The Boston Phoenix January 11-17, 1991: Vol 20 Iss 2

116 Pages·119.9 MB·English

GSERXEYE NCI NCEMAAR D -c GOTHIC TV B—S ";
mR GEROUS
DANULAUU
so WS ROCK
iETURNS
GERARD DEPARDIEU “Glee BACK FROM THE DEAD aoe §
AND ANDIE MacDOWELL WITH PLENTY OF BITE
Ph linieslOSIO\e | L 4 ™ ka
\ ~e AT
CP HilX _— ia eubiiaa
25TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR .
BOSBOTSTON’S OLARGEST NWEEKLY FOUOR SECTIONS N
INT YEAR
BY TIMOTHY GOwWER
wi
a
Peacanbehitagnan:
SAAT
4<e;a5 r: att; cha!
vshiaiath eetsa tarate
fetiss
: ae
cast 55 tee 08
ee ees 5 Se
Raete oy
An open |
MUTA
letter (0
eo
|| ppyy MMaarrkk JJJUuuRrrKxxOooWwwIiiTttZzz ||
PHOTOS BY MARK MORELLI (BOSTON SKYLINE AND WELD)
___ JANUARY 11, 1991
2 THE BOSTON PHOENIX, SECTION ONE
Pheenix
(ISSN No: 0163-3015)
Published Weekly Vol. XX/No. 2
126 Brookline Ave., Boston, Mass. 02215 [phone]
PUBLISHER & CHAIRMAN
FLASHBACKS Stephen M. Mindich
PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
H. Barry Morris
EDITOR
Peter Kadzis
EDITORIAL
Managing Editor: John P. Mello Jr.; Design Director: Cleo
Leontis; Associate Design Director: Kevin Miller; Design
Assistant: David Axtell; News Editor: Mark Jurkowitz; Arts
Editor: Jeffrey Gantz; Lifestyle Editor: Caroline Knapp;
This week, we begin a year-long celebration of the Boston that there was a lack of regulatory control over the turn-of-the- Associate Arts Editor: Ted E. Drozdowski; Arts Editors:
Phoenix's 25th anniversary. Each issue throughout 1991 will take decade’s drug scene, the article grimly opined, “In the arts, drugs C(eavreonltysn), CJloany G(atrheelaitcekr ),( muPseitce)r; KSeenoiuogrh S(tfaiflfm ),E diAtmoyr: FTihnecah
a week-by-week look back at the trends and events we've covered and their use have been a fact of life for many decades, . . . The Singer; Listings Coordinator: Gail Ross; Staff Writers:
since 1966. entire scene must now take the brunt of the Charles Mansons and Maureen Dezell, Sean Flynn, Timothy Gower, Ric Kahn, Jon
Keller, Mark Leibovich; Assistant to the Editor: Mark
the other monsters preying on young people.” (“Music and
Smoyer; Editorial Assistant: Alison Hagge.
Menace: From Bebop to Hipster to Beatnik,” by Charles Giuliano)
CONTRIBUTORS
MAKE MY DAY Editors: Mary Frakes (food), E. Brad Meyer and Peter W.
Mitchell (audio/video), Don Rubin (puzzle), Lioyd Schwartz
> On January 4, 1972, Dirty Harry introduced the world to the (classical); Writers: Johnny Angel, Mimi Coucher, Robin C.
one-man justice brigade that fathered four sequels and paved the Dougherty, Chuck Eddy, Kris Fell, Mike Freedberg, Clif
way for the shoot-em-up careers of similarly laconic (to put it Garboden, M. Howell, James Hunter, Jim Macnie, Bill Marx,
Robert Nadeau, Rebecca Nemser (art), Jan Nicholson,
nicely) characters, bringing millions to such thespians as Sylvester Ketura Persellin, Harvey Silvergiate, Lisa Deeley Smith, Don
Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Janet Maslin gave Clint Steinberg, Gary Susman, Charles Taylor, Steve Vineberg;
Eastwood more credit than his lesser imitators get today, calling Cartoonist: David Sipress.
him a “dry, hardbitten” cowboy who blends “unflagging resource- ADVERTISING
fulness with just enough disillusionment to get by.” (“Dirty Harry,” Co-Sales Directors
by Janet Maslin.) A. William Risteen, Carola Cadiey
Traffic Manager: Susan Kelley; Traffic Coordinators: Peter
Baldrachi, Karen Bronnenkant, Michelle Poppleton;
DANCING BAREFOOT Classified Lines Manager: Larry Guerra; Classified Office
> On January 6, 1976, we looked at the hottest new woman in Supervisor: Michael Ryals;Classified Lines Repre-
sentatives: Chris Barno, Robert Deutsch, Ted Miller, John
music, Patti Smith. Despite Rolling Stone’s prediction that she’d be Pinsky, Laura Prusaitis, Paul Slagle, Courtney Wayshak;
“the queen of rock & roll for the Seventies,” we described her as a Associate Classified Display Sales Manager: Blaine
yet underdeveloped musician with potential. (“Patti Smith: A Hebbel; Classified Display Account Executives: James
Berkowitz; Classified Display Sales Assistant: Demetri
Legend Before Her Own Time,” by Peter Herbst.) Panos; Corporate Account Executive: Michael Aliberte;
Foreign adventure Local Entertainment Sales Manager: Candace Pirello;
Entertainment Sales Account Executives: Catherine
AP/WIDE WORLD Sanderson, Heather Worth; National Sales Manager: Robert
E. Stevens; National Sales Account Executives: Carrie
NEW S Meade, Moira Twomey; Retail Sales Manager: James
Femia; Retail Sales Account Executives: Terry Crowe, Bob
Cunnington, Andrew Tedder; Couriers: Adam Abramowitz,
STRATEGIC COMMAND Michael Byrne, Rick Ouellette.
> On January 2, 1973, Ngo Vinh Long, director of Cambridge’s MARKETING
Director of Marketing
Vietnam Resource Center, wrote an article about the escalation of Jeff Schiffman
the US bombing of North Vietnam and the attendant casualty Marketing Managers: Caryn Hirsch, Jim Olsen; Promotions
count. With the US poised on the brink of its most massive military Coordinator: Greg Wymer.
venture since Vietnam, Long’s article seems both eerie and
PRODUCTION
foreboding. Long wrote: Production Manager
“The American hope that brute force will make the Vietnamese Debbie Klein
compromise their principles only leads the United States to escalate Graphic Services Director: Ann Hanson; Graphic Services
Coordinator: Janine Parker Kolberg; Graphic Services
the war further. After the towns and cities, the next step will be an Accout Executive: Marylou Newman; Graphic Services
all-out attack on the dikes and dams of North Vietnam. The same Artist: John Millett; Computer Systems Manager: Harry
pattern happened in Korea. According to Neil Sheehan in the June Patti Joni Brown; Pagination Manager: Christopher Young;
Production Traffic Manager: Matthew Thorsen; Art
10, 1972, New York Times, ‘senior officers’ are saying that if Nixon Department Supervisor: Jessica Giles; Art Staff: Marcia
‘wants to escalate the war significantly . . . he may have to begin RECKLESS Brodhead, Daniel Honig, Kevin Smith; Stat Camera
attacking civilian targets — the cities and flood-control dikes in the » On January 10, 1978, on the other hand, we had no similar Operator: Joseph Phillips.
CIRCULATION
northern edges of the Tonkin delta.’ reservations about Joni Mitchell. “Mitchell has gone beyond Circulation Director
“In a news conference in Texas on April 30, 1972, Nixon refused Dylan because her music has matured with her and at the same Edward Daly
to rule out attacks on the dams and dikes in the future. In fact, he time preserved rock’s melodrama, its insolence, and its Operations Manager: Robert Brady; Sales Manager: Don
Bulman; Coordinator: Philip E. Hopkins; Subscriptions:
called them ‘strategic targets,’ thereby implying that he now sensuality.” (“Joni Mitchell’s Reckless Record,” by Ariel Swartley.) Amy Sloane; Driver: Jack Thompson.
