1 00:00:01,280 --> 00:00:04,559 Speaker 1: It's Night Side with Dan Ray on w b Z, 2 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:06,280 Speaker 1: Boston's news radio. 3 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:10,240 Speaker 2: All right, welcome back to everyone. As we move into 4 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:15,480 Speaker 2: our second hour. There's a story that we spotted in 5 00:00:15,520 --> 00:00:19,360 Speaker 2: the Boston Globe in which Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn 6 00:00:19,440 --> 00:00:23,560 Speaker 2: is very much involved in. And this is an effort 7 00:00:24,440 --> 00:00:28,520 Speaker 2: too well. I don't know if it's the last gasp 8 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:33,440 Speaker 2: of the Boston's infamous combat zone or if it's an 9 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:40,400 Speaker 2: effort to revitalize what what's what once was a real 10 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:45,640 Speaker 2: sore spot in the in the downtown area, in the 11 00:00:45,760 --> 00:00:51,240 Speaker 2: Washington Stuart Street area. Uh, but there are only now two. 12 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:55,400 Speaker 2: And again the phrase that people will use, you know, 13 00:00:55,520 --> 00:00:58,400 Speaker 2: I guess one is called the gentleman's club, or some 14 00:00:58,560 --> 00:01:04,240 Speaker 2: would say, you know, teased places. I've referred to them jokingly, 15 00:01:04,319 --> 00:01:06,399 Speaker 2: and I'm not going to refer to them jokingly tonight 16 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:11,640 Speaker 2: as emporium of interpretive dance. Uh. There's no joking matter 17 00:01:11,720 --> 00:01:15,320 Speaker 2: to the to the residents who live nearby and who 18 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:19,520 Speaker 2: are raising their families in some proximity to the combats 19 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:20,639 Speaker 2: and with us is Ed Flynn? 20 00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:20,920 Speaker 1: Ed? 21 00:01:21,480 --> 00:01:27,440 Speaker 2: What's going on? What? What has got this controversy going? 22 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:30,760 Speaker 2: I guess one of these places wants to move. I 23 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:35,080 Speaker 2: guess it's a club called Centerfolds. I think everybody can 24 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 2: understand what the purpose of Centerfolds is. They want to 25 00:01:39,520 --> 00:01:41,760 Speaker 2: move from La Grain Street, which is kind of a 26 00:01:42,720 --> 00:01:46,120 Speaker 2: little side street in what was the combat zone, and 27 00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:49,520 Speaker 2: they want to take over with the restaurant Jacob Worth 28 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:53,960 Speaker 2: was on Stuart Street, which is a very prominent location. 29 00:01:55,440 --> 00:01:58,640 Speaker 3: Ye, good evening, Dan, that's correct. They want to move 30 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:03,400 Speaker 3: from Lagrange Street to Stuart Street. The building right next 31 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 3: to Jacob Wirth, which was the German restaurant, was a 32 00:02:06,480 --> 00:02:14,920 Speaker 3: wonderful place. But basically the the establishment is able to 33 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:19,280 Speaker 3: do that under the zoning as of right, which means 34 00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:26,880 Speaker 3: they need limited or actually no approval really from the 35 00:02:26,919 --> 00:02:31,120 Speaker 3: city other than licensing in entertainment. But they don't need 36 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:36,240 Speaker 3: any support really from the zoning Board of bp DA 37 00:02:36,919 --> 00:02:41,440 Speaker 3: because it's as of right, which means they can have 38 00:02:41,639 --> 00:02:46,119 Speaker 3: almost no community process in terms of moving from Lagrange 39 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:47,840 Speaker 3: Street to Stuart Street out the game. 40 00:02:47,919 --> 00:02:52,200 Speaker 2: So let me make sure I understand that in the so, 41 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 2: if I owned, let's say, a sporting goods store on 42 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:04,920 Speaker 2: the street, or or I owned a restaurant on the 43 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:06,960 Speaker 2: Grain Street and I had an opportunity to move to 44 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:11,239 Speaker 2: a better location on Stuart Street. The fact that I'm 45 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:14,320 Speaker 2: already there, I just want to transfer, you know what, 46 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:17,400 Speaker 2: I want to sell one property and buy another. Uh, 47 00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:21,040 Speaker 2: is I would have that right. And you're saying that 48 00:03:21,080 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 2: Centerfolds does, but because they serve alcohol, they do the 49 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:28,160 Speaker 2: Is there any food or is it just alcohol? 50 00:03:29,480 --> 00:03:32,240 Speaker 3: I don't know, I know it's it's it's definitely alcohol. 51 00:03:32,240 --> 00:03:33,679 Speaker 3: I don't know if they serve food there. 52 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:39,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's that's probably what basically keeps the Center Folds open. 53 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:42,000 Speaker 2: I'm sure that's their coin of the realm is that 54 00:03:42,040 --> 00:03:45,080 Speaker 2: because they need to transfer the liquor license. Is that 55 00:03:45,120 --> 00:03:47,400 Speaker 2: where the hang up is or is it a different 56 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:48,160 Speaker 2: sort of hang up? 57 00:03:48,800 --> 00:03:53,040 Speaker 3: No, there's really no hang up, Dan. The issue is 58 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:59,800 Speaker 3: it's that Stuart Street area is already zoned for basically 59 00:03:59,840 --> 00:04:04,280 Speaker 3: for adult entertainment. In because it's because it's already zoned 60 00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:10,880 Speaker 3: for adult entertainment, there's limited permitting and community process engagement 61 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:14,360 Speaker 3: that you need from the city. However, you do need 62 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:20,880 Speaker 3: support from the city in terms of alcohol and entertainment 63 00:04:21,279 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 3: those types of licenses, which are much easier to get 64 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:27,839 Speaker 3: than say a zoning variance. 65 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:35,080 Speaker 2: Okay, so there's no variance required here. Now there was. 66 00:04:35,640 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 2: This was this was designated not by the city council 67 00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:43,080 Speaker 2: or the mayor of today. This was designated, i think 68 00:04:43,080 --> 00:04:47,520 Speaker 2: in the nineteen seventies as sort of an adult entertainment 69 00:04:47,640 --> 00:04:50,640 Speaker 2: district where they were trying to keep all of these 70 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:54,400 Speaker 2: places in one area. That's my memory of it. Is 71 00:04:54,440 --> 00:04:55,160 Speaker 2: that accurate? 