The coming August fiasco...

[Dalmatian90]

It'll be interesting to see how this all comes down in August. Due to security concerns, Boston is being effectively shutdown. News article follows.

Although the estimates are 250,000 people are directly affected by the road closings planned, it's conservative to say this'll affect 1,000,000 people a day, adding at least 2 hours commute time per day.

I've attached a map for those outside the region.
I-93 is the red highway running N-S through Boston. It will be:
Closed inbound/outbound at the Zakim bridge (northside of Downtown)
Essentially all inbound exits north and south of the city will also close during rush hour.
I-95/Rte 128 is the red ring highway. It's normally a 10 mile an hour road at rush hour. In good weather. If there's no accidents.
I-90/MassPike is the green highway running into the city, and pushes normally 45 minutes to cover the 10 miles from downtown to Rte 128 at rush hour.

Commuter rail north of the city will be shutdown and forced to take busses in (you know, busses sharing the local streets with all the traffic from the shutdown I-93...) as well.

This is *going* to be a huge friggin mess, and there's a good chance like the Chicago convention was remembered in '68 for "The Whole World is Watching" Boston will go down for an incredible backlash from a metropolitan area paralyzed by traffic.

Convention planners release detailed traffic, security plan
By Jennifer Peter, Associated Press Writer | May 20, 2004

BOSTON -- Organizers of the Democratic National Convention confirmed the worst fears of Boston commuters on Thursday, releasing a security plan that includes closing several miles of busy Interstate 93 during afternoon rush hour, along with bridges, tunnels and some secondary highways.

The latest draft of the security plan, announced by a state police spokesman during a breakfast meeting of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, calls for I-93 to close for the late afternoon and evening hours on the four days of the convention

The interstate passes within yards of the FleetCenter, where the convention will be held from July 26 to 29.

React to the road closures



The highway will be closed from exit 32 in Medford, just north of Boston, to Exit 20, which connects to the Massachusetts Turnpike just south of downtown.

"Those decisions are not made lightly and they are not made in a vacuum," Secret Service security planner Scott Sheafe said.

In addition, northbound entrance ramps will be closed from the southern intersection of interstates 93 and 95, in Canton, to the Mass Pike.

And southbound entrance ramps will be blocked from the northern 95/93 interchange, in Woburn, down to exit 32 in Medford.

State Police Maj. Michael Mucci said car pool lanes on I-93 will be closed from July 23-30. A dedicated lane will be used 24 hours a day by emergency vehicles and designated MBTA buses. Eastbound Storrow Drive lanes from Western Avenue to North Station will also be closed on the same dates.

Some secondary roads will also have traffic restrictions or lane closures, including portions of Route 1 north of Boston, where travel will be reduced to one lane.

The Sumner Tunnel and Tobin Bridge will also be closed.

Mucci said the highway closures are expected to begin around 4 p.m. each day of the convention and continue until delegates and other convention-goers leave the FleetCenter, probably about midnight or 1 a.m.

He said he could not estimate how long commuters could be stuck in traffic, but said, "Our best guess is that we are going to severely impact traffic."

Many of the security measures come at the insistence of the Secret Service, which has designated the DNC -- the first national political convention since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks -- a "national special security event." All vehicles in the downtown area, for example, will be subject to random searches.

A preliminary version of the plan, announced in March, called for the highway closure, as well as the weeklong shutdown of busy North Station, located directly beneath the FleetCenter.

It met with widespread complaints from commuters, especially those who live north of Boston and rely on the highway and commuter rail station for access to the city. Many said they would take vacation that week or telecommute from home, rather than brave what is sure to be a traffic nightmare.

About 24,000 rail commuters use North Station daily, while up to 200,000 motorists use the new I-93 tunnel, the centerpiece of the massive Big Dig highway project.

North Station will close for the entire week, and the four commuter rail lines from the north will stop outside the city and riders will be bused into Boston. Subways will not stop at North Station during the convention.

Inner harbor commuter ferries from Lovejoy Wharf in downtown Boston will also be suspended for the entire week.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino called on companies to give employees options such as working from home, and to encourage carpooling. "I'm asking you to give your employees the flexibility they need to make this work," he told the chamber.

Walter Prince, a partner in a law firm located less than 100 yards from the FleetCenter, said the firm's 85 employees will work at home as much as possible, but that doesn't help lawyers who have appearances scheduled in downtown courthouses that week.

"We're going to have to really assess whether we can really even operate that week," Prince said.

[oldman21220]

If everyone was as important as politicans the whole country would come to a standstill. Thank goodness that terrorist are stupid, or they would have had this country on it's knees long ago.

[SafetyPro]

We had the last DNC in Los Angeles, and even pre-9/11, it was a traffic nightmare. There were protests throughout the city (many nowhere near the actual convention) and traffic was a mess. I was working downtown at the time, and couldn't even get from our plant just east of downtown to our office (a trip of about 3-4 miles) one day.

