An ad and a story in the Spanish-language newspaper La Semana seem to claim that racism is behind neighborhood attempts to deal with Tequila's Bar & Grill.
Joe Mason forwarded me clippings from the newspaper and, from what I could make out in the article and in an ad, Tequila's owner Luis Vasco is blaming his establishment's troubles on people in Orient Heights who are not happy that the business is owned by a Latino.
He appears to ask supporters to show up to the Boston Licensing Board public hearing about Tequila's that is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. at the church hall at St. Lazarus on Ashley Street. On the agenda are proposals to roll back the bar's closing time from 2 a.m. to midnight and to suspend the liquor license for a period of time.
Joe Mason forwarded me clippings from the newspaper and, from what I could make out in the article and in an ad, Tequila's owner Luis Vasco is blaming his establishment's troubles on people in Orient Heights who are not happy that the business is owned by a Latino.
He appears to ask supporters to show up to the Boston Licensing Board public hearing about Tequila's that is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. at the church hall at St. Lazarus on Ashley Street. On the agenda are proposals to roll back the bar's closing time from 2 a.m. to midnight and to suspend the liquor license for a period of time.
16 comments:
Racism has nothing to do with this.
It's all about the lack of management and responsibility at the "drinkery".
If there is one thing I would say surprised me the most about moving to East Boston, it is how everyone seems to get along regardless of ethnic background. You find much more racism and separatist behaviors in the other Boston neighborhoods, which are highly divided down economic lines.
Eastie is one of the MOST welcoming places in Boston. Are their enclaves that don't mix much? Certainly. But you can find white people eating at Taco Mex just like you will find Hispanics eating at Cafe Italia.
The one thing you wont find at these places is bar fights that have spilled over into the street...and you can drink at both these places.
Land Use Council Says to Jimbo
THANKS
Let me say that I have had both articles / ads translated ,and it is a dam shame that he would try to say these are "False accusations".
That would mean the Police are lying on 10 huge piles of Police reports ,that people who have been stabbed,beaten,etc are all also lying ???? Ya Right .
But to call our community Racists in this problem is simply a Racist act by both the Poor excuse for a paper that would allow it without checking facts,and Mr. Vasco.
This paper refuses to let me speak to them with the facts ,or give me a fax number so I can send them the Police reports.
Its his crowd fighting each other.Maybee if he didn't run an Illegal Nightclub ,and a true Family Restaurant ,he would not attract scum bag clientel???
He called us all racists at the last Orient Heights meeting.but this takes the cake,and in my Opinion will do him more harm than good.
I have always felt that those who preach the Race card at times of trouble,instead of taking a good hard look in the mirror,are the only ones who are truly a Racist.
IT IS WAY OVERDUE TO GET THIS PLACE UNDER CONTROL BEFORE SOME ONE GETS CARRIED OUT IN A BODY BAG.
Joseph J.Mason
President
E.B.L.U.C.
Hey Jimbo
I have gotten huge requests for the ads,and the translation links,so !I was wondering ?
If you could post the links to the translation,I gaave you ,or the actual ads.Even if one or two words would not translate. Its probably different form of Spanish.
As word is getting out ,we have found that this paper is distributed in the Entire City of Boston,and it was on Spanish Radio.
Its an all out attack ,and I am hoping you can post either of the two I sent you.
Thanks for helping get the word out on so many issues.
J.M.
I will check the spanish newspaper tomorrow.
Racism has nothing to do with this. I have a friend from El Salvador, who lives across street from tequilas, and he said that "yes", there are problems, and e feels bad for the neigbors that have to deal with all the problems. He had seen one tequilas neighbor cleaning the street in the morning, with vomits or something else. In the post before, I mentioned a press conference with all the government agencies, because if we can get that problem out in the press, the city is going to have to answer about this problem, and all the answers will be on record for the public.
Mr. Mason, I have a class to attent tomorrow at the same time, but, I will do my part reviewing the spanish newpaper article and I will get in contact with them, the newspaper should have put the two sides of the story, I will check on that.