accepted the Joint Chiefs of Staff long-standing definition of the FINANCE
dikes and dams as legitimate military targets.” GUNS AND CHAIN SAWS Treasurer
David Crowley
> On January 6, 1981, “lubricious” Wendy O. Williams and the Controller: John Bell; Merchandise Administrator: Alan
CUTTING EDGE Plasmatics earned a feature for their exploitative punk rock. After Orlove; Merchandise Coordinator: Kathie Noonan; Senior
> Closer to home, William Weld took office as our new governor, alluding to everything from Don Rickles’s humor to slasher film Accountant: Jim Duran; Staff Accountant: Joanne Manning;
Staff: Eunice DiNitto, Ginny Yardley; Receivable Director:
promising to get the deficit-ridden and economically deteriorating psychology, David Chute wrote finally, “True exploitation fodder Deborah Tosches; Credit Representatives: Rob Hunter,
commonwealth back on its feet with strategic budget cuts that will has always been marginal commercially, but what the Plasmatics Kathy Richard; Collections Representatives: Eric Van
decrease the deficit without hurting the most needy. The scenario is sacrifice in breadth of appeal they more than make up for in Buskirk, Marney MacFadyen; Finance Clerk: John
McMorrow.
not much different from the one described below on January 7, intensity. . . . | hope the Plasmatics will stick to their guns (and HUMAN RESOURCES
1975, by Peter Lucas, former their chain saws) to the bitter end.” (“Sex & Gore & Director of Human Resources
political columnist for the Bos- Rock & Roll,” by David Chute) Michelle M. Rosner
Human Resources Representative: Karen Williams.
ton Herald, who did a stint as ADMINISTRATION
a Phoenix contributor. Weld’s FUNK FURY Executive Vice President
predecessor, Michael Dukakis, } On January 11, 1983, the Phoenix featured Arthur Fisheiman
Assistant to the President: David M. Dinnage; Office
took office promising to use a Prince, writing that “dancers know his strength lies Manager: Sandy Pardee; Administrative Assistant: Wendy
“meat cleaver” on the budget, in the slash of his rhythms. In his botched songs, Charest; Receptionist: Amy Frantz.
prompting Lucas to write: Prince makes these rhythms compensate for his INFORMATION
Advertising: For display rates, call Sue Kelley.
“The ‘meat cleaver’ phrase lyrical gaffes; in his bravura numbers, he fits the two Subscriptions: $24/six months, $41.50/one year, $78/two
caused some consternation together as equals — he isn’t afraid to put funk-fury years; first-class rate, $150 per year. Bulk-rate postage paid,
among liberal groups con- riffs in his language.” (“Prince: Up for the Down- Boston, Mass.; allow five days for delivery. Send name and
address with check or money order to: Subscription
cerned that the new governor stroke,” by Mike Freedberg.) Department, Boston Phoenix, 126 Brookline Ave., Boston
might make his cuts in social 02215.
services and in higher educa- Litneotrt ye Postmaster: Send address changes to Subscription
Department, Boston Phoenix, 126 Brookline Ave, Boston
tion, and Dukakis was forced 02215.
to modify his statement — that MSSS-TAKE Listings: Events will be listed free of charge, subject to
he would not reduce needed Michael S. Dukakis » On January 8, 1974, women were still worrying revision by the editor. All copy must be received by
THURSDAY a week before the Friday when it should appear.
social services, that the cuts in WILLIAM DICKINSON about what they wanted to be called: Ms., Mrs., or Mail: Attention Listings.
education would come from Miss. The author of our article (who herself pre- Manuscripts: Manuscripts should be addressed to the
administrators rather than teachers, and so on. ferred “Miss”) suggested that “herstory” would join our lexicon of appropriate section editor. We assume no responsibility for
returning manuscripts not accompanied by a stamped, self-
“And talks about potential layoffs of state employees won progressive terms and that, grammar be damned, the solution to addressed envelope.
Dukakis the anger of the Massachusetts State Employees Associa- the “she/he” or “(s)he” pronoun dilemma would be “they.” (“A Copyright: 1991 by the Boston Phoenix Inc. All rights
tion, which issued a policy statement opposing possible firings. Matter of Semantics and Feminism,” by Karen Lindsey.) reserved. Reproduction without permission, by any method
whatsoever, is prohibited.
“But Dukakis, a Spartan in all things, is determined to do two PRINTED BY
things: one is to balance the state budget, and, hopefully, not raise DEPRESSING Mass Web Printing Co. Inc.
taxes; the other is to help the ailing Massachusetts economy. With » On January 7, 1975, America was in an economic recession, and 3A1u4b urWna,s hiMnAg t0o1n5 0S1t .
the state budget hovering around the $3 billion mark and with the the news went out that “a faltering economy spells bad news for
commonwealth facing a deficit that could reach $300 million, he taste buds and budgets, unless you're a Latter Day Saint (or Ronald
has his work cut out. McDonald).” This was the first recession for the organic restaurants Subscribers’
“We are going to squeeze,’ he said. ‘We are going to squeeze -and pottery stores that had been nurtured by the flower power of Change of Address
everything out of every nickel and dime, out of every single dollar the late 60s and early ’70s, and they were suffering just as much
we can.’” from the dwindling dollar as the yuppie-supported businesses born
PASTE LABEL HERE
The more things change... in the ’80s are today. (“1975: Who's Depressed?”, various authors.)
AKI S COUCH POTATOES
New Address
» On January 2, 1979, more and more members of the “me City
DEATH OF A HIPSTER generation” were going to therapists to learn the meaning of “we.” State —_._.__._... Zip
> On January 7, 1970, the Phoenix wrote of the regrettable effect Apparéntly therapy didn’t do the trick. This article appeared on the
MAIL TO:
of drugs on music: “When drugs became mass-cult, the hipster eve of the ’80s, the “mine” decade, when greed was good and Subscription Department
movement dropped dead, choked to death in smoky jazz clubs. relationships took a back seat to Reaganomics. Where are we now, THE BOSTON PHOENIX
Ravi Shankar became more popular than Count Basie.” Concluding a year into the '90s? (“T for Two,” by Neil Miller.) QO 126 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215
|
ANUARY 11, 1991 SECTION ONE, THE BOSTON PHOENIX 3
DON’T
QUOTE ME
Howie dearest
by Mark Jurkowitz
Howie Carr
Boston Herald
One Herald Square
Boston, MA 02106
ear Howie: 4 TALKING POLITICS by Jon Keller
When I think about you these days, I can’t help but Welcome to the world of big-time politics, Mr. Governor.
recall that famous Paul Szep cartoon after Governor 4 SHORT STOPS
Ed King was told to take a hike by the voters in 1982. As the 6 LETTERS
Can-Do kid was heading out the door of the Corner Office, 8 DEFINE THYSELF, CHARLIE by Jon Keller
there was Szep bidding a tearful good-bye to his favorite For years, Charlie Flaherty has fostered an ambiguous persona to advance bis
target, his meal ticket (you remember the Dini’s bib), so to political career. But as Speaker of the House, be won't be able to remain out of
speak. focus any longer.
You must have that feeling now that Pee-wee’s great
10 THE ECLECTIC EGALITARIAN by Sean Flynn
adventure is over and you won't have Dukakis to kick
Chuck Turner, low-key and soft-spoken, is a man on a mission, quite literally to
around anymore. Not that you didn’t give him a first-class
democratize the world
sendoff. You came up with one final rub-it-in account of
11 LES MISERABLES by Maureen Dezell
Dukakis’s last hours in office. (You must have loved the
That people of color can't reside peacefully in places such as West Roxbury, South
hecklers yelling, “Keep on walking Duke,” as he strolled
down the State House steps. But I think you made a tactical re Boston, and parts of Charlestown and south Dorchester is an implicit social
mistake by showing up. You gave those bow-tied bum- FLAHERTY assumption bere. And it’s something Mayor Raymond L. Flynn has done next to
kissers on Morrissey Boulevard a clean shot in last Sunday’s nothing to change.
“Short Circuits” column.) 12 BRIEFCASES by Harvey Silverglate
Then I listened to you for a while on WRKO’s “governors” Just when you thought it was safe to dismantle the electric chair, Bill Weld gets
show with your pals Barbara Anderson and Jerry Williams elected governor.
last Tuesday. And you were still having fun at the old Duke’s LIFES TY & ee eee
expense. To the tune of that golden oldie “Get a Job” (“da-
dip-dip-dip-dip-dip-dip-dip get a job”), you started reading
off a list of Dukakis cronies who'd bagged last-minute state
2 URBAN EYE
perks with slots on all sorts of committees and commissions:
This week, Boston's Bulletin Board shops for dried cherries and chocolates, reports
Steve Rosenfeld . . . Mindy Lubber . . . Joe Warren. . . . I
on a new campaign to end violence against women, tries on a pair of mood socks,
thought you kept the rhythm pretty well.
= and more.
All in all, Howie, it’s been one hell of a run. As Dukakis
a.’ 73 AN OPEN LETTER TO BRET EASTON ELLIS by Caroline Knapp
was transformed from miracle worker to captain of the
Bret, Bret, Bret. Just because the protagonist of your new book is a homicidal
Hindenburg, you surfed the wave like Frankie Avalon in
one of those beach-bimbo movies. No public-sector salary maniac who does unspeakable things to women doesn’t mean you're a
and no family ties among payroll patriots went unnoticed. misogynist, does it? Does it?