Best of luck...you'll need it. :rolleyes:

[DaSharkie]

I am soooooooooooooo glad I moved out of Mass a few weeks ago. I lived 60 - 90 minutes west of Boston and we were still going to be affected (my prediction anyway). Any EMS transport into Boston, ESPECIALLY Mass General - about 6 blocks from the Fleet Center and down town will be NUTS. That wonderful new $15 billion dollar pit in the ground will be stopped cold. FBI, Secret Service, BPD, MSP, will have that place sealed tighter than a drum, and you are right Dal, the world will cease to exist. What an excellent week to take off for vacation.

Safety Pro brings up an excellent point, what about all of the freaking protesters with nothing better to do with their pathetic lives? What kind of traffic snarls will they cost? I don't care what part of Boston you live or work in, you are screwed. Route 9, 128, 93, 3, 2, Storrow Drive / Soldier's Field Road, they will all be a nice parking lot.

After all is said and done, the press in Boston will the city and Mumbles Menino (the mayor) for not doing enough to aid traffic, stop any of the damage that will occur, and generally destroying whateve quality of life these people had for a week. I have no idea what the DNC was thinking when they picked Boston for this. Tee security and traffic problems are huge. The court appearances are going to be fun too - just like the article mentioned. These poor guys won't even be able to rent a hotel room to help them not have to fight the traffic and other problems. The RNC will have the same problems too, they're in New York this year. How freaking nuts is lower Manhattan going to be?

I love reading the articles about how the cost of this thing is going higher and higher and Menino screams that the state should pick up the tab for it. There will be holy hell to pay for this.

[Dalmatian90]

Part of what's upsetting Boston is NY isn't shutting down for the RNC -- it's at Madison Square Garden, and Penn Station below it will be open. Boston is at the Fleet...so let's shut down not only North Station, commuter rail north of the city, but also the main N-S interstate that we just spent $13,000,000,000 building!

And Governor Romney *strongly suggested* the whole thing be moved to...shock...the new Convention Center in Boston down in Southie where it wouldn't neccessitate shutting down rail & freeway traffic. I think at this point he's just hunkering down to say, "Toldjeso" when it's all done to Menino and the Dems.

Menino's being more than a bit arrogant in all this -- telling people they should take vacation time that week, saying businesses should let workers telecommute (gee, wanna bet Cables Modems & DSL connections start crashing from overload, never mind most companies don't have the capacity on their end for everyone to do remote access at once...), having hospitals cancel surgeries, and the one I love is bypassing state regulations that normally close every bar state-wide by 2am, after all the Democratic delegates simply must be allowed to drink at least until 4am!

[oldman21220]

I guess "Ole Hog Face" is going to be there, needs his drink to function. Wonder if he has a new girl to take for a ride.

[E40FDNYL35]

welcome to our world...The 2004 Republican National Convention will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York City August 30 through September 2, 2004

[oldman21220]

40/35,

Are they going to shut the city down?

[E40FDNYL35]

this City never sleeps... but yes they will:(

[tanker5117]

The RNC will have the same problems too, they're in New York this year. How freaking nuts is lower Manhattan going to be?


I live over in New Jersey and my part time job takes into the city on a weekly basis. I am soooooooooo glad I am going to be in North Carolina on vacation that week.

:D :D


Tanker

[tanker5117]

The RNC will have the same problems too, they're in New York this year. How freaking nuts is lower Manhattan going to be?


I live over in New Jersey and my part time job takes into the city on a weekly basis. I am soooooooooo glad I am going to be in North Carolina on vacation that week.

:D :D


Tanker

[Dalmatian90]

Wonder if Mumbles & Company are mainlaining alka-seltzer yet...


Labor rejects a no-strike agreement
Patrolmen's picket begins; convention may be affected
By Rick Klein, Globe Staff | June 8, 2004

The Greater Boston Labor Council last night rejected a project labor agreement with organizers of the Democratic National Convention, meaning that convention construction will begin at the FleetCenter today without a no-strike guarantee from the influential consortium of local unions.

The vote could persuade more construction workers to honor the picket line planned for this morning at the FleetCenter, where more than 100 Boston police officers and their union allies are expected. The labor council's decision also represents a symbolic blow to the city's efforts to project a labor-friendly image during the convention, and it comes amid mounting pressure on Mayor Thomas M. Menino to quickly wrap up talks with city unions.

"This sends a very strong message that the mayor needs to be at the bargaining table to resolve this with the unions," said Richard M. Rogers, executive secretary-treasurer of the Greater Boston Labor Council.

Last night's labor council meeting pitted the public-employee unions, which are angry over the fact that they are still working without contracts, against several of the largest private-sector building trade unions, which are eager for convention business. A project labor agreement would have guaranteed that trade unions would not strike, but in a sign of solidarity with the public unions the pact was defeated on a voice vote that Rogers described as "overwhelming."

Meanwhile, in a sign of growing uneasiness in the Democratic Party, the chair of the Maine Democratic Party said that her state's 36 convention delegates would probably not cross a union picket line at the convention. Dorothy Melanson said she is confident the city can settle its contracts before the convention begins July 26, but said that if the police union has no contract and sets up pickets at the FleetCenter, Maine Democrats would be inclined to respect it.

"We're a party that supports labor all the way," said Melanson, who added that she intends to discuss the issue at a meeting for delegates scheduled next week. "We would honor picket lines."