72 00:04:56,120 --> 00:05:02,440 Speaker 3: That is accurate in And what what I'm proposing would 73 00:05:02,480 --> 00:05:07,160 Speaker 3: be a text amendment to the City of Boston zoning 74 00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:12,360 Speaker 3: rules which would say that if you want to open 75 00:05:12,520 --> 00:05:18,200 Speaker 3: up an establishment, you need to go through a community process, engagement, 76 00:05:18,279 --> 00:05:21,960 Speaker 3: engaging with the community, which also means that it would 77 00:05:21,960 --> 00:05:26,080 Speaker 3: not be as of right and you would have to 78 00:05:26,120 --> 00:05:27,920 Speaker 3: go through a thorough community process. 79 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:32,240 Speaker 2: So what what about? What about if Centerfolds argued and said, well, look, 80 00:05:32,279 --> 00:05:36,760 Speaker 2: we're not opening up a business, we have been operating 81 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:42,000 Speaker 2: this business in this location and we're simply looking to move. 82 00:05:42,040 --> 00:05:47,039 Speaker 2: It would would your amendment, you know, cause them to 83 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:49,719 Speaker 2: jump through a couple of extra hoops? 84 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:55,560 Speaker 3: I think Dan that the only hoop that Centerfolds has 85 00:05:55,640 --> 00:06:02,400 Speaker 3: to go through now is the licensing in alcohol licenses permitting, 86 00:06:02,920 --> 00:06:06,680 Speaker 3: which is a far easier process for them to go 87 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 3: through than the typical Zoning Board of Appeals and or 88 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:15,760 Speaker 3: Boston Planning Permitting as well. 89 00:06:15,960 --> 00:06:17,800 Speaker 2: Okay, so it sounds to me like what you're trying 90 00:06:17,839 --> 00:06:22,159 Speaker 2: to do is it doesn't sound like you feel there's 91 00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:25,600 Speaker 2: a great deal of hope that this centerfolds can be 92 00:06:27,760 --> 00:06:31,719 Speaker 2: contained to a grain street. But looks to me like 93 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:34,960 Speaker 2: your focus is that you don't want all of a 94 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:39,080 Speaker 2: sudden centifolds to open and another one and another one 95 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:41,599 Speaker 2: and another one and kind of go back. You mentioned 96 00:06:41,640 --> 00:06:44,520 Speaker 2: today that when your dad became mayor, there were twenty 97 00:06:44,839 --> 00:06:51,240 Speaker 2: twenty two strip joints in the combat zone area, and 98 00:06:51,279 --> 00:06:54,760 Speaker 2: when he left to become the ambassador to the Vatican, 99 00:06:55,360 --> 00:06:58,000 Speaker 2: that number have been reduced to four. And here it 100 00:06:58,080 --> 00:07:01,120 Speaker 2: is today too. So are you trying to base saying, oh, look, 101 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:04,880 Speaker 2: we might not be able to stop centifolds from relocated, 102 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:10,520 Speaker 2: but we sure can stop this type of establishment from 103 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:14,200 Speaker 2: propagating more and more and spreading more and more. Is 104 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:15,560 Speaker 2: that where you are. 105 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:19,120 Speaker 3: Dan, That's a big part of my argument. But I 106 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:24,920 Speaker 3: also owe it to my constituents to fight for them 107 00:07:25,280 --> 00:07:29,200 Speaker 3: and make sure that their voices are heard and respected. 108 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:33,680 Speaker 3: As it relates to the proposal for centifolds as well. 109 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:37,320 Speaker 3: I'm going to do everything I can to make sure 110 00:07:37,440 --> 00:07:41,680 Speaker 3: my constituents are heard, but even more importantly, are respected. 111 00:07:43,600 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 3: I don't think they have been heard or respected so 112 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:50,600 Speaker 3: far in this process, and I just don't want this 113 00:07:50,680 --> 00:07:54,120 Speaker 3: to be a rubber stamp. I do want it to 114 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:58,800 Speaker 3: be a community process and to listen and respect the residents. 115 00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 3: I think many people don't know the history of the 116 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:05,960 Speaker 3: combat Zone. It's important that we learn about it and 117 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:09,240 Speaker 3: we discuss it in the negative impact it had on 118 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 3: Chinatown and communities of color in Boston. 119 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:18,640 Speaker 2: Well, yeah, I can remember as a very young television 120 00:08:18,640 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 2: reporter now it's almost fifty years ago, when a young 121 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:29,360 Speaker 2: Harvard football player on the night after the Harvard Yale game, 122 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:32,760 Speaker 2: went with some of his friends into the combat Zone 123 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:36,000 Speaker 2: and he ended up with his group ended up in 124 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:38,200 Speaker 2: some sort of a fight, and he was stabbed. It 125 00:08:38,240 --> 00:08:42,000 Speaker 2: at a young man named Andy Popolo, who today would 126 00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:45,760 Speaker 2: probably be in his seventies if he had had not 127 00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:48,960 Speaker 2: been killed that night. And although there were other people 128 00:08:49,240 --> 00:08:52,160 Speaker 2: along the way who were beaten up, killed, stabbed, or whatever, 129 00:08:53,600 --> 00:08:55,840 Speaker 2: the fact that there was a young guy who had 130 00:08:55,840 --> 00:08:59,640 Speaker 2: played football that day for Harvard against Yale it kind 131 00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:03,120 Speaker 2: of home the point to a lot of people that 132 00:09:03,240 --> 00:09:06,240 Speaker 2: the combat zone, which might have from the outside looked 133 00:09:06,280 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 2: like a place of entertainment, but it wasn't an entertainment 134 00:09:13,040 --> 00:09:16,720 Speaker 2: which was going to result in someone's death. And at 135 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:19,320 Speaker 2: least that's you were very young at the time. I 136 00:09:19,360 --> 00:09:22,600 Speaker 2: know that you probably don't have specific recall, but it 137 00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 2: shook the city councilor dramatically. 138 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:26,600 Speaker 4: Yeah. 139 00:09:27,520 --> 00:09:31,160 Speaker 3: I don't remember that, but I do remember learning about that. 140 00:09:32,120 --> 00:09:35,640 Speaker 3: But Dan, for your listeners, I went to high school 141 00:09:35,679 --> 00:09:39,400 Speaker 3: for four years basically in the combat zone, which was 142 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:43,720 Speaker 3: Don Bosco High School. Yeah, it was a great school 143 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:46,840 Speaker 3: from nineteen eighty three to nineteen eighty seven when I graduated. 144 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:50,640 Speaker 3: But even at that time, it was, in my opinion, 145 00:09:50,640 --> 00:09:54,199 Speaker 3: it was a dangerous area to walk up for a 146 00:09:54,280 --> 00:09:58,120 Speaker 3: month street or to walk up Washington Street, and it 147 00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:03,640 Speaker 3: wasn't It wasn't safe. In residents to this day talk 148 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:10,400 Speaker 3: to me about how improved Chinatown is without the drug dealing, 149 00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:16,040 Speaker 3: the prostitution, the violence. So because of that, Dan, I 150 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:20,000 Speaker 3: want to do everything I possibly can to support my constituents. 