Join Us for First Winthrop Pride Ride on June 24
Dear Editor,
The Winthrop LGBTQ Pride group and Bike Winthrop have teamed up to host a new kind of celebration to wrap up Pride Month 2023- on wheels! We hope you will join us on Saturday, June 24th at 5 p.m. for a festive ride around town- on anything with wheels (bike, trike, scooter, wheelchair, unicycle, you name it!)- starting in French Square and ending at Drop Zone Brewery. Wear your most prideful attire, bring your friends and family, but please make sure everyone is capable of riding independently or are attached via bike seat or trailer (no training wheels, please).
We will gather in French Square just as the Project Play Family Dance Party begins, with music by DJ Cuzzi and instruments provided by FKO, so if you aren’t up for riding/rolling with us, stay for the dancing and meet us later at Drop Zone!
All are welcome to come and show support for our LGBTQ community. We are thrilled that Senator Lydia Edwards will be joining, and hope that the rest of our elected officials will, too! Additional details on Facebook and Nextdoor, or email [email protected].
See you on the 24! (rain date June 25.
Scott Mahoney-Wright, Fred Wright, and Tara Streetman- Winthrop LGBTQ Pride
Julia Wallerce, Chris Aiello, Bob Carroll, Janet Langely, Kim Whitthaus, and Sarah Jane Fourness- Bike Winthrop
In Support of Sumner Tunnel Mitigation
Dear Editor,
As the former Superintendent of the Sumner/Callahan Tunnels and Boston Transportation Commissioner I fully support the MassDOT mitigation program for the Sumner Tunnel Restoration Project. This extensive infrastructure investment project is vitally needed to assure the continued structural integrity of the nearly 100-year-old tunnel whose structural failure would have devastating consequences for East Boston as well as the region’s transportation network. I remember my first day in 1990 in charge of the Tunnels when I discovered that the Sumner Tunnel ceiling was on the verge of collapse from corroded hanger rods, a potential calamity especially during rush hour. I immediately closed the tunnel and initiated a complete ceiling replacement project. To MassDOT’s great credit the current Sumner Tunnel Restoration project is designed to avoid such an event which would be a calamity for East Boston.
The two-month Project mitigation program includes free Blue Line service for the entire route plus an additional daily train, a free Eastie ferry service, additional ferry service between Boston and the North Shore, discounted Tobin Bridge tolls for East Boston EZ pass residents, and other Measures. MassDOT’s decision to change the Restoration project schedule so that it will occur during the traditionally slowest traffic period of the year is also a significant mitigation commitment.
All in all, the Sumner Tunnel Restoration Project is absolutely required for public safety and continuity of essential transportation programs serving the region, including East Boston. The comprehensive mitigation program ought to continue to evolve.
Thank you,
John Vitagliano