Concerned and you Should be, Too
Dear Editor,
Charlestown has a census of 20,000 residents.
The Boston Planning and Development has proposals and Requests for Proposals for many plots in Charlestown that could boost the census of Charlestown to over 31,000 residents, by building towers, more buildings and taking more land from the residents.
Why should you be concerned?
Our last pier in the Boston Harbor, Pier 5 is slated for either being torn down to make way for more yachts, ships or to house a building which would be run by a private equity firm to enhance the presence of Courageous Sailing which already is situated on Pier 4.
The residents of Charlestown are losers in these proposals as much needed waterfront and a space for ALL people to enjoy will be forever gone.
Why does this matter? Current research validates the need for more blue and green space to keep us all physical and mentally healthy. We need to stay healthy as the current health care system we have always depended on is in crisis.
As Cory Booker, a US Senator for New Jersey once said, “The power of the people is GREATER than the people in power.”
You can help keep this valuable waterfront space for ALL of us by signing the petition on the Pier 5.org site.
Ann Kelleher
Harvest on the Vine fundraiser
Dear Editor,
I recall many years ago, there was a soap opera called “As The World Turns”. Today, based on the news headlines, the title might be “As the world spirals”. As you may be aware, the dynamics of our society is changing influenced by political positions. But what is not changing, and is increasing, is the intensity of homelessness and food insecurity. Recently passed legislation drastically curtailed or eliminated the SNAP program (known as food stamps) which provided needed food to those less fortunate. The issue according to pundits was corruption in the system.
Corruption in some form or other had been around for many years in businesses, educational systems, religious affiliations, and of course, politics. But now the ‘powers who be’ are telling those who have very little to step up and contribute “something” to the system so they can continue to receive food benefits. I can understand the philosophy, but I can’t understand taking food out of the mouths of needy people just because of their class in our society, their lifestyle, or just poor luck.
With that said, I remind everybody in the local area that there is a well-tuned food pantry, called “Harvest on Vine” (HOV) that has a food distribution twice a month. According to the numbers, they have approximately 700 families in their database system and as federal subsidies, church donations, and other funding mechanisms shrink, the need to support these organizations becomes more critical.
I ask everyone to check out their website = https://stmarystcatherine.org/harvest-on-vine for the upcoming fundraiser on October 16, 2025, at the Tradesman Restaurant in Charlestown. Along with tickets, there are other options such as a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction or just donate to this good cause. Of course, during the year HOV would appreciate contributions of monetary or food donations or volunteer on a food distribution day.
Please support HOV; it’s the right thing to do.Michael W. Kelleher III