You turned the word “hack” into a mantra. And boy, did you 4 BOSTON IN THE 21st CENTURY by Timothy Gower
get their goats on that Taylor plantation on Morrissey A look at what the future holds, from jobs and racial tension to real-estate
Boulevard. Marty Nolan said you were spreading development and transportation.
disinformation in a fashion reminiscent of Nazi propagandist 6 INSOMNIA by Alan Green
Joseph Goebbels. David Nyhan compared your work to What you think about when all you can think about is sleep.
“stuff off urinal walls.” But then again, how many of those 10 THE STRAIGHT DOPE by Cecil Adams
guys were the subject of long feature stories in the 11 AID & ACTION compiled by Gail Mandel
Washington Post or LA 12 DINING OUT by Robert Nadeau
Times? And when was the -» »G hina Gate dishes up Cantonese fare in Chinatown. Plus, the Phoenix restaurant
last time Inside Edition did a guide and good cheap eats at Fresco’s Café and Grille near MIT, in Cambridge.
probing profile of anybody 15 THE PUZZLE by Don Rubin
at the Globe? Those
buttoned-up broadsheet ARTS aS aera eee
types were so upset by your
high profile that one Globe
editor — asked to evaluate 2 8 DAYS A WEEK
coverage of the Stuart If it’s bot, it’s in the Phoenix, so pay a visit to our listings pages before you step out.
murder case, including the
Ify ou're movie bound, turn to “Flicks in a Flash,” Boston’s most inventive film
performance of that
guide. For the latest news in the arts world, read up on the “State of the Art.” And
columnist from Lincoln —
in “Next Weekend,” Bill Marx talks with Denise Stoklos, who will perform the Dario
gleefully declared that
Fo/Franca Rame solo stagework Adult Orgasm Escapes from the Zoo at the ICA.
“Howie Carr’s 15 minutes of
6 FILM
fame has ended, and Mike
Peter Keough finds only movie stars under The Sheltering Sky but gives a nod of
Barnicle’s back as the pre- - 4
eminent columnist in You’I lm iss the Duke. approval to Peter Weir's Green Card, whose star, Gérard Depardieu, is interviewed by
Boston.” Seemed a little ee"IOHN NORDELL Gary Susman; Robin Dougherty would have liked a tougher Awakenings; Bill Marx
paranoid to me. listens as the stars of Franco Zeffirelli’s Hamlet hack away at the Bard; and Jeffrey
And though Dukakis couldn’t get mad enough at George Gantz salutes the Brattle for coming up with a new 35mm print of Antonioni’s Red
Bush to fight back after Poppy painted him as a lily-livered Desert. Plus, in “Trailers,” Not Without My Daughter and The Tall Guy.
simp in the 1988 campaign, you obviously got under his 10 THEATER
a4 iS:
thick skin. Why else would he have called you a Carolyn Clay says The Aristocrats at the Huntington is Irish nobility, and finds
THE SHELTERING
“psychopath” in front of your old Deerfield Academy school little to mend in the New Rep’s Fences; Bill Marx reports that Filumena at
SKY
chums? And whereas he hadn’t seemed too sure about what Merrimack Rep lacks Italian spice; Robin Dougherty speaks with the beast of La
he’d do to somebody who — hypothetically — raped and Béte, Tom McGowan; and Gail Ross aisle-hops to The Dancers and The Grace of
murdered his wife, he publicly fantasized about taking “a Mary Traverse.
swing at a hack columnist for the Boston Herald.” 1 guess 13 TELEVISION
that means you. Robin Dougherty welcomes Barnabas Collins and company back as Dark
Let’s also not forget that whatever your motives (and believe Shadows returns— to prime time.
me, I’m not assuming they were lofty), you were right about
14 ART
some stuff this year. While the Globe bigfeet and your own
Rebecca Nemser interviews opinionated, flamboyant— and departing — ICA
editorialists were reverentially beating the tom-toms for big
director David Ross.
daddy John Silber, you were wise to the dangers of not only
16 MUSIC
Herr Doktor but also the cadre of insiders — Billy Bulger
Ted Drozdowski celebrates the energetic live rock oTfh e Peel Sessions; Banning
(a/k/a the CM), Kevin Harrington et al.— who helped him
Eyre eyeballs the work of Brazilian eccentric Tom Zé; Ed Hazell trumpets the
become the King of Commonwealth Avenue. (He came damn
virtues of Your Neighborhood Saxophone Quartet; in “Cellars by Starlight,” Polly
close to shortening that title to King of the Commonwealth.)
Campbell warms up to Big Barn Burning; and Michael Freedberg finds Caron
Not only that, but I happen to think you raised a pretty good
point in your January 2 PEE WEE LOADS COURT ROLLS Wheeler's funk-lite tasty but less filling. Plus, in “Live and on Record,” Skinny
IN FINAL HOUR HACKARAMA column. Some of those Puppy and Boiled in Lead.
11th-hour and 59th-minute Dukakis judgeships and clerkships THE GRACE OF 22 HOT DOTS 30 LISTINGS
went a long way toward undoing the Duke’s longstanding MARY TRAVERSE 36 ART LISTINGS 40 PLAY BY PLAY
goo-goo reputation. And for my money, your attack on CM 42 OFF THE RECORD 43 FILM LISTINGS
coat-holder Paul Mahoney’s qualifications for the bench was
44 FILM STRIPS
more righteous than Barnicle’s assault on that Mahoney-basher
Alan Dershowitz. COMING NEXT WEEK
But the problem, Howie, is: what’r ya gonna do now that
we've got a Republican chief exec who wants to slice and
dice the budget? Sure, you were still having a go at Dukakis In Lifestyle: behind the scenes with Boston’s bicycle messengers; why video stores are the new battleground for
on ’RKO this past week, but this governors-of-the-airwaves relationships; and a look at a proposal that would make abortion illegal after 70 days. In Arts: Steve Vineberg
thing is a real perishable commodity. (I mean, Barbara is reviews The Field, by Jim Sheridan, who directed My Left Foot, Bill Marx on the Hartford Stage’s The Master
now fawning all over Bill Weld, Jerry must be searching for Builder; Thea Singer on the Concert Dance Company’s final performance; and Jim Macnie talks with Run-D.M.C.
some new populist hot button to push such as banning traffic about their new album, Back From Hell. Plus, in the Phoenix's Video Supplement: Shakespeare and Mozart on tape
lights as an unnecessary infringement on our civil liberties, and
and the films of horrormeister David Cronenberg.
you're not going to be able to keep reading off the names of
Dukakis appointments without its seeming like a history Credits: Eric Rasmussen (with News), David Sipress (with Lifestyle), and Calvin Wilder/Ikaros Theatre (with The
See QUOTE, page 14 Grace of Mary Traverse in Arts).
4 THE BOSTON PHOENIX, SECTION ONE JANUARY 11, 1991
TALKING
SHORT STOPS
POLITICS
By the Grace of
the Duke
by Jon Keller
Hello there, Bill Weld. Welcome to the world of big-
league politics.
That was the gist of the none-too-friendly message
delivered to the incoming governor by the outgoing one
through a rash of 11th-hour appointments of
administration cronies to various state boards and
commissions. And one of those appointments in
particular — the naming of former state representative
Augusto “Augie” Grace to the Massachusetts Housing
Finance Agency (MHFA) board of directors — stands out
as a Classic bit of political hardball.
Unlike many of the last-minute goodies handed out by
the Dukakis administration (which included slots on
something called the Benjamin Franklin Trust Fund
advisory commission), seats on the nine-member MHFA
board mean something. The quasi-public MHFA is a
premier player in the stimulation of affordable housing
JOHN NORDELL statewide and a major issuer of tax-exempt bonds. Board
membership, though unpaid, is a prime position from
VILLAIN OF THE WEEK redeemable bottles and cans, and a high resident- which to get a firsthand view of government activity in
turnover rate. the housing market. Gubernatorial appointments to the
South End “It’s such a transient neighborhood,” says Iannella. board run for seven years — the next opening doesn’t
“We have to constantly educate the new people who come up until the fall of 1992.
