CAPTIONS:
#1. Chris Comeau, director of photography, gets a close-up Rachel Coit and Gustave Cadet filming Suffolk University’s new video about off-campus behavior.

#2. Video producer Geroge Comeau and assistant producer Dina M.A. Moeller talk about the next scene.

#3. Area A-1 Community Service Supervisor Sgt. Tom Lema is filmed by John Cappelupo and Chris Comeau as Suffolk’s Project Counsel Michael Feeley helps with the lighting by holding a reflector.




STAND BY.
ACTION.
Set: Two Suffolk University student actors, Gustave Cadet and Rachel Coit, greet each other after the summer vacation.
Gustave: Hey, What’s up? What’s going on?
Rachel: (excited) I’m moving off campus this year. I think I’ll go to Beacon Hill. It’s so close. I can just roll out of bed for those early morning classes.
Gustave: What’s so cool about living off campus?
Rachel: I found the cutest little apartment. It’ll be a totally awesome place to have a party. No parents. No RAs. No authority. I can do whatever I want: play the TV loudly, play whatever music I want…
Gustave: Whatever you want? I don’t think so. (pause) You do have neighbors, you know. How do you think your neighbors will feel about that?
Rachel: Neighbors? (pause) They can hear me?
CUT


That neighbors can indeed hear what’s going on—and don’t like it—is a message first brought to the attention of the university, police and city officials this winter by a Joy Street resident, Dina M.A. Moeller, who spoke out about the drunken, disorderly and disrespectful behavior by students and young professionals that occurs most weekends on Beacon Hill.

Her words, and those of many others who joined her mission to quiet their streets, did not go unheard.

“We have been listening very closely and have heard what the neighbors are saying,” said Suffolk University Vice-President for Government and Community Affairs John Nucci. “We are taking this issue very seriously.”

This fall the university will kick off four initiatives to educate students about acceptable off-campus behavior and to prevent disruptive incidents. Their plan, which calls for additional police patrols during late night hours and the opening of an Office of Neighborhood Response, was developed with recommendations by Boston Police, neighborhood representatives, area universities and elected officials. It is modeled after the “Operation Student Shield,” a program launched in Allston by the BPD and Boston University last year to curb raucous student behavior.

“It is a considerable investment on the part of Suffolk, but we have an obligation to do this,” said Nucci.

The first step of that education process is the production of a “good neighbor video” that will be shown during student orientation this fall and then broadcast to each Suffolk student via email web cast, university closed-circuit TV and the university website.

Moeller, who owns Fade to Black Productions, which provides video services primarily for the legal industry, now found herself on both sides of the camera. As associate producer, she and Suffolk’s producer George Comeau asked tough questions of several Beacon Hill neighbors and city, police and school officials who talked before the camera about behavior that is acceptable. And, as a neighbor, Moeller moves in front of the camera to tell students how she is affected by unruly behavior.

Comeau and Moeller are now editing more than four hours of footage they shot in late June for what will be a seven-minute video, which is the first in the series of steps Suffolk is taking to wipe out what neighbors call “party central.”

The educational component of the plan also includes a presentation during student orientation on the university’s policy and expectations for off-campus behavior, which is the same as for those living on campus, according to Suffolk’s Project Counsel Michael Feeley. Members of the Beacon Hill and North End neighborhoods, Boston Police and university officials will participate in the orientation. Already both Moeller and Community Service Supervisor Sgt. Tom Lema have spoken to students participating in orientations this summer.

Incoming freshmen will be required for the first time to take a new course, SU 101, which will incorporate an off-campus student behavior segment and list of minimum sanctions for violation.

Letters will be sent by the university to students living both on and off campus explaining the expectations for behavior on off-campus grounds. They will include a description of measures that may be taken by Boston Police and Suffolk in response to off-campus incidents.

The university plans to hire two Boston Police details to patrol the north slope of Beacon Hill and the North End from 11:45 p.m. to 3:45 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights during the academic year to assist in the reporting of off-campus incidents involving its students.

Nucci predicts increased police presence on the Hill will make a visible difference. “All around, it will be a safer neighborhood for everyone,” he said.

A new Suffolk University Office of Neighborhood Response with a 24-hour community hotline will serve as the repository for all reports of off-campus incidents. It will be staffed by personnel responsible for walking and riding around the neighborhood during the evenings, and will work with the police to document and report any incidents of off-campus misbehavior. Such reports will be forwarded to the dean of students for administrative and disciplinary follow-up.

The verified incidents of student misconduct will be subject to minimum sanctions for violation in line with the recommendations contained in Operation Student Shield. In addition, parents of students found to be responsible will be notified and informed of the incident and disciplinary proceedings, Feeley said. In incidents of multiple problems at particular addresses, formal letters will be sent to the landlords or property owners.

