Letters to the Editor

At-risk Hub residents need to get the lead out

 I would like to thank the Banner for Liz Hoffman’s excellent reporting on the City of Boston’s efforts to eliminate childhood lead poisoning (“City setting sights on lead poisoning in kids,” Dec. 20, 2007). Getting the word out to parents and property owners that there are resources available to de-lead homes is an important strategy to protect children from lead paint hazards.

Mayor Menino’s longstanding commitment to children’s health, along with federal funding and the work of local health and nonprofit housing organizations, has led to Boston’s dramatic success in reducing the number of children poisoned by lead over the past decade. But there is more work to do to eliminate the disparate impact of this health issue in Boston’s neighborhoods. We are confident that the Boston 2010 Project, including the efforts of the Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corp., the Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corp., Urban Edge, Ensuring Stability through Action in our Community (ESAC), the Black Ministerial Alliance and the Lead Action Collaborative will move us closer to our goal of making Boston the first city in the nation to eliminate childhood lead paint poisoning.

Families that would like further information on how to get help de-leading their home should call the city’s Lead Safe Program at 617-635-0190. Thank you again for highlighting this important issue.

Robert Pulster
Executive Director, ESAC
The Boston 2010 Project

City owes an explanation over LaBelle concert mess

 I am shocked to be penning this note to your paper. On Friday, the 18th of January, I went to see Patti LaBelle at the Wang Center downtown. The concert was set up by the Mayor’s Office. I got my ticket early on Monday morning at the Wang despite the day having been announced a snow day by Mayor Thomas Menino.

I went on Friday with my girlfriend and waited outside. What followed sickened me.

Crowd control was out of control. I saw three elderly people fall and there was no organization. I got pushed around, with my jacket almost pulled off. By 8 p.m., the doors had closed, and 500 people were locked outside — with tickets in their hands!

There was no explanation. I did see a lot of headless chickens from the Mayor’s Office run around and do nothing. All they did was yell and scream and lose control.

I did see elected officials walk through a special area. I did see city employees all dressed up in furs walk through a special area.

How was this allowed to happen? Tickets were first-come-first-served, and yet even though they were late, they were first served. I got up early on a day called a snow emergency by Mayor Menino to get my tickets. What happened to the rest of the tickets? Why were people allowed in with no tickets? Where was the control and organization, and why was I left outside with hundreds of ticket holders? Why did the Wang staff let this happen?

I will never go through anything like this again, but I want answers.