier. You do learn how to deal with strange, cold weather things like how pens freeze up all the time. They freeze really quick in this weather, so you learn to have a stash of pens in your pocket so you always have a warm one ready. You learn these little things as you go.”

Candidate Chris Remmes said going door-to-door in the snow requires a different tack and attention to the details of how one dresses.

“I’ve knocked on more than 3,600 doors already in the district,” he said. “Generally, with the weather situation, I think it’s mostly attitude. You work on 80 percent attitude, and the other 20 percent is warm clothing. I have figured out how to dress properly for sure. However, you have to keep in mind what you look like when people answer the door. You can’t wear a big knit ski cap or a ski mask even though it’s very cold. So, my Red Sox hat has gotten some major wear.

“Also, earlier in the campaign – in January – you only had a limited time to campaign because it got dark at 4:30 p.m.,” he continued. “You can’t go to a door or hold signs in the dark. So you have to plan carefully ahead, and I tended to do two-hour clips at a time and then take a break. That proved to be about what I could tolerate.”

Meanwhile, there is also a bit of strategy involved in figuring out how to be efficient and how to keep the campaign rolling even when the rest of the world has seemingly stopped in its tracks due to bad weather.

“We’ve focused a lot on a real neighbor to neighbor and friend to friend approach with our campaign,” said Webster of the Ryan Campaign. “Instead of only going out and knocking on the doors of strangers, we’ve developed a network of supporters reaching out to people and luckily that can be done from the warmth of their homes. We have been knocking doors and holding signs too, but networking has proven important.”

Remmes said he has found that indoor activities have proven helpful, and his campaign has moved in that direction this week – including two house parties in Chelsea.

“In the last week or so, we’ve done a lot of host parties, which is a good way to meet people,” he said. “Chelsea is going to be a central piece of this election, so my last two parties are going to be in Chelsea. We’ve naturally also done a lot with social media and phone banking, which helps us take a break from the cold.”

Avellaneda said it has been interesting to learn how to stay efficient and on the move in times where there are snow emergencies or blizzard warnings.

“You can’t predict the weather,” he said. “When it comes to door knocking, we find ways to continue. For example, there was one blustery weekend when we planned to hit a neighborhood of single-family homes, but we couldn’t because of the snow. So, we changed up and concentrated on a few large apartment buildings that we were going to do later. Where we were going up elevators and through hallways, we could campaign in the warmth when it wasn’t compatible outside. That was a day when you weren’t allowed to drive the streets. You can’t stop though because you can’t take a Saturday off. There’s just not enough time in the campaign.”

And that campaign is quickly coming to a close, with voting taking place next Tuesday, March 4. Because there is no Republican on the ballot, the winner of the Primary likely will be the automatic winner of the April 1 General Election.

Dave DiLorenzo, Executive Director of Courageous Sailing.

The Charlestown Neighborhood Council (CNC) unanimously voted to request a license for Courageous Sailing to host summer events on Pier 4 with the agreements and limitations that were approved in 2013. Courageous Sailing hopes to hold 10 evening and 10 daytime events under an approximately 50’X100’ tent to help fund the Courageous Youth Program, and to enable use of the tent (under an arrangement with Peterson Party Rentals) as shelter from the elements for the duration of the season.

“It’s vital for our programming to have that tent. It also serves as the home base for our organization,” says Dave DiLorenzo, Executive Director of Courageous Sailing, who hopes to continue “facilitating a good relationship with the community with as little disruptions as possible.”

Five percent of Courageous Sailings’ operating budget is met through fundraising, which assists in providing low-cost, sailing-based youth development opportunities to children and families throughout Boston.

“I think the program is amazing,” says Amanda Reinfeld, Member At-Large.” They’ve done a great job to support the community.”

The Warren Prescott Spring Sailing Program teaches sailing fundamentals to students at the Warren Prescott Elementary School for four weeks during the summer. Another program, The Boston Harbor Summer Learning Project, offers math, English Language Arts, marine science, and history classes, as well as sailing lessons at the Harvard-Kent Elementary School.

