Boston, MA

Editorial: Jose Ruiz just what the Boston City Council needs

Published

1 year ago

September 6, 2023

Editorial: Jose Ruiz just what the Boston City Council needs

The Boston City Council is at a crossroads as it heads into the Sept. 12 primary. Packed with progressives, there were moves to slash the budget for the Boston Police Department and relations with Mayor Michelle Wu are often contentious as attempts to pull her further to the left did not go to plan.

This year’s election has several incumbent progressives being challenged by, if not centrist Democrats, those who don’t see radicalism as a job requirement.

One of the best examples is the District 5 race, a seat currently held by Ricardo Arroyo.

Arroyo, like several of his colleagues, has made headlines as much for his controversies as his policies.

As the Herald reported, earlier this summer Arroyo agreed to pay a $3,000 fine for committing a state ethics violation, for representing his brother in a civil lawsuit involving the city while serving on the City Council.

He was also accused in two federal reports of colluding with former U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins to tip the outcome of last year’s preliminary election for Suffolk district attorney, which Arroyo lost to Kevin Hayden. Arroyo has denied any wrongdoing, but Rollins resigned when the reports were made public.

It wasn’t a good look, for Arroyo or the council by association.

Wu made her displeasure with Arroyo known, snubbing him and endorsing her former staffer Enrique Pepén for the District 5 seat. Pepén worked as the executive director of the Boston Office of Neighborhood Services.

Wu touted his “shared progressive values.”

Pepen is no doubt a good guy, who’s said he’ll focus on major housing investments, anti-racist educational practices, and an intersectional approach to public safety.

Jean-Claude Sanon, a small business owner, brings the insight of an entrepreneur to the mix. He’s said the most important issues facing Boston are crime, housing, and access to jobs. Sanon promises to fight rent increases and empower local entrepreneurs, among other actions.

Laudable goals.

But the monumental task of adding to the voices of reason on the council would best be taken up by Jose Ruiz.

Ruiz walks the talk on both sides of advancing public safety.

He knows what it’s like to be an officer on the streets of this city – he’s been in the BPD for 29 years – and how crime affects the real people in its neighborhoods. He also has understanding of how building stronger communities, and giving opportunities for our young people, can make an impact on Boston life. He organized the largest city-wide youth baseball and softball league, including life skills presentations for players. There are other such deeds under his belt, and they combine for a formidable resume of a Bostonian who gives back.

Ruiz has said he wants to support new and existing homeowners, improve city services, and build trust between police and the community.

At this stage in the game, building trust between police and community is of paramount importance. The shootings continue, violence strikes outside schools, inside schools, and in places that should never hear the sound of gunfire. Ruiz has the experience and tools for the getting the job done.

The Boston Herald endorses Jose Ruiz for Boston City Council.

Editorial cartoon by Bob Gorrell (Creators Syndicate)

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Related Topics:Boston City Council District 5 Featured primary Ricardo Arroyo Sept. 12

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Boston, MA

Snowy weather causes gridlock traffic at Logan Airport in Boston

Published

7 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Snowy weather causes gridlock traffic at Logan Airport in Boston

BOSTON – Holiday travel is in full swing with Christmas just days away and travelers at Logan Airport in Boston spent the day dealing with delays from snowy weather.

Delays nationwide

There was gridlock traffic at Logan as travelers embark on their holiday excursions. Donna Ragucci just flew into New England from Florida.

“I am so excited, I get to see my sister and we are going on the trolley today and North End,” Ragucci said.

AAA said snowy weather conditions on Friday led to delays, spinouts and disruptions with flights.

“Overall, we’ve seen a pretty strong volume, which is what we forecasted, a record number of people traveling this year,” said AAA Northeast spokesperson Mark Schieldrop. “There was a storm system that affected a good swath of the country, so Chicago and Boston are two major hub airports, so anytime you have delays or cancellations in one part of the country, we often see a little bit of a domino effect.”

Kevin Walker said this is his first and last time traveling for the holidays.

“Well, we got here yesterday morning and our flight was canceled right when we got here,” said Walker.

AAA said more than 119 million people will travel during from now and Jan. 2. While most flights are on time at Logan there are several delays and cancellations leading to holiday angst.

“Hasn’t been great, my first flight was cancelled and now I guess I didn’t make the cut off for this flight, so now they can’t check the bag but yeah, it’s alright. I got a JetBlue flight tomorrow,” traveler Abbey Reynolds said.

“It’s different because I’m driving this year, so we got the dog coming with us, so I just hope the flight goes OK for the two kiddos and we meet them on the other end,” said a Brookline man heading to North Carolina with his family.

Coping with travel stress

Paul Pierre is heading back to Columbus, Ohio and has his own philosophy when it comes to traveling.

“Don’t let the small stuff upset you. You just go through the airport and you do your best and be kind and you’ll get through it,” Pierre said.

“I’m a therapist, so I practice meditation, go to the gym,” said Ragucci.

“It is what it is, like, I’m not going to get that bent out of shape over it,” said Reynolds.

Paul Burton

Paul Burton is a general assignment reporter for WBZ-TV News.

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Boston, MA

Next Weather: WBZ Mid-Morning Update For December 22

Published

15 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Next Weather: WBZ Mid-Morning Update For December 22 – CBS Boston

Watch CBS News

Jacob Wycoff has your latest weather forecast.

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Boston, MA

Orlando hosts Boston following Tatum’s 43-point game

Published

22 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Orlando hosts Boston following Tatum’s 43-point game

Associated Press

Boston Celtics (22-6, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (18-12, fourth in the Eastern Conference)

Orlando, Florida; Monday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Boston visits the Orlando Magic after Jayson Tatum scored 43 points in the Celtics’ 123-98 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

The Magic are 14-7 against Eastern Conference opponents. Orlando is fifth in the Eastern Conference with 10.9 offensive rebounds per game led by Goga Bitadze averaging 2.9.

The Celtics are 20-4 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston ranks sixth in the Eastern Conference with 10.8 offensive rebounds per game led by Luke Kornet averaging 2.0.

The Magic are shooting 45.2% from the field this season, 0.5 percentage points lower than the 45.7% the Celtics allow to opponents. The Celtics are shooting 45.7% from the field, 0.6% lower than the 46.3% the Magic’s opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Franz Wagner is averaging 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.7 steals for the Magic.

Tatum is averaging 28.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists for the Celtics.

LAST 10 GAMES: Magic: 5-5, averaging 106.4 points, 42.0 rebounds, 22.3 assists, 9.4 steals and 7.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.0 points per game.

Celtics: 7-3, averaging 118.5 points, 49.7 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 7.5 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.7 points.

INJURIES: Magic: Paolo Banchero: out (oblique), Franz Wagner: out (oblique), Jalen Suggs: day to day (ankle), Gary Harris: day to day (hamstring), Moritz Wagner: day to day (knee).

Celtics: Sam Hauser: day to day (back).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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