And the winner of the city’s dirtiest, er, least tidy come into the neighborhood every year.” Which explains why Steve Pierce, newly appointed
neighborhood of 1990 is — you got it — the South But Iannella sees a silver lining in the grungy secretary of the Executive Office of Communities and
End. The South End has earned that dingy distinction garbage cans. In ’89, South End businesses and Development, was so eager to fill the open MHFA board
for the last five years in a row. residents were hit with 9454 tickets for such slot that he called outgoing secretary Amy Anthony in
City Code Enforcement director Richard Iannella infractions as having overflowing dumpsters and mid December to ask that she not fill the opening, a
says there are a number of reasons the South End refuse all over their properties, putting the trash out request reportedly repeated to Dukakis’s chief secretary,
perennially tops the trash-ticket charts. The too early, and using paper instead of plastic bags. Stephen Rosenfeld, by Weld’s chief-of-staff, Mark
neighborhood is expansive, has lots of multiple- (“Sixty percent of the litter on city streets is from Robinson. (A similar request was made in vain to Dukakis
dwelling units (including a large number of housing people who don’t put their trash out correctly,” by Weld regarding all vacant positions.)
developments), probably the city’s biggest army of Iannella says.) In ’90 the violations decreased to 7088, During his bid for the Republican gubernatorial
homeless rummaging through trash for food or a 25 percent drop in the bucket. nomination, Pierce made an issue out of the MHFA’s
policies, particularly the authority’s funneling of millions
of dollars in bridge loans into the financially failing
THE ONE-MINUTE INTERVIEW Harbor Point housing project, in Dorchester. By virtue of
his appointment as secretary, Pierce himself is now an ex-
officio MHFA board member, along with Administration
Dan Burke on the future
and Finance Secretary Peter Nessen. But the ability to
of the Boston School Committee appoint a regular board member would have given the
Weld administration a valuable window into the working
“I feel like I’ve been let out of jail,” says Boston of a key state authority and put it that much closer to
School Committee member Dan Burke. After presiding winning a majority board vote on policy issues.
over one of the most turbulent years in school- As Celtic great Sam Jones used to say when he’d bank
committee history, Burke this week announced he was one in over the outstretched
withdrawing his candidacy for the presidency of the arms of Wilt Chamberlain,
troubled board. (That post went to John O’Bryant on a “Too late.” As Grace
first-ballot victory.) Moreover, he says he will not run recalled in a Phoenix
for re-election if the body retains its unwieldy 13 seats. interview, Anthony, who
Burke, until recently a staunch opponent of Mayor had considered taking the
Flynn's myriad bids to overthrow the school post for herself, was
committee, now goes so far as to propose that the “looking for someone that
mayor manage the deficit-ridden school department she felt confident in that
(he already controls its purse strings) for three years. shared her views on
After that, Burke wants to see a reconfigured and de- producing affordable
politicized committee of seven district members elected housing.” Anthony and
for staggered, longer-than-two-year terms. MHFA executive director
“Some of the hard decisions we have to make,” he Marvin Siflinger knew
says, “I don’t think we have the will to make because of Grace from working with No choice for Pierce
the politics involved. So let’s give it to Ray for three him on a special legislative MARK MORELLI
years. Some of the people ensconced on this floor will commission that in 1989
have three years to see how it’s done and maybe look recommended changes in the state’s anti-snob zoning law.
for another occupation. And then we'd start fresh when They also knew that Grace, 36, an affable two-term rep
he [Flynn] was running for his fourth term as mayor, and from Burlington who lost his seat last November to
he'd have to wear how the schools are doing politically.” Republican Marianne Brenton, was a staunch Dukakis
Why shouldn't Flynn control the department forever? loyalist. “If you just want to look at my votes in the
“If he got to keep it,” cautions Burke, “we might run the legislature, I guess you would call me a Dukakis partisan,”
danger of having principals being appointed on the basis acknowledges Grace, who was sworn in on January 2.
of being precinct captains. An even bigger danger is The appointment needn't be a fait accompli. Under a
having someone like his predecessor take over the city.” 1964 referendum, the governor has the right to rescind
“In my heart of hearts, I don’t really think there’s last-minute appointments to state authorities within 15
going to be a whole lot of change,” says Burke, who days. There’s some question over whether the law would
nevertheless is ready to call the mayor’s bluff. “I guess apply to the MHFA, which was created in 1969; a Weld
it’s showdown time. He should take us over if he really spokesperson says the governor's chief legal counsel,
wants to reform us and make things better for the kids.” JOHN NORDELL Robert Cordy, is reviewing the matter. (“Some people in
the MHFA researched it and told me they didn’t think
* THE there would be any difficulty [in my keeping the
SIGN-UP SHEET appointment],” says Grace.)
But there’s nothing preventing Weld from rescinding
the appointment anyway and making Grace, who’s busy
interviewing with law firms in search of full-time
(om CODE seeks volunteers to man its information and referral hotline, which aids callers looking to alleviate employment, choose whether to fight it out in court.
emotional stress due to any in a broad range of personal problems. For information on its eight-week, 45- Nothing in theory, that is. In reality, there are plenty of
hour training program, call [phone]. reasons it appears Weld will let the matter drop. Grace,
while hardly an expert on the subject, is not grossly
(om Joint Action in Community Service provides advice, information, and referrals to former Job Corps
unqualified for the post, though he concedes he’s “not
students in Boston. Volunteers can work from their home. For more information, write Joint Action in really familiar” with the pressing issues surrounding the
Community Service, Box 8802, Boston, MA 02114, or call 565-2187.
Harbor Point fiasco. And besides, notes GOP State
Representative Robert Marsh, “the Weld people have a lot
(om Mystic Valley Elder Services seeks volunteers for a variety of programs. Scheduling is flexible. Call John
of other things to look at,” such as a major budgetary
Zelson or Dotty Jones at 324-7705.
crisis. Grace is well liked by House Speaker Charlie
( om The Boston Children’s Hospital offers volunteering opportunities for those interested in entertaining Flaherty, who might frown on a Weld move against his
patients through activities such as storytelling and board games. Call Kathie O’Kane at 735-7885. former colleague. And oh, yes, there’s one moré reason
purging Grace may not be quité the exercise a Weld
(om The Student Volunteer Resource Center publishes a youth volunteer opportunities book available for administration struggling to find its political footing needs
$2 from the Voluntary Action Center, United Way of Massachusetts Bay, 2 Liberty Square, Boston, MA to engage in right now — Grace is black.
02109-3966. Score this one a likely victory for the retiring hardball
masters. Q
Pasta salads. Stuffed Pizzas. Sandwiches.
Home-baked calzones. And of course
the Antipasto Fantasia. Just a few of
our midday specials. Just a few of the
reasons folks call us
LaLuncheria
at
LaGroceria
RISTORANTE ITALIANO
853 Main St., Cambridge
876-4162
“Old style, gutsy Italian dishes in an informal,
cheery setting. One of few remaining
bastions where it is possible to still enjoy
old-world Italian dishes at reasonable prices.”
-Gus Saunders, Boston Herald
Feel good all afternoon.
» THE BOSTON PHOENIX. SECTION ONE LETTERS JANUARY 11, 1991
NIGHTSTAGE
Best Nightclub
—Boston Magazine As Sean Flynn stated, “as far as civil Governor Weld must prove decisively
We welcome responses from
Laeyve liberties are concerned, the over- that process without product is pros-
TONIGH] readers. Letters should be typed
hyped ‘war on drugs’ is the single titution of government, while product
(double spaced) if that’s possible,
Fri., January 11 ¢ 9 pm ¢ 18+ 1) LAWS OOWNE and every letter must include the greatest threat to freedom going these achieved with minimal process is real
TALKING days.” People should reconsider the progress for the people. As Jon
writer’s name and address, as well as
source of their fear and hysteria that Keller’s article offers some good
TO ANIMALS V JANUARY A a telephone number (we'd appreciate
“sacrifices” Constitutional protections insights in this regard, it should be
one where we can reach you during
SCATTERFIELD as a solution to our serious problems. taped on the door of the Corner
business hours). The last is solely for
Madeline Webster Office and listed as a required read-
EarSholw @y1 8+ purposes of verification: as you can David Getchell ing for all members of the Weld
voo Doo see on this page, only the writer's
8:00 Doors name and town are printed, and Mass. Cannabis Reform administration.
Coalition, Inc. David F. Noonan
these may be withheld if there is good
DOLLS Brookline
reason. BRENNAN
PATTY LARKIN All letters are subject to editing for is A GEM MORE LED
BUG JUICE considerations of space, fairness,
THAN DEAD
and literacy.
