So I was walking around this fair city over the last couple of days reading, well, parking signs, and though none of the words explicitly said it, their collective message was frighteningly clear: Our mayor has gone off the deep end.
Not in a fun way, either, not like, ah, that Tom Menino is such a lovable nut.
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SAGE was a long time market in harvard square and does not apply to this simpleton who calls hisself mayor. i on the other hand in happier times blithley refer to him as the blithering nitwit bagman mayor who is STILL the mayor of all he surveys. mcgrory, like your colleagues cullen, lehigh and ross when was the last time you asked this buffoon a question which deserved and or demanded a response. not from dot joyce but from the halfwit? or better yet, when was the 1st time? ma
Ultimate Frisbee course??? What does that even mean? Ultimate frisbee is played on a field, maybe you meant disc golf course. Whatever, just breaking your stones. I agree, the lack of parking spaces is a joke and the inability to drive through downtown crossing is redonk.
Don't forget all the spots that used to be public and are now for "city vehicles" and "general court" legislators and staff. The police who write the tickets also don't worry about parking as is evident from all the illegally parked cars around almost every station, including headquarters. I like some of the initiatives, but the little guy is forgotten.
"Sea and Ski?" I haven't heard that in a long time. You're right, Brian - it's getting ridiculous. Why do police employees get their own parking spots in government center? Why do Suffolk COunty Sheriff's Department employees get to privatize large swaths of City property over by the house of correction at South Bay? It seems like a double whammy - my taxes pay their salaries and then they take my city parking space. This is obviously a pet peeve of mine.
Cities are for people, not cars. To live in a place where there is constant traffic is misery. The Mayor of Boston is a lovable nut who definately is on the right side of this issue. Mr. McGrory, please keep your car out of downtown Boston. The Mayor isn't the only one who is giving you hints. I won't be as subtle. You're not welcome. Stay out. I don't think your article is funny. It is very disrespectful. Your views on this issue are backward and wrong. Feel free to get lost. Take your stupid car, pack up your belongings, pick a big road headed out of the Boston Metro area and use it.
Systems adjust. Make it difficult to work in the city, and employers and jobs begin the migration to where they are welcome. Much more pleasant to have your job where you actually want live.
My hope is that this is satire. First off, we need to wean ourselves off the all-mighty oil guzzling machines. Secondly, the city was not designed for them and driving in it is a drag, to say nothing of the boorishness of the average Boston driver. Red lights are supposed to be stopped for. Thirdly, and most dear to my heart, being able to walk anywhere and not fear for my bodily integrity would be lovely. The delivery people probably would have a much easier time of it with fewer passenger cars to deal with. I got rid of my car when I moved here, and have yet (20 years later) to regret it.
I used to shop a lot in Boston. Not anymore. Less and less on street parking and I don't want to pay garage rates when I am usually in a store for a short time. The lose is to the business community.
Well, then, why did you decide to drive in the first place?
Ever heard of public transit?
You have it exactly right. It's been a long time since the Mayor drove himself. I've seen his imposing black SUV speeding down Blue Hill Ave. with the blue lights flashing. Yup, man of the people.
Brian, Your points are spot-on, as usual. Nothing better than quality and getting to laugh when receiving it, and I love the sarcasm. Keep up the great work.
Mr.McGory - there is plenty of public transportation into the heart of Boston. Less automobile traffic is better. One of the biggest differences between America and Europe is the number of traffic-free areas within the European cities. It seems no matter how much money elected officials spend on 'fact-finding' jaunts to other countries - they return home as empty headed and void of fresh ideas. It makes you wonder what they were doing on their 'fact-finding' trips.
Good for you and thank you. Articles like this make me turn purple and I fall for it every time. Correct. Boston was originally designed for horse and buggy. The streets of the downtown area around Downtown Crossing are a great example. McGrory is trying to be funny but underneath it all, Mr. Chuckles is a guy who really just doesn't get it. He was on the radio with Jim Braude and Margery Egan this morning discussing this very article. Jim was playing the devil's advocate and mentioned Newbury Street and how nice that area would be without cars. McGrory stated clearly that he thought the notion "ridiculous". Who drives to Newbury Street for shopping? He then went on to say that the reason downtown crossing is struggling is because of a lack of cars. The "vibrancy" that automobiles bring. He actually thinks that. Such simplistic reasoning is one of the reasons we can't develop sound public policy in this country. The reason people don't visit Downtown Crossing is because of a variety of other factors. Much of it a distaste for car traffic. The traffic in Boston is awful. (There is also a manufactured and false fear of street crime and outright racism.) Kids like the Downtown Crossing area because it is an urban oasis unlike any other around. Street parking is not the problem. I never have a difficult time finding parking in Boston. It's not that big an issue. Menino is trying to do what he can to make the city a better place to work and to live. You're right that cars are dangerous and especially so for kids growing up. That danger by the way, is not limited to kids growing up in the city. Cars are very dangerous and as you've pointed out here, ever so unnecessary.
Welcome to 2012 Brian. I know it's tough to grasp, but people these days have gotten this weird idea that the vast majority of public space (roads) should not given over only to vehicular traffic and that people should actually make an effort to make the city an enjoyable place to be, not just a place to commute to and from. If you'd like driving to be easier, I'd suggest moving to someplace like Tampa. I hear the real estate is pretty cheap these days. I wonder why?
There are large and vibrant cities all over the world that do not depend upon people operating privately-owned vehicles. Has Mr. Jacoby ever been to New York City? Did he do his errands, visiting, and touring by jumping into his own car from one location to the next? Do the majority of the millions of people who live there depend on their own cars? No.
Menino needs to start putting plates on the bikes and charging some registration or excise tax. All these privileges of the road come at a cost to cars and if the bike is supreme, surely they should pay for that position. The parking spot oasis is the worst idea ever...dirt and car fumes, yummy.
I think Boston will survive without the suburban shopper/complainers.
"take the few remaining spaces that we have" Are you serious? The parklet idea is for half a dozen resident spots in the South End. I'm pretty sure when you come into the city on the weekend to walk around Newbury Street, Faneul Hall or Hanover Street you're not wandering into any places where these spots will actually be.
If it's Mayor Menino's war against cars, sign me up as a foot soldier - or maybe on the bike cavalry!
I clicked on the like button. It didn't work and took me to the top of the page. I clicked on the reply button. It didn't work either and took me to the top of the page. It must be my computer. A media organization of the Globe's stature would never tolerate such a poor interface. It would be an insult to their readers and to those of us who are paying $15 a month for access. Are other people having similar problems or is it my computer?
@incredible1 - this seems to have been a problem ever since every page has had built-in links to the so-called 'social' sites. Since I don't tweet, book faces or add googles, these are pure annoyances.
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Annecah - There are quite a few of us tax-paying residents in the South End that actually use - I mean circle blocks for hours trying to use - those spots. Resident spots are very limited in the city, as you would know if you lived here. South End resident
This is a first. Not only do I disagree with McGrory, but I AGREE with Menino.I am at a loss.