Posted on 07/16/2004 1:35:33 PM PDT by wagglebee
While Democratic convention bigwigs hobnob in the air-conditioned FleetCenter and swank function rooms, city kids will find gates to some neighborhood swimming pools padlocked because of security and traffic concerns.
Pools in Cambridge and Somerville will be closed early during the July 26 Democratic National Convention week ``to facilitate area traffic flow,'' while the Lee Wading Pool on the Esplanade has been closed entirely to make way for a state police command post.
``There was no need to close that pool,'' Mark Horan, spokesman for Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, said of the state's decision to shut down Latta Brothers Pool 1 hours early each day during the DNC. ``The kids that use that pool are primarily from that neighborhood right there. They would not pose a traffic problem.''
The Magazine Pool on Memorial Drive also will be closed 1 hours early each day because of anticipated traffic jams.
Cambridge Mayor Michael Sullivan said the pool's hours wouldn't impact traffic because most kids who swim there walk from neighboring homes.
``I think it's a bad decision,'' Sullivan said. ``We have a large number of kids in that area. We have not had a hot summer so far, but that is a major outlet for kids in our community.''
Curtatone expressed his disagreement with the decision to state officials yesterday while Sullivan said he plans to vent to them today.
State police negotiated to use the Lee Wading Pool months ago and were busy yesterday building a security compound on the site and an adjacent ballfield. The splash pool, popular with toddlers, closed Monday and will remain closed until Aug. 1.
State Department of Conservation and Recreation spokesman Felix Browne said officials decided to shut down the Somerville pool early because it is near an I-93 off-ramp. Similarly, the Cambridge pool is being shut down because it sits on busy Memorial Drive, he said.
``We want to do what we can to facilitate traffic flow during peak commuter times,'' Browne said. ``If we get the pool closed by 4, rather than 5, then we think it can make a meaningful difference in traffic.''
Browne said the agency has received no public complaints but anticipates some as the temperatures surge this weekend.
``People have been pretty understanding,'' he said. ``It's part of the inconvenience (of the DNC), but we've received no complaints.''
FMCDH(BITS)
I continue to believe that the best move I ever made, was to get out of Boston 12 years ago.
Perhaps the Dems just knee-capped themselves. Consider that if the pools are closed, those Democratic Party delegates are going to have to travel quite a bit farther to find "dates".
More bad news for the Dems; the price of lollypops just went up.
It may save kids lives if Fat Ted has his 8 martini lunch and then drives to the convention.
FMCDH(BITS)
These kids in Boston will grow up with the knowledge that the Democrats ruined their summer vacation. Stuff like that doesn't go away.
And when asked why?
I would request that everyone respond, "Security reasons!"
I wouldn't allow anyone associated with the DNC within 10 feet of me. I would be backing up, muttering to myself "unclean! UNCLEAN!"
I hope it's really really hot that week. Any long range forcasts?
The Republican SUV pool remains open.
Arrange for bus transportation and get those neighborhood kids to other swimming pools.
That's right guys.. keep alienating your voter base... (said in best Monty Burns voice) "excellent...."
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