151 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:22,760 Speaker 3: I think they deserve that and they earn that. 152 00:10:23,120 --> 00:10:26,120 Speaker 2: Okay, I'm going to open up phone lines here. I'd 153 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 2: like to hear from anyone who wants to offer an 154 00:10:29,720 --> 00:10:34,840 Speaker 2: opinion here. I guess the fundamental question is do we 155 00:10:34,920 --> 00:10:40,000 Speaker 2: as a society want to have this type of entertainment available, 156 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:47,640 Speaker 2: even when it is done without some of the criminal 157 00:10:47,640 --> 00:10:52,640 Speaker 2: activity that has traditionally surrounded it. Are there places where 158 00:10:52,679 --> 00:10:55,680 Speaker 2: this can be done? Obviously Las Vegas As has a 159 00:10:55,720 --> 00:10:59,439 Speaker 2: lot of adult entertainment themes. Not everyone can go to 160 00:10:59,559 --> 00:11:03,280 Speaker 2: Las Vegas US. My guest is Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn. 161 00:11:03,679 --> 00:11:10,560 Speaker 2: He represents a large portion of Boston, but specifically we're 162 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:15,720 Speaker 2: talking tonight about what is colloquially known as Chinatown. There 163 00:11:15,720 --> 00:11:18,440 Speaker 2: are restaurants, but there's also about five thousand people and 164 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:22,480 Speaker 2: families who live in that community. So feel free give 165 00:11:22,559 --> 00:11:25,040 Speaker 2: us a call six one, seven, two, five, four ten 166 00:11:25,120 --> 00:11:29,920 Speaker 2: thirty six one seven, nine three one ten thirty. Obviously, 167 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:35,040 Speaker 2: lawyers will get involved, despite what maybe Council of Flynn 168 00:11:35,120 --> 00:11:39,320 Speaker 2: is hoping to try to do, and maybe he recognizes 169 00:11:39,360 --> 00:11:42,680 Speaker 2: that at the end of the day, this move from 170 00:11:42,720 --> 00:11:45,680 Speaker 2: La Green Street to Stuart Street might not be able 171 00:11:45,679 --> 00:11:47,720 Speaker 2: to be stopped. I mean, one of the arguments was 172 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 2: that we need these sort of clubs to UH to 173 00:11:51,320 --> 00:11:57,760 Speaker 2: bring conventioneers to Boston, which to me sounds nuts, totally nuts. 174 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:00,920 Speaker 2: But maybe I'm a little more naive that I that 175 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:04,199 Speaker 2: I realize six one seven, two, five, four ten thirty 176 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 2: six one seven nine three one ten thirty. This may 177 00:12:07,880 --> 00:12:10,840 Speaker 2: only immediately impact a portion of the city where you 178 00:12:10,840 --> 00:12:13,480 Speaker 2: are not living, but you are more than welcome to 179 00:12:13,520 --> 00:12:16,080 Speaker 2: weigh in on it. And the question would be, would 180 00:12:16,160 --> 00:12:19,559 Speaker 2: you welcome if you think this sort of establishment should 181 00:12:19,600 --> 00:12:25,480 Speaker 2: be allowed and licensed and operational uh in the the 182 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:29,440 Speaker 2: old combat zone that is also referred to as part 183 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:32,880 Speaker 2: of it as Chinatown. Would you want it in your neighborhood? 184 00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:35,679 Speaker 2: Feel free to join the conversation one way or the other. 185 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:39,240 Speaker 2: Back on nights Side with Boston City Council Ed Flynn. 186 00:12:39,760 --> 00:12:44,439 Speaker 1: It's Night Side with Dan Ray on Boston's news radio. 187 00:12:45,679 --> 00:12:51,600 Speaker 2: All right, City Councilor Ed Flynn, Let's get to the 188 00:12:51,640 --> 00:12:54,200 Speaker 2: phones and see what what folks have to say on 189 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:56,400 Speaker 2: this one. I'm going to start it off with Ron 190 00:12:56,679 --> 00:12:59,480 Speaker 2: in Roxbury. Ron and Roxbury, you are first up this 191 00:12:59,559 --> 00:13:00,440 Speaker 2: hour on Nightside. 192 00:13:00,480 --> 00:13:04,920 Speaker 5: Go right ahead, Hi, Dan, this is Ron. I met 193 00:13:04,960 --> 00:13:09,320 Speaker 5: both of you at one time. I'm going old enough 194 00:13:09,320 --> 00:13:14,920 Speaker 5: to remember the original Scully Square and that was the 195 00:13:14,960 --> 00:13:17,600 Speaker 5: combat zone way back when, and that's. 196 00:13:17,440 --> 00:13:21,120 Speaker 2: Down where City Hall is today, correct historically. 197 00:13:21,559 --> 00:13:22,400 Speaker 5: Yeah, correctly. 198 00:13:22,520 --> 00:13:23,280 Speaker 2: Yeah. 199 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:27,560 Speaker 5: And then I guess the attract when it moved to 200 00:13:28,920 --> 00:13:32,240 Speaker 5: Washington Street and so forth, that was the attraction was 201 00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:36,160 Speaker 5: mostly the dancing girls and the heavy drinking. And I 202 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:39,359 Speaker 5: don't know if dancing girls is part of the licensing 203 00:13:39,400 --> 00:13:42,840 Speaker 5: system that is causing this place to move from one 204 00:13:42,840 --> 00:13:45,000 Speaker 5: place to the other or no, they just want to. 205 00:13:45,040 --> 00:13:47,040 Speaker 2: I think that it is better with this than I am. 206 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:50,840 Speaker 2: I think it's a better location. It's more it's more 207 00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:54,319 Speaker 2: centrally located. I assume it's location, location, location, ed. 208 00:13:54,960 --> 00:13:58,120 Speaker 3: Well, that's that's part of it, Dan, But the big 209 00:13:58,160 --> 00:14:01,320 Speaker 3: part of it is the owner of the building wants 210 00:14:01,440 --> 00:14:05,920 Speaker 3: to do something else with it and not have not 211 00:14:06,080 --> 00:14:09,240 Speaker 3: have the entertainment in there, whether or not they want 212 00:14:09,280 --> 00:14:14,840 Speaker 3: to put a new business or development. That is the 213 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:17,920 Speaker 3: reason that basically the a lease will be up very soon, 214 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:18,360 Speaker 3: I believe. 215 00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:20,760 Speaker 2: Oh, okay, so the new so the owner of the 216 00:14:20,800 --> 00:14:23,560 Speaker 2: building wants to have a business in there where people 217 00:14:23,640 --> 00:14:24,400 Speaker 2: keep their clothes on. 218 00:14:24,720 --> 00:14:27,040 Speaker 1: Okay, fair enough, Yep, that's exactly right. 219 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:28,680 Speaker 2: Okay, go ahead, RD. 220 00:14:29,320 --> 00:14:33,240 Speaker 5: Yeah, I'm just curious the memory of Scully Square and 221 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:36,240 Speaker 5: so forth in the convert zone. I don't think one 222 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:40,400 Speaker 5: business would probably make the area that much worse in 223 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:41,160 Speaker 5: my opinion. 224 00:14:42,640 --> 00:14:44,680 Speaker 2: Well, the only problem is that for those who live 225 00:14:44,720 --> 00:14:49,840 Speaker 2: there ed observation, which is probably accurate. 