Moeller said she was pleased to have worked with Nucci and Feeley on the project. “We all understand that this is not a cure-all and only the first step of many that needs to be taken to improve the quality of life on the North Slope,” she said. “I feel that by opening a dialogue with Suffolk now, we can build a relationship that will allow us to address issues that will come up in the future. I really believe that constant communication, not polarizing, is what will effect positive change."

From Mayor Menino to State House denizens to all the folks who live in the West End and the north slope of Beacon Hill, the only thing being talked about is what appears to be an abandoned construction site on Cambridge Street.
The reasons do not seem to be complex. From what we can glean—and our reporting, we have to acknowledge, is imperfect since everyone we talk with dodges and weaves—the problem is one of priorities. The contractor and the sub-contractors have no sense of urgency, and the Massachusetts Highway Department either has no authority over them or chooses not to wield any.
Cambridge Street construction began in February, 2003. As everyone points out to one another, no work of any consequence has taken place between Charles Circle and Bowdoin Street since last fall.
John Lepore, whom we continue to defend as managing the best he can with the resources he has been given, remains optimistic about completion. He promised that he will provide a chart to The Beacon Hill Times tomorrow that will outline the work to be completed and when it will be done.
We will publish that chart next week on the front page. We will continue to follow this project—on the front page and even through the winter—until the last tree is planted and watered.
We continue to marvel: Mass Highway, which doesn’t have enough authority or competence to complete a half mile of roadway in three and a half years, is the agency Governor Romney wants to take over the turnpike authority, which runs the best roads in the state. If Governor Romney were in Massachusetts more often and driving down Cambridge Street, he might realize his folly.

Since 2002, Mount Vernon Street resident Barbara Roop has led a statewide initiative to place on the ballot a constitutional amendment that would require the commonwealth to guarantee every resident access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare.

Tomorrow, July 12, when the constitutional convention convenes at the State House, her work may come to fruition. The Health Care Constitutional Amendment is the second topic on the day’s calendar, and Roop has every reason to believe it will garner enough votes to give Massachusetts residents a chance to weigh in next November.

The language of the amendment states that it is the obligation and duty of the legislature and executive officials to enact and implement such laws to ensure that no resident lacks comprehensive, affordable and equitably financed health insurance coverage. “It provides the political and legal tools the legislature needs in order to get the job done,” said Roop.

The health care reform passed by the legislature this winter requires every person over 18 to have insurance by July 1, 2007, if affordable plans are made available by private sector insurance companies. But whether these insurers will be able to offer affordable health care products is still unanswered, and legislators acknowledged early on that revisions may be necessary.

Without the proposed amendment in place—which would require the legislature to come back with another plan— there is a high risk that the coalition supporting reform will collapse and be unable to sustain its efforts, said Roop. “The amendment, however, would make sure the promise of current health reforms is fulfilled and that there are tools to finish the job if needed.”

It was a situation like this that first caught Roop’s interest in health care reform. With a doctorate in public health and a law degree, she helped draft the employer mandate in Governor Michael Dukakis’s 1988 Massachusetts Universal Health Care Law. But the legislation was not enough, said Roop. It was repealed before it was ever implemented, which could not have happened if it had had a constitutional anchor backing it up.

Roop, assisted by her husband Stephen and many others, has led a citizen initiative to garner support for the proposed amendment since 2003. That fall, they collected more than 71,000 certified signatures in eight weeks requesting that the citizen initiative be put before the legislature for its consideration.

In July, 2004, the Constitutional Convention referred the amendment to the next convention by a vote of 153-41. Tomorrow, the initiative needs approval by 50 of 200 legislators to advance to the November 7 ballot, where its ratification requires a majority of votes in favor.

“We have every reason to think we have the 50 votes,” said Roop. “The only question is whether the amendment will actually come up for a vote.” She fears that political maneuvering surrounding the gay marriage amendment as well as a general reluctance on the part of legislators to amend the commonwealth’s constitution could prevent a vote at all.

But she is confident that if it gets the support it needs tomorrow and is placed on the ballot in November, the amendment will pass. A recent poll conducted by Channel 7 and Suffolk University found that 61 percent of likely Massachusetts voters would support the Health Care Constitutional Amendment at the November ballot, she said.

The Fourth of July for sale

Picture the scene: a July 4 party in Boston. People gather in backyards and on rooftops, and hundreds of thousands claim a patch of the Esplanade to celebrate our nation’s independence with the famed music and fireworks display.