It's too bad the reporter didn't do a bit more homework. I'm new to East Boston and know/knew nothing about the owner of Tequilas. After seeing reports and the reprinted police blotters regarding fights a stabbing, vandalism and the filth left outside peoples homes I was surprised that a business that still (?) is operating as a restaurant with a liquor license (?) is allowed to operate in this mannor. A restaurant in downtown was cited and fined and ordered to change their sound system by the ISD due to a handful of complaints from neighbors because they were playing loud music in the bar area of their restaurant. I don't see how repeated complaints, damage and public nuisance get a pass...
Plain ,and Simple !
A Disgrace !
I have NEVER attended a single meeting ,or in this case official Hearing,and seen such a horrible attack on the very core of our Community of East Boston.
To only allow 5 people to speak in favor of the roll back,or against was a dam shame.
To allow people who live on Border Street to give official testimony in favor of NOT Rolling back the hours,as opposed to people who actually live within 300- 500 feet of Tequilas is nothing short of Ridiculous.
But for the City of Boston to allow the Racism to be put forward ,by allowing tons of professional signs saying "We Are The Real Community"to be waved ,
as people spoke ,and to DENY me a chance to address the actual 2 ads put in La Sema newspaper calling East Boston residents ,esp those in Orient Heights Racists was a scam.
We were not allowed to Audio Tape ,but his Attorney MIKE FORD was allowed to bring a court stenograher who sat next to the licensing Board at thier table,and type a way,is again just more proof that this community is in BIG TROUBLE.
One final thought We were also not allowed to speak for more than a few minutes,but for the City to cut me off as I was trying to address those 2 disgusting Racists ads Mr. Vasco put in the paper is a sure sign we ar done,and the average person has no voice anymore to protest.
In Total Shock !
Joe Mason Proud son,
of Immigrants who never played the race card to get any thing.
Face it folks this section (Orient Heights Square)is in a total melt down,with no end in sight. That is unless your looking in the rear view mirror of a moving tuck!!!!!
The fact remains that Mr. Vasco's establishment has had problems and it is very irresponsible for Mr. Vasco and the Latino newpaper to insinute that this has to do with race. I point to the Korean eatery owned by Koreans, the new Colombian Rest. owned by a Colombian, Little Asia, owned by Chinese, Milano's, owned by an Italian immigrant, the new Steak and Cheese joint, owned by a man from Amsterdam, and countless other little stores and shops that do thier business and do not cause problems in the neighborhood. These are good people and people East Bostonians are proud to give business too. When you play the race card without taking into account you, not your race, is the problem and you, not your race, is unable to run a well respected family restaurant, it's a shame. Mr. Vasco has yet to take reponisbility and continues to paint himself as the victim. What the Latino paper failed to mention are the neighbors--the true victims in this case.
And I point out to the Latino paper that when Latino neighbors had a problem with Logan's Lounge in Day Square--beacuse of fights and loud patrons--the Licensing Board forced them to sell thier liquor license--that establishment by the way was owned by Italians.
When Latino neighbors in Maverick had a problem with Charlie Zuff's, the Licensing Board first rolled back its hours and later forced them to sell thier license. Again, this establishment was owned by Italians.
So to play the race card is dumb, it's a quality of life issue pure and simple for all residents Latino, White, Black whatever color or creed you are. We all deserve peace in our homes.
J.M.
SAYS TO JOHN;
MAN did you hit the nail right on the head,and with a sledge hammer.
In my opinion ,ans as seen again last night Mr. Vasco has no problem looking this community in the face ,and blame every one but himself.
That Spanish paper is a disgrace to East Boston,and good people who own stores should tell them to stick it .
However its obvious that all the assertions made by John have been ignored by so many others. This has ZERO to do with race.
The Land Use Council was involved in all of the places he spoke about ,and also in actually getting the Licensing Board to tear up the License for Danatalles on Meridian street,also owned by Italians.
But it is a fact now that the Community Process is being attacked by outsiders ,and those who use the Race Card so well.