Members of the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association arrived at the FleetCenter shortly after midnight this morning, and promised to keep their pickets running straight through the convention if they don't get a contract. Patrolmen's association leaders say they will be joined by police officers from New York City, Plymouth, and New Bedford, as well as a smattering of other Boston city workers, forcing members of building trade unions to decide whether to stand with their fellow union members or start work on schedule on $14 million in construction jobs.

The pickets went up after negotiations between the city and the union broke off yesterday afternoon following just two hours of talks. The police union rejected an arbitration offer, and both sides said they remain far apart on key salary provisions. Talks with Boston Firefighters Local 718 also failed to produce an agreement over the weekend, and that union has called on its members to join the police officers on the picket line. In addition, the president of Service Employees International Union Local 888, Susana Segat, complained yesterday that the city still doesn't appear to be serious in talks with her union.

Page 2 of 2 -- The Menino administration expressed confidence that work would continue despite the potential disruptions.

"We're hoping the people will show up and will get the job done," said Michael Kineavy, director of the mayor's office of neighborhood services, last night.

Despite the labor council vote, leaders of the Building and Construction Trades Council of the Metropolitan District will almost certainly sign a project labor agreement in the days to come, to ensure that most of the work proceeds on schedule.

Nonetheless, the lack of contract settlements could delay the work needed to ready the FleetCenter for the convention, which is less than seven weeks away. Construction workers are slated to start work at the arena this morning, and at least one union scheduled to work at the arena -- representing Verizon telephone and data-line workers -- has vowed not to cross the police union's picket line regardless of efforts to bring labor peace with a project labor agreement.

The possibility of disruptions has local Democratic leaders concerned, particularly because the FleetCenter construction is on such a tight schedule. Philip W. Johnston, chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, made frantic phone calls yesterday to city leaders and local labor officials, trying to see if a compromise could be reached to avoid picket lines at the job site.

"We really don't have much leeway in terms of getting the convention work done," Johnston said. "It is a serious situation. I hope both sides continue to talk so this is resolved in the next few days."

As convention organizers make contingency plans to cope with the protests, Menino said yesterday that the convention host committee will seek out another telecommunications service provider if Verizon cannot convince its employees to work. Seth Gitell, a Menino spokesman, said the mayor will try to seek out a union shop if possible to provide the nearly $3 million in telecommunications services in the convention budget. A Verizon spokesman, John Vincenzo, declined to comment yesterday on the company's next move.

About a dozen city bargaining units are still working without contracts, but a breakthrough with the powerful and vocal patrolmen's association would probably have cleared the way for all the building trades to start work at the convention. But that didn't happen at the bargaining table yesterday; both sides left negotiations accusing each other of not being serious about a settlement.

At the meeting before the state Joint Labor-Management Committee, the patrolmen's association officially rejected the city's offer of expedited arbitration. Under that proposal, an independent third party would have reviewed each side's argument and come back with a contract settlement before the Democratic National Convention.

According to a copy of the city's letter to the union obtained by the Globe, city negotiators said they deem an 11.9 percent wage increase over four years to be "appropriate and reasonable," and invited the police union to propose an economic package of its own. That's roughly in line with the contract signed in March by the Boston Teachers Union, which was given 9.2 percent salary increases over three years, although that deal will provide significantly higher pay increases to some teachers.

Menino aides said the union's decision to reject binding arbitration shows that it is more interested in embarrassing the mayor and the Democratic Party on an international stage than in reaching an equitable settlement.

"You can only draw two conclusions: They either want to disrupt the convention and cause chaos, or fear that they can't prove their case before an arbitrator," said Dennis A. DiMarzio, the city's chief operating officer.

But police union leaders continued to blame the city for the impasse, accusing the city bargaining team of walking out on negotiations without even telling the union's team that it was leaving, a charge DiMarzio denied. Thomas J. Nee, president of the patrolmen's association, said that after months and months of the city not scheduling bargaining sessions, the union is not comfortable with handing over its right to negotiations to an arbitrator.

"We have a right to the process, and they can't simply walk right around it," Nee said. "The arbitration system is designed for when the system has broken down, not for when someone has avoided the system."

Last night's vote on the project labor agreement ignited passions at the Boston Teachers Union headquarters in Dorchester. Those lobbying against the proposed pact held signs and chanted slogans outside, and one building-trade union member said on his way in, "It's not going to be fun."

Steven Gillis, president of the 800-member Boston bus drivers' union, said he voted against the agreement because his union and so many other city workers lack contracts. Gillis and his members arrived at the site of the meeting in buses, with signs in tow.

"We're voting for solidarity," Gillis said. "The Democratic convention should know that workers in the city of Boston don't have contracts."

[DaSharkie]

Hee, hee, hee. This is going to be a lot of fun to watch. If only I could watch Mumbles squirm and all the Dems get into a tizzy on TV instead of reading it in the newspapers. Oh well.

[lmrchief2]

Hey Dal I caught part of that tonight on the news about the possibility of a strike. I guess the pickets got pretty heavy today. They had to make a point on the news that the Fire department was in full support as they nor the Police Dept have contracts. In fact it showed a bunch of firefighters (at least the signs said they were) getting of the bus to help with the protest. May I add that they were nice looking charter busses bringing them in.

