Maureen Feeney

Council supports Constitution, condemns complaining Charlestown condo dwellers

adamg — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:07:57 -0500

The Boston City Council voted unanimously today to support the tradition of twice-daily cannon shots at the USS Constitution in Charlestown.

Beyond supporting a custom that dates to 1798, some city councilors told Charletown newcomers complaining about the cannon fire to read up on local history.

"When someone moves into the city of Boston, they need to understand the traditions we have, the history," Councilor Sal LaMattina, who represents Charlestown, said.

Councilor Maureen Feeney, who reprsents Dorchester, went even further, saying she found it "almost offensive" that anybody would object to the sound of cannons. "It's so disprespectful for us to turn our back on the sacrifices that were made. ... I'm sorry, it's sad that we even have to have this discussion."

City Council puts off any action on Chuck Turner

adamg — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:10:28 -0500

City Council President Maureen Feeney just announced the council will postpone a meeting on Councilor Chuck Turner, to prevent Turner and his backers from turning it into "a stage for the political theater" and because Turner has yet to be indicted.

"We will take no action based on a mere arrest," she said. "Let's all pray there isn't an indictment. But if there is, we will all need to take further action."

Instead, a council committee and city lawyers will take a look at what to do if Turner is indicted. That could include censure or voting to ask Turner to quit. She is also establishing a new committee on ethics to address such issues for the future, because the city charter doesn't explicitly state what to do in a case like that.

Feeney denied shutting down Turner's phones or computers on Friday. "My interest is to ensure the residents of City Council District 7 continue to receive representation and access to city services."

She also denied putting off action because of lawsuit threats from Turner. "We are not easily intimidated, I can assure you." She said today's meeting was not to try to force Turner out, but to figure out what to do in coming weeks.

However, she did acknowledge stripping Turner of his chairmanship of the education and human-rights committee. She said this allows the committees to continue their work "unfettered" and not "distracted" at a time when the School Department is looking at significant restructuring.

Hell on wheels

adamg — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:30:02 -0400

If Boston cab-fleet owners want fare increases, they should be forced to clean up their acts, City Council President Maureen Feeney says in a letter to Police Commissioner Ed Davis, who oversees taxi fares in Boston.

The taxicab industry has been described as "sharecropping on wheels" with drivers forced to pay thousands of dollars in fees before they can earn any salary. This system penalizes both drivers and passengers. It is time for a comprehensive look at our taxi cab system in Boston. I ask you to strongly consider establishing a commission to review the taxi cab industry in Boston and recommend reforms to address the serious concerns raised both by passengers and by drivers.

My office has received several reports of illegal and out-of-town cabs operating in Boston, and of illegal kickbacks from hotel doormen to livery services. Taxi cab drivers face serious challenges and, in addition to your hearing today, I hope you will continue to work with them to address these issues. ...

Globe: Taxi drivers push for fare increases.

Earlier:
Unfare?
Boston to Brookline cabbies: Butt out.

Boston Civic Summit liveblogging

adamg — Sat, 03 May 2008 09:07:36 -0400

Let's see if I can do this ...

As I type, City Councilor Maureen Feeney, who helped organize the thing, is opening the event - 400 people in attendance. Wants to revitalize civic discussion and participation in Boston. Only 11% of Bostonians voted in the last election. The city now is supported by "hands too few and too tired." Local groups and neighborhood watches act in isolation.

"Not about potholes and paving sidewalks. It is about political positioning." Positive discussion about civic health and vitality.

Read more

Hold the phone: Tom Menino to attend that citywide forum after all

adamg — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:23:35 -0400

For a few minutes, at the least. He's slated to address participants at this Saturday's Boston Civic Summit between 12:55 and 1 p.m., according to a draft agenda (not the one on the Web site).

Registration now open for that citywide civic summit

adamg — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:22:46 -0400

It's Councilor Maureen Feeney's effort (along with some other Names You Must Know, if not any beginning with M) to get some dialog going on where Boston should be going, May 3 at the South Boston convention center:

This summit will start a conversation on how we can strengthen the overall vitality of city life by promoting greater civic engagement and fostering dialogue between community groups. It will also provide current and prospective community leaders with tools, training and support to better exercise their important civic responsibility.

Schedule.
Online registration.

Maureen Feeney on civic engagement

adamg — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 19:20:23 -0500

Feeney posts about her May 3 Boston Civic Summit at the convention center.

Boston Civic Summit Web site (not much there yet).

Maureen Feeney: Crazy like a fox?

adamg — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:50:05 -0500

Joe Keohane talks to the Dot councilor about her citywide "civic engagement" thing at the convention center and how it's all systems go despite grumblings from Hizzona:

... The whole thing, she insists, will be very structured, not the moonbat convention many worry it will devolve into.

So, she's apparently for real. The event could hit or it could tank, but it's good to see someone taking the initiative to actually inspire some real dialogue in this town. In, fact, it's kind of amazing that something like this never happened before. ...

Read more

Wait a minute: Adrian Walker can actually make a point?

adamg — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:35:39 -0500

Just when I'd given up hope, he files a column that is not only about Boston, but, indeed, makes an actual point (that Maureen Feeney is in the palm of the firefighters' union).

The only nit: Walker stating, as a fact, that firefighter Warren Payne "died on duty last year with cocaine in his system." It might wind up being true, but the union still says it's unsubtantiated.

Boston City Council stenographic machine output and transcript

the zak — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 05:02:27 -0500

The City Council stenographic machine output and transcribed debate
and remarks at public meetings of our Boston City Council are
available public records and can be requested from the
Council President
maureen.feeney at cityofboston.gov
with a copy of the request to
pre at sec.state.ma.us

References
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/arcrmu/rmuidx.htm
http://listserv.syr.edu/archives/foi-l.html
http://www.scopists.com/Scopistry/