MELISSA PARSONS FERRICK You most certainly have uncovered
a jewel — a “diamond in the rough” Having finished reading Tim Riley’s
Fri., January 18 ¢ 9 pm BRAKE-ING POINT
so to speak. Michael Brennan’s semi-diatribe on Led Zeppelin and
Doors 10:30 If Max Shea [who wrote a letter, “Journey Home” (Lifestyle, December their new boxed set (“Dead
INDUSTRIAL published in the December 28, 1990 21) was a veritable gem. Zeppelin,” Arts, December 21, 1990),
issue, supporting a column about the Ann Aldort I can’t seem to let it lie as the last
WASTELAND erosion of civil rights at universities, Belmont word on the subject.
“Brief Cases,” News, November 23] is It isn’t Mr. Riley’s general observa-
DJ TYM RYAN convinced that men are entitled to a GOOD OLD 1990 tions on Led Zeppelin’s place in
URBAN “breaking point” and that a woman music that bothered me (in fact he’s
must assume part of the blame if she Regarding Ms. Knapp’s trenchant, if dead right when he notes that it was
Sun., Jan. 20 © 8pm HOUSE/ goes past it, why does Mr. Shea seem somewhat Mad magazine-like analy- the aural impact that mattered, not
THE DEB to think that a man is not obligated to sis of how crummy a year 1990 was the loony lyrics), but rather his specif-
HUSTON BAND} | |D J RUDEBOY tell a woman in advance what his (“A Calendar of Revolting Events,” ic comments on the boxed set.
breaking point is? Lifestyle, December 28, 1990): as I First, his main point that this boxed
LADIES EXPRESS Is it heavy flirting, a good-night write this, the Bank of New England set was produced only to satisfy
Thurs, Jan2u4a»r7 :y30 & 10:30 Wed, Jan. 16 @ 19+ peck on the cheek, or assuming that has just been declared insolvent; yes- Atlantic’s accountants. While it is
BOA a man will “pay” when he tells the terday, a 14-year-old girl was killed undoubtedly true that Atlantic knew
woman that he would like to treat her by a sniper shooting at her school it had a bonanza of money in its
STICKS AND to dinner? bus; last Tuesday, 300,000 Rhode hands with the Zep material, this
Why should a woman have to Islanders found themselves shut off boxed set is exactly the answer many
STONES assume that men have any breaking from their banks; and a nice, not-so- long-time Zep fans have been waiting
SEXPLOITATION point, when she has heard from men little war is scheduled to begin in a for — its material has breadth and
themselves that maturity means not week or so. If 1991 keeps up like this, gives the music a slightly different
FUROR having a breaking point at all? we all might be waxing nostalgic over format to breathe some new life into
Incidentally, aren’t men who swag- the good ol’ days of 1990. it (and the $45 price is not so bad).
POUSETTE Wed, Jan. 23 @ 19+ ger around at beer parties in nothing If anyone wants to see some not- As to Mr. Riley’s comments on spe-
*” FLESH
DART BAND LAST AREA GIG more than tight trunks inviting other so-understated comments on cific songs in the set — he sure
men to rape them? America’s revolting circumstances, doesn’t speak to me. Calling “Whole
M'LISS Kira Barnum check out the current (January) issue Lotta Love” a “sluggish” choice for an
Fri., January 25 ¢ 8 pm BIG CIRCUS Somerville of World Press Review — there’s a opener is so misguided, I don’t know
reprint of an article that originally where to begin. I'll just leave it at say-
HARDLICKS MCRC appeared in the German magazine ing that no other Zep song could
Der Spiegel titled, unequivocally have been more right for an opener,
UNDERFIRE APPLAUDS FLYNN
enough, “America’s Century Will End getting serious right away about what
SMACK TAN BLUE We applaud the article (“The Year with a Whimper.” drew us to Zep in the first place, the
STYLIE Ahead for Our Constitutional Rights,” Bernie Conneely feral power of Page’s guitar and
News, December 28, 1990) by Sean Charlestown Plant’s voice.
Flynn. As active members of the Mr. Riley says that leaving off
Mass. Cannabis Reform Coalition, CARDINAL ADVICE “Living, Loving Maid” from
Inc., we feel that he has stated well “Heartbreaker” results in a lurch from
Wed, Jan. 30 @ 11:30 19+ what is so rarely heard today. In light of the excellent article, Page’s original sequential inspira-
PIRATE PROD. & GINO Even people active in mainstream “Listen up, Bill” by Jon Keller (News, tions. I say it’s about time Page
DELAURENTIS PRESENT progressive liberal issues don’t seem January 4), an insight from the late dumped that jarring sequence — it
ENUFF to realize that the war on drugs is Cardinal Cushing comes to mind. On never worked in the beginning as far
really a war on civil liberties, a numerous occasions Cushing as I’m concerned.
Z NUFF smokescreen to cover up the push remarked, “When you become an And thank God Page did omit “Tea
for government control of the private archbishop, you can be sure of two for One” from the Presence album, in
GANG ST*RR POSSE lives of citizens. This is done under things: you’ll never go hungry, and favor of “All of My Love.” I'll take a
the guise of preserving law, order, no one will ever tell you the truth.” I soppy Zep love song any day over
Sat., January 26 ¢ 8pm
FROM NEW YORK Wed, Jan. 30 @ 9:00 19+ and morality. suspect the hazard of that happening the boredom induced by the
DIANE PONZIO SANCTUAR Until the “fascist” police knock is quadrupled when you become Presence stuff.
down the doors of these activists and governor of the commonwealth. Mr. Riley calls Zep’s work on
meen
Wed, January 30 © 9 pm BLITZPEER take away their property and lock up A substantial degree of Cushing’s Presence more focused than almost
TOGETHER IN A SPECIAL their loved ones, they can easily write effectiveness was rooted in his deter- everything on Physical Graffiti. 1, for
MARPTERIFO RMANJCOE NES off violations of the rights of gays (the mination to free himself from the iso- one, have never made it through
sexually promiscuous), artists (pornog- lation, insulation, and alienation of Presence without falling asleep.
&DON DIXON Thursday, Jan. 31 @ 18+ raphers), drug users (armed and the Church bureaucracy and get out Regarding Physical Graffiti: the first
CLIFFS OF addicted), and poor people (lazy and to where the people were. Governor three sides are some of the greatest
SITNEY N
Fri, February 1 ¢ 9 pm ¢ 18+ violent) as necessary to protect society. Weld should put a beeper on his belt, rock in history, a weighty stomp
SHOCKRA DOONEN Our organization is attempting to a tape recorder in his pocket, and through the blues that may be the best
HEAVY METAL educate people about the reality of appear unannounced anywhere and thing Zep ever did. If that’s “unfo-
drug searches, property seizures, and everywhere to listen to the pulse of cused,” I think we need more of it.
CARTOON drug testing. Warrantless searches of the people. The unannounced visit is Enough said. I'll take Page’s choice
persons and property have become the most powerful means for seeing over Mr. Riley’s any day and am glad
Mon February4 ¢ 7:30 & 10:30pm
the new norm under the drug war. things as they are and not as others both the Atlantic accountants and I
FROM SAN DIEGO
THE ULTIMATE IN JACUZZI JAZZ The average citizen thinks that prop- would like a leader to think they are. are happy.
FATT BURGER erty forfeiture is used only against If entrepreneurial government is to John W. Hall
drug kingpins when in fact it’s being be more than a rhetorical ruffle, Belmont
Tue., February5 © 7:30& 10:3p0 m used very successfully against mid-
dle-class citizens.
Drug testing is now a prerequisite
ZUG ZUG
for a job in half of the Fortune 500
companies (young people think this
ANT FARM is as normal as a job interview).
Thurs., February7 © 8pm 18+ 11pm 21+ CORRECTION
BIM SKALA BIM
Wed, Feb. 6-44 In last week’s Arts section, a story
THE HIGH HATS PRECIOUS by Charles Taylor incorrectly cred-
COMING: ited a backup vocal by Dusty
2/8 ¢ RONNIE EARL & Springfield on a song by the Pet
SUGAR RAY METAL
Shop Boys. Ms. Springfield was a
2/10. ¢ SUN RA SaEee
2/13 © DON CHERRY back-up singer on “What Have I
2/14 * HIGH FUNCION Done to Deserve This.”
2/15¢ HERETIX The date of President Bush’s State
2/22 ¢ MARK ISHAM
of the Union Address was incorrect
823 Main St., Camb., Mass. TicAkdemtiss sAivoanil avbalrei east. all in our year-end issue (“The Year $ IPRESS© 1190
497-8200 rea pasrer, Outlets Ahead: Capitol Hill,” News, From the positien of those lightning bolts,
Teas available at Napiatage BoxO fce,
, Strawberries , or at Axis night of show. December 28). The address will be Td say youve got severe lower Back pain.