This is going to get real interesting glad I live in Michigan:D

[NJFFSA16]

You guys should be thankful...that you don't have to cover the conventions...like some poor Firefighter from NJ.:rolleyes:

Guess where NJ is gonna be? Right in the middle of it.

[E40FDNYL35]

Firefighters, cops and teachers unite in giant demonstration
Cops, firefighters and teachers seeking raises throng lower Manhattan. Some pegged the crowd at 60,000. Firefighter Ryan Charles of Ladder 108 brought reinforcement from home in the person of Thomas Charles, 19 mos. Teachers, who walked across Brooklyn Bridge to get to rally in lower Manhattan yesterday, join call for higher wages. A sea of city cops, firefighters and teachers flooded lower Manhattan yesterday in a massive show of union strength aimed at winning higher pay from City Hall. The crowd - estimated at 60,000 by union organizers - stretched 6 blocks up Broadway, from Barclay to Worth Sts., with sign-toting workers standing 50 across in spots.The NYPD put the number closer to 50,000. Either way, it was among the largest gatherings of municipal workers in decades and recalled the heyday of union strength in the city, veteran observers said.Carrying signs that read "Invest in the Best" and "No Way to Treat Heroes," many in the crowd invoked the memory of Sept. 11, 2001, when 366 members of the FDNY and NYPD lost their lives.The throngs at the peaceful rally - which ended with no arrests - also aimed barbs at Mayor Bloomberg, whose personal fortune is estimated at $4.9 billion."We are not asking to be rich like you, Mr. Mayor," Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch told the crowd. "All we're asking for is to make our lives better for our families."Lynch then recalled the 9/11 credo, "Never Forget!" and added, "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry to stand here today to report that they have forgotten."

Uniformed Firefighters Association President Stephen Cassidy even took a page from Bloomberg's book and urged the crowd to call 311 and complain."Tell the operator you demand that firefighters, cops and teachers be paid a fair raise," Cassidy said. "Take your cell phones out starting today and don't stop."Many did, momentarily flooding the system - but also offering City Hall a chance at a snappy comeback."People have been calling with a lot of noise complaints today, so it fits right in," Bloomberg press secretary Ed Skyler said.While the crowd filled the air around City Hall with chants of "Keep your praise, give us a raise!" Bloomberg was at a Gracie Mansion reception for Russian Heritage Week.Earlier in the day, Bloomberg suggested that the city - which had a $1.3 billion surplus this year but faces deficits in excess of $3 billion in years to come - didn't have the money to pay cops, teachers and firefighters any more than other workers."I think if they spent half of the time coming to the bargaining table, rather than protesting ... they'd probably do a lot better," he told reporters.

The workers marched to demand heftier pay raises than those recently won by their brethren in District Council 37, the city's largest union, which represents clerical and other workers.The DC 37 pact, which in the past has set the standard for other city unions, grants workers a $1,000 bonus and 5% in wage increases over two years. An additional 1% could be added in the third year, provided the union agrees to concessions.

But cops, firefighters and teachers contend the city needs to pay them more to remain competitive with surrounding areas and, in the case of uniformed workers, to honor the risks inherent in their jobs."Frankly, we're tired of begging," said Capt. Mike Gala, 43, a father of three assigned to Ladder 148 in Borough Park, Brooklyn. "It's a shame.""We're talking about competitive wages and decent working conditions, and treating people with respect and dignity," said teachers union President Randi Weingarten as she led hundreds of teachers over the Brooklyn Bridge toward the rally.Two potential 2005 mayoral rivals - city Controller William Thompson and City Council Speaker Gifford Miller - addressed the crowd. The speakers also included actors Alec Baldwin and Steve Buscemi, a former firefighter."I think it's ridiculous that the greatest city in the world can't afford to pay its greatest workers," Buscemi said. "You should be paid for what you're worth."



When the city reached a three-year deal with District Council 37 that called for modest raises, it set a benchmark for other municipal contracts. But unions representing cops, firefighters and teachers say they want more than what DC 37 workers got. Here's a look at the four unions, with the contract status for each.

UNIFORMED FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION
Membership: 8,500 firefighters
Entry-level salary: $36,878
Contract expired: May 31, 2002

PATROLMEN'S BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION
Membership: 22,204 officers
Entry base salary: $36,878
Contract expired: July 31, 2002

DISTRICT COUNCIL 37
Membership: 121,000 city workers
Entry-level salary: Less than $30,000

UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
Membership: 74,000 teachers; 17,000 classroom paraprofessionals
Entry-level salary: $39,000
Contract expired: May 31, 2003

[Dalmatian90]

BTW, if they don't approve the plan for a pool helicopter to do traffic & provide overhead shots of demonstrators...

I smell a Freedom of Press lawsuit being filed! Oh well...just another part of this fiasco:

DNC security to rob motorists of eye in sky
By Mac Daniel, Globe Staff | June 16, 2004

Security-driven airspace restrictions during the Democratic National Convention will ground traffic reporters who patrol the skies, limiting their ability to monitor the flow on roads at a time when commuters face unprecedented highway shutdowns and anticipated traffic headaches.