226 00:14:51,160 --> 00:14:54,360 Speaker 5: Maybe we don't want that in pebody who knows, Yeah, 227 00:14:54,400 --> 00:14:55,120 Speaker 5: well they do have it. 228 00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:55,400 Speaker 2: Yeah. 229 00:14:56,080 --> 00:15:00,520 Speaker 3: The only thing I would add is open a new 230 00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:05,320 Speaker 3: location almost encourages in my opinion, for others to open up, 231 00:15:06,040 --> 00:15:11,320 Speaker 3: and it signals that Boston wants these types of establishments 232 00:15:11,800 --> 00:15:15,640 Speaker 3: in the city. But there has to be a role 233 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:19,400 Speaker 3: for residents. And residents have fought and put up with 234 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:23,720 Speaker 3: the combat zone for years, especially the Chinese community, and 235 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:28,040 Speaker 3: they're asking for respect. They know how bad it was 236 00:15:28,680 --> 00:15:33,760 Speaker 3: when the combat zone was fully operational. They couldn't leave 237 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:37,960 Speaker 3: their homes or visit their family of friends. I was 238 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:42,000 Speaker 3: talking to an elderly woman last night, in fact, Ruth Moy, 239 00:15:42,920 --> 00:15:45,400 Speaker 3: a leader in the Chinatown community, and she was telling 240 00:15:45,440 --> 00:15:50,120 Speaker 3: me about what the combat zone meant to the Chinese community, 241 00:15:50,160 --> 00:15:52,960 Speaker 3: and they were very frightened about it. They didn't feel 242 00:15:53,040 --> 00:15:57,160 Speaker 3: safe walking up from Unt Street or Washington Street, or 243 00:15:57,280 --> 00:15:59,560 Speaker 3: visiting people or going to the park. Going to the 244 00:15:59,560 --> 00:16:05,680 Speaker 3: Boston Common or up towards downtown crossing. So I want 245 00:16:05,720 --> 00:16:09,200 Speaker 3: to make sure that Chinatown residents are respect it and 246 00:16:09,280 --> 00:16:11,840 Speaker 3: the process. And again, as I said at the beginning, 247 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:14,520 Speaker 3: I don't feel like they have been and that's my 248 00:16:14,640 --> 00:16:16,560 Speaker 3: job to fight for them. 249 00:16:17,040 --> 00:16:20,200 Speaker 5: So it sounds like this establishment might have a fight 250 00:16:20,280 --> 00:16:25,720 Speaker 5: on their hands, depending on if the residents prevail. Well, okay, 251 00:16:25,760 --> 00:16:28,560 Speaker 5: I just wanted to say hy and give my two cents. 252 00:16:28,680 --> 00:16:30,760 Speaker 2: Well, Ron, thank you very much for calling. I appreciate 253 00:16:30,800 --> 00:16:34,320 Speaker 2: it very much. Great to renew our acquaintances. Thank you 254 00:16:34,360 --> 00:16:35,000 Speaker 2: so much. Ron. 255 00:16:35,480 --> 00:16:36,320 Speaker 5: Okay, a good night. 256 00:16:36,360 --> 00:16:40,560 Speaker 3: Thanks listening tonight you too, run okay, take care. Thanks Ron. 257 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:42,360 Speaker 2: We're going to take a quick break for some news 258 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:44,200 Speaker 2: at the bottom of the hour. If you would like 259 00:16:44,280 --> 00:16:46,360 Speaker 2: the one line at six one, seven, two, five, four, 260 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:50,600 Speaker 2: ten thirty. Also we have lines at six one, seven 261 00:16:50,680 --> 00:16:54,600 Speaker 2: nine thirty ed more phone call was await us on 262 00:16:54,640 --> 00:16:56,360 Speaker 2: the other side. We got about a three or four 263 00:16:56,400 --> 00:16:58,520 Speaker 2: minute break here for news at the bottom of the hour, 264 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:01,000 Speaker 2: and we will be right back. I do have a 265 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:03,600 Speaker 2: lot of questions myself, and I know that you know 266 00:17:03,680 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 2: this situation much better than I do. One of the 267 00:17:06,359 --> 00:17:09,320 Speaker 2: questions We're going to have to ask, is how quickly 268 00:17:09,400 --> 00:17:12,560 Speaker 2: do you think this either will get resolved or not 269 00:17:12,800 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 2: be resolved. We can talk about that. Is there some 270 00:17:15,280 --> 00:17:19,680 Speaker 2: sort of a time constraint that obviously if the building, 271 00:17:19,960 --> 00:17:22,400 Speaker 2: if the lease is running out, there is a time constraint, 272 00:17:22,760 --> 00:17:26,600 Speaker 2: And does that work in the advantage of the community 273 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:29,440 Speaker 2: in Chinatown or against the community in Chinatown, because I 274 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:33,080 Speaker 2: could see it working both ways, maybe even simultaneously. But 275 00:17:33,160 --> 00:17:35,160 Speaker 2: you have the answer. I only have the question. Back 276 00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:36,480 Speaker 2: on Night's Side right after this. 277 00:17:37,760 --> 00:17:42,439 Speaker 1: It's Night Side with Dan Ray on w Boston's news radio. 278 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:45,600 Speaker 2: All right, let us go across the river to Steve 279 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:48,760 Speaker 2: and Cambridge. Hey, Steve, welcome back. You're all with Ed Flynn. 280 00:17:48,760 --> 00:17:49,440 Speaker 2: How are you, Steve. 281 00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:52,359 Speaker 6: I'm well, Dan. I hope you and Count Switt Flynn 282 00:17:52,359 --> 00:17:53,080 Speaker 6: are both well. 283 00:17:53,200 --> 00:17:56,760 Speaker 2: We're doing great and it's better hearing your voice. Haven't 284 00:17:56,800 --> 00:17:57,920 Speaker 2: heard you in a couple of weeks. 285 00:17:57,960 --> 00:17:59,960 Speaker 1: Go right ahead, Count foot Flynn. 286 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:05,719 Speaker 6: And I'm really opposed to your thinking. I think that 287 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:10,720 Speaker 6: Centerfolds has been there many many years. Uh, it has 288 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:16,560 Speaker 6: uh customers that like it, it has employees, they've paid taxes. 289 00:18:18,600 --> 00:18:22,439 Speaker 6: I think to give them a hard time just because 290 00:18:22,440 --> 00:18:25,520 Speaker 6: they want to move a couple of blocks to stay afloat, 291 00:18:25,640 --> 00:18:30,119 Speaker 6: to stay in business. I think to prevent that would 292 00:18:30,119 --> 00:18:31,000 Speaker 6: be a real shame. 293 00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:35,639 Speaker 3: Well, thank thank you Dan for your your call. I 294 00:18:35,720 --> 00:18:36,399 Speaker 3: respect you. 295 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:41,159 Speaker 2: This is Steve. This is Steve from Cabridge. I do 296 00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:45,359 Speaker 2: not associate myself with those oh Steve, but Steve's a 297 00:18:45,400 --> 00:18:45,840 Speaker 2: good guy. 298 00:18:47,280 --> 00:18:48,560 Speaker 6: Thank you Dan, Thank you Dan. 299 00:18:48,800 --> 00:18:53,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, thank you Steve. I respect your opinion. I disagree. 