Columns :: Boston And Beyond
Time to expel
by Kevin John Sowyrda
MySouthEnd.com Contributor
Wednesday Nov 12, 2008
As long as State Senator Dianne Wilkerson remains State Senator Dianne Wilkerson, it begs the question: what exactly would it take for the upper chamber of the Great and General Court to expel one of their own for actions unbecoming a member of the Commonwealth’s not so elite, 40-member club?
Since it appears to be the case that allegedly taking cash for maneuvering government favors is not the coup de grace to legislative privileges in this state, the mind wanders into the abyss of all things carnal. If a state senator shot and killed someone, would the chamber see fit to expel the senator? If a member kidnapped Deval Patrick’s family, would that be the straw that broke the back?
The consequences of inaction for Wilkerson are obvious. She keeps a few more paychecks and the Senate’s inexplicable trepidation feeds into Wilkerson’s own self-righteousness. But the consequences for the remaining senators, and particularly Senate President Therese Murray, are perhaps not as apparent, but still severe in the long term. If the senate does not expel Wilkerson soon the perception that they have to some degree abided her actions will take root and cause a long-term political tempest for the members and inevitable roadblocks to their future political careers.
Having advised Murray in a formal capacity many years ago, I can tell you that subpoenas flying around Beacon Hill, some targeting the Senate president’s own records, don’t mean culpability. To be frank, if anyone ever tried to bribe Murray, she’d probably do an immediate, on-the-spot citizen’s arrest, personally dragging the culprit to jail. I’ve always found her honesty to be beyond reproach.
So what gives? Why is the chamber being led into such a zone of reticence, naive enough to think that groveling in parliamentary fashion for Wilkerson’s resignation will appease an electorate that wants to see real action and not polite, ceremonial edicts?
Part of it is the tired tradition of cozy politics. As one member told me recently, Wilkerson has failed at many things but succeeded marvelously in "charming colleagues" in a way that is quite disarming. There’s no surprise there. Behind the appetite for self- aggrandizement, and apparently, lots of money, there’s always been a likeable streak in the senator and friendships are hard to break.
But it’s time for the senate to break with Wilkerson just as she broke faith with her constituents the day she allegedly took those first greenbacks for naked malfeasance. Every day that goes by without voters reading the headline, "Senate expels Wilkerson," intensifies the growing suspicion that the blizzard of subpoenas raining on Beacon Hill has not been simply procedural but far worse.
Accordingly, Murray’s priority agenda before the Thanksgiving Holiday must be to convene a special session of the senate for two events. First, the ethics committee has ample reason to recommend expulsion. Thereafter, on the same day, the Senate must meet in full and formal session and vote expulsion.
Architectural merit at Copley Place
At a time when new construction in the Hub resembles an endangered species, the city would be well advised to follow Mayor Menino’s lead to get some of the development projects in the pipeline approved and moving for the sake of boosting a quickly failing economy. One of the projects meriting public support is the new tower at Copley Place Mall. The mall owners, Simon Property Group, wants to expand the Neiman Marcus store, build a residential high rise and create a winter garden for the public to enjoy in all four seasons.
The new tower at Copley Place promises to create some 1,700 hard hat jobs followed by 250 permanent positions. The tower will house 280 condo units reaching 47 stories directly above the present Neiman’s. Despite the frigid credit market of the day, Simon brings to the table the credibility to fund the project and is working tirelessly with the community advisory committee, commonly known as the C.A.C., whose members are appointed from the neighborhood by the mayor. A major hurdle recently jumped by architect Howard Elkus -- who worked on the original Copley Place and in my opinion is one of the best architects in Boston -- was creating a design for the tower which guarantees that there will be no significant shadow affect. The design is curved, faceted and elegant, minimizing the shadow impact, solar glare and wind.
And at a time when the local treasury is feeling the pinch of declining tax revenues, it is estimated that the new Copley Tower will generate a handsome sum of $7.2 million annual in sorely needed property taxes. And yes, there will be the requisite housing linkage funds, totaling some $1 million.
Last, but not least, there will thankfully be the inevitable improvement of what has always been the no manís land at the Dartmouth and Stuart Street corner; which is the odious concrete entrance to Copley Place, populated by a couple of bronze statues of God only knows what. I think they were inspired by some painting by Salvador Dali. The Mall entrance presently resembles City Hall Plaza. Yes, it’s that bad. But Simon will transform this macabre entrance into a comfortable indoor plaza.
Simon’s approach to community outreach is paying off. The mayor understands that the Copley Place tower is a project well deserving of the green light and the time to get it moving is now, when our economy needs it most.
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