“We serve about 1000 kids a year, and about 40% of those kids come to Charlestown. It’s our heart. It’s our core,” DiLorenzo says. “We have a tremendous amount of entity in this community.”

The CNC feels that DiLorenzo is a responsible individual who worked well with the 2013 restrictions, and is always open to listen and respond quickly to those who voice their concerns. DiLorenzo will continue forwarding emails to residents and surrounding businesses, informing them about upcoming festivities, and who to contact with questions and comments.

There have been residential complaints about noise levels in the past. To reduce impact on neighbors, Courageous agreed to maintain sound levels at a 68 decibel limit; recording decibel readings for each event, and taking into account the wind direction.

“I am a fan of Courageous. I love the organization,” says Barbara Babbin, Councilor At-Large. “If I had one thing constructive to say about the wonderful response you have had, it would be to have the police stay after the event.”

Guests departing events at night can be disruptive. Chairman, Tom Cunha, suggested that attendees should not be allowed to leave the venue with alcoholic beverages; and that the bar tender should announce ahead of time when last call is. Additional security at the entrances and exits would also be beneficial.

Some Flagships residents believe that a public pier should not be used for fundraising activities, and that the pier does not present itself as open to the public because of the large tent. CNC suggested posting a sign at the beginning of the pier, noting that anybody may traverse it.

“It’s a non-profit using public land for a non-profit mission,” voices Michael Parker, Flagships resident. “If a private entity wanted to make money off it [Pier 4], it would have to prove the community benefits. That’s a big distinction.”

Complaints from neighbors about noise levels have dramatically decreased, and much of the community and CNC, agrees that Courageous events have been much more controlled than in previous years.

This year marked the 20th Annual Bryan McGonagle Memorial Tournament and it was held on February 28th, March 1st and 2nd at the DCR Emmon’s, O’Neill, Horrigan rink in Charlestown. This tournament is held in honor of a young Charlestown hockey player whose life came to a tragic end 20 years ago.

All three Charlestown teams fared well making it to the finals for the Mite, Squirt and Peewee championship games. The Charlestown goalies were phenomenal and all teams exhibited stellar offense and excellent defense. The other teams that participated in the 3 day tournament were South Boston, the Ice Hawks, Wakefield, Wellesley, Hyde Park, Somerville, Allston/Brighton and Dorchester. Great hockey games all weekend long.

The following background on the tournament are Excerpts taken from:

THE BOSTON GLOBE- SPORTS AND FITNESS SECTION, March 28, 1999

CHARLESTOWN — During the nine years of Bryan McGonagle’s life, he was known for his devilish grin, twinkle in his eye and heart full of fire.

Eight years after the Charlestown boy was killed in a bicycle accident, his memory lives on, not only in the hearts of those who knew him, but also at the Emmons-Horrigan-O’Neil Rink where hockey teams are competing at the sixth annual Bryan J. McGonagle Tournament through April 4.

The tournament was the idea of Dan McGoff, a board member of the Charlestown Youth Hockey Association. “My partner was his uncle and godfather and that was the tie with me to get this thing off the ground,” he said, referring to Joe Mcgonagle. “I have four kids myself and I thought it was something someone should do.”

Joe McGonagle said a hockey tournament, which helps to raise scholarship money, was an obvious choice because Bryan loved the game and so many neighbors play. “This town is known for hockey,” he said. “If you have any athletic ability, you’re going to test your skill. It has the largest numbers than any sport, more than football, more than basketball.”

Bryan grew up with the game. His father, the late Pat McGonagle, was an avid Bruins fan and Bryan began playing at a young age. “He was small, like his father, and not being a big kid, he had to have a lot of heart and speed and he possessed both of those skills,” Joe McGonagle said.