300 00:18:53,760 --> 00:18:56,919 Speaker 3: I have an obligation as the district's city councilor to 301 00:18:57,000 --> 00:19:00,399 Speaker 3: fight for my constituents, and that's exactly what but what 302 00:19:00,520 --> 00:19:04,920 Speaker 3: I'm doing. I believe they have the right to have 303 00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:08,320 Speaker 3: their voices heard at city Hall. That's what this is 304 00:19:08,359 --> 00:19:12,720 Speaker 3: really about. Do the residents of Chinatown have the right 305 00:19:12,800 --> 00:19:17,840 Speaker 3: to express themselves at city Hall about development that's taking 306 00:19:17,880 --> 00:19:20,520 Speaker 3: place in their district. If you were to open up 307 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:23,720 Speaker 3: a bakery or a sandwich shop, you would have to 308 00:19:23,720 --> 00:19:27,199 Speaker 3: go through a community process, But in this case, you don't. 309 00:19:27,720 --> 00:19:30,919 Speaker 3: I think that's unfair and I need to do everything 310 00:19:30,960 --> 00:19:35,280 Speaker 3: I possibly can to advocate for my constituents. And that's 311 00:19:35,359 --> 00:19:39,800 Speaker 3: what I'm doing. And I respect your position, and I 312 00:19:39,840 --> 00:19:43,840 Speaker 3: do know many people disagree with me, but I'm not 313 00:19:44,240 --> 00:19:46,760 Speaker 3: taking and choosing which issues to work on. I have 314 00:19:46,840 --> 00:19:48,520 Speaker 3: to work on the issues that are in front of 315 00:19:48,560 --> 00:19:52,439 Speaker 3: me that impact my constituents, and my constituents want me 316 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:54,600 Speaker 3: to fight for them, and that's exactly what I'm going 317 00:19:54,640 --> 00:19:54,920 Speaker 3: to do. 318 00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:58,119 Speaker 6: I would like to make one other point is I 319 00:19:58,359 --> 00:20:02,320 Speaker 6: for many years, well for many years, worked in Park Square, 320 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:09,520 Speaker 6: and Park Square was a little bit it wasn't like 321 00:20:09,560 --> 00:20:13,680 Speaker 6: it is now. There was a little bit more funky, 322 00:20:13,800 --> 00:20:17,600 Speaker 6: if you will. And I used to go into the 323 00:20:17,640 --> 00:20:22,000 Speaker 6: combat zone with some frequency. I felt safer in the 324 00:20:22,040 --> 00:20:25,120 Speaker 6: combat zone at night than I did in the back 325 00:20:25,200 --> 00:20:28,320 Speaker 6: bay because in the combat zone there were people on 326 00:20:28,359 --> 00:20:32,800 Speaker 6: the street, there were policemen. You could walk down Marlborough 327 00:20:32,800 --> 00:20:36,760 Speaker 6: Street or Commonwealth Avenue after ten o'clock and it would 328 00:20:36,760 --> 00:20:37,440 Speaker 6: be deserted. 329 00:20:37,480 --> 00:20:38,320 Speaker 3: You could be. 330 00:20:38,560 --> 00:20:41,399 Speaker 6: Attacked and no one would even know it. So I 331 00:20:41,440 --> 00:20:44,320 Speaker 6: don't think the combat I felt safe in the combat zone. 332 00:20:44,560 --> 00:20:47,439 Speaker 2: Let me ask you this, Steve, what about for the 333 00:20:47,560 --> 00:20:51,880 Speaker 2: perspective from people who live in Chinatown and there are 334 00:20:51,920 --> 00:20:55,119 Speaker 2: families there who have been there a long time, kids 335 00:20:55,119 --> 00:20:58,919 Speaker 2: in school, what sort of empathy do you have for 336 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:04,480 Speaker 2: this set a certain ccumstances where they're living, You know, through. 337 00:21:05,080 --> 00:21:08,560 Speaker 2: Really they are choosing to live there, but they're choosing 338 00:21:08,600 --> 00:21:10,840 Speaker 2: to live there because it isn't an area where they 339 00:21:10,840 --> 00:21:13,520 Speaker 2: can be comfortable from a familial point of view, a 340 00:21:13,600 --> 00:21:16,520 Speaker 2: generational point of view. What do you say to them, though, 341 00:21:16,560 --> 00:21:18,640 Speaker 2: Why do they have to deal with this? In other 342 00:21:18,720 --> 00:21:23,479 Speaker 2: communities it is not allowed. You know, certainly you wouldn't 343 00:21:23,520 --> 00:21:26,240 Speaker 2: have something like this in Cambridge, as open minded as 344 00:21:26,280 --> 00:21:26,919 Speaker 2: Cambridge is. 345 00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:32,080 Speaker 6: Well, I mean, this kind of hyper restrictive zoning I'm 346 00:21:32,119 --> 00:21:35,400 Speaker 6: not terribly in favor of. But Dan, one thing you've 347 00:21:35,400 --> 00:21:39,240 Speaker 6: got to remember also is when those bars and restaurants 348 00:21:39,280 --> 00:21:43,280 Speaker 6: closed in the combat zone, the restaurants in Chinatown were 349 00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:46,959 Speaker 6: jumping until four o'clock in the morning. 350 00:21:48,520 --> 00:21:51,880 Speaker 1: They were. 351 00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:56,320 Speaker 2: It's a commercial area, but just as an overlay of 352 00:21:56,640 --> 00:22:02,520 Speaker 2: you know, you know, the tie of activity. It's not 353 00:22:02,640 --> 00:22:07,520 Speaker 2: what you call a family friendly sort of activity. That's 354 00:22:07,560 --> 00:22:10,080 Speaker 2: all I would be. You know that someone alluded to 355 00:22:10,160 --> 00:22:12,600 Speaker 2: a couple of places up on Route one that's in 356 00:22:12,720 --> 00:22:15,359 Speaker 2: a pure commercial area. I don't think there's much of 357 00:22:15,400 --> 00:22:20,440 Speaker 2: an impact. There can be places where where these are allowed. 358 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:24,639 Speaker 2: But I tend to decide with Council of Flynn on 359 00:22:24,680 --> 00:22:27,679 Speaker 2: this one, and he has to really be protective of 360 00:22:27,720 --> 00:22:29,920 Speaker 2: his constituents. And I'm sure you understand that. 361 00:22:30,080 --> 00:22:31,840 Speaker 6: Oh no, of course, and I have great respect for 362 00:22:31,920 --> 00:22:34,960 Speaker 6: the Flynn family, including him and his father. 363 00:22:36,800 --> 00:22:41,160 Speaker 3: You know, my assistant has worked for me for eight years. 364 00:22:41,200 --> 00:22:44,639 Speaker 3: Her name is Melissa, and she's a graduate of the 365 00:22:44,640 --> 00:22:48,000 Speaker 3: public school system in Boston, lived in Bonn and raised 366 00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:50,359 Speaker 3: and still lives on Beech Street with her family still 367 00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:54,960 Speaker 3: there on Knapp Street. Really, and she would be telling me, 368 00:22:55,520 --> 00:22:59,000 Speaker 3: and her family would be telling me stories of how 369 00:22:59,640 --> 00:23:04,160 Speaker 3: even a young young women were propositioned coming home from 370 00:23:04,160 --> 00:23:07,480 Speaker 3: school or going to school. And you know, the young 371 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:11,560 Speaker 3: Chinese women were harassed by people late at night. The 372 00:23:12,080 --> 00:23:16,639 Speaker 3: women of Chinatown didn't feel safe the Leather District or 373 00:23:16,640 --> 00:23:20,720 Speaker 3: downtown Boston. Those are neighborhoods and they're just asking for 374 00:23:20,800 --> 00:23:24,240 Speaker 3: a little bit of respect from city hall, and oftentimes 375 00:23:24,280 --> 00:23:27,960 Speaker 3: city hall doesn't stand with them. But I think in 376 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:32,840 Speaker 3: this case we need to ensure that residents' voices are 377 00:23:32,880 --> 00:23:35,600 Speaker 3: heard and respected. And I don't think we can just 378 00:23:35,720 --> 00:23:40,360 Speaker 3: necessarily ignore them because it's politically incorrect. 379 00:23:40,640 --> 00:23:43,440 Speaker 6: No, but we also have to listen to a business 380 00:23:43,480 --> 00:23:46,160 Speaker 6: that's been there for many years. Thank you both, Thank 381 00:23:46,160 --> 00:23:46,480 Speaker 6: you both. 382 00:23:46,600 --> 00:23:48,359 Speaker 2: Steve thank you, Thank you, Steve. 383 00:23:48,960 --> 00:23:50,960 Speaker 6: Good night counselor good night Steve. 384 00:23:52,240 --> 00:23:55,399 Speaker 2: So as I mentioned earlier, with the time constraints of 385 00:23:55,480 --> 00:23:58,840 Speaker 2: this least running out and the one the owner wanted 386 00:23:58,880 --> 00:24:00,639 Speaker 2: to bring in a different type of thing into the 387 00:24:00,640 --> 00:24:03,360 Speaker 2: current location on Gray Street, what's sort of a time 388 00:24:03,400 --> 00:24:05,480 Speaker 2: frame where you're looking out here with this This has 389 00:24:05,560 --> 00:24:07,600 Speaker 2: to be solved within Is it a matter of weeks 390 00:24:07,720 --> 00:24:10,280 Speaker 2: or a matter of months or even or even sooner. 