But most of all there are a very small ,plugged in,cionnected set of attorneys that someone is directing these problem children to .Knowing thier connections will TROUNCE the rights of any Direct abutter.
Its Blood Money but these attorneys ,in my opinion only care if the check bounces,and do not care about the destruction of life for these nice people who now ,even if they wanted to seel would get about 50 cents on the dollar for what thier property might be worth.
Truly a sad day for Eastie.
Thanks John for your direct hit !
J.M.
ALL OF YOU should read El Mundo newspaper on this week's edition, page 8, with pictures and all...
Someone should really talk with the people from El Mundo and Maximo Torres aboyt that article in their newspaper.There are acusations against a small group of racist italians and that they are with the support of the chamber of commerce and other
comments. what is the power that this person has? Is it that he gives money to elected officials or what???
Well
J.M. Says to everyone in East Boston;
There was one photographer who as I was speaking took my picture 20 times.
It was to intimidate me,but it did not work.
I can assure you that if I am in thieir paper ,and listed as a Racist. It will take about one week for me to file charges.
I do not know who the Anon post is who is claiming this,but if he is right ,he has some inside info we don't,and I am suspect of his / her real motives in the tip off.
As far as the Chamber goes,they "WITHOUT ANY LEGAL AUTHORITY" gave them permission to hire Bouncers,and Security.
I know of no Family Restaurant that does that.
You also do not see Jevelis ,Kellys Pub,El Rancho Grande ,etc. using this.
He uses it because he is running an ILLEGAL night club.
In My Opinion Mr. Vasco does in deed have protection.These violations heard at the hearing ,and I have copies date back to 2-02-07,and were never processed.
In my Opinion hes got inside protection ,as well as being guided to that particular atty..
To all of you who were Enablers,and still are ,soooner ,or later it will come out.The spilled blood is on your hands.
As far as I am concerned the East Boston Chamber does not represent the True East Boston people. They go against many neighbors in regards to the awarding of Liquor Licenses ,and buildings that TROUNCE on direct abutters rights without any shame doing so.Many of the board members do not even live in Eastie.
My next statement is based on facts:
This year the East Boston Chamber of Commerce requested a grant for 1300.00 dollars from the East Boston Land Use Councils Charitable donation fund.
Get this ;To buy a list of East Boston business names from a marketing company in Omaha Nebraska,called infousa.
At first I thought it was a joke ,but it was a real request.
THE LAND USE COUNCIL DENIED THE REQUEST FOR FUNDS FOR ONE SIMPLE REASON.
Its the Chambers job to know who is doing what in the business world.
To have to rely on a marketing company half way across America is not only a joke,but a disgrace.
I told them get in your cars,and go make a list.
Let what people saw last night be a wake up call,we are being targeted as Racists ,and anyone who does any shopping in any store that allows those papers in should STOP spending a dime in any Latino store until the Latino leadership makes a full apology in print.
J.M.
Rember to boycott ANY store that allows this Racist attack to go unchallenged,and I mean ANY,ITALIAN,SPANISH,BRAZILIAN,IRISH,ETC. ANY STORE.
TO ALL: El Mundo newspaper said that they are going to put something from different opinions in the coming weeks.
J.M
SAYS TO ANON;
You need to identify who you are and your supposed source.
I have been speaking directly to the Vice President of El Mundo ,as well as the head writer for El Planta.
First of all;El Planeta
Was very fair both after the hearing with a very long interview of me,as well as follow up conversations over the weekend,and allowing me to send her the 54 pages of Police reports on the horror show called Tequilas.
Secon: I had an a legal notice delivered to El Mundo ,warning that if I ,or the LUC were depicted as Racists he was going to court.
Today the Vice President of El Mundo stopped the one sided article ,and allowed me to also send him the entire Tequilas package of Police reports,and other documents clearly showing how bad this place was.
Both challenged me to give a list of Italian ,or White owned establishments treated the same ,and to me that was the best. I gave him the names of 5 Italian owned places who like Tequilas ruined the neighborhood ,and ignored ALL requests to reach a compromise.