Out of Town/Harvard Sq., Concert Charge given January 29.
497-1118, Teletron 720-3434
THE
X FACTOR
BEGINS... /
FEBRUARY 25 + 7:30PM
CENTRUM
A CLIIRMC LES ATS ak OOFF G¢ OLDEN
TICKETS $19.50*/$17.50*
mx ofniceA ND
ONLY, 2 TICONEt MTLARGE
TICKETS A\ AltA BLE AT THE CENTRUM BOX OFF
CRHETAARIGNEE LB Y GerLIeN cc° MB eP eeA NY ON PUR> CHASES AT OUTLETS OR BY TELEPHON
PRES eon TEA PART Y CON NIG sais
charlie
JANUARY 11, 1991
8 THE BOSTON PHOENIX, SECTION ONE
leline thyseit
THE SHROUD OF AMBIGUITY 18. ABOUT TO
COME OFF THE SYBIL OF THE HOUSE
RIOR,
BY Jon KELLER
t’s become a Beacon Hill cliché that nobody really knows
Charlie Flaherty, the fast-talking, poker-faced Cambridge
state representative famous for holding his cards so close,
they leave an ink-stain on the inside of his vest. But on
January 2, with Flaherty’s pro forma election as Speaker of
the House, figuring out Charlie ceased to be an amusing
parlor game and became a matter of political survival inside
and outside the legislature. And the Sybil-esque array of personalities
Flaherty displayed on his long-awaited day of ascension was like an
enigmatic appetizer served up to constituencies craving some meat-
and-potatoes direction from their new leader.
There was Charlie the tease, announcing a few educational and social issues and
after the vote for speaker that he would taking care of his people. Weld, off to a
delay naming his leadership team and shaky start and facing staggering fiscal
committee chairmanships until January 14. problems, has a steep learning curve
(Although Flaherty said in a brief Phoenix ahead. So at a moment of maximum stress
interview this week that he’s already made on state government and pressure for its
up his mind, those decisions have been redefinition, there’s likely to be something
one of Beacon Hill’s best-kept secrets.) of a vacuum of leadership just waiting for
There was Charlie the conciliator, Flaherty to fill. The rewards could be large
pledging to “work with” the Weld ad- — Flaherty’s made no secret in the past of
ministration and reassuring his rank-and- his interest in being governor. But the
filers during a Democratic caucus that, in challenge is intense.
spite of his traditionally pro-tax, big- “There is not a single piece of
government philosophy, he wasn’t about progressive legislation that has come out
to risk their political necks by pushing for of the House in the past 10 years that has
new revenues — at least for now. not had Charlie Flaherty’s fingerprints
There was Charlie the partisan, somewhere on it,” says Flaherty’s political
defending the departing governor as “one consultant Michael Goldman. And for
of our best” and, the next day, telling the those wondering how much of that legacy ——
press that Bill Weld’s inaugural address will survive the imminent collision of a
“sounded like somebody just took a quote gaping budget deficit with the
book and slung a lot of clichés and quotes gubernatorial no-new-taxes pledge, just
together.” (But, added Flaherty obliquely, which Charlie Flaherty comes to the fore is
“I don’t say that as a criticism.”) a crucial question indeed.
And there was Charlie the urban-
oriented activist, citing, vaguely but a Y
intriguingly, “the growing alienation of the
races” as the one problem “I would like to Unlike /aissez-faire former Speaker
address above all else.” George Keverian, who at times seemed to
What's it all mean? Nobody has a clue. delegate himself into irrelevance, nobody
Some look at Flaherty’s longtime advocacy thinks the 52-year-old Flaherty will shy
of abortion rights and progressive social away from power. Yet it’s the lack of any
programs and see, as conservative clear sense of what he’ll do with it that
Democratic Representative Greg Sullivan has Beacon Hill wondering, wor-
puts it, “the last, best hope of the liberal rying, and eagerly anticipating 2RN— wh Ee N E
wing of the Democratic Party.” Others see the announcement of who
Flaherty’s proclivity for inside baseball and Charlie will be drag-
his carefully calculated rise through the ging on stage \
ranks as evidence that his partisanship and with him.
political instincts take primacy over
ideology. “He’s bright and ran great
meetings, but in all my dealings with him,
I never got any sense of his philosophy
and where he really stands,” adds a former
top House committee staffer
But there’s one thing everyone agrees
on: the answer to the Flaherty riddle has
now become of major concern to more
than just Beacon Hill gossips. CHARLIE
For all the hype about his power, Senate FLAHERTY
President William Bulger, conceivably
entering his last term in office, has never
had much of an affirmative agenda beyond
JANUARY 11, 1991 SECTION ONE, THE BOSTON PHOENIX 9
For instance, there’s the matter of who'll Means Committee veteran Joan Menard, making necessitated by the fiscal crisis. — much as his fellow rep Michael Dukakis
succeed Flaherty as majority leader — the and Greenfield Representative Carmen had done a decade earlier — a resource
traditional on-deck circle for future Buell are likely prospects. If Flaherty 2& for other reps who were too busy, lazy, or
speakers. As majority whip, the third- moves popular Representative Mary Jane dumb to master the intricacies of budgets
ranking party post in the House, Fall River Gibson, a former Belmont school- Former US and Massachusetts House and the legislative process. In 1982,
Representative Robert Correia is in line for committee member, out of her assistant Speaker Tip O'Neill was a logical choice McGee finally appointed Flaherty to chair
the job. Correia, a former Marine, is well- majority whip spot to make room for his by Flaherty to escort him to the rostrum at the Taxation Committee, a job he'd
liked within the House but philosophically own pick, look for Flaherty to placate her his January 2 inaugural. Both men were coveted. In 1983, when the House was
falls well to Flaherty’s right, having voted with the Education Committee elected from the same Cambridge district forced to choose between McGee and
against things such as gay rights and chairmanship vacated by Nick Paleologos. after mounting aggressive, door-to-door rules reformers pushing Majority Leader
handgun control. On the other hand, Then there’s the question of what to do campaigns. Both men are Boston College George Keverian for speaker, Flaherty
Correia is arguably the state’s most with Flaherty pals such as Gus Serra, graduates who served years of political forfeited his chairmanship and sided with
influential Portuguese-American politician. who's drawn flak lately for his efforts on apprenticeship in the Massachusetts House Keverian. Typically, observers can’t tell
“If Correia moves up, Charlie’s running for behalf of a campaign contributor to while waiting their turn for the gavel. Both whether that move was rooted more in
governor in 1994,” suggests one veteran impede Central Artery/Third Harbor Tun- men are known for their staunch principle than in strategy. In either case,
State House lobbyist. “You don’t run for nel land-takings. Ironically, Serra repor- partisanship. And while they grew up a Flaherty profited handsomely from the
governor by insulting Portuguese people.” tedly has asked his friend the speaker for generation apart, both pay homage to the switch in 1985 when he was elevated to
An alternative to Correia for the majority the chairmanship of the Transportation traditional Democratic icons. “I’m a majority leader. From that point on, his
leader slot might be Housing and Urban Committee. Roosevelt, Truman, Humphrey, O'Neill eventual ascension to speaker was a /ait
Development Committee chairman Kevin Got all that? Hey, nobody said becoming Democrat,” says Flaherty. “I want people accompli.
Fitzgerald of Mission Hill — a rising star speaker was going to be a milk run. And to understand that.”
under McGee's speakership who was close whatever feathers Flaherty ruffles with his But Flaherty’s path to power has rs Y
to Flaherty during the tumultuous days of choices can be smoothed over time. The differed from Tip’s in some significant
the Keverian uprising. Like Flaherty, real issue is what long-term message ways. O'Neill came out of the working- During the utterly disorganized end
Fitzgerald is a savvy streetwise guy with a Flaherty’s picks send about his own class, ethnic Cambridge of the 1930s — a game of the Keverian era, many reps and
love of the inside game and an interest in motives, standards, and aspirations. far cry from the increasingly gentrified, outside observers clamored for a speaker
urban issues. Unlike Flaherty, he’s It’s a bit much to expect a consummate university-dominated district that first with a forceful leadership style and a
apparently alienated some of his inside player such as Flaherty to downplay elected Flaherty in 1966. O’Neill became handle on both political and fiscal realities.
colleagues with what they perceive as a or disregard self-serving political the first-ever Democratic House speaker in Flaherty offers the former, but some
self-serving brand of hardball politics. question his grasp on the latter.