The federal restrictions will keep private helicopters and planes out of the air for a radius of 30 nautical miles around the FleetCenter, where the four-day convention will be held. Among the aircraft grounded will be the helicopters and planes used by the city's two traffic-reporting businesses and by five television stations.

That means traffic reports and advisories will be issued without the benefit of reporters seeing the congestion from the air, even as travelers are diverted off I-93 onto local roads and into areas that are unfamiliar to some drivers.
...snip...

Officials at the traffic reporting companies say they plan to ask that a single helicopter be allowed to monitor traffic along Route 128, but not closer to the FleetCenter. However, Burns said it is unlikely that the Federal Aviation Administration or the federal Transportation Security Administration will grant a waiver on the airspace ban.

Jeff Larson, general manager of SmarTraveler, compared the loss of air access during the convention to a snowstorm, when planes and helicopters also can't fly.

''But we're in a situation here with the DNC where the traffic pattern is going to be so different for us," he said. ''If it's a snowstorm and we don't have the aircraft, we have a long history of knowing what happens in snow. With the DNC, we won't know . . . We've never been through this before."

[DaSharkie]

I got this out of the Boston Hearld this morning. It seems that the city of Boston and the DNC are really looking out for the "working man" as usual.

I have heard it mentioned that the average salary of a Boston cabbie after taxes, fees, and everything else that the city requires them to pay is about $25,000.

Unfare! Cabbies protest DNC pay: Voucher plan eyed
By Jennifer Rosinski
Thursday, June 17, 2004

Boston cabbies are up in arms over the city's suggestion they accept discounted flat-rate vouchers from 5,000 delegates needing rides to and from Logan International Airport for the Democratic National Convention next month.

``It puts you in the range of what you'd make in theory, but not close enough to what it would really cost you,'' Peter Sheinfeld, president of Eastern Mass. Transportation Inc., said last night at the Logan taxi depot where a crowd of angry drivers gathered to vent.

``Basically what we get is the minimum fare,'' Sheinfeld said. ``Stick with the meter, is what we're saying.''

A proposal that could require drivers to accept a flat rate of $8 per delegate - with a minimum of three people to a cab - was presented to cab associations two weeks ago by Mark Cohen, the civilian director of the Boston Police Department's Hackney Licensing office, drivers said last night.

The trial balloon didn't fly with the cabbies who, when operating on a meter, can earn airport fares ranging from $20 to more than $30 depending on traffic.

The flat rate also does not appear to include the $6.25 each cab must pay for tunnel tolls and a Massport fee.

During previous conventions, officials and drivers say, transportation for delegates has been handled by private contractors.

Carole Brennan, director of external affairs at the Massachusetts Port Authority, said the transportation plans are not set in stone.

``Boston 2004 (the convention planners), the city's hackney unit and Logan have met to discuss the best way to move delegates through Logan to the city during the convention, while at the same time be able to give the taxi industry a piece of the action,'' she said.

``It is absolutely a work in progress,'' Brennan said. ``Everyone at the table has the taxi industry's best interest at heart. Nothing would go into effect without their input.''

A group of independent drivers and some taxi associations plan to meet tomorrow with Cohen to discuss options. A recent proposal upped the flat fee to $10 with an agreement to waive the Massport fee of $1.75. Drivers still would pay tolls.

Drivers would accept nothing less than a flat fee of $15 per person or a metered fare paid by cash, voucher or a combination of both, said Sheinfeld and other drivers.

``All taxi drivers should just take off on that week,'' scoffed one angry driver.



I do like the last suggestion, take off the week, you'll probably be better off. Come on, give these guys a little respect. Why is it different when the DNC comes to town for a convention than anyone else, are conventioneers for other conventions treated like this? No! So why should should these poor shleps be?

[E40FDNYL35]

In previous years, Ivan Lesica took his vacation during what usually is the quietest time of year in New York: the end of August into Labor Day weekend. But this summer, the Sardi's maître'd, will remain in town — and not because he enjoys the most sultry days of summer in the city. "The Republican tourists are going to be here," said Lesica, 32, who noted Sardi's has imposed limits on workers getting days off that week. "It's going to be busy for places like ours."
Lots of lucky souls will be able to flee the crowds, traffic and stifling heat when the Republican National Convention hits New York from Aug. 30 through Sept. 2.

But others - cops, firefighters, hospital staffers, reporters, hotel and other tourist workers - are stuck here whether they care about the GOP gala or not.
"I have to work, even though I don't want to," said a paramedic with St. Vincent's Medical Center in Manhattan. "It's like every big event in the city, like for New Year's or a parade: They always have extra people on," the paramedic said. "They have to take precautions."All 25 reporters and 15 photographers with The Associated Press' New York bureau will be working overtime, especially if protests that week live up to their advance billing, or if a terrorist attack occurs.
"Obviously it's 'all hands on deck' for us that week, and even the week before," said Jocelyn Noveck, the AP's New York bureau chief. "We expect it will be an extremely busy time."
A concierge at the Marriott Marquis hotel in Times Square said "everyone" at the hotel will be on hand to serve delegates from California, Ohio and Tennessee, because no one's allowed to take vacation during convention week.
"It will be fantastic for business," the concierge said.

