Matt O'Malley

Can Boston drivers be tamed?

adamg — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:39:54 +0000

City Councilor Matt O'Malley thinks so. O'Malley, who reps JP, West Roxbury and a bit of Roslindale, is calling for a hearing to consider ways to force Boston drivers to stop being such Massholes, including speed humps, speed slots (which are like speed humps, but with grooves that let emergency vehicles avoid jostling when driving somewhere at ramming speed), new medians and signs warning motorists speeds are monitored by radar, like the ones New Yorkers learned decades ago to ignore. A little more enforcement by BPD wouldn't hurt, either, O'Malley says.

"I want the term 'Boston Driver' to become synonymous with safety and civility," O'Malley says in a statement. O'Malley's predecessor, John Tobin, waged a similar campaign - complete with lawn signs - to little effect.

O'Malley said the techniques have worked in other cities to "calm" traffic in residential areas. Bostonians who want to see for themselves need only take a quick jaunt across the Charles into Dedham at Spring Street, then turn right at Needham Street to drive over a "speed table" (like a speed hump, only longer) and through a "roundabout" (like a rotary, only smaller).

Class is in session

BostonBastard — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:00:07 +0000

(This post originally appeared at www.BostonBastard.com)

Just in time for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Boston City Council readily presented their version of Boston race relations by making an example out of Charles Yancey, a black City Councilor who committed the egregious offense of actually trying to do his job and look out for his constituents.

The annual release of City Council Committee chairs is always a good way to get a sense of where the councilors stand in the eyes of the City Council power structure and this year was no different.

When Council President Stephen Murphy released his assignments last week, we learned that Matt O’Malley has proven himself as a willing stooge of the status quo, so of course he was handed the chair of the Government Operations Committee, which had been left available when Maureen Feeney finally decided to drop any pretense of giving a shit about her Dorchester constituents and went after a major pay raise.

Another major change was that Charles Yancey was removed from his chairmanship of the Post Audit and Oversight Committee.

Among councilors, Yancey is often criticized for not doing anything, but only because trying to improve the community in Mattapan doesn’t count among City Hall’s paler politicians.

City councilor braces for snow

adamg — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 16:49:20 +0000

Councilor Matt O'Malley (West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain) wants a snow powwow before the first flakes hit to figure out which city or state agencies will plow - or take the blame for not plowing - sidewalks in areas such as bus stops and bridges.

Call him Stubby: Councilor wants to end paper pay stubs for city workers

adamg — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:41:37 +0000

City Councilor Matt O'Malley says Boston could save up to $795,000 a year by eliminating the paper pay stubs some 16,000 city workers still get. O'Malley, who represents Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury and a small piece of Roslindale, would replace them with an electronic system:

By eliminating the paper stubs, Boston would minimize the amount of time expended by payroll and other administrative personnel, reduce its expenditure on paper and envelopes and eliminate the costs associated with printing pay stubs. According to the National Automated Clearing House Association, the average cost of printing a pay stub for one employee is $1.90 per pay period.

His fellow councilors voted unanimously today for a resolution asking city managers to switch from paper to online.

City gets grant to turn gaslights off during the day

adamg — Wed, 25 May 2011 17:28:21 +0000

This daytime Beacon Hill scene could soon become a thing of the past.

The City Council voted today to accept a $1 million energy-saving grant from the federal government that includes about $470,000 for installing 600 "auto igniter" devices to turn gaslights off during the day. Currently, all of the city's 2,800 gaslights remain lit 24 hours a way, because there's no way to turn them off and turn them on again.

City Councilor Matt O'Malley (Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury) said the devices will save the city $235,000 a year in natural-gas costs and "dramatically reduce our carbon emissions."

In addition, the grant will pay for a centralized system for turning lights at city ballfields on and off remotely, through a simple cellphone call to a specific number. The grant will also fund energy improvements at the Copley Square main library and four branch libraries.