Bryan died shortly before the 1991 hockey season. He was hit by a car while riding his bike. No tournament was held that year because the community was trying to cope with the loss. “There was a lot of grieving when the season started and by the end of the season, when we were over the shock of it all, we started to run the tournament,” McGoff said.

The first one was small; only eight teams registered for two divisions. But, said McGonagle, it was a spirited event. “Pat was alive for the first tournament and Bryan’s mum was there. Charlestown won the big division and it was like a storybook ending. They brought a huge photo of Bryan out and skated around the ice with it and it was like the Stanley Cup,” he said………………………..Volunteers work the concession stands, clean the rink and seating areas and offer other support.

“Nobody gets paid. It’s a labor of love,” said McGonagle. “We show up 7 a.m. Saturday morning to clean the bathrooms or scrape gum off the seats. There’s no egos or attitudes.”

McGonagle believes the tournament shows that Charlestown and the hockey community pull together to help neighbors and hopes it draws families closer.

“We like people to remember it isn’t just about winning. It’s about sports, having fun, giving your kids a hug,” McGonagle said. “It’s about enjoying the memories today when they’re boys and girls because tomorrow they’re going to be grown up.”

For years Charlestown residents have been treated to a St. Patrick’s Day party.  However, this year all that was in jeopardy as former State Representative Eugene O’Flaherty, who was the driving force behind this event in recent years, had left office in January.

State Senator Sal DiDomenico had planned last year to begin his own St. Patrick’s Day celebration to endow a scholarship program for local students who are going on to higher education, but the endeavor did not come to fruition. However, Senator DiDomenico now has stepped to the fore to assume the reins of the St. Patrick’s Day tradition.

We commend Senator DiDomenico for undertaking this event (that is always more complicated and tedious than anyone can imagine) to help deserving students in our community afford the ever-rising cost of a higher education. From all reports, the event planned on Friday night will be one not to be missed, as the food will be traditional Irish fare, while the entertainment will consist not only of a “Who’s who in Massachusetts politics,” but also of many Charlestown organizations and residents.

As Senator DiDomenico pointed out, Charlestown without a St. Patrick’s Day party would be an anomaly.

The legendary former Speaker of the U.S. House, Thomas “Tip” O’Neil, was famous  for the political maxim, “All politics is local.”

Dan Ryan’s convincing win on Tuesday proved the truth of Tip’s famous aphorism.

Dan is a lifelong resident of Charlestown and  has never forgotten his roots. Whether it be in his capacity as Congressman Michael Capuano’s aide or working a second job at the Warren Tavern, Dan is always ready to help in any way he can.

Dan has performed countless hours of volunteer work to make Charlestown a better community for the families who live here and who participate in the local programs that are the result of the hard work over the years by community-spirited individuals such as Dan Ryan.

We believe that Dan’s victory in the recent special primary election is a testament to his character, as noted in the letter to the editor below, and by the voters of Charlestown, who turned out in the bitter cold in large numbers to help elect Dan.

We congratulate Dan on his win, as well as fellow candidates Chris Remmes and Roy Avellaneda, who waged spirited campaigns.

With the April election only a formality, we know that Dan will be the type of State Representative who not only is needed, but also of whom Charlestown can be proud of.

In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 87, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department will hold a public hearing on Thursday, April 3, to discuss the proposed removal of one public shade tree at 78 Warren Street in Charlestown.

The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. in the 3rd floor Conference Room of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department located at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, Roxbury.

The hearing will discuss an application to remove one gingko biloba tree measuring 10 inches dbh (diameter at breast height) at 78 Warren Street due to homeowner complaints over odor emanating from the tree’s fruit and vandalism from people climbing the tree to harvest it.  Residents have asked that the Parks Department replace the tree with a more traditional hardwood.

Public testimony will be taken at the hearing, or may be provided prior to the hearing in writing to the Tree Warden, Boston Parks and Recreation Department, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02118 or by emailing parks@boston.gov with “Charlestown Tree Hearing” in the subject line.