These reports included the 2 Criminal violations the Police brought against Vasco ,and his manager Reyes for selling alcohol to MINORS.
I THINK THEY HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING ,AND WERE BOTH SHOCKED AT THE LEVEL OF VIOLENCE SPELLED OUT IN THESE REPORTS.
Its not race ,its about Quality of life for the immediate area. Many of those houses around that place have Senior Citizens ,and School aged Children. Both need thier peace ,and quiet at night to sleep,as does everyone else.
J.M.
For all of Eastie
Joe Mason should be applauded for taking the time to engage in a dialogue with those Spanish-language newspapers rather than just dismissing them as biased.
J.M
Says to Jimbo;
Thanks for the shout out.
You are right on the money for seeing what my intentions were,and are still going to be.
The Community Quality of life issue ,knows no color ,or Ethnic boundries.Most of all our children who are the future need to be protected from being woken up all hours of the night ,and should NEVER be afraid to sit in front of their own house.
I think that now that they have hard evidence from actual legal Police Reports ,as well as the full copies of the Citation / Violation notices ,and the names of the actual victims,they have a different attitude. Esp. The 4 stabbings ,and the incident where a "Silver Gun " was pulled during one of the numerous fights.
I am disapointed that the original one La Semana wont return a call ,or an e-mail.
But it was important for me to do only two things.
1- Defend myself ,the L.U.C.,and the General Community from a serious attack on the very core of the East Boston Community ,as being Racists who hate Latinos.
2-To educate the Latino papers ,as to what he has done ,and show them that it is not Racism ,by giving them a list of places once owned by Italians that the Community did the same thing to.(ALL PUBLIC RECORDS)
I found that once they had looked at the 50 plus pages of Police reports alone they were very interested in knowing more.
ALSO ; ONE ADDITIONAL POINT;
I got an e-mail from Joe Ruggerio ,the President of the Chamber of Commerce saying that on the Wednesday BEFORE the Thursday night fiasco the Chamber voted to
NOT RENEW Tequilas membership effective 1-01-08.
Thats a good thing ,my only problem with that was finding out 5 days after the Hearing. "In my opinion they should of announced it at the Hearing the following day of the actual hearing,because they had already voted to give him the boot".
I have always felt that there are 2 sides to every story ,and just told these people as a former Journalist ,they have a Duty,and Obligation to hear from both sides ,and not take Mr. Vascos Blood money,and be used by him to Demonize us ,by using the Race Card.
Thanks Jimbo,and God Bless !
J.M.
GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO PUT THIS COMMENT: I just saw a tow truck from todisco, Wednesday Nov/21, 11:50am towing a car I think from an accident in the corner of the EBSB at Bennington, the driver was trying to put his truck (with lights on) blocking the traffic between the bank and sonny's nottos, there was a man driving trying to go into Bennington, and he asked the truck driver to move, the truck driver answer him with a really bad attitud and language, and because he saw that he was causing the traffic to stop, he then moved his tow truck to the benington street side, without interrumping the regular traffic.
My question is: Why these tow truck drivers treat people too rude, and I have seen that most of the Todisco drivers are like that?
Also, the street cleaning is almost over, I am wondering if East Boston is getting some of the money back that the city and todisco have been getting from all tickets and towings?
J.M
Says to
THE LAST ANON POST ABOUT TODISCO ,AND HOW SHE / HE DOES NOT LIKE THEM.
You are right this particular blog spot is the wrong place. This blog spot is about Real Issues that have had a devastating effect on the Integrity of East Boston,and its quality of life.
You ,and so many others who complain in a spot like this ,need to send your complaints to the right people.
BUT BY DOINTG THIS YOU WILL HAVE TO GIVE YOUR REAL NAME ADDRESS,AND A CONTACT NUMBER !
IF YOU DARE ?
Its the Mayor Menino 24 hour a day ,7 days a week Complaint Hotline 617-635-4500.
Have a nice day !
J.M.
P.S .Did you Vote in the last 2 elections this year?????
In my opinion if you did not ,you have no right to complain about anything.
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