Does Mayor Menino Hate Disabled People? Disturbing Evidence that He Might Next to Whole Foods Market.

Well, I'm sure he would say how he thinks we are great, but why does he keep doing nothing while his Department of Public Works keeps doing nothing?

This photograph by Thomas Matera shows what the middle of a typical Boston Department of Public Works resurfacing project looks like. Earlier in the week, the contractor scraped up (or scarified) the pavement, but neglected to follow the law and maintain access with simple, temporary ramps. The contractor took a break on Friday, rendering the entire weekend inaccessible for lots of us in the neighborhood.

On Friday at about 6:00 p.m., I spoke with store manager David Cueto about all the problems all the disabled people in the neighborhood would have getting to his store. He listened to me seriously out on the curb in front of the canyon that Edgerly road had become (of course I embarrassed myself first by getting my new wheelchair stuck and having to go out the "In" door), and then said that he would call.

So he and another worker called the Mayor's hotline, and told the operator about all these people not being able to get to the store. You would think that a business hurting because would get someone at City Hall's attention. But it didn't. Nothing at all was done on Saturday.

How could this happen? And right next to one of the main hubs of the Fenway neighborhood, Whole Foods Market (Bread & Circus). It's easy: the contractor may or may not know different, but it doesn't care; the city knows that legally, the contractor must maintain access with temporary ramps, but doesn't bother to supervise and impose penalties on violators. Even after we asked very nicely (I don't really understand why we have to be so nice when it is our rights that are being violated, but that seems to be the accepted rules of the game), in writing and at meetings. nothing seemed to have changed.

The great thing about a blog is that occasionally some old file that I haven't opened in six months ends up being perfect material. Herewith, my "ramp chronology.doc" from August, 2004:

CONTRACTOR/CITY NEGLIGENCE IN THE FENWAY

Friday 8/20/04: Contractor scrapes Peterborough Street [West Fens], no temporary ramps. Three buildings full of elderly/disabled people placed in danger.

Monday 8/23: Complaints to Mayor's Hotline, City Councilor [Michael] Ross's office, and to Disabilities Commissioner [Stephen] Spinetto, who reports back that DPW will inform contractor of responsibilities.

Tuesday 8/24: Most curb ramps on Peterborough get temporary patches.

Wednesday 8/25: SAME CONTRACTOR scrapes northern half of Hemenway Street [East Fens, major thoroughfare], no patches at Burbank Street or Havilland. This side of Hemenway Street becomes unusable.

Thursday 8/26: Contractor scrapes down southern half of Hemenway, and puts a few temporary patches up, such as in front of Cappy's restaurant and at the corner of Hemenway and Boylston. I observed a contractor official instructing an employee as a truck dumped some patching material. No patches are placed at the crosswalk at Forsyth Street, the corner of Hemenway Variety, and where Hemenway meets Forsyth Way.

I e-mail Disabilities Commissioner Spinetto, and call the Mayor's Hotline regarding the problem. Mayor's office promises to call me back.

Hemenway Street-based Fenway Community Development Corporation calls City Councilor Ross's office.

Friday 8/27: no response [from any city official], no new temporary ramps, and the contractor puts down the first layer of pavement.

Weekend: almost no access anywhere. I had to go in the street to get up Westland Avenue [entranceway to the Fenway from Massachusetts Avenue].

Monday 8/30: Contractor doesn't show up.

That is the end of the document, I was probably too discouraged to continue.

During these 10 days, I tried to get to the media interested, bored everyone I talked regarding this "violation of our civil rights." But, no. Television stations showed no interest (I can just hear some producer saying "too technical," "boring") , and print media didn't respond enthusiastically, either -- I remember a very nice Herald city desk editor patiently waiting out my tale of injustice until I ran out of energy. And that doesn't take all that long.

So I gave up.

What is the best way to fight City Hall?