A final decision regarding the request will be made within two weeks of the hearing.

Senator Sal DiDomenico recently announced that he will hold his First Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on March 7, 2014, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at the Bunker Hill Knights of Columbus Hall in Charlestown.  In addition to a traditional Irish dinner, the festivities will include Irish music, step dancers, comedy by Jimmy Tingle and Tony V., the Bunker Hill Bag Pipers, and an award presentation.   A number of federal, state, and local elected officials are also expected to attend and try their favorite St. Patrick’s Day jokes.

For more information on the event, please call (617) 387-3327.  Proceeds will go to the DiDomenico Foundation, which will fund educational scholarships for high school students, as well as, youth activities throughout the Greater Boston area.

A standing-room crowd at a public hearing at City Hall on Wednesday got a glimpse of the latest concept designs for improving pedestrian and bicycle accessibility to the Blackstone Block, located between the Haymarket MBTA station and Faneuil Hall, and Constitution Road in the Charlestown Navy Yard.

Connect Historic Boston – an initiative between the National Park Service and the Boston Transportation Department to improve walking, biking and public-transit routes to destinations of interest citywide – will reconstruct a total of seven city streets as the first phase of a $23-million project, which also includes a new design for Joy Street on Beacon Hill and plans for a historic bike trail around the downtown area. The project is funded in part through a $15.5 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER, discretionary grant awarded to the city by the U.S. Department of Transportation in September.

The new design for the Blackstone Block would transform the area into a “shared-street environment” with improved accessibility between Haymarket and Faneuil Hall, according to Connect Historic Boston.

Proposed modifications on Hanover Street include raising the street and eliminating flush sidewalks; and on Union Street, removing proposed façade-mounted lighting and replacing the acorn fixtures along the sidewalk on the west side with double-acorn fixtures.

According to Connect Historic Boston, the new design for Constitution Road aims to convert the area into a “welcoming multimodal gateway to the Charlestown Navy Yard,” which would continue to accommodate residents and buses while improving accessibility for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Proposed changes to Constitution Road include a raised intersection at Warren Street, a cycle track connecting to the Navy Yard and improved pedestrian crossings, among other modifications.

Vineet Gupta, director of policy and planning for the Boston Transportation, said a design update meeting on the first phase of the Connect Historic Boston initiative was tentatively scheduled for April, while the completed design is due on May 31.

The city is accepting comments on the 25-percent design until March 12 via e-mail at William.Egan@cityofboston.gov. To learn more, visit www.connecthistoric-boston.org.

Sonni Fazio received the Tommy Bryson Memorial Scholarship Award at the Charleston Yoth Hockey Association annual McGonagle Tournament that was held over this past weekend..

Charlestown’s Dan Ryan with a supporter in the neighborhood on Election Day Tuesday.

Charlestown resident Dan Ryan easily won the Democratic Nomination for the Second Suffolk District State Representative seat during Tuesday’s special election. With no Republican challenger Ryan will head into the General Election unopposed as formality but after Tuesday’s victory he will be the next state rep to serve Charlestown and Chelsea at the State House.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to serve the good people of Chelsea and Charlestown in this new role,” said Ryan after his win at the Knights of Columbus Hall. “The position of State Rep will allow me to work more closely with these two communities as we define our future.”

District-wide Ryan trounced the opposition and topped the ticket with 2,290 votes. Finishing second to Ryan was Chelsea’s Roy Avellaneda who was over a thousand votes behind with 1,160. Charlestown’s Chris Remmes rounded out the election with only 438.

In Charlestown Ryan topped the ticket with 2,071 votes followed by Remmes with 359 votes. Avellaneda rounded out voting in the neighborhood with 122 votes. Ryan ended Election Night with 80% of the vote in Charlestown and received as high as 89% of the vote in some precincts.