But one employer found it couldn't stop workers from bolting.The NYPD ordered cops not to take time off between Aug. 23 and Sept. 5, but backed off after the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association threatened to take the city to court, union leaders said. "The NYPD's greatest strength is its numbers, and we'll have them," said department spokesman Paul Browne, who said between 6,000 and 10,000 cops will be available. "We will be ready without taking any extra measures." Still, the incentive of lots of overtime cash - $59 million for the NYPD alone - will tempt police officers to stick around.

Ditto for firefighters. "It is safe to say that plenty of firefighters will be in town," said FDNY spokesman Jim Long. "We have an above-normal complement that mans any event - whether a concert or game - at the Garden, and we'll have more than that around that week," Long said.

Abu Samama, the owner of a Seventh Ave. souvenir store, usually closes his shop the last week of August - but a big red-white-and-blue party will mean lots of green."With all these people around from out of town, I'm going to make a fortune," said Samama, 47. "I should order some Republican-themed gifts, yes?"

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

Don't forget the poor hookers. They will be working double shifts.

[stm4710]

Boston is getting what it wanted,they begged for it for years.
But as for me,I will work my detail at MATF-1 and then head straight for the white mountains and turn off the TV,I am getting so dam sick of hearing Iraq,John Kerry,DNC and Bush be said every other word on the news. I say let Boston get as F uped as possible with traffic........ they asked for it....litteraly.

Then when its over I will come home hear the reports about how bad it was and in my best Nelson Munts impression go "Hey boston ,HA HA":rolleyes:

[CaptainGonzo]

Another intelligent :rolleyes: post.. will you ever learn?

[E40FDNYL35]

July 8, 2004 -- The UFA’s June 22nd and July 1st contract negotiation sessions with the City did not produce realistically acceptable results. Following up on our historic rally at City Hall, where the UFA, PBA, UFT and other groups turned out in excess of 60,000 people, we are organizing a joint picketing demonstration at Madison Square Garden (MSG), the site of the Republican National Convention. This will be timed to coincide with the beginning of preparations of the MSG site for the convention, a fact that will serve to highlight further our demands for fair compensation and our complete dissatisfaction with the unacceptable terms of the DC-37 deal – which the City wishes to force on all of us.

To ensure that our message will not be suppressed by allies of City Hall, or certain unsupportive media organizations, we are encouraging the participation of not only each and every member, but also by our brothers and sisters in the labor movement. The goal is to staff the site – the area surrounding Madison Square Garden – 24 hours a day beginning July 19th and continuing day-to-day thereafter pending further instructions from the UFA.

Today’s N.Y. Post reported: "Many Republicans who are coming to town have no idea that the heroes of Sept. 11 don't have a contract and have been working without one for two years," said Steve Cassidy, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association. "I think most Americans will find that outrageous."

[E40FDNYL35]

July 16, 2004 -- Three city unions are taking their quest to protest at Madison Square Garden to court today, the Daily News has learned.
Lawyers from the city's police, fire and teachers unions will be in Manhattan Federal Court this morning to seek legal action against the NYPD's decision to prevent them from assembling en masse during the runup to the Republican National Convention.

"Police officers spend a great deal of time and energy protecting the general public's constitutional rights," said Patrick Lynch, president of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, "and here we find Mayor Bloomberg attempting to conceal the poor treatment of 9/11 heroes from the Republican Party."

The unions want to put about 400 informational pickets around the Garden starting Monday, the day convention preparations begin inside the arena, to protest their lack of contracts with the city.

Union leaders expressed outrage that they were told by the NYPD that a large protest posed a safety risk.

"Firefighters have bled and died for the City of New York," said Stephen Cassidy, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, "and Bloomberg stops us from informing the public his offer to us are zeroes?"

NYPD brass said the protest could hamper pedestrian and delivery access to the arena. The Police Department offered a counterproposal yesterday that would allow the unions to have about 60 members total stand on streetcorners surrounding the Garden, while the remaining protesters stayed across Seventh Ave.

"It's always the union's prerogative to go to court, but the department had offered what we feel like is a reasonable proposal," said chief NYPD spokesman Paul Browne.

[E40FDNYL35]

New York's top Democrats won't cross union picket lines outside the party's convention in Boston if workers are striking, sources said yesterday. Pressure is growing for officials from labor-heavy places such as New York to respect picket lines as Boston cops, who have been without a contract for two years, have threatened disrupting pickets during key convention events. Officials with the State Democratic Party declined comment, but one Democrat said the New York delegation "wants to support [its] union friends." The source added that party officials are hoping the contract dispute will be resolved before then. Democratic Party heads from California, Maine, Tennessee and Ohio have urged their delegates to skip shindigs hosted by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, the Boston Globe reported yesterday. Menino is locked in labor talks with the cops. New York State Democratic Party Chairman Herman (Denny) Farrell hasn't given instructions to New York delegates, sources said.


