Boston, MA

Redistricting drama threw Boston City Council into chaos. Enter Ruthzee Louijeune. – The Boston Globe

Published

2 years ago

June 20, 2023

Redistricting drama threw Boston City Council into chaos. Enter Ruthzee Louijeune. – The Boston Globe

Enter Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune. When she took over the process from another council committee in early May, her colleagues were bickering over everything from where precincts were placed on the map to who should be in charge of redrawing the lines. After two weeks, four map proposals, five marathon hearings, and countless personal attacks, Louijeune passed a new version of the map 10 to 2.

It was a remarkable show of consensus on a body with a reputation for infighting and disorganization, and a feat many feared would come too late if it happened at all. With legal concerns now appearing nearly resolved, the effort Louijeune led appears to have kept city elections on schedule.

For Louijeune, it was a moment under the klieg lights that raised speculation about her political future. The first-term councilor has emerged from the fray looking like a thoughtful, cool head on a council of brash talkers and hot tempers; even the federal judge who blocked the city’s earlier map praised the process Louijeune ran, saying this spring’s effort better adhered to legal principles than last fall’s.

Louijeune was in some ways an obvious choice to lead the work of mapmaking. A Harvard-educated attorney, she has previous experience working on redistricting cases before the US Supreme Court. And, as an at-large councilor representing the entire city, she did not have her own political interests to defend in the lines, making her a potentially fairer mapmaker than some of her colleagues.

Recognizing those credentials, some fellow councilors pushed for redistricting to be handled in a committee Louijeune leads — the Committee on Civil Rights and Immigrant Advancement — rather than in the Redistricting Committee that had debated the maps last fall or the so-called Committee of the Whole, which includes every councilor and is led by the council president.

But Louijeune was initially reluctant to take on redistricting, she acknowledged in a recent interview; she knows from her work as a lawyer how “messy and contentious” it can get. That was a particular risk on this chaotic council, which earlier this month, passed and then immediately un-passed the city’s $4.2 billion budget.

“I don’t know if I knew how it was going to happen . . . I knew it was going to be very difficult,” Louijeune said. But she never doubted the council would get there, she said.

“We needed a map so that we could have an election. There was no alternative.”

The first Haitian American elected to the City Council, 36-year-old Louijeune stood out even in 2021′s packed field of at-large council candidates. She had worked for Senator Elizabeth Warren; she earned high-profile endorsements, including Warren’s, and raised enough money to run a television advertisement, a rare achievement for council races. Come Election Day, the first-time candidate earned more votes than any non-incumbent councilor on the ballot.

On a City Council known for big personalities and ugly conflict, Louijeune has not always offered the loudest opinion or splashiest newspaper quote. But from her quieter perch near the council’s ideological center, she has more than once led the body through a particularly thorny legislative process. Last year, she carried the controversial slate of pay raises for elected officials, including councilors. After the mayor vetoed the package, she negotiated and passed a more modest set of increases. Some in City Hall see Louijeune as a contender for council president next year; she would not say whether she would seek the position.

Redistricting, as Louijeune well knew when she took it on, is one of the most contentious issues a legislative body ever debates. Every 10 years, the council must redraw its nine districts in response to population changes captured in the US Census, ensuring not only that each district contains roughly the same number of people, but also that every community in the city has a fair chance to elect candidates who will represent them well. The council’s hard-fought first attempt landed the city in federal court, where a judge ruled councilors had likely prioritized race in an improper manner.

Beyond the geographical, logistical, and legal challenges they face, mapmakers trod treacherous political ground. Not all of the city’s two dozen neighborhoods can be kept whole within districts, and even tiny proposed changes to individual precincts can feel like major threats to district councilors.

“We knew this was going to be a major challenge, and I just felt like [Louijeune] had the experience to meet the moment,” said Councilor Gabriela Coletta, who pushed Louijeune to step up. “These conversations were difficult, and they were long and they were arduous . . . But she was able to get a 10-to-2 vote, uniting a lot of the council, and that is a huge feat in of itself.”