In Chelsea Avellaneda topped the ticket with 1,038 votes but was hoping to snag 2,000 from voters there but fell short. Ryan received 219 votes in Chelsea followed by Remmes with 79 votes.

City Councilor Sal LaMattina, who endorsed Ryan for the seat left vacant by Rep. Eugene O’Flaherty, congratulated his former political rival. O’Flaherty, a Chelsea resident who held the seat for 17 years has left the State House to become corporate counsel for the City of Boston. The seat includes Charlestown and a majority of Chelsea.

“I want to congratulate Dan, his family and all his supporters on their victory Tuesday night,” said LaMattina who represents Charlestown at City Hall. “I’ve worked with Dan closely over the years and I think he is the best person for this job. He has a passion for public service and will not disappoint the people of Charlestown and Chelsea. The voters on Tuesday have made a great choice having Dan represent them at the State House.”

Ryan’s victory brings the seat back to Charlestown for the first time since the late 1970s. Jimmy Collins won the seat back in 1977. In 1978 the seat was redistricted and Chelsea’s Richie Voke ousted Collins. The seat has been held by Chelsea residents ever since.

Prior to working for U.S. Congressman Michael Capuano as his chief aide, Ryan spent ten years working at the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club where he served as director of the Teen Center and program coordinator for the Healthy Charlestown Coalition.

“I am thrilled for Dan and his family,” said Capuano. “Dan and I have worked together over the years on so many issues from transportation to veterans services and I know that he will work hard to represent the interests of Charlestown and Chelsea”.

Ryan and his wife, Kara Segal-Ryan, are raising their three children in Charlestown.

This classic country Mt. Vernon Street kitchen is one of eight to be featured on the Creative Kitchens Tour 2014, sponsored April 5 by the Beacon Hill Village.

‘Creative Kitchens Tour 2014’, to be held on Saturday, April 5, offers a rare opportunity for guests to step inside eight 19th century townhouses to glimpse their gracious and distinctive kitchens, ranging in décor from cozy and classic to sleek and modern.

The Beacon Hill Village (BHV) is sponsoring the tour. “Kitchens and food are at the heart and hearth of the home, and neighbors and hospitality are the fabric of the community,” said Laura Connors, executive director of the nonprofit membership organization that helps Boston residents age 50 and over age in their homes. “Partnering with architects, kitchen designers, florists, and local chefs, BHV will shine a spotlight on the creativity that goes into and comes out of our kitchens.”

The walking tour will be held from 1-4 p.m., rain or shine. Parking is available at the Boston Common Garage and a shuttle service is available between Beacon Hill and Back Bay.

Tickets for the tour are $45 and may be purchased online at www.beaconhillvillage.org or by calling the office at 617-723-9713. Tickets will be available on the day of the tour for $50 at the Hampshire House, 84 Beacon Street, or at Cambridge Trust Company, 65 Beacon Street. All proceeds benefit Beacon Hill Village. For more information, call 617-723-9713.

Charlestown residents Ed Schmidt and Jean Hackett, right, with Donna Pino, left, of Boston, at the Boston Conservatory’s annual benefit gala that was held on March 9th at the Harvard Club of Boston.

The Boston Conservatory’s annual fundraising gala, “An Evening Celebrating Sondheim” was held on Sunday night, March 9th, in two locations. First, guests were treated to an original student and alumni production, “Celebrating Sondheim” at the Boston Conservatory Theater in the Fenway. Immediately following, guests were shuttled-bused to the reception, dinner and auction at the Harvard Club on Commonwealth Ave. All proceeds of funds raised at the event will help to provide student scholarship assistance.

200 Terminal Street in Charlestown

There is a regional push to get the state to quickly approve the proposed organic material processing and transportation facility at 200 Terminal Street in Charlestown known as the Charlestown Maritime Center.

The MWRA has begun a co-digestion program for the Deer Island Treatment facility in Winthrop, Mass. The program would ship organic fuel processed  from the Charlestown facility to Deer Island via barge.

