A new councillor for Charlestown

Many Charlestown residents who don’t understand the political process wonder why virtually no one from Charlestown runs for higher public office or doesn’t get elected to higher public office.
Many residents here feel left out of the political process or are simply discouraged by it, and yes, many are disgusted with politics and its vagaries.
Now comes Charlestown Councillor Paul Scapicchio, seeking to double or triple his income at Mintz-Levin, the high-powered law firm where he practices.
His job will be such that he announced earlier this week that he’s stepping down as our councillor.
Scapicchio, to his credit, did a good job.
He is no pushover.
He’s a very bright, very aggressive, East Boston guy – and many Charlestown people wonder how it came to be that Charlestown is represented on the Boston City Council by an East Boston guy.
For people who wonder about that, we can tell you why.
It’s called demographics and really, it’s as simple as looking at the voter list and the population difference between the two neighborhoods.
The way things are stacked up today, someone running out of Charlestown would doom himself or herself to an inevitable loss.
The votes from Charlestown aren’t sizable enough to be a base for someone hoping to score the seat.
The view of the world is different in East Boston, where the population is double that of Charlestown and the voting list represents that reality.
To put this all into perspective, it’s very likely the new city councillor who will take Scapicchio’s place after he leaves and a special election is held, will be a fellow from East Boston named Salvatore LaMattina.
The night the word got out that Scapicchio was leaving, everyone of importance in East Boston, including the State Senate president, got on the telephone to tell those who wanted to run for this seat from Eastie that it was already taken.
This included Mayor Menino, who also has an interest in LaMattina being elected.
LaMattina works for the mayor in East Boston.
He’s a very popular guy, a college graduate, a man who can carry Eastie with a little help from his friends.
We know LaMattina. He is a gentleman and a family man, and he knows the city like the back of his hand.
He will make a great Boston city councillor if he’s elected.
Maybe someone from Charlestown will throw his or her hat into the ring.
Maybe someone from the North End will do the same.
Right now, it looks to us like LaMattina is the man to beat.
There you go. You read it in the Patriot.

March 11 at the Schraffts Center – be there

This is the 20th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner for the Elderly.
Unarguably, it is the time of times and the Irish dinner of all Irish dinners and will be held Saturday beginning at noon and going until 3 p.m. for Charlestown’s seniors – about 200 of them.
There will be some heavy hitters at this time of times near the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.
Leading that list of luminaries is the owner of the Schraffts Building, perhaps the most significant individual owner of real estate in all of New England, Mr. Thomas Flatley, president of the Flatley Company.
He will be there and he alone makes the party worth going to.
They don’t get any bigger than Thomas Flatley in the real estate world around here.
Our state representative, Eugene O’Flaherty, will be the master of ceremonies at the luncheon.
Many others with familiar names have been invited – Governor Mitt Romney, Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, Mayor Thomas Menino, Senator Ted Kennedy, S tate Senator Jarrett Barrios, Isolde Moylan, consul general of Ireland, and senate President Robert Travaglini.
The traditional corned beef and cabbage will be supplemented with great Irish music performed by the popular Joe Joyce Band and featuring Irish step dancers.
The Flatley Company and Teamsters Local 25 will provide transportation for the seniors to and from the party.
We hope to see you there on Saturday.

Did you know?

It is Irish Heritage month, by the way.
Only in America could Irish people have to be reminded they are Irish.
But what can you expect? That’s the modern world for you.
For those of you looking to celebrate the fact that you’re Irish or who need to remind yourselves of your heritage, you’ve got the entire month to do it.
In the meantime, check out the parties you can attend to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Zelma Lacey House Celebration

March 14th at the Zelma Lacy House, everyone – neighbors, friends, colleagues and residents -- are invited for an amazing day highlighting the true meaning of St. Patrick’s Day.
It begins at 10 a.m. with a visit from Father Paul Sullivan, a seminary student from St. Mary’s Church, who will lead the celebrants through the rosary and will summarize a true and accurate biography of St. Patrick.
At 11:30 a.m., executive chef Robert Spileos will present an extraordinary corned beef and cabbage dinner.
From 2 to 4 p.m., Duane Sullivan and Todd Therault will serenade guest with traditional Irish songs.
This is a major celebration.

St. Francis de Sales Irish Night

Friday, March 10 is Irish Night Dance at St. Francis De Sales Church on Bunker Hill Street.
It begins at 8 p.m. and goes until midnight.
Tickets are $15 each. Tables are available for $100 (for eight) or a table for 10 is available for $125.
Irish bread, desserts and munchies will be served.
Tickets are available from the Social Club, the ushers at Mass and at the Rectory.

Daughters of Isabella

Gladys’ Annual Corned Beef Dinner sponsored by the Daughters of Isabella #1 and featuring music by Cork and Kerry Connection and a traditional corned beef dinner will be held at the K of C Hall from 7 p.m. until midnight. Tickets are $20.