It’s an afternoon spent at a barbecue or a picnic, with burgers and blueberry cobbler, and humidity and mosquitoes. Evening sets in and, as though on cue, everyone tunes their radios to the same channel. Everyone joins in the patriotic sing-along, and then the Boston Pops launches into a stirring rendition of the “1812 Overture.” The crowd is swept up in the musical uncertainty of battle, then hearts soar as victory comes within grasp, and the roar of real cannon reverberates through the air, and the brass trumpets blare clear and true, and then there is the first explosion of a spectacular fireworks show.

Only it doesn’t happen that way anymore.

On Tuesday night there was a 45-minute delay between the crescendo of the overture and the orchestra launching into John Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” which marks the beginning of the fireworks display. For the third year in a row, Sousa and the fireworks and the people of Boston were put on hold so that the fireworks could be broadcast “live” to the West Coast. The gap was filled by an intermission, the “Liberty Fanfare” and a performance by Steve Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith—but it was a thankless task because the moment of high feeling was lost.

Commercialism is the new patriotism.

The glossy complimentary program handed out free to visitors on the Esplanade says on the cover that the celebration is presented by Liberty Mutual, an insurance company, along with a handful of other corporations. Boston 4 Celebrations is the non-profit organization responsible for the “Fourth of July event and television production.”

The program has rave reviews of the fireworks from people in Florida, Texas and Washington State. It states that the “pyromusical” begins at 10:30 p.m. on CBS, “presented commercial-free by Liberty Mutual.”

It has struck us as peculiar that watching fireworks on TV is so highly rated—but according to the program, the “Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular” has been the “highest rated program” twice in its three-year history.

But who benefits from the 45-minute wait? Perhaps the Boston Pops do well because of nationwide publicity. CBS bought the rights to broadcast the celebrations on TV and radio and the high TV ratings are a sign of commercial success—though for people who care about sound quality, the acoustically inferior AM station affiliated with CBS is disappointing. Liberty Mutual certainly gets visibility for its sponsorship. Boston 4 Celebrations is branching out into other local events including the “Boston Family Fireworks” on New Year’s Eve.

Tired Bostonians certainly don’t come out ahead in the deal. A classic musical crescendo fell flat as the fireworks were delayed for commercial purposes. City workers stay out later to deal with crowd control and cleanup. And it means a late start for many who have a long trip home after a day spent downtown. Party hosts we talked to reported their guests began leaving when they realized the fireworks wouldn’t start until 10:30 p.m. We imagine that families with young children were frustrated too.

We don’t delay the dropping of the ball in New York’s Times Square on New Year’s Eve, or move the start time of the SuperBowl, so why should Boston delay its fireworks display?

credit: Lauren Patrick





Alexandra Fabbri of Hancock Street, daughter of Charles Street boutique Moxie owner Karen Fabbri, enjoyed Mayor Menino’s Boston Frog Pond Wading Pool celebration Friday, June 30, with her caretaker Sharon Hamilton. The event, presented by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, was held to kick off the summer wading season and Boston’s many special events and programs for local youth.