However, without the Charlestown plant up and running, the MWRA is seeking to ship eighteen truckloads per day, seven days per week, of food waste from other facilities using community roads surrounding the Deer Island plant. This has neighbors of Deer Island up in arms over the plan.

According to the Charlestown Maritime Center proposal the plant would ‘produce a clean feedstock material for introduction into the Anaerobic Digestion facilities at MWRA’s Deer Island Treatment Plant (DITP)…The anaerobic digestion feedstock Engineered Fuel Source (EFS) bioslurry will be delivered by barge to the DITP facilities.”

This would remove all the trucks from neighborhood streets delivering the alternative fuel source to Deer Island.

According to the Charlestown Maritime Center’s Environmental Notification Form (ENF) the owner proposes the construction of a new 9,900 square foot structure serving as an organic material processing and transportation facility all with water dependent uses.

The proposal will also relocate a small 7,200 square foot building that will be used for “swing space” for the adjacent water-dependent use. The building will be relocated to 333 Terminal Street.

The project supports the State’s long term plan for a greener Commonwealth of Massachusetts by diverting 135 tons of source separated food organic waste material otherwise destined to be landfill.

More than 400 people gathered at the South Boston Convention Center on Tuesday, March 25, to sound off at the public input hearing on the Revere Mohegan Sun casino project in front of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC). Residents from all over Boston, Winthrop, Revere, Chelsea , Everett and the Greater Boston region spoke to the MGC for up to five minutes each about their views on the casino being allowed to be built. Charlestown City Councillor Sal LaMattina  spoke in favor of the casino, but like Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, took the controversial stand in saying that Boston should be a host city for the project. Meanwhile,  MGC members (left to right) Steve Crosby, Enrique Zuniga and Bruce Stebbins had their hands full with almost 400 people in attendance, 150 of whom wanted to speak.

People in this world may be divided by political views, race, sexual orientation, and religion but there is one group of people that are blind to this and will run into a burning inferno and save your life regardless if you are a democrat or republican, gay or straight, black or white, Catholic or Jewish.

These groups of people are the brave men of the Boston Fire Department.

This week we lost perhaps two of the finest men to serve in the Department, Firefighter Michael Kennedy and Fire Lieutenant Ed Walsh.

Without hesitation during a raging 9-alarm fire in the Back Bay, Kennedy and Walsh grabed a hose and ran into the blaze in total disregard of their own safety to begin pulling people out of the building.

Then, something went horribly wrong. They were cut off from their unit. They signaled a mayday. They tried to get out of the scorching heat and blinding smoke but paid the ultimate sacrifice for the lives of others.

This is what the men of the Boston Fire Department do every day.

Watching and reading the tributes all week makes one thing evident—Bostonians do not take them for granted.

It’s going to be a heartbreaking next few days as we tune into the funerals of Walsh and Kennedy. The bagpipes will play. Their brothers on the Department will stand in solemn honor as their fire trucks are paraded down the street with their boots and helmet on top.

These two men deserve every tear and every tribute they get.

Someone once said that no matter how long you train someone to be brave, you never know if they are or not until something real happens.

Well, something real happened last week in Boston and anyone who knew Firefighter Michael Kennedy and Fire Lieutenant Ed Walsh knows now there is no question they passed the test and are two of the bravest men Boston has seen.

If they had lived and somehow found their way through the flames and haze of smoke there is no question when the next call came in they’d be the first ones to grab a hose and try and save a life.

