A Look Back at the People and Events that Shaped 2014

The year 2014 was a tumultuous year news-wise both nationwide and in Charlestown. From extreme victories to challenging defeats, the residents have ridden a roller coaster as it hasn’t done in a number of years. From  elections to  casinos to schools, the city and its residents saw it all in 2014.

January 2

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has approved Wynn Resorts application to be a bidder for the sole Boston area casino license.  Wynn Resorts has chosen an Everett location that is than than a quarter of mile from the Charlestown border.

Members of the Boston Bruins and Coca-cola were on hand to promote “Get the Ball Rolling” at the Charlestown YMCA.  The goal of the program is to teach local youth about making healthy life choices through the proper exercise and nutrition.

January 9

Representative Eugene O’Flaherty has announced that he will be resigning his seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.  O’Flaherty will be taking a position in the Walsh administration. He has been representing Charlestown for 17 years.

Chris Remmes is the first candidate to annnouce his intentions to seek the seat being vacated by Rep. Eugene O’Flaherty.  Remmes is a resident of Charlestown and member of the local Democratic committee.

January 16

Boston City Councilor Sal LaMattina is getting ready for a busy year on the City Council and is planning to offer many proposals for development in Charlestown.

Mayor Martin Walsh has been studying the agreements of both Wynn Resorts and Mohegan Sun who are bidding for the sole Boston area casino license that is to be awarded in September.  Walsh is planning to enter negotiations with the casinos for a mitigation package for Boston.

January 23

Charlestown Neighborhood Council has awarded more than $100,000 to many local nonprofits as part of the mitigation money from  the Central Artery project.

Boston Boat Works announced that it is planning to locate its boat buildings operation from East Boston to Charlestown.  The Boston company builds multi-million dollar vessels.

Dan Ryan has announced that he will be a candidate for the seat being vacated by Rep. Eugene O’Flaherty.

January 30

For the second time in four months US Senator Elizabeth Warren was in Charlestown at Charlestown High School to discuss her program, “Priorities for the Future” that has students look at higher educational institutions.

A public hearing on the Wynn Resort casino is planned for Feb. 4 at Charlestown High School.

February 6

Few specifics were discussed at the forum on Wynn casino.  For many residents the forum left more questions unanswered than answered.

The Charlestown Nayv Yard is slated to get a $4.8M water pipe upgrade starting in the spring. 

February 13

The National Park Services will be leasing two buildings in the Navy Yard.  One building is located on Baxter Street and the second building is on Constitution Road.

Officials express concern over the increase in heroin deaths in Charlestown and plan to hold community health fairs to help residents navigate the substance abuse system of care in the city.

February 20

A Medford man jumped to his death off the Tobin Bridge.

Mayor Martin Walsh toured the Warren Prescott School to see the various programs first hand.

February 27

Charlestown Neighborhood Council voted to support the application from Courageous Sailing to host summer events on Pier 4.

Candidates running to fill the seat that has been vacated by former Rep. Eugene O’Flaherty must also battle the winter weather.

March 6

Dan Ryan of Charlestown was easily elected in the primary to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Eugene O’Flaherty.  With strong Charlestown support, Ryan had more votes than the other two candidates combined.  Ryan becomes the first Charlestown resident to hold the seat since James Collins lost the seat in 1978.

Boston Parks and Recreation Department will hold a public hearing on the proposed removal of a shade tree on Warren Ave.

March 13

Florence Johnson, dies at the age of 90 after a short illness.

March 20

Hundreds pay their final respects to Florence Johnson who died after a brief illness.

The Boston Redevelopment Authority has approved a project change at the Hood site. The plans call for the rehab of the warehouse on Rutherford Ave. and construction of a 61,000 square foot addition.

March 27

More than 400 people attened the casino public hearing held by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

April 3

Dan Ryan won the uncontested state election to fill the Representative seat for Charlestown and Chelsea.

Sgt. Tom Lema has been reassigned and is leaving A-1 district after more than 18 years. Lema had been the police’s public face in Charlestown attending many of the local meetings.

April 10

The Boston Zoning Board has granted AT&T the right to use the steeple at St. Francis de Sales Church for a cellphone tower.

April 17

The Charlestown YMCA has announced plans for a free community event to keep their minds and bodies active.

Four candidates are vying for the position of Mayor of Charlestown.

April 24

The annual ride Paul Revere took place on Patriots Day as two riders made their way through the streets of Charlestown.

Charlestown was a big winner in the money being allocated by Mayor Walsh for projects in Charlestown.

May 1

Charlestown Neighborhood Council honored many individuals who work to make the community better. The Knights of Columbus Hall was filled of residents who came out for the annual event.

May 8

The archeology walking tour of Charlestown that was sponsored by the Charlestown Preservation was a huge success as people walked the historic sites.

Tom Coots has been named as a Community bank Hero.  Coots is the Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager for the Cooperative Bank.

May 15

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has denied the City of Boston a host community status for the Wynn Resort casino in Everett.  If the status had been approved Charlestown residents could vote on whether to allow a casino.

May 22

Charlestown Apartments will receive more than $27M in energy improvements.  The improvements will impact more than 1,000 units.

June 5

Massport released the health study about how residents have been effected by Logan Airport.

June 19

Residents had a great time at the annual Charlestown Bunker Hill Day Parade.

June 26

Kelliegh Harrington was chosen as the new Mayor of Charlestown.

BRA approves the Ropewalk project in the Charlestown Navy Yard.

July 17

Three Charlestown students have received scholarships from Partners Healthcare Affiliates.

July 24

The BRA has approved a $4M project at 463 Rutherford Ave for residential housing.

July 31

The Alford Street Bridge that connects Charlestown to Everett and has been undergoing repairs fro the last few years is expected to be completely operational.

August 14

After a month of failed negotiations, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission has announced that Boston will no longer have any surrounding community status and the Commissioners will decide what benefits if any that Wynn Resorts will have to provide to Charlestown.

August 21

Statistics showed that there has been a drop in crime.

September 4

Another primary battle between Rep. Dan Ryan and Roy Avellaneda will be decided by voters in Tuesday’s primary.  Avellaneda has unsuccessfully challenged Ryan earlier in year for the Representative seat.

September 11

Rep. Ryan easily defeated his primary challenger Roy Avellaneda on Tuesday.  Ryan scored an impressive vote tally with an almost two to one win.

Residents are rallying against the Wynn Casino project.

September 18

Wynn Casino was awarded the sole Boston casino license by The Massachusetts Gaming Commission.  Promising major roadwork around the Sullivan Square area, Wynn’s proposal got the go ahead by the commissioners. Wynn casino will be located less than a quarter a mile away from Charlestown.

October 9

Local resident Jane Reitz was honored by the ABCD John F. Kennedy Family Center volunteer of the year.

October 30

Local residents are taking to the streets with signs urging voters to vote the casino legislation down.

November 6

Charlestown residents Dan Ryan and Maura Healey were elected to office.  Ryan was seeking his first full term as State Representative and Maura Healey was elected Attorney General for Massachusetts.

Community leaders are remembering former Mayor Thomas Menino who died after a short illness.

Halloween in Charlestown was unbelievable as an estimated 2,000 children donned masks and costumes for some tricks or treats in near perfect weather

November 13

The Charlestown community was shocked by the shooting death of local athlete Ryan Morrissey who was walking home along Main Street.

November 20

City officials attended the Charlestown Neighborhood Council meeting to discuss their plans to replace the North Washington Street Bridge.  The project will start in the spring of 2016 and be completed in late 2018.

November 26

Pablo Flores, Jr, 21, was sentenced to jail for the 2013 shooting of Steven Jones.

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