391 00:24:10,640 --> 00:24:12,680 Speaker 3: No, I think it's I think it's imminent. I think 392 00:24:12,680 --> 00:24:19,320 Speaker 3: it's within months. I believe the establishment is going to 393 00:24:19,480 --> 00:24:24,399 Speaker 3: go to the community soon, and that means that in 394 00:24:24,480 --> 00:24:28,520 Speaker 3: terms of advocating for their position to have entertainment or 395 00:24:28,640 --> 00:24:33,040 Speaker 3: alcohol license, those community meetings will probably begin in the 396 00:24:33,080 --> 00:24:37,399 Speaker 3: next thirty sixty days, and I would expect that they 397 00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:40,040 Speaker 3: will be at the licensing board probably in the next 398 00:24:40,800 --> 00:24:41,800 Speaker 3: couple of months or so. 399 00:24:42,119 --> 00:24:43,840 Speaker 2: All right, let me get one more in here before 400 00:24:43,840 --> 00:24:45,560 Speaker 2: the break, and I go to Joe and Belmont. Joe, 401 00:24:45,560 --> 00:24:48,280 Speaker 2: you're next on nights Side with Foster City council or 402 00:24:48,560 --> 00:24:50,320 Speaker 2: Ed Flynn. Go ahead, Joe, I have. 403 00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:54,919 Speaker 4: A question and a solution out of the seven or 404 00:24:54,920 --> 00:25:00,320 Speaker 4: fifteen movie the eighties on Washington Stewart in Threemont many 405 00:25:00,359 --> 00:25:02,160 Speaker 4: can you name Ed and Dan? 406 00:25:03,119 --> 00:25:05,320 Speaker 2: I didn't realize there were fifteen there, Kevin. 407 00:25:05,440 --> 00:25:08,400 Speaker 4: Maybe I'm the fifties. 408 00:25:08,440 --> 00:25:11,800 Speaker 2: In the fifties, I'm not interested to doing a trivia 409 00:25:12,119 --> 00:25:13,560 Speaker 2: because my solution. 410 00:25:13,920 --> 00:25:18,359 Speaker 4: My solution is, you know, like the Squire Club in 411 00:25:18,400 --> 00:25:23,000 Speaker 4: the Golden Banana, why don't they put the uh the 412 00:25:23,040 --> 00:25:25,520 Speaker 4: combat zone in the woods in an area or in 413 00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:27,560 Speaker 4: Cape cart and see how they like it. 414 00:25:28,240 --> 00:25:31,760 Speaker 2: Well, I guess that's always a possibility. There's there's there's 415 00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:36,080 Speaker 2: a variety of places. There's also you know, places out 416 00:25:36,119 --> 00:25:39,800 Speaker 2: in the one twenty eight area. You fly over out 417 00:25:39,840 --> 00:25:44,000 Speaker 2: of Logan Airport and you realize how much land is available. 418 00:25:44,040 --> 00:25:48,160 Speaker 2: I don't know. I mean Ed is interested in his constituents, Joe. 419 00:25:48,800 --> 00:25:51,760 Speaker 2: I'm sure that if there was something like this to 420 00:25:51,840 --> 00:25:55,240 Speaker 2: open up in Belmont, you would want an advocate as 421 00:25:55,280 --> 00:25:58,720 Speaker 2: strong as Ed Flynn in in your local government. 422 00:25:59,320 --> 00:26:04,800 Speaker 4: Could I say something to compliment about Ed's father? Twenty second? 423 00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:09,199 Speaker 4: Twenty seconds, I'm almost old enough to see your father. 424 00:26:09,480 --> 00:26:13,520 Speaker 4: Ed played basketball down at Trump Field in Somer Bowl 425 00:26:13,560 --> 00:26:14,480 Speaker 4: in fifty six. 426 00:26:15,800 --> 00:26:18,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, he played a lot of basketball in Cambridge and 427 00:26:18,520 --> 00:26:22,520 Speaker 3: Somerville and Allington and Belmonty. He would he would play 428 00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:24,960 Speaker 3: sports down there with a lot of the guys there, 429 00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:27,960 Speaker 3: And you're exactly right. In the fifties and sixties, whether 430 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:31,840 Speaker 3: it was baseball, basketball, or football, and a lot of 431 00:26:31,880 --> 00:26:32,959 Speaker 3: great athletes there. 432 00:26:33,320 --> 00:26:36,359 Speaker 4: You knows Tommy Kelly and Paul Howard from Somerveall. He 433 00:26:36,440 --> 00:26:39,840 Speaker 4: played on their team down in Somerville. And I would 434 00:26:39,880 --> 00:26:42,879 Speaker 4: like you to become an ambassador to the Vatican in 435 00:26:42,960 --> 00:26:44,119 Speaker 4: Mayor of Boston. 436 00:26:45,040 --> 00:26:46,840 Speaker 2: Well, we'll have to see what it was, have to 437 00:26:46,840 --> 00:26:50,840 Speaker 2: see what what Ed's future holds it sore. I think 438 00:26:50,840 --> 00:26:53,040 Speaker 2: he'd be capable at both of those jobs. Thank you, Joe, 439 00:26:53,080 --> 00:26:53,840 Speaker 2: appreciate your calling. 440 00:26:53,920 --> 00:26:56,879 Speaker 3: It was a pleasure, Dan, thank you, thank you for calling. 441 00:26:57,359 --> 00:26:59,359 Speaker 2: Got to take a very quick break. We got the 442 00:26:59,400 --> 00:27:02,160 Speaker 2: lines lit up up here. I got Sander in Boston. 443 00:27:02,160 --> 00:27:04,360 Speaker 2: I got Nick and Winchester, Richie in Boston, and christ 444 00:27:04,400 --> 00:27:06,280 Speaker 2: and Boston. We're going to get all of those four 445 00:27:06,320 --> 00:27:08,960 Speaker 2: in and we'll be back on nightside right after this break. 446 00:27:08,960 --> 00:27:11,280 Speaker 2: The only line is six one, seven, two, five, four, 447 00:27:11,400 --> 00:27:11,920 Speaker 2: ten thirty. 448 00:27:12,920 --> 00:27:17,200 Speaker 1: You're on night side with Dan Ray on waz Boston's 449 00:27:17,240 --> 00:27:17,879 Speaker 1: news radio. 450 00:27:18,560 --> 00:27:21,000 Speaker 2: Okay, we have full lines. We may carry this into 451 00:27:21,040 --> 00:27:23,919 Speaker 2: the next hour if you want so, stay right there, everybody, 452 00:27:24,040 --> 00:27:26,359 Speaker 2: let us get going here, going to go next to 453 00:27:27,040 --> 00:27:29,240 Speaker 2: Richie and Boston. Richie, you are next on nightside with 454 00:27:29,240 --> 00:27:31,359 Speaker 2: Boston City Council Ed Flann go ahead, rich. 455 00:27:33,240 --> 00:27:34,879 Speaker 7: Hey, Dan Ed good to be with you, Dan. This 456 00:27:34,880 --> 00:27:37,400 Speaker 7: is versus hiclea Downtown Boston Near But Association. We were 457 00:27:37,440 --> 00:27:39,960 Speaker 7: on together almost a year ago at this court talking 458 00:27:39,960 --> 00:27:40,600 Speaker 7: about safety. 459 00:27:40,880 --> 00:27:43,040 Speaker 2: Thank you for very identifying you. So go right ahead. 460 00:27:43,960 --> 00:27:45,040 Speaker 7: Absolutely so listen. 461 00:27:45,400 --> 00:27:46,280 Speaker 1: Council Fun and I. 462 00:27:46,200 --> 00:27:48,919 Speaker 7: Have worked together on many, many, many things, and my 463 00:27:49,119 --> 00:27:51,520 Speaker 7: neighbors in Chinatown and I we were recording a lot 464 00:27:51,520 --> 00:27:55,080 Speaker 7: of things quality life issues, transportation, planning, zoning, development, safety, 465 00:27:55,560 --> 00:27:57,400 Speaker 7: and what I want to say tonight is this isn't 466 00:27:57,440 --> 00:28:01,480 Speaker 7: about perception or about safety, or about the kind of 467 00:28:01,480 --> 00:28:04,080 Speaker 7: business we're talking about. This is just about pure common sense. 468 00:28:04,200 --> 00:28:04,400 Speaker 4: Right. 469 00:28:04,440 --> 00:28:08,359 Speaker 7: We just rezoned the entirety of downtown Boston and Chinatown's 470 00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:11,760 Speaker 7: going through this, and you can't have it both ways. 471 00:28:11,760 --> 00:28:12,320 Speaker 1: As a city. 472 00:28:12,520 --> 00:28:14,440 Speaker 7: You want to attract families and you want to create 473 00:28:14,520 --> 00:28:17,399 Speaker 7: quality of life opportunities for everybody who lives here. You 474 00:28:17,480 --> 00:28:19,439 Speaker 7: got to respect the community and you got to respect 475 00:28:19,440 --> 00:28:20,720 Speaker 7: the people who want to live here. 476 00:28:20,560 --> 00:28:21,960 Speaker 1: And the times have changed. 