What is your reaction to DNC road and rail closures?

3/31/2004

In a move that is certain to create major headaches for Boston commuters, security officials have announced that Interstate 93 will be shut down in both directions for all four evenings of the Democratic National Convention in July, and North Station will be closed to all commuter rail and subway service. What is your reaction? Are these security precautions justified, or is the Secret Service going overboard? Do the benefits the convention will bring to the city make the inconveniences worthwhile?

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Could this inadvertently *cause* a bigger security issue, in that - if 'something' were to happen in the city, evacuation would be impossible for thousands until the artery and trains were officially freed up to run, which will take time. I bet once this mess is finished and the true cost is known that they won't allow another 'important' event at the Fleet. The only workable solution I can see is to take the T in from somewhere else.

Karl, Salem, MA

Everybody complaining needs to get over themselves. The benefits Boston will see from hosting the DNC far outweigh the negatives. In this current failing economy, hosting the DNC will bring millions of dollars in revenue. It's a week of pure excitement and fun with all sorts of events, parties, and rallies for the public, and you all are complaining cause you're going to have to wake up a half hour earlier. Last time I checked, the secret service isn't closing down the city, they're just making a few adjustment for OUR own safety. The commuter trains will still come into North Station -- they will just have to stop outside of it and bus people the rest of the way. Also, I-93 will not be