:cool:

[NJFFSA16]

Thursday July 22, 2004 5:01 PM


By WAYNE PARRY

Associated Press Writer

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - An Amtrak passenger found a threatening note on board Thursday, and the train was detained for more than an hour as police checked passenger identifications and searched luggage racks.

The Washington-to-New York train was declared safe and allowed to continue its morning route.

Amtrak spokesman Dan Stessel said he did not know the exact contents of the note, which a passenger found attached to a mirror in the cafe car's restroom.

The passenger alerted the train crew, and police boarded at the next scheduled stop, Newark Penn Station, to perform the search, Stessel said.

``The passenger did exactly the right thing,'' Stessel said.

The note will analyzed at a crime laboratory, he said.

Passengers were not told what was going on during the delay. Over a cell phone from a passenger on board the train, an unidentified railroad or police worker was overheard telling passengers, ``This is an unusual situation.''

AP Sports Editor Terry Taylor, who boarded the train in Philadelphia, said the train was held in the Newark station for about 90 minutes, beginning shortly before 8 a.m. Taylor said no explanation was given, but an announcement thanked passengers for their patience.

Taylor said transit police officers came down the aisle of each car, asking to see each passenger's identification and checking the information with small hand-held computer devices.

Police also searched overhead luggage compartments with a metal wand, and at least one police dog was brought aboard the train.

Nobody was allowed on or off the train, and the nearby platform was cordoned off with yellow police tape, Taylor said. Passengers were told that anyone who needed to get off the train for medical reasons should speak to authorities.

[stm4710]

Fox 25 news posed a good question a week or so ago. Why does Boston come to an almost complete standstill for the DNC but NYC keeps on truckin for the RNC?

[DaSharkie]

Fox 25 news posed a good question a week or so ago. Why does Boston come to an almost complete standstill for the DNC but NYC keeps on truckin for the RNC?

Because to the powers that be in Boston, Massachusetts is special and nothing that works in other states can work in Massachusetts, it must be adapted, twisted, debated, legislated, and restricted to death.

[stm4710]

Originally posted by DaSharkie


Because to the powers that be in Boston, Massachusetts is special and nothing that works in other states can work in Massachusetts, it must be adapted, twisted, debated, legislated, and restricted to death. .....you forgot taxed and sponsed by Citizens Bank and Dunkin Donuts.:rolleyes: :p

[DaSharkie]

I saw this in yesterday's (July 24, 2004) edition of the Boston Herald. So much for free speech huh?

Defiant owner keeps anti-DNC sign
By Casey Ross
Saturday, July 24, 2004

City officials have laid a smack down on an irate North Station pizza shop owner who is facing fines for posting an unpermitted pro-Bush sign on his business as delegates flock to Boston for the Democratic National Convention.

Mark Pasquale, owner of Halftime Pizza, was slapped with a citation Thursday evening and ordered to remove the sign until he gets a permit. Boston police also tossed in a charge for a locked exit door at the restaurant.

``It's my building and I can put a sign there if I want,'' a defiant Pasquale said yesterday. ``Signs welcoming the DNC are OK. Pro-Kerry signs are OK. I put up a sign saying, `Go Bush,' and I gotta take it down?''

Pasquale posted the sign - whose bold letters shout, `D.N.C. THANKS FOR NOTHING! GO BUSH' - after road closures and parking hassles prompted him to shut down during convention week.

Boston police, which issued the citations at 5 p.m. Thursday, said a dozen establishments near the FleetCenter were cited this week.

``He was not the only one,'' police spokeswoman Beverly Ford said. ``If he would have gotten the proper permits, he wouldn't have gotten a citation.''

Ford did not know how long it's been since police cracked down on unpermitted signs in the city.

Pasquale's restaurant was flooded with phone calls yesterday as residents sought to toss in their 2 cents about presidential politics and the upcoming convention. Nick LaRussa drove to the restaurant from South Boston yesterday to offer support and a $20 donation.

``I'm not a fan of the DNC coming here,'' he said. ``All these privileged delegates have free reign over the city.''

Pasquale said he plans to reopen Friday after delegates leave town.

``I just want them to leave me alone and let me run my business,'' he said.

[CaptainGonzo]

The sign required a permit due to it's size.

He didn't have one, and was in violation of city ordinances.

The Republicans should step up to the plate and pay the fine (hint hint)... look at the publicity they are getting! ;)

The locked exit door? A violation, plain and simple.

[DaSharkie]

No problem with the locked door. It is a fire hazard and a public danger - question is was there a prior warning about it like other establishments get on an inspection or did they just write the citation?

I couldn't care less how big the sign is. It is inside his business not out on a street. Screw them. Like it says when was the last time the ordinance was enforced? Doesn't mean it isn't in violation of ordinance but if you are going to enforce an ordinance, don't you think it should be enforced uniformly?

[firemedic53]

Actually, it's on the front of the building, on the street....

[DaSharkie]

Actually, it's on the front of the building, on the street....

Ah, I see. I still couldn't care less. Does every pro Kerry / DNC poster, sign, billboard have a permit? If you are going to tag one, get them all. I disagree with any community restricting the placement of political signs for any purpose on any building unless it hinders public safety.

