Opinion

Councilor LaMattina running unopposed

District One Boston City Councilor Sal LaMattina, whose district includes the North End and waterfront areas, will be unopposed in the 2015 municipal race.

Serving on the Boston City Council, the Councilor has made his mark in the neighborhoods he represents, as an elected official who gets things done with positive results.

Running unopposed is the classic example of just what a terrific job he has done over the years and the respect he has gained from his constituents.

The popular Councilor has earned his status in the neighborhoods and should be unopposed.

A ban on smokeless and other tobaccos

Mayor Martin J Walsh and the Boston city Council took a giant step forward in the quest to ban the use of smokeless tobacco and other tobacco products at event sites for professional, collegiate, high school or organized amateur sporting events including baseball, softball, football, hockey, track and field, field hockey, lacrosse and soccer, and other events involving a game or other athletic competition organized by a league or association, when they passed a bill to do so filed by the Mayor.

The ordinance sends a loud and powerful message that it’s time to break the harmful link between tobacco use at these venues including Fenway Park.

The consequences of smokeless tobacco and other kinds of tobacco are real and this measure could set an example on how to prevent young people from picking up the nasty and unhealthy habit.

While cigarette smoking in the country has apparently been on the decline, smokeless tobacco among youth have remain steady since 1999, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) which claims that since 2013, each year about 525,000 kids ages 12-17 used smokeless tobacco for the first time.

Starting April 1, 2016 the ordinance will be in effect and carrying a $250 fine per offense.

Those managing the event sites will be responsible for maintaining compliance with the new measure.

North End/Waterfront Dine Out Boston a success

Dine Out Boston-Restaurant Week during the month of August was a total success for the twenty North End/Waterfront eateries that participated in the design prix menus for both lunch and dinner.

The Greater Boston Visitors and Convention Bureau and American Express put together another endeavor that provided visitors and residents an opportunity to sample area restaurants at special prices.

Diners chose from old favorites to the latest culinary hotspots in the neighborhood.

North End/North Adams celebrated 25th Baseball Exchange

The longest running continuous baseball series, North End versus North Adams, has celebrated its 25th Anniversary at Puopolo Memorial Park with the original founders of the two home and two away games scheduled.

A ceremony that included Mayor Martin J Walsh and State Representative Aaron Michlewitz celebrated the competitive and friendly relationship between the two neighborhoods.

This has been a feather in the cap for the North End Athletic Association (NEAA) and its volunteers for putting in many hours and financing this special baseball exchange that has been so successful for 25 years.

Lopriore hurls playoff no-hitter for Dodgers

Pitching a no-hitter at any level of baseball is a monumental task and deserves recognition for the incredible accomplishment.

During a North End Dodges (21U) playoff game, local resident Vince Lopriore did just that, hurled a no-hitter, striking out 9 batters boosting his team to the next playoff round.

Lopriore has played in the North End Athletic Association (NEAA) program since Little League.

 The news of Lopriore’s no-hitter spread throughout the North End even before the team returned to the neighborhood.