Those who want Flaherty to seek In interviews immediately following
consensus among House Democrats by election day, Flaherty referred to the
naming a diverse leadership team defeat of incumbent Democratic legislators
wouldn’t be encouraged by a Fitzgerald and the parallel Republican gains as “an
appointment. (One experienced rep not aberration” and appeared to warn Weld
enamored of Fitzgerald says his elevation against seeking repeal of the controversial
to majority leader would be “Boverini sales tax on services — a tax as unpopular
insurance,” a reference to the belief that within the House as it is among the public.
the undistinguished Senate Majority Leader (He did agree to Weld’s request for a
Walter Boverini was chosen by Bulger to three-month delay in implementing the
render unappetizing the prospect of bulk of the tax.) Those comments worried
Bulger ever stepping down as Senate Flaherty loyalist Kevin O'Sullivan, a third-
president.) term rep from the anti-tax hotbed of
A decided long shot for majority leader Worcester. “I was a bit reassured when he
is Richard Voke, who just stepped down as said in the caucus that a billion dollars is
Ways and Means Committee chairman. going to have to be cut,” says O'Sullivan.
Voke and Flaherty clashed repeatedly over “You don’t have to go to day-school nights
tax issues during the past two years, with to realize the votes aren’t there for a tax
Flaherty, in a rare public display of anger, increase, and there’s not going to be any
at one point accusing Voke of having fight on repeal. Charlie is going to raise the
embarrassed the House leadership by philosophical beliefs and questions that he
making secret changes in a tax bill. The has, but he understands the numbers |
two men are getting along better these game.”
days, though, and Flaherty can ill-afford to Eyebrows were also raised when
relegate Voke — the House’s ac- Flaherty added Dukakis administration
knowledged expert on the budget and a legislative liaison Robert Gibbons and
hero of sorts among moderate and con- ia ao h undersecretary of administration and
servative reps — to the back benches. finance Robert “Tex” McClain to his |
Finneran: dark horse for Ways and Means Voke: long shot for majority leader
Insiders believe inclusion of Voke on the payroll. Gibbons is well-respected among |
leadership team, perhaps as assistant House members, but is also closely
majority whip, would be a bold move by considerations when making appoint- 1948, while most of Flaherty’s years in the identified with Dukakis-era policies and
Flaherty to unify House Democrats and ments. Still, using leadership and commit- House have been spent under near-total tactics that have chafed many rep-
keep a short leash on one of his few tee posts to reward political cronies Democratic hegemony. resentatives for years. McClain, a veteran
significant potential intra-party adversaries. regardless of merit smacks of the reviled Fresh out of BC (Class of '60), Flaherty bureaucrat who’s been a staple at ad-
Voke’s departure from Ways and Means McGee era (of which, it’s worth remem- spent six years in the Navy. Serving on a ministration and finance since the mid
opens up the most visible committee bering, Flaherty was a card-carrying destroyer during the Vietnam War, '70s, brings with him a wealth of knowl-
chairmanship, with Chicopee Represen- member). Promotions for old-school types Flaherty thought about getting into edge about state bonds and budget line-
tative Ken Lemanski (who’s managed the such as Serra and Fitzgerald wouldn’t politics. “It became obvious to me that the items, but impresses few as a fiscal
difficult balancing act of befriending both exactly refurbish Flaherty’s reformist people making the decisions were the visionary. And the McClain hiring suggests
Voke and Flaherty) said to be odds-on image, which was tarnished by last politicians, not the chief of naval opera- to some a concentration of fiscal policy-
favorite. But that could piss off Ways and month’s State Ethics Commission finding tions,” recalled Flaherty in a 1989 making authority within the speaker’s
Means vice-chairman Angelo Scaccia of that his acceptance of skybox Celtics interview. In an example of his propensity office, with a diminished role for the Ways
Hyde Park, who’s been waiting his turn for tickets from two senior employees of for calculating his moves well in advance, and Means committee. “It’s a signal that
the committee’s number-one post. Ackerley Communications violated a Flaherty claims he stayed in the Navy for Flaherty is going to keep a very tight rein
Flaherty’s prominent mention of race in his section of the conflict-of-interest law. (See two extra years to teach ROTC in order to on the number-one policy battle of the
inaugural speech and his past supportive- related story below.) And shunting aside rid himself of “an incredible fear of public 90s,” says Greg Sullivan.
ness of women reps (he hired Goldman to knowledgeable reps such as Voke or speaking. . . . I thought that to be If that tight rein means we now have a
help out female Democratic incumbents current Banking Committee chairman Tom successful in politics you had to be a great speaker intent on mastering the issues at
during the 1990 election) has heightened Finnerty (considered by some a dark-horse orator.” stake, then it’s all to the good. If it means
speculation that he’ll find room for a black candidate for the Ways and Means job) No, Charlie — just patient as hell. Stuck we're in for government by insular cabal,
or a woman either on the leadership team because they’re loose political cannons in the backwater Committee on Counties watch out.
or in a key committee chairmanship. In and elevating run-of-the-mill members by Speaker Tom McGee in the mid ’70s, But of course, that’s the perennial
that case, nine-term Springfield Rep- such as Correia doesn’t seem the wisest Flaherty hunkered down and absorbed the Flaherty riddle — which Charlie comes out
resentative Raymond Jordan, Ways and way to prepare for the difficult decision- minutiae of state government, becoming of the chute this time?
ANOTHER ETHICS TRANSGRESSION?
I ast month, the State Ethics Commission fined attended the function, a number of state paid for the reception for invited guests including
Charlie Flaherty $500 for accepting five skybox representatives, Democrats and Republicans, received “customers, our suppliers, civic leaders, politicians, and
tickets to a 1988 Celtics game — tickets Flaherty invitations from Flaherty on his official stationery some members of the media.” Zuke adds it is
used to take himself and four other representatives to inviting them to be his guest at a May 1 country-music “customary” for Philip Morris to “put on a reception” in
the Garden — from employees of Ackerley Com- concert at the Worcester Centrum — the Marlboro conjunction with its music events and to invite
munications. The commission found no evidence that Country Music Tour featuring Alabama, the Judds, and “members in whose district the event is taking place and
the tickets bought Ackerley any help from Flaherty on George Strait. Upon arriving at the arena, sources say, members of leadership.”
pending bills affecting the outdoor-advertising guests were ushered into the Centrum’s Mezzanine Records on file with the state’s Office of Campaign
company’s interests. But the ethics panel did conclude Room which had been decorated as a mock corral and Political Finance covering expenditures made by
that Flaherty had violated a section of the state’s conflict- complete with hay and a fence draped with a horse’s Flaherty’s campaign committee and political action
of-interest law that prohibits public officials from saddle. Food, drink, cassette tapes of the evening’s committee during 1987 show no payments related to the
accepting “anything of substantial value given to them featured performers, and T-shirts bearing the Marlboro May 1 event. In a brief Phoenix interview, Flaherty said
because of their official position.” logo were provided free of charge to the guests, who he could not recall the event and added: “It definitely
In a December 10, 1990 statement, Flaherty ac- reportedly included Philip Morris lobbyist William wasn’t something organized under my auspices.”
knowledged his “mistake” and noted the commission’s Delaney Jr., Philip Morris sales and marketing Flaherty said he would personally check his records and
finding that the incident was apparently isolated — “not personnel, Flaherty, and the other legislators. The get back to a reporter regarding the incident, but had not
part of a pattern or practice of misconduct.” But the hospitality suite remained open before, during, and done so as the Phoenix went to press.
Phoenix has learned of a 1987 incident in which after the sold-out concert, for which free tickets for During 1987, the Boston lobbying firm of Delaney and
Flaherty, then House Majority Leader, reportedly invited choice Centrum seats were reportedly provided to the Associates received a $44,000 retainer from Philip Morris
fellow House members to attend a concert and party reps. for its State House lobbying services and during that
attended by lobbyists and other employees from Philip Centrum records show that the Mezzanine Room was year, no less than 31 bills regarding tobacco’s sale, use,
Morris. The night out was underwritten by the tobacco rented that evening by Philip Morris, according to a and the rights of non-smokers were pending before the
company. spokeswoman for the arena. Philip Morris director of legislature.
—JK
In April 1987, according to independent sources who communications Les Zuke confirmed that the company
PHOTOS BY ERIC RASMUSSEN (FLAHERTY AND VOKE) AND JOANNE CICCARELLO (FINNERAN)
rowel? ov
10 THE BOSTON PHOENIX, SECTION ONE JANUARY 11, 1991
The eclectic
he first blue-and-white showed up That thought pattern is precisely what
: around 6:45 that morning, about a Turner is trying to undo. Much as Shays
dozen: minutes after the picketers rallied his comrades to wrest power from a
had begun, for the third day in a row, their few economic overlords, Turner is
slow, tight march. egalitarian struggling to raise a force of the long
Fifteen of them were gathered in the disenfranchised to a level where they can
cold, gray dawn of Wednesday, December take the control they rightly deserve.