PET SERVICES
HOUSE CALL CAT GROOMING. Where your cat feels the safest. Contact Cynthia 617-265-1800.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
BOSTON MONEY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. Needs adults willing to offer 2-4 hours per month to assist local elders who have difficulty managing day-to-day finances. For more information call Deborah at 617-522-6700 or email dgrose@ethocare.org.
CAREER COLLABORATIVE. Practice interviewers needed Fridays 9 a.m.-12 noon to run practice interview sessions for low income people seeking permanent jobs. Individuals with extensive interviewing experience please call 617-424-6202 or email Valerie@careercollaborative.org.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS. The Arlington Boys and Girls Club is coordinating a campaign to support local programs. They are asking people with unwanted cars to donate them for auction with the proceeds going to local clubs. Call 1-800-246-0493.
MADD. Are you or is someone you know the victim of a drunk driving accident? We offer many free services including court-accompaniment, referrals for counseling and literature to help. Call 1-800-633-MADD.
HORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN. Volunteers needed to play with children living in homeless shelters in your neighborhood and in Greater Boston. A two-hour weekly commitment for 6 months is required. Call 617-287-1900 ext 314 or visit www.horizonsforhomelesschilden.org.
BECOME A BIG BROTHER OR BIG SISTER. Being a “Big” means simply sharing a little time with one great kid just like someone once did for you. Become a “Big” today. Call 800-412-BIGS or log on to www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.
PARENTS HELPING PARENTS. Needs volunteers with good interpersonal skills and a commitment to strengthening families to facilitate support groups aimed at assisting individuals who are anxious, overwhelmed, frustrated or feeling isolated in their role as a parent or guardian. A commitment of several hours a week for one year is required. Call 1-800-882-1250 or e-mail www.parentshelpingparents.org.
COMMUNITY SERVINGS. Volunteers needed one Saturday per month to deliver meals to homebound individuals with life threatening illnesses. Shifts are from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Call Jennifer at 617-445-7777 or e-mail JPOCKOSKI@servings.org.
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY. Seeks literacy volunteers to tutor adults with limited English writing and reading skills. Two hours a week, compatible with your schedule. One year commitment required, must be 21 years old with a minimum of a GED or high school diploma. Contact Nora 617-859-2446 or VolunteerBPL@yahoo.com.
BOSTON MINSTREL COMPANY. Needs singers, musicians, and songleaders to facilitate sing-along songfests at Boston-Cambridge homeless shelters. Amateurs welcome. Call 617-787-2122 or e-mail Bostonminstrel@aol.com.
MATCH-UP. Interfaith Volunteers needs people to commit to making a weekly visit to an elder in need of companionship. Call 617-482-1510 or visit www.matchelder.org.
THE GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK. Needs volunteers to inspect and sort donated food at the Food Bank's headquarters at 99 Atkinson Street in Boston. Call 617-427-5200, ext. 5030 or visit www.gbfb.org.
AFC MENTORING. Needs volunteers over 18 experienced with adoption/foster care to mentor adopted children. One year commitment desired. Karlee, 617-695-2441 or karlee@afcmentoring.org.
BLIND AND DYSLEXIC in East Cambridge. Needs volunteers with liberal arts, scientific and/or technical backgrounds to record textbooks. Call Peggy at 617-577-1111, ext 17 for more info. www.rfbd.org/bostonhome.htm.
GENERATIONS INCORPORATED. Needs older adults to volunteer as reading coaches and mentors to children in Dorchester, S. Boston and Roxbury. Training provided. Call 617-423-0408 or see www.generationsinc.org.
WGBH. Needs volunteers to assist with computer projects and office support during weekday business hours, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call Liz Hagyard at 617-300-5715.
LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF MASSACHUSETTS. Help an adult learn English. Call 617-367-1313 for information.
VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS. The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program. Work from home or in our Weston office. For further information call 1800-ACS-2345.
SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL. Boston. Opportunities for volunteers. We match volunteers' skills and talents with the needs of the hospital's patients and staff. Training provided. For more information contact volunteer services at 617-573-2740 or jburke11@partners.org.
BOSTON PARTNERS IN EDUCATION. Volunteers needed to tutor 4th grade students in math. Training and placement will be provided. Join this proven program and be a vital part of a student’s success story. Contact Barbara Harris at 617-451-6145 x 620, or apply online at www.bostonpartners.org.
WALKBOSTON. Volunteers needed for walks, legislation and newsletter/e-news committees. Also occasional office work including membership mailings. Call 617-367-9255, www.walkboston.org.
MASS SUBSTANCE ABUSE HELPLINE. Volunteers needed for phone service to help people affected by alcoholism and substance abuse. Must have computer experience. Call 617-536-0501 ext. 201 or see www.helpline-online.com.
BEACON HOSPICE. Volunteers needed to provide support and companionship to patients and their families. Call Laraine Kohler at 617-242-4872.
COMPUTER TUTORS. Volunteers needed for coaching senior and disabled citizens at the Blackstone Apartments. Daytime and evening hours needed. Call Al at 617-557-9121 or email xAlbert3259@aol.com.
BEACON HOUSE. Housing for elderly needs volunteers for front reception desk, a few flexible hours per week. Training provided. Please apply in person at 19 Myrtle St. to fill out an application.
ANIMAL SHELTER. Donations needed: dog and cat toys and treats, blankets and towels for the cages, paper towels, clay cat litter, postage stamps, animal nail clippers, dog and cat collars and leashes. 617-522-5055.
DR. SOLOMON CARTER FULLER. Mental Health Center in the South End needs volunteers for several committees. Call C. Curtiss Carter at 617-626-8726.
MAB COMMUNITY SERVICES. Volunteers needed to read or shop with a blind neighbor. 2-3 hours per week, flexible hours. Training provided. Call Donna Bailey 800-852-3029 or see www.mabcommunity.org.
SAMARITANS OF BOSTON. Volunteers needed to provide telephone counseling on our 24-hour listening line. Help prevent suicide and alleviate the pain of isolation. Training provided. 617-536-2460.
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION. Cambridge chapter needs volunteers for its telephone Helpline service to answer caregiver calls. Training provided. Call 617-868-6718.
ADBAR ETHIOPIAN WOMEN'S ALLIANCE.Volunteers needed to help with its newsletter, website, grant writing, special events and fund raising. Near Harvard Square. 617-234-8981.
THE BOSTON HOME. Dorchester seeks volunteers of all kinds in this long term care facility for adults with physical disabilities. Pet visits welcome. Call Sally Gorman 617-825-3905 ext. 299 or gormansally@aol.com.