[stm4710]

MMMMMM Halftime pizza and Hooters..............
I miss them so much, but alas the hockey season is nigh!:D

[stm4710]

North Shore's first responders answer the call to Boston

By Shawn Boburg and Andrew Hickey

Staff writers


Eight North Shore firefighters, members of the state's hazardous materials team, will be on the outskirts of Boston next week in case of a biological or chemical attack on Boston or the surrounding area.

Beverly Fire Lt. Jeffrey Sirois said he and seven other area firefighters -- five from Danvers and one each from Ipswich and Salem -- will assist with around-the-clock coverage during the Democratic National Convention.

"We'll be manning our trucks around the clock during the convention," Sirois said, adding that several trucks will set up a perimeter around Boston so all can have quick and easy access to the city from all directions.

Sirois said the team is well-trained to deal with weapons of mass destruction, chemical agents or anything else that could happen while the convention is in the city.

"Everyone is being extra-cautious in case something does happen," he said. "But we've trained a lot for this and we're pretty advanced."

The statewide corps of firefighters has been called into Boston to bolster emergency response in the city. It will be the first time the HazMat team, a patchwork of 270 firefighters from different communities, has been activated 24 hours a day for precautionary reasons, underscoring the extent of security concerns during the convention. Normally, local HazMat teams react after the fact to incidents like an overturned oil tanker or a chemical leak.

"There's a genuine concern," said Jack Parow, Chelmsford's fire chief and the HazMat team coordinator for District 6 in northeastern Massachusetts, which includes the North Shore. "But I feel confident that we are as prepared as we can be."

If an attack were to occur, the HazMat teams would be among the first responders, using equipment to identify a chemical or biological weapon and evacuating contaminated areas.

The hazardous materials team is just one layer of the thick security blanket to cover Boston during the first national political gathering since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Federal and state security officials will monitor the four-day convention from a central command at an undisclosed location and the state's emergency management bunker in Framingham will be staffed around the clock during the convention.

Firefighters from areas outside of Boston will spend 12-hour shifts on between four to six trucks placed around the perimeter of the city and in the suburbs. Security officials want to be able to react quickly to a possible terrorist attack anywhere in or around the city - even more quiet suburbs. The firefighters can't say specifically where they will spend their shifts, other than general vicinities like "the Cambridge area" or "around Newton." Boston has its own HazMat team, which will be stationed within the city.

Citing security concerns, the Danvers, Ipswich and Salem fire departments would not release the names of their firefighters who will be in Boston next week.

[Dalmatian90]

I'll be damned...traffic is actually moving.

State Police had been hoping to achieve a 60% reduction in traffic to make the plans work...by some estimates 75% of commuters were scared out of commuting for the week:

Teradyne's two facilities on the edge of downtown normally house around 1,500 employees. The rooftop parking level at the company's Harrison Avenue headquarters, where more than 100 employees ordinarily park, had fewer than two dozen cars yesterday. Gilette Co. has more people off this week than any other this summer.

Hundreds of employees who would normally gather at Teradyne's Boston facilities for quarterly planning meetings are instead assembling at the firm's factory in North Reading, while many others worked from home.

But for many small businesses that depend on foot traffic from downtown workers and tourism, the convention looks like a curse on commerce, based on the first day's experience. City sidewalks and streets from the Financial District downtown to the Longwood medical area were emptier than usual.

"I think I want to file suit against the Democrats," said Nick Papadopoulos, owner of the Derne Street Deli on Beacon Hill, who had guzzled his fourth cup of coffee by 8:30 yesterday morning to pass the time because so many of his regulars stayed away. Normally he would have done $200 in business by that time, Papadopoulos said in his empty cafe; yesterday he had just $30 in the register.

Only three people were on board the 3 p.m. sailing yesterday of the Liberty Clipper, a schooner that normally gives four daily tours of Boston Harbor. The ship can seat up to 100 passengers. Two earlier tours were canceled because no one showed up.

"It's just completely fallen off," said ship owner Greg Muzzy.

So many workers appeared to have heeded warnings by city and convention officials to make alternative plans for the work week that yesterday's morning commute was a breeze compared with a typical Monday morning stop-and-go.
...
"They wish it could be like this all the time," she said.

Retailers who expected to benefit from the influx of conventioneers complained that delegates were stingy with their money. Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market were teeming with conventioneers and media representatives yesterday afternoon, but many were just window shopping.

[DaSharkie]

Weren't the Dems and especially Mumbles Menino screaming about how this would be great for the city's economy?

Perhaps next weekend after convention is done business wil bee high with many delegates staying in town and enjoying the sights without all of the time pressures from an around the clock event.

As for the Dems being stingy with money -

How many of the street vendors and local variety stores out there do you think jacked up prices rediculously to make up as much as possible for the loss in revenue?

[stm4710]

Im proud to annouceOperation DNC has offically ended at 22:53 with no loss of life or attack.

This was Drew in the EOC haveing some coffee as I was doing some paperwork.

[stm4710]

This was taken during John Kerrys speach. To be honest out of the this whole 4 day detail on high alert...........his speach was the time we had butterflys in our stomach,if something was going to happen this would have been the time. Thank you to everyone includeing us that did our jobs and made sure everyone in Boston was safe.;)