Saturday, November 15, 2008

Ready for your close-up, Eastie?

According to a Globe story, South Boston is looking a bit too spiffy to play the rundown neighborhood it once was, and so film and TV productions that need the hardscrabble look have to shoot elsewhere -- including East Boston.
"They said Eastie looks like Southie," said state Representative Brian P. Wallace, a South Boston Democrat. "I cracked up. Eastie's always been 15 years behind us, so that's no problem."
Ouch. There are some spots in this neighborhood that haven't physically changed much since Bill Clinton first took office, but there are plenty of pricey condos and renovated properties in East Boston. Maybe Rep. Wallace doesn't get here often, but we'll take his comment as a harmless poke and laugh it off.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Okay, Jim, I agree that he may have meant it as a "harmless poke." However, his mother probably forgot to teach him what I taught my kids: not every thought in your head needs to find a voice. We might not be Mecca to some, but Mr. Wallace should make a pilgrimage through the tunnel (quickly, before he gets stuck with the increased toll in order to get home!) and get to know the real Eastie. In the meantime, I hope the film crews will check out local eateries, etc., and learn why we are so proud of our hometown.

Jim said...

I agree, Mary. My point was that I don't feel any reason to get angry about an offhand comment from someone who I don't know. Humor and sarcasm don't always translate through the media, and he may have just meant it all in fun.

deswotans said...

Slights from South Boston politicians is the least of our worries. Some of these same folks are pushing the mayor to move a proposed heliport to Logan to add add to the air traffic and polution in East Boston. Then we have both toll hikes and gas tax to contend with. We had enough trouble attracting businesses to the area - several who were considering adding us to their routes certainly will not after they double the tolls. It not just the cost of commuting that will be going up.

Jenafah said...

I agree 100% with deswotans comments about the issues impacting EB. Business will suffer tremedously. EB will also suffer socially. My friends are already talking about alternate routes home from my house... none of which are convenient. Lastly, trying to get a cab to take you back to EB, will be impossible.

Anonymous said...

Hey, as long as we're griping about the toll increases, I thought I'd ask: have they proposed to get rid of the discount for Eastie/Chelsea residents on the Tunnels/Bridge respectively?

A few months ago they floated the idea of a $5 increase and it sort of slid away. Now that the merging of the Pike with MassPort is the proposal, that toll increase is back. (I guess the Governor just wanted to have someone increase the toll that we could all hate with some serious gusto.)

Has anyone heard what the deal for folks with the orange transponders will be??

Anonymous said...

a pizza plus beers and lamb at santarpios in march 2009 oh plus 7bucks for tunnel people who will make a trip to santarpios starting in march 2009 will say screw that, 7 bucks for the tunnel, would this be great if someone out their starts a transportation business for people who want to dine in eastie

Eric M. said...

Hey John W, the resident discount will apparently not be eliminated in the latest toll increase proposal, although they seem to be itching to do it. Mayor Tom seems keen to go to bat to keep it, from what I've read. (And for what that's worth.)

On the film front, they've eliminated about 20 parking spots on Sumner St near Webster Ave for the next several days (24 hours a day). How does this help Eastie again?

Anonymous said...

Is anyone doing anything about the toll increase? I would like to get involved but is there more that can be done besides complain to our reps?

Jim said...

There is a site called Stop the Pike Hike that seems to be rallying people. It's at stopthepikehike.org.