The Charlestown Neighborhood Council  (CNC) is pleased to announce the following members of the Charlestown community have been selected as the recipients of the 2014 Community Appreciation Awards:

 2014

PETER L. LOONEY

CHARLESTOWN COMMUNITY APPRECIATION AWARDEES

Special Committee Recognition Award: Jose Lopes

Robert Wallace Business Award: Carr Funeral Home

William McCabe Public Servant Award: Mimi Wrenn

New Resident: Beth Rosenshein

Kathleen “Kay” Whelan Senior Award: Jack Duffy

Mel Stillman Organization Award: Friends of the Charlestown Navy Yard

Youth: Dennis Taylor

Alumnus: Tom Gorsuch

Dennis McLaughlin Unsung Hero Award: Sharon Fidler

The event will be held on April 25 at the Knights of Columbus and will begin promptly at 6:30 pm. Tickets for the event are $25 and include a full buffet by Griffin Caterers and entertainment by Smokey Cain. Tickets  can be obtained by calling Maureen Collier at 617-838-0725.

The committee puts together a program book of the evening’s event which many local advertisers us to congratulate the winners. Anyone wishing to place an ad should contact Bill Galvin at 617-242-3862 or Dave Whelan at 617-201-3802 and they can give you the particulars.

Looking forward to seeing everyone on April 25 to congratulate these well deserving recipients.

The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund (PPAF) celebrated Dan Ryan’s victory tonight in the election for the 2nd Suffolk District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. PPAF is the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts.

Martha “Marty” Walz, PPAF president, released the following statement:

“I am proud to congratulate Dan Ryan on his victory tonight. Throughout his career, he has advocated for the health and well-being of families and young people in the community. As a father and community activist, Dan Ryan understands the importance of protecting and expanding access to safe, legal abortion, family planning funding, and comprehensive sexuality education in schools.

“Dan’s election will help us improve the fragile majority of members in the state House of Representatives who support women’s access to sexual and reproductive health care. As a State Representative, Dan will continue to fight for legislation that advances women’s health and comprehensive, medically-accurate sexuality education in Massachusetts.”

Last Wednesday evening, City Councilor Sal LaMattina testified at the Casino Commission hearing and expressed his frustration over the whole process and feels Charlestown and Boston proper should be considered a Host Community and allowed to vote on the casino proposal in Everett.

“My purpose here today is simple,” LaMattina testified. “I demand that my constituents in Charlestown be allowed to vote on the proposed Wynn casino development in Everett. Mayor Walsh has requested that the City of Boston be recognized as a host community and I support him on that. The people of Charlestown deserve it and they should be given a voice, especially if Boston land is used for the establishment. In fact, it could be argued that Charlestown will endure greater impacts than most of Everett.”

LaMattina said he has received no cooperation from the Wynn team pertaining to their mitigation plans.

“No information at all as to how they will combat traffic, noise, air pollution and safety,” said LaMattina. “ The proposed site is just feet away from Charlestown. They should be able to decide whether they want to deal with the 70 percent of traffic that will flow through Sullivan Square, or the contaminants that pose a serious hazard -especially to the many children who use the Ryan Playground right next door to the site- while the harbor is cleaned up during construction.”

LaMattina went on to say that neither he nor the Charlestown community has been given any insight as to how Wynn plans on cleaning the site.

“Unlike Suffolk Downs, who has shown a willingness to be transparent with the City of Boston throughout this entire process, Wynn has been downright dismissive, disorganized and uncooperative,” he said.

LaMattina argued that one reason Boston should be considered a host community and the residents of Charlestown should be allowed to vote is Wynn’s use of marketing the casino as a Boston-based development.

“Boston is the hub of not only the state but the entire New England region. Within the past week or so, there has been a lot of talk of Wynn establishing marketing deals with the TD Garden and other Boston venues,” he said. “To any tourist who plans on visiting the City, a Boston casino would be an attractive draw. That reason alone should be enough to warrant us a host community status. We are not comparable to any of the other cities or towns that have been deemed surrounding communities. We will bear the brunt of any impacts from both casinos, so we deserve a chance to allow our voices to be heard. The residents have been more than patient with the Wynn representatives, but enough is enough.”

Following a meeting the Charlestown Neighborhood Council (CNC) submitted a letter of opposition to the Gaming Commission regarding the Wynn/Everett casino project.