The process got off to a rocky start. Councilors spent their first meeting after the court ruling arguing over which committee should be in charge of redistricting discussions. At the first committee hearing days later, councilors debated what, exactly, they were legally allowed to debate — specific maps or just the lawsuit itself?

“This body is becoming an embarrassment,” Councilor Michael Flaherty said that afternoon.

But by the end of that week, Louijeune had narrowed the discussion to a single map — one she proposed. When colleagues complained that their alternatives had been dismissed, Louijeune, unruffled, emphasized again and again the proposal was not “my map,” but a starting point for a “council map” she hoped they’d build together.

Opinions — and criticism — abounded. The council’s more conservative members, and the group of residents and neighborhood groups that sued the city over the first map, pressed for southern parts of Dorchester to remain united in District 3. Progressive councilors and advocacy groups warned that Mattapan was becoming a political football. Accusations flew that some elected officials were pushing changes to benefit themselves, not their constituents.

There were direct, and in many cases deeply personal, attacks on Louijeune herself, even from councilors who typically align with her politically. Councilor Julia Mejia told Louijeune, “I respect your legal eagle status, but it’s not a matter of, just cause you’re a woman of color we’re all gonna fall in line.”

Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, who represents Roxbury, accused Louijeune of privileging other neighborhoods, and other councilors’ perspectives, over her own.

“I’m trying to be as forgiving and patient as possible, but this is highly offensive,” Fernandes Anderson said during one hearing.

Louijeune said she tried not to take the debate personally — but also that the process taught her a lesson about “the blood sport that politics can be.”

Council President Ed Flynn grew visibly angry during one hearing when Louijeune made a tweak to the South End border of his district. Louijeune took him aside during a brief recess and gave him another chance to speak when the meeting resumed. When the map passed days later, the change was in it, and Flynn voted yes.

Louijeune spent the night before the vote at home, with a mug of mint tea and a slew of map alternatives, Web links to each scribbled on a crowded Post-It note stuck to her laptop. Negotiations continued even after the council’s noon meeting had begun. Louijeune spent the morning juggling phone calls from councilor after councilor, then walked into the chamber an hour late but cautiously optimistic she’d win a unanimous vote.

Ultimately, Mejia and Councilor Kendra Lara voted against the map; Lara said in an interview afterward that Louijeune had “capitulated” to outside pressures and let down some communities of color.

Most reviews were more positive. When Mayor Michelle Wu signed the map into law, she made a point of praising “the leadership of committee chair Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune.” After the council vote, Flaherty summed up her work on the matter as “deliberate, thoughtful, and fair.”

And outside advocates who agree on little else about the maps generally offered praise.

“The results are there,” said Glen Hannington, an attorney who sued the city over the first map. Vanessa Snow, policy and organizing director for the nonprofit MassVOTE, credited Louijeune with “making herself available to her constituents” and taking in “very tense conversations.”

“We didn’t get everything that the coalition wanted,” said Snow, whose organization along with several others had called for different district boundaries in some communities of color. “But I think it was the best compromise that the City Council could’ve made.”

Emma Platoff can be reached at emma.platoff@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @emmaplatoff.

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Boston, MA

How to Watch Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics on Friday, January 17

Published

6 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Press Room

How to Watch Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics on Friday, January 17

BOSTON – The Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics do battle for the second time this season Friday evening. Tipoff between the two Eastern Conference foes is at 7 p.m. ET from TD Garden.

Each team will be looking to bounce back after uncharacteristic losses. But, one team will be much healthier when attempting to do so.

On the front end of this chilly Northern road trip, the Magic handled by the Milwaukee Bucks by 29 points Wednesday night in Milwaukee. They’ll be without three of their top four scorers and five total rotational players in looking to wash the taste of that contest away.

Boston went north of the border to Toronto and dropped their Wednesday outing by 13 points. The Celtics report no injuries ahead of Friday’s bout.