477 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:24,160 Speaker 7: This isn't a combat zones, This isn't thirty forty years 478 00:28:24,160 --> 00:28:27,959 Speaker 7: ago anymore. This is current day, twenty twenty five, and 479 00:28:28,040 --> 00:28:30,440 Speaker 7: so we have to be more thoughtful as a city 480 00:28:30,520 --> 00:28:34,000 Speaker 7: about how we think about zoning. The zoning system in Boston, 481 00:28:34,040 --> 00:28:37,560 Speaker 7: from my perspective, is entirely broken, right, and so if 482 00:28:37,560 --> 00:28:40,200 Speaker 7: a business wants to do business as of right, that's 483 00:28:40,240 --> 00:28:43,280 Speaker 7: one thing twenty thirty years ago. But today we need 484 00:28:43,320 --> 00:28:45,320 Speaker 7: to respect the community. And I just wanted to call 485 00:28:45,360 --> 00:28:47,400 Speaker 7: in on behalf of my friends here in Chinatown to 486 00:28:47,440 --> 00:28:50,000 Speaker 7: say that we have to do better when it comes 487 00:28:50,040 --> 00:28:53,200 Speaker 7: to vetting businesses. Right, what's your security plan, what are 488 00:28:53,240 --> 00:28:56,120 Speaker 7: your hours, what are your operational plans? What do you 489 00:28:56,200 --> 00:28:56,960 Speaker 7: intend to do there? 490 00:28:57,040 --> 00:28:57,640 Speaker 8: What are you doing. 491 00:28:57,480 --> 00:29:00,440 Speaker 7: Differently than before? These are common sense things that any 492 00:29:00,440 --> 00:29:02,600 Speaker 7: business should be able to answer. And it's not supposed 493 00:29:02,640 --> 00:29:04,200 Speaker 7: to be a gotcha. It's not supposed to be a 494 00:29:04,640 --> 00:29:08,000 Speaker 7: let's suppress business or capitalism. It's the opposite, right, It's 495 00:29:08,120 --> 00:29:10,400 Speaker 7: let's make sure the will of the community is respected 496 00:29:10,960 --> 00:29:13,720 Speaker 7: and that we have a logical path forward. And I 497 00:29:13,760 --> 00:29:15,960 Speaker 7: think that's a lush thing for us to all want 498 00:29:15,960 --> 00:29:18,560 Speaker 7: to see happened here in Boston. So yeah, I just 499 00:29:18,600 --> 00:29:21,400 Speaker 7: wanted to call in to say I am fully supportive 500 00:29:21,520 --> 00:29:24,560 Speaker 7: of our friends and shout it down to making sure 501 00:29:24,600 --> 00:29:27,960 Speaker 7: that they have the support that they need to vet 502 00:29:27,960 --> 00:29:30,880 Speaker 7: a business that wants to expand itself or relocate itself 503 00:29:31,480 --> 00:29:33,600 Speaker 7: in the heart of the city. And obviously you know 504 00:29:33,720 --> 00:29:36,440 Speaker 7: Lagrange Street is very, very different than Neiland or Stewart. 505 00:29:37,040 --> 00:29:39,840 Speaker 7: Anybody who's from Boston knows that. And for you know 506 00:29:39,880 --> 00:29:41,959 Speaker 7: the reasons you discussed earlier. I think Steve mentioned it 507 00:29:42,320 --> 00:29:46,000 Speaker 7: your last caller. You wouldn't have this discussion in Wellesley 508 00:29:46,160 --> 00:29:48,680 Speaker 7: or Newton, or Cambridge or Rosindale. 509 00:29:53,760 --> 00:29:55,880 Speaker 2: I got back lines. Thank you for your kind words. 510 00:29:55,920 --> 00:29:57,960 Speaker 2: I'm sure Counselor of Flynn wants to thank you for 511 00:29:58,000 --> 00:29:58,600 Speaker 2: your support. 512 00:29:59,000 --> 00:30:01,440 Speaker 3: Yeah, thank you, she thank you for your leadership. 513 00:30:02,920 --> 00:30:06,680 Speaker 2: You got thanks, guys, talk to you soon to go 514 00:30:06,720 --> 00:30:09,640 Speaker 2: to Sandra in Boston. Sandra, you were next on nights. 515 00:30:09,840 --> 00:30:15,560 Speaker 9: Go right ahead, Hi, Dan, Hi Consor Flint. I think 516 00:30:16,200 --> 00:30:19,640 Speaker 9: this area of our town has evolved quite a bit. 517 00:30:19,800 --> 00:30:24,240 Speaker 9: It is what I call the theater district. And I 518 00:30:24,320 --> 00:30:28,080 Speaker 9: actually knew Princess Cheyenne, which was the big act when 519 00:30:28,120 --> 00:30:32,360 Speaker 9: I was first came to Boston. She used to come 520 00:30:32,400 --> 00:30:37,800 Speaker 9: and take dance classes at a school where I was teaching. 521 00:30:38,680 --> 00:30:43,360 Speaker 9: And I think since that time, a lot of the 522 00:30:43,400 --> 00:30:46,480 Speaker 9: script joints and whatnot have left, and a lot of 523 00:30:46,520 --> 00:30:50,840 Speaker 9: the theaters that were crumbling and are in total were 524 00:30:50,880 --> 00:30:54,880 Speaker 9: in total disarray have been renovated. Things like the Modern 525 00:30:54,960 --> 00:30:59,440 Speaker 9: Theater and a number of other theaters. Well even the 526 00:30:59,440 --> 00:31:01,840 Speaker 9: Opera House where you go to see a ballet. Now, 527 00:31:02,040 --> 00:31:06,880 Speaker 9: I mean that was a mess, and I think it's 528 00:31:07,000 --> 00:31:10,480 Speaker 9: really an evolving place. But it is the theater district, 529 00:31:10,960 --> 00:31:13,040 Speaker 9: and there's always going to be a lot of stuff 530 00:31:13,080 --> 00:31:17,360 Speaker 9: going on there. And I think the Chinese restaurants actually 531 00:31:17,400 --> 00:31:20,560 Speaker 9: benefited quite a bit from the some of the late 532 00:31:20,640 --> 00:31:23,200 Speaker 9: night activities. As Stephen points out, you know. 533 00:31:23,600 --> 00:31:26,800 Speaker 2: People and order cold tea. 534 00:31:29,760 --> 00:31:32,520 Speaker 9: But I think you're right to listen very closely to 535 00:31:32,800 --> 00:31:35,880 Speaker 9: all the different voices in the neighborhood. And and I 536 00:31:35,920 --> 00:31:39,280 Speaker 9: think all our neighborhoods are changing pretty dramatically to a 537 00:31:39,320 --> 00:31:40,480 Speaker 9: whole different environment. 538 00:31:40,560 --> 00:31:41,040 Speaker 7: I mean, I. 539 00:31:41,000 --> 00:31:45,960 Speaker 9: Wish, you know, Boyleston Street and Newberry Street haven't hadn't 540 00:31:46,000 --> 00:31:49,920 Speaker 9: become the pot alley, the you know, weed shop alley 541 00:31:50,280 --> 00:31:53,800 Speaker 9: that they've become so I credit you for listening to 542 00:31:53,840 --> 00:31:58,080 Speaker 9: your constituency. I wish people listened a little bit more well. 543 00:31:58,160 --> 00:32:01,320 Speaker 2: Sandra, thank you for your kind words and also a 544 00:32:01,360 --> 00:32:05,680 Speaker 2: little perspective on how the area has changed. Is no 545 00:32:05,840 --> 00:32:08,640 Speaker 2: longer the combat zone is the Theater District. That's a 546 00:32:08,680 --> 00:32:10,480 Speaker 2: really good point, you, Matte. Thank you so much. 547 00:32:10,960 --> 00:32:13,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, thank you, Sandra. And what I tried to do 548 00:32:13,560 --> 00:32:17,720 Speaker 3: as a city councilor too, what happens in the Theater 549 00:32:17,840 --> 00:32:20,800 Speaker 3: District or Bay Village or Downtown Boston or the Leather 550 00:32:20,880 --> 00:32:25,120 Speaker 3: District has an impact on every neighborhood in and around 551 00:32:25,160 --> 00:32:29,520 Speaker 3: that area, in Chinatown in other areas. But Reschi was 552 00:32:29,560 --> 00:32:33,480 Speaker 3: on what I worked on too for the last eight years, 553 00:32:33,560 --> 00:32:38,400 Speaker 3: is building a better relationship between the residents of Downtown Chinatown, 554 00:32:38,920 --> 00:32:43,280 Speaker 3: Leather District, Bay Village. They're working well together, They're supporting 555 00:32:43,320 --> 00:32:46,720 Speaker 3: each other. There's no rivalry there. They're doing the best 556 00:32:46,760 --> 00:32:50,320 Speaker 3: for each other, especially during difficult times. And that's what 557 00:32:50,360 --> 00:32:53,640 Speaker 3: I love about the district is everybody pitches in when 558 00:32:53,760 --> 00:32:57,760 Speaker 3: things are things are down, and people are supporting the 559 00:32:57,760 --> 00:33:00,960 Speaker 3: residents of Chinatown, and that was not always the case. 560 00:33:01,440 --> 00:33:04,640 Speaker 3: And I'm really proud to see people rallying around the 561 00:33:04,680 --> 00:33:06,920 Speaker 3: residents of Chinatown. That really makes me happy. 562 00:33:07,040 --> 00:33:09,200 Speaker 2: Sounds great, Sandra, thank you for your call very much. 563 00:33:09,240 --> 00:33:11,560 Speaker 2: I appreciate We got two three more going to try 564 00:33:11,560 --> 00:33:13,320 Speaker 2: to get in. Thanks and have a great night. 565 00:33:13,400 --> 00:33:14,680 Speaker 1: Thank you. 566 00:33:15,360 --> 00:33:17,400 Speaker 2: All right, let me go next to Nick and Winchester. Nick, 567 00:33:17,440 --> 00:33:19,640 Speaker 2: we're getting a little tight on time. Got room for 568 00:33:19,880 --> 00:33:21,360 Speaker 2: you and maybe one or two more. 569 00:33:21,400 --> 00:33:25,840 Speaker 8: Go ahead and Nick, Hey, guys, I met you a 570 00:33:25,880 --> 00:33:27,520 Speaker 8: couple of times that same way. I work at some 571 00:33:27,680 --> 00:33:30,520 Speaker 8: Way Park, and I have to make a long story short. 