The letter cited traffic, environmental, and public health concerns for their reasons for opposing the project.

“Charlestown will be impacted by both the construction and operation of the Wynn casino as much if not more than the host city, Everett, yet the developers have not acknowledged or addressed our concerns,” the letter concludes. “Many in our community who were originally in support of the casino have reconsidered their position. Charlestown is a vibrant, largely residential, family-oriented and densely populated neighborhood of about 16,000 residents. We have a long and active history and are dedicated to maintaining the advances we have made in recent years improving infrastructure, reducing pollution, and creating a livable community. Discussions with Wynn are, at the very least, incomplete. Construction impacts have been ignored. Potential mitigation plans are non-existent. Road widening and traffic light adjustments are not the answer to the progressively degrading quality of life produced by the construction and operation of this casino.”

Newly promoted Lieutenant Thomas Lema.

Longtime District 1 Community Police Sergeant Thomas Lema is leaving his post here after 18 years of service to the Charlestown community.

Lema has been promoted to Lieutenant for the Boston Police Department and friends and colleagues will hold a going away party on Thursday, April 3 (tonight) at 5 p.m. at the North Star, 222 Friend St.

For nearly two decades Lema worked closely with the residents in Charlestown and addressing community issues with the Friends of the Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown Against Drugs, and the Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition.

“I have truly enjoyed all of the partnerships with the communities on District A-1,” Lema wrote in a letter to the community. “I have met so many fantastic people who help make our neighborhoods better every day. I will be moving on to become a lieutenant within the Boston Police Department.”

Lema said he will miss working with everyone on a day-to-day basis but will still be within the police department.

“I would be more than happy to help out as I move forward,” he said.

Sergeant James Chin will replace Lema—a man he called a highly qualified and great choice to continue on as the community service supervisor.

“Please continue to reach out, maintain partnerships, create a positive quality of life for everyone, solve problems within the community and find preventative strategies to stop crime,” said Lema. “We know that it only works when we do it together.”

Newly elected state representative Dan Ryan is pictured with his sister, Marnie Ryan, and Bob Powers at a post-election gathering Tuesday night at the Warren Tavern.

With no Republican challenger Charlestown resident Dan Ryan easily won the Second Suffolk District State Representative seat during Tuesday night’s special election. His victory brings the seat back to Charlestown for the first time in nearly 40 years.

In Charlestown Ryan received 1,303 votes or 98 percent of the vote. In Chelsea, Ryan received 356 votes and ended the night with 1,659 total votes in the district.

“It feels fantastic to be elected state representative,” said Ryan. “It’s one step. I’m halfway there. I still have to get on the ballot and run in September and November. But this is a big step. There’s some finality to the first phase of this. I’m grateful to the people of Charlestown and Chelsea for their support. The enthusiasm that I felt from the people who came out and voted [Tuesday] was great.”

During the Democratic Primary in March Ryan trounced the opposition and topped the ticket with 2,290 votes. Finishing second to Ryan was Chelsea’s Roy Avellaneda who was over a thousand votes behind with 1,160. Charlestown’s Chris Remmes rounded out the election with only 438.

The seat was left vacant by Rep. Eugene O’Flaherty, a Chelsea resident who held the seat for 17 years has left the State House to become corporate counsel for the City of Boston. The seat includes Charlestown and a majority of Chelsea.

Ryan’s victory brings the seat back to Charlestown for the first time since the late 1970s. Jimmy Collins won the seat back in 1977. In 1978 the seat was redistricted and Chelsea’s Richie Voke ousted Collins. The seat has been held by Chelsea residents ever since.

Prior to working for U.S. Congressman Michael Capuano as his chief aid, Ryan spent ten years working at the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club where he served as director of the Teen Center and program coordinator for the Healthy Charlestown Coalition.

Ryan and his wife, Kara Segal-Ryan, are raising their three children in Charlestown.