Regarding this season’s series, Orlando (23-19) took the first matchup over Boston (28-12). Friday’s nationally televised matchup is the second of three this year between the two teams.

Who: Orlando Magic (23-19, 5th in East) at Boston Celtics (28-12, 2nd in East)
What: NBA Regular Season Game
When: Friday, January 17, 7 p.m. ET
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
TV: ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network Florida, NBCS Boston
Radio: 96.9 The Game, Orlando Magic Audio Network, SiriusXM
Point Spread: Milwaukee -6
Last Meeting: Orlando 108, Boston 104 on 12/23/24

Orlando Magic

Boston Celtics

Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic: Mosley tipped off his fourth NBA season as a head coach this season, all of which having come with the Magic. He’s 126-162 in the regular season all-time. Before Mosley was named the head coach of the Magic, he was an assistant with Dallas, Cleveland, and Denver. He’s a Colorado alum, and played four years of professional basketball in Mexico, Australia, Finland and South Korea.

Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics: Mazzulla, 36 years old, mans the sidelines for his third season as the Celtics’ coach this year. In each of his first two seasons, Boston finished atop the Eastern Conference. They hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy a historic 18th time this past June after his team cruised through the playoffs in just 19 games (16-3). Prior to taking over as head coach, the former West Virginia Mountaineer was an assistant on the Celtics bench for three seasons. He’s regarded as one of the brightest, young polarizing minds in the game. today

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Boston, MA

State plans to overhaul the Arborway in Boston, remove rotary

Published

14 hours ago

January 16, 2025

Press Room

State plans to overhaul the Arborway in Boston, remove rotary

BOSTON — The Arborway is home to nature. The Arboretum along the road is no stranger to ponds and amphibians, so it’s fitting that crossing the street feels like a game of Frogger. The state has taken notice and has a proposal to overhaul the entire thoroughfare.

Neighbors hope for changes

“You are definitely taking your life in your own hands trying to cross this road. There are a lot of crashes right here because you have four lanes going into one,” said Ed Narenkivicius, a dog walker who’s lived here for 25 years. “The current model isn’t working, so hoping for anything with common sense.”

Out of the 13 intersections on the Arborway, only two are signaled, which means at 11 of them, pedestrians have to wait for the cars to stop to cross. With multiple lanes, people can be waiting a while or choose to risk it to run across.

“I don’t use a crosswalk that doesn’t have a signal, and the ones up here are just flashing yellow. I wait until cars stop,” said Narenkivicius.

“It is challenging at times. We have to dodge cars from time to time or wait,” said Heidi Blake, another neighbor out walking her dog. “As a driver, I have seen cars run into one another, and very dodgy entrances and exits.”

Blake is onto something. She’s lived here for 10 years, and studies back up her fears. Over the last five years, there have been more than 100 sideswipe crashes at both Murray and Kelley Circle.

Arborway changes — A proposal to remove a rotary on the Arborway in Jamaica Plain.

Mass. DCR

“You can see the sideswipe crashes are clustered and concentrated near the entrances and exits to the circle,” said Project Manager Teren Wong while showcasing data during a public meeting online.

Two traffic circles removed

In response, the state is working to overhaul the entire Arborway by doing away with both circles altogether. Bike and pedestrian lanes will be added, as well as reducing the number of pedestrian crossings. The ones that remain will be signaled. The proposal increases green space as well.

Many of the people we spoke with were in favor change, but skeptical of the current design. During the public meeting this week, one Pondside neighborhood resident worried the new design will make it difficult to access his street.

“You’ve got to think about this seriously, and you’ve got to resolve it because this is not going to stand,” the resident said.

The proposal is still being tweaked. They hope to have it finalized by 2026.

Mike Sullivan

Mike Sullivan is a multimedia journalist for WBZ-TV.