"This speaks volumes to how wasteful we have been in the past," Councilor Maureen Feeney (Dorchester) said.

Make that Councilor O'Malley

adamg — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 03:01:05 +0000

O'Malley's victory speech.

Matt O'Malley, 31, today became Boston's youngest city councilor with a 60-40 win over Jim Hennigan for the 6th District seat that covers West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain and bits of Roslindale and Mission Hill.

O'Malley's win in the special election to replace John Tobin, who quit earlier this year, comes on his third try for a seat on the council - he lost two earlier bids for a citywide at-large seat.

In addition to being the youngest councilor, O'Malley will be the city's only red-headed councilor. He'll take office just in time for a Dec. 1 hearing on whether convicted Councilor Chuck Turner gets to stay in office or should be expelled.

Today's special bonus election for West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain residents

adamg — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:41:52 +0000

And bits of Roslindale and Mission Hill: It's the special election to replace John Tobin as District 6 city councilor. O'Malley vs. Hennigan.

Whoever becomes the next District 6 city councilor will vote to expel Chuck Turner

adamg — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 20:51:58 +0000

Boston.com talks to Jim Hennigan and Matt O'Malley, one of whom will be elected on Nov. 16 to represent West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain on the city council. Both say they would vote to expel turner because of his corruption conviction last week. City Council President Mike Ross set the date so that whoever wins the election to replace John Tobin can join the expulsion discussion and vote.

O'Malley vs. Hennigan in District 6 council final

adamg — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 02:01:35 +0000

Hennigan vs. O'MalleyBut looks like Jim Hennigan will have a lot of work to do to win in the Nov. 16 final election: In a five-person field in the preliminary today, O'Malley got 53% of the vote.

O'Malley is making his third bid for a seat on the council (his first two were for an at-large seat). Hennigan is scion of a family that's been active in politics in both ends of the district forever (most recently, his sister Maura held the council seat before giving it up in an unsuccessful bid to unseat Mayor Menino).

The final election is Nov. 16.

Campaign roundup: What are the odds James Taylor approved the use of one of his songs to bash Patrick?

adamg — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 16:10:58 +0000

Would they be slim or none?

Taylor, of course, appears at a Hynes rally today with Patrick and Obama. Red Mass. Group hopefully asks: Is Barack about to do the same for Deval as he did for Martha?

The Herald proclaims Baker the big winner in yesterday's debate, in giant end-of-world type. This outrages the Outraged Liberal.

The Globe endorses Matt O'Malley in the 6th District council race (reminder: Preliminary, for this election only, is this Tuesday).

Wicked Local takes a look at the race for Norfolk County DA.

Councilors choose sides in District 6 race

adamg — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 01:27:26 +0000

Wicked Local West Roxbury reports that while councilors Ross, Consalvo and Connolly are backing Matt O'Malley in the race to succeed John Tobin, councilors Murphy and Arroyo are backing Jim Hennigan - whose sister, Maura, once represented the district. John Tobin, who quit the seat this year, is backing O'Malley.

First candidate for John Tobin's seat

adamg — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:15:50 +0000

David Bernstein tweets that Roche Bros. habitue and two-time at-large candidate Matt O'Malley will run for the District 6 seat being vacated by John Tobin.

Pagliuca hires good guy

adamg — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:31:19 +0000

David Bernstein reports Matt O'Malley is quitting his job as political director of Mass Equality to become a field coordinator for Steve Pagliuca.

New job for first blogging city-council candidate

adamg — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 01:10:21 +0000

Matt O'Malley, who twice ran for Boston City Council, reports he's leaving the sheriff's department to become political director for MassEquality.

Campaign notes: The perpetual mayor; Yancey not a liar

adamg — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 11:55:18 +0000

Tom Menino, who once said he would serve only two terms, might be looking toward 2009. At least, he hasn't ruled it out, not even after seeing those ambivalent poll numbers.