Opinion

FOCCP brings in the new year

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year’s Eve, Christopher Columbus Park will be filled with spectators viewing a fantastic Boston Harbor fireworks display, due to the hard work of Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP).

The Friends, over the past few months have solicited donations from the business community and donors in general to make this terrific holiday activity possible.

Happy and Healthy 2020.

Beware of the package stealing Grinch

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so it’s said.

However, the Christmas season can be a bad time of the year, especially if some Grinch spots delivered packages left on doorsteps and doorways, making them disappear, even in broad daylight.

Those expecting delivery should keep a watchful eye out for them or have neighbors watch for them.

Packages have been stolen in the past and there are still those that will make them disappear faster than a speeding sleigh.

Don’t let the Grinch get his grubby paws on your holiday deliveries.

A great seasonal event

Saint Agrippina DiMineo Benefit Society’s 25th annual Christmas Program for North End children was an enjoyable event for children 10 years old or under.

Each participant received gifts and enjoyed a visit by Santa, several other characters and face painting.

The Society has made this event a tradition in the community and deserves recognition for a great seasonal event for children.

Youth and young adult homeless plan developed

A newly released plan “Rising to the Challenge” geared toward helping homeless youth and young adults (24 and under) in Boston has merit.

The goal of the $4.7 million grant is to create much-needed new housing opportunities for homeless youth and young adults, hopefully, ending this problem.

By putting a plan like this forward, it will help the City and many other partners develop a guide to take critical steps toward ending this problem.

Boston Mayor Martin Walsh said it best: “It’s imperative to make sure that every young person has a safe stable place to call home.”

New vaping policies should go up in smoke

Boston continues to be a leader at taking the necessary measure at the local level to restrict youth access to tobacco and aquatic products like e-cigarettes, vapes and “e- juice”.

Action by Boston Health on a proposal to amend the policy, made them among the first jurisdictions in the country to regulate these products.

National data, reportedly, showed that youth vaping have increased by more than 27 percent.

Boston has apparently decreased from 2015 (14.5 percent) to 5.7 percent in 2017.

 But the beat goes on. The new amendments posed in Boston should really make a difference. They should go up in smoke.