572 00:33:30,760 --> 00:33:35,440 Speaker 8: I agree with you guys, totally, wholeheartedly, and bring it 573 00:33:35,480 --> 00:33:40,000 Speaker 8: to your constituents and let them have a say in it. 574 00:33:40,240 --> 00:33:44,520 Speaker 8: The area has evolved, it's changed, and just let it 575 00:33:44,560 --> 00:33:47,640 Speaker 8: be instead of letting people do what they want to do. 576 00:33:47,720 --> 00:33:50,440 Speaker 8: I agree with you, guys, and bring it to the 577 00:33:50,560 --> 00:33:54,400 Speaker 8: constituents and let them figure out if it's good for 578 00:33:54,440 --> 00:33:56,400 Speaker 8: the area, they can move. 579 00:33:57,080 --> 00:33:58,600 Speaker 2: Sounds great. 580 00:33:58,200 --> 00:34:00,640 Speaker 8: Great places they can go up. They can go up 581 00:34:00,640 --> 00:34:02,880 Speaker 8: to Root One. I mean, they don't have to stay 582 00:34:02,880 --> 00:34:04,600 Speaker 8: in Boston. It's only a half hour away. 583 00:34:04,920 --> 00:34:08,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, and you could get you know, there'll be patrons 584 00:34:08,440 --> 00:34:12,760 Speaker 2: who would find it easier from you know, northern Massachusetts, 585 00:34:12,760 --> 00:34:14,759 Speaker 2: from you know that they may have another, you know, 586 00:34:14,800 --> 00:34:17,319 Speaker 2: group of patrons who they would add to their to 587 00:34:17,360 --> 00:34:22,760 Speaker 2: their clientele. Nick, exactly, thank you so much, Thank you, 588 00:34:21,680 --> 00:34:25,680 Speaker 2: Thank you guys. Thanks Nick. Let me get christ in 589 00:34:25,760 --> 00:34:27,640 Speaker 2: Boston and I'm going to try to get Chris and 590 00:34:27,680 --> 00:34:29,840 Speaker 2: one more. But if not, I got you. Chris, you 591 00:34:29,880 --> 00:34:30,440 Speaker 2: are on the air. 592 00:34:30,480 --> 00:34:33,839 Speaker 10: Go right ahead, Yeah, Dan, thank you for having me on. 593 00:34:34,640 --> 00:34:39,000 Speaker 10: I'm involved in the Leatheristic Neighborhood Association of Downtown Boston 594 00:34:39,040 --> 00:34:41,359 Speaker 10: and I just wanted to add a little perspective as 595 00:34:41,400 --> 00:34:44,239 Speaker 10: a long time Downtown residence. First of all, thank you 596 00:34:44,280 --> 00:34:46,719 Speaker 10: to Counselor Flynn for being such a great advocate for 597 00:34:46,760 --> 00:34:49,960 Speaker 10: Downtown residents and in this particular case, for being an 598 00:34:50,000 --> 00:34:53,400 Speaker 10: advocate for residents of Chinatown who for too long have 599 00:34:53,520 --> 00:34:57,399 Speaker 10: had things like this foisted upon them. And really this 600 00:34:57,440 --> 00:35:01,799 Speaker 10: presents an opportunity to maybe correct some historical wrongs that 601 00:35:02,080 --> 00:35:06,680 Speaker 10: have existed in the Chinatown neighborhood. And you know, I've 602 00:35:06,719 --> 00:35:11,080 Speaker 10: heard some people talk about this is being the combat zone, 603 00:35:11,120 --> 00:35:13,799 Speaker 10: and to be honest with you, when I referenced the 604 00:35:13,840 --> 00:35:16,920 Speaker 10: combat zone to people in the neighborhood who haven't been 605 00:35:17,000 --> 00:35:19,160 Speaker 10: here that long, they don't even know what you're talking about. 606 00:35:19,200 --> 00:35:22,359 Speaker 10: That's how much this area has changed. So for those 607 00:35:22,480 --> 00:35:26,320 Speaker 10: listening who think, well, you know, it's just the combat 608 00:35:26,400 --> 00:35:29,120 Speaker 10: zone and that's the way it is, doesn't exist anymore. 609 00:35:29,200 --> 00:35:33,239 Speaker 10: The combat zone. And really the two remaining clubs such 610 00:35:33,280 --> 00:35:35,400 Speaker 10: as they are, have been out of the way on 611 00:35:35,480 --> 00:35:38,720 Speaker 10: their own on the side, and it was only because 612 00:35:38,840 --> 00:35:42,360 Speaker 10: the one, the Centerfold sold its building, as I understand 613 00:35:42,360 --> 00:35:45,200 Speaker 10: it from the Globe article, that they're in this predicament. 614 00:35:45,200 --> 00:35:47,520 Speaker 10: In other words, if they hadn't cashed in by selling 615 00:35:47,560 --> 00:35:50,800 Speaker 10: their real estate, they wouldn't need to move their location. 616 00:35:51,040 --> 00:35:55,160 Speaker 10: And so I think it's really super important, as Counselor 617 00:35:55,160 --> 00:35:59,360 Speaker 10: Flynn advocates, to have a neighborhood process right because the 618 00:35:59,400 --> 00:36:02,239 Speaker 10: neighborhood is changed. So we really need to look at 619 00:36:02,239 --> 00:36:06,960 Speaker 10: this new location in conjunction with the brand new desiah 620 00:36:07,000 --> 00:36:10,279 Speaker 10: Quincy Upper School that was just built in the neighborhood, 621 00:36:10,640 --> 00:36:13,080 Speaker 10: and you know, how do these things fit together? And 622 00:36:13,120 --> 00:36:16,279 Speaker 10: do they fit together? And really, as counsel Flynn so 623 00:36:16,600 --> 00:36:19,920 Speaker 10: correctly points out, the notion that if you opened a 624 00:36:20,719 --> 00:36:23,360 Speaker 10: restaurant or a bakery, you'd have to go through a 625 00:36:23,400 --> 00:36:26,800 Speaker 10: neighborhood process. But if you're if you're moving this business 626 00:36:26,840 --> 00:36:30,200 Speaker 10: which is which has you know, some possible negative fide 627 00:36:30,239 --> 00:36:34,759 Speaker 10: effects you don't doesn't make any sense in twenty twenty five. 628 00:36:34,960 --> 00:36:37,680 Speaker 2: All right, if you have to hear on that point, Chris, 629 00:36:37,880 --> 00:36:40,120 Speaker 2: I got to end because I'm up against my newscast. 630 00:36:40,800 --> 00:36:42,680 Speaker 2: I thank you for calling, and I will tell the 631 00:36:42,719 --> 00:36:45,120 Speaker 2: other folks who are on the line. I'd like to 632 00:36:45,160 --> 00:36:47,359 Speaker 2: carry this into the next hour. I'm going to let 633 00:36:48,080 --> 00:36:51,080 Speaker 2: Council of Flynn go because he's got an election day tomorrow. 634 00:36:51,200 --> 00:36:53,600 Speaker 2: Hope you get out and vote. Everybody gets out and votes, 635 00:36:53,760 --> 00:36:55,680 Speaker 2: but we're gonna get first of all, Chris, thank you 636 00:36:55,719 --> 00:36:57,440 Speaker 2: for your call. Very impressive call. Thank you. 637 00:36:57,800 --> 00:36:58,600 Speaker 1: Thank you. 638 00:36:58,680 --> 00:37:00,400 Speaker 3: Chris So it's an excellent call. And you've been an 639 00:37:00,440 --> 00:37:03,120 Speaker 3: excellent leader in the Leather district. But Chris, you've been 640 00:37:03,160 --> 00:37:06,359 Speaker 3: really a great friend to the Chinatown people as well 641 00:37:06,400 --> 00:37:08,799 Speaker 3: as Richie has. But just want to say thank you 642 00:37:08,840 --> 00:37:10,880 Speaker 3: to the Leather District residents. 643 00:37:10,880 --> 00:37:11,239 Speaker 8: Thank you. 644 00:37:11,480 --> 00:37:14,920 Speaker 2: Thanks Chris Mane. Counsel Flynn best to walk tomorrow. I 645 00:37:14,920 --> 00:37:17,480 Speaker 2: don't think you'll necessarily need it, but congrat you know, 646 00:37:18,600 --> 00:37:22,279 Speaker 2: let's hope that tomorrow night you're you're successful. You've been 647 00:37:22,280 --> 00:37:25,440 Speaker 2: a great representative of your constituents as you were tonight. 648 00:37:26,000 --> 00:37:27,160 Speaker 2: I thank you very much. 649 00:37:27,360 --> 00:37:27,400 Speaker 5: ED. 650 00:37:27,880 --> 00:37:29,800 Speaker 2: We're talking to you in the next couple of days 651 00:37:29,800 --> 00:37:32,319 Speaker 2: for sure. And for those on the line, thank you. 652 00:37:32,360 --> 00:37:35,399 Speaker 2: Stay more than welcome. Thanks ED. For those on the line, 653 00:37:35,480 --> 00:37:38,960 Speaker 2: stay there and we will continue this conversation. If you 654 00:37:38,960 --> 00:37:41,080 Speaker 2: want to jump on the line six one, seven, two, five, four, 655 00:37:41,160 --> 00:37:44,480 Speaker 2: ten thirty six one seven, nine three one ten thirty. 656 00:37:44,520 --> 00:37:46,439 Speaker 2: We can do some more on this in the next hour, 657 00:37:46,520 --> 00:37:47,879 Speaker 2: right after the ten o'clock news