12. As the first trickles of traffic from Getting there is a long, laborious process,
Dudley Square, a block to the east, began one in which the rank-and-file are taught,
Chuck Turner ransacks history,
to slip down Roxbury Street, they walked, person by person, how to take charge.
around and around, on the sidewalk There are, of course, hefty obstacles in
directly in front of a chain-link gate that espouses social justice the way.
closed off a construction site. Locked First, there are the few who currently
safely behind the fence was the skeleton hold power and aren't likely to give it up
of a $6.6 million post office, the product of by Sean Flynn willingly. :
construction workers who'd come to Second, there are the disenfranchised
Roxbury from somewhere else — like themselves, who may not be ready to take
Worcester and Rhode Island — to earn that power away. For starters, they’ve been
their day’s wages. None of the laborers raised on a steady diet of two-party
and tradesmen earning $20 an hour and politics, wherein everyone gets to vote for
up on the site, protestors complained, was a few people to rule over them.
from Roxbury. At least half the workforce, Conversely, Turner advocates shared,
they contended, should be locals. cooperative power. The national savings-
“We don’t work,” the chant from the and-loan scandal is a case in point: under
picket line went, “nobody works.” Turner’s system, such awesome economic
The cops got out of their cruiser and power never would have been entrusted
scanned the small crowd for the guy in to a handful of huckster bankers watched
charge. They found Chuck Turner, a short, over by a couple hundred legislators on
round, black man with a wild white beard Capitol Hill. Moreover, the American
who's both the chairman of the Roxbury experience has brainwashed the populace.
Neighborhood Council and one of the Blinded by Horatio Alger rhetoric, too
organizers of the Greater Roxbury Workers many people blame dire individual straits
Association (GRWA), a quasi-union of on personal, not systemic, failings. That
local job-hungry construction workers. view is particularly vicious, Turner says,
“You can’t block the gate . . .” one cop when it comes to communities of color.
started to tell him. “It’s just accepted as the way it is, ‘It
“I know,” Turner interrupted in a calm, must be their fault, they must be
soft voice. “We're going to get arrested.” genetically inferior, because if they weren’t
Which is, of course, what happened, as genetically inferior, how could this system
it had five other times in the previous two have gone on, for this is America,’ ” he
days. Before seven o’clock, four of the says. “And then you have the whole
picketers — two who'd blocked the gate question of internalized oppression, and
and two who’d stood in front of cars that is, if you kick somebody day in and
entering the site — had been busted. Work day out for 20 years, the 21st year they will
started shortly thereafter. be expecting the kick and almost see it as
So much, it would appear, for slogans. part of their natural way of life.”
But people who know him say Chuck And, third, he’s fighting a battle against
Turner is like a bulldog, fierce and time. His prognosis for the future is glum.
tenacious, willing and able to keep his As he sees it, society — economically,
teeth clamped on an issue no matter how politically, and socially — is already
bad the shaking gets. (“If it’s the right beginning to crumble, leading to a
issue,” says the Reverend Graylan Eliis- collapse that will leave the nation ripe for
Hagler, pastor of the Church of the United Turner: “America has had a cancer of hypocrisy.” a rising young demagogue to take over.
Community, “Chuck won’t let go. And Without concrete precedents to show a
KATHY CHAPMAN
quite clearly, that’s the kind of disposition soon-to-be-panicked citizenry how to
this community can trust.”) And after two reconstruct itself, tyranny won’t be an
more days of GRWA pickets, the general unlikely option.
contractor on the site, Roxbury-based them from voting or holding office, and shared power among the states was “I’m convinced that if we don’t begin to
Suffolk Construction, closed up shop. that seized farmers’ land to pay off debts replaced with a centralized government); do this, then as the coming economic
Three weeks later, on January 3, company made worse by a chaotic post-war the Civil War (an economic battle wrapped cataclysm intensifies, we won't have any
Officials were at the table, bargaining with depression. in the guise of emancipation); Rutherford living examples to really use as a
Turner and the workers. With Boston So with 1000 workers and farmers from B. Hayes’s presidential campaign (a fraud framework to rebuild society,” he says. “If
Redevelopment Authority director Stephen Western Massachusetts behind him, Shays that led to the end of Reconstruction in the we're just looking for the people up in the
Coyle mediating the dispute, the two sides marched toward Boston, primed for a South); and 80-some years of Jim Crow marble halls to figure out how to do it,
hammered out a legally binding, revolt that, frankly, turned into a bust. (systematic racial oppression dismissed as we're doomed to a very vicious kind of
precedent-setting agreement: one-third Boston merchants had passed the hat and states’ rights). totalitarianism that would just be
Roxbury residents, 25 percent minority put out their own army, which quickly “America has had a cancer of hypocri- horrendous, because it'll be wrapped in
workers, 10 percent women. routed the would-be rebels. Shays fled to sy,” Turner says, “not only in the begin- the democratic theology and yet it would
The deal applies only to the post-office Vermont, where he died, broke, two years ning, but as it moves on. And it doesn’t be going backward.”
site, a job expected to be completed in later. clean itself up. . . . It wraps itself in Given that philosophy, Turner is
October. A small and momentary victory, “Essentially,” Turner says, Shays’s rebels different guises, but it’s that same cancer of credited by many with taking a view of
perhaps. Or maybe, just maybe, a living “said, ‘We did not fight in the Revo- not coming to grips with the fundamental class and economic issues that leans more
example of how a rag-tag collection of two lutionary War in order to empower the questions of justice — economic, political, toward building broad coalitions than
dozen disgruntled workers can force their bankers, the Eastern bankers, to take our and social justice.” The reality of democ- breeding myopic crusades, particularly
agenda on those in command. land.” racy in America, he stresses, “has estab- where the dicey factor of race comes into
Yet no matter how history remembers it, That same hypocrisy, in Turner’s mind, lished a thought pattern that justifies the play. And though it’s not always successful
there’s no doubt in Turner’s mind that is a recurring theme. On the time line to holding of wealth by a few and the (the agreement to get local residents hired
each step on that post-office picket line led the post-office pickets, he travels through domination of sectors of the population by at the post-office site has already been
toward his goal of reshaping the nation’s the Constitutional Convention (in which others who have the power.” criticized by some as racially divisive), he
psychology. “My overriding objective,” he doesn’t play the race card too often,
says, “is to try and demonstrate, in con- according to a number of sources.
crete ways, that there is a set of values and “I've always found him to be spiritual-
a set of economic and political and social type man,” says Nathaniel Askia, co-
practices that can in fact be the basis of a founder of First Incorporated, an addiction
healthy society and to use those practices treatment center in Roxbury and a long-
to try to change the kind of warped time friend of Turner. “You find a lot of
American perspective on how society spiritual people, once they understand
should be governed and how economics racism, they don’t espouse it, they rise
should be handled.” above it.”
That’s the textbook way of saying the In a three-hour interview, in fact, he
righteously simple: Chuck Turner, low-key mentioned racism only once, and that was
and soft-spoken, is a man on a mission, in passing. He agrees that “racism is a
quite literally, to democratize the world. significant part” of the oppression of the
minority underclass, but it’s not the only,
**+t
To understand the full Chuck Turner Big or even the most important, variable. “The
Think on why a couple dozen unem- problems that we're suffering as a people
ployed construction workers are justified cannot disappear because of the elimina-
in forcing their way into jobs with a tion of racism,” he says. “There is no way
contractor who has no legal obligation to that any people of color . . . can have a
hire them requires backing up a couple decent life in this country unless we
| hundred years, to the summer of 1786 and change the basic structures of society.”
| a Continental Army veteran named Daniel
* * £
| Shays. Chuck Turner has spent fully half his
Daniel Shays figured out pretty early on life on the front lines of grassroots
| that there was a significant difference organizing. Born 50 years ago in Cin-
| between the rhetoric and the reality of the cinnati, he moved east to Greater Boston
new democratic experiment. After fighting in the late 1950s to attend college. After
to free themselves from the tyranny of the graduating from Harvard, he headed down
king, the poor and working class returned the seaboard to Washington, DC, where
home from the battlefields to discover they he spent 1963 as a reporter for the Wash-
were now under the tyranny of the ington Afro American, then trekked back
wealthy, an economic oligarchy that kept north, where he did student organizing in
Scene of a victory for job-hungry Roxbury residents Harlem and Hartford.
Alison Hagge contributed to this report. ERIC ANTONIOU See TURNER, page 15