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Boston, MA

Explore The Luxurious Side Of Massachusetts At This Year’s Boston Wine And Food Festival

Published

22 hours ago

January 16, 2025

Press Room

The 2025 Boston Wine and Food Festival is led by Wine Director Nick Daddona and Executive Chef David … [+] Daniels.

Boston Wine and Food Festival

Equipped with a lengthy coastline and a fishing culture that dates back centuries, Massachusetts has earned widespread acclaim for its world-class seafood scene—but that’s not all that this historic state has to offer. In addition to being the birthplace of beloved baked goods like the Boston cream pie and chocolate chip cookie, the commonwealth also boasts one of the finest dining scenes in all of New England. During a visit to the capital city of Boston, tourists can discover all sorts of polished bars and prestigious restaurants within city limits, and for a truly lavish experience, there’s no beating the Boston Wine and Food Festival.

First launched in 1989, this esteemed affair is set to return for its 36th iteration this year, with no shortage of elevated drinking and dining experiences taking place within the city’s world-class Boston Harbor Hotel. As one of the longest food and drink-focused events in the nation, the Boston Wine and Food Festival spans from late January until the final week of March, with festivities officially kicking off on January 31st at Opening Night. Taking place in the Harbor Hotel’s opulent Wharf Room, this lively event invites guests to sample more than 100 different wines sourced from all across the globe, all while enjoying live music and bites crafted by Executive Chef David Daniels.

Massachusetts is home to more than fifty wineries.

Shem Hooda Creative

After Opening Night, festival participants can look forward to twenty wine-focused events taking place throughout February and March, many of which shine a spotlight on the natural bounty of both California and Western Europe. For a deep dive on the agricultural history of France’s Rhône Valley, the Châteauneuf-du-Pâpe Dinner is the perfect event, while concepts like The Tuscan Sun Dinner and Marchesi di Barolo Dinner are ideal for discovering the rich array of wines that hail from the Italian peninsula.

When it comes to specific varieties of wine, the festival offers curated master classes focusing on Nebbiolo, Champagne and rosé, but for those in search of a particularly romantic experience, it’s tough to beat Valentines on the French Riviera. Taking place on February 14th, this intimate affair invites participants to enjoy a private dinner under the golden glow of candlelight, with seven refined wines from the French Riviera served alongside flavorful Mediterranean fare.

The Boston Harbor Hotel (pictured here) is adorned with a 60-foot-tall archway.

getty

While the Boston Wine and Food Festival is particularly elegant all on its own, its host hotel is offering an opportunity for guests to elevate their experience with The Presidential Burgundy Experience. Taking place on March 21st, this grandiose event provides up to eight participants with an opportunity to bask in the beauty of the property’s Presidential Suite—a 4,800-square-foot space that comes complete with a private elevator, open-air terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows—and enjoy a sommelier-led Burgundy tasting experience and lavish, six-course dinner prepared by Chef David Daniels.

During the Presidential Burgundy Experience, guests can also take advantage of the full-service open bar available all throughout the meal, while the following morning brings the opportunity to enjoy an elegant brunch served in the comfort of the suite. And to sweeten the deal, a stay at the Boston Harbor Hotel also allows guests to pay a visit to Rowes Wharf Sea Grille—a top spot for lobster, oysters and clam chowder—without having to step outdoors and brave the winter weather.

The state of Massachusetts is home to just one American Viticultural Area: the Martha’s Vineyard … [+] AVA.

Shem Hooda Creative

While Massachusetts has long been renowned for its thriving seafood scene, the Boston Wine and Food Festival highlights far more than just the Bay State, with no shortage of acclaimed restaurateurs gathering to pay homage to the world’s most esteemed wineries. From Hollywood-inspired dinners to deep dives on the world of Pinot Noir, this lauded festival grants guests an opportunity to enjoy the elevated ambiance of the city at its very best—and with winter in full swing, the Boston Wine and Food Festival provides the perfect opportunity to escape the cold and immerse yourself in the flavors of Napa, Tuscany or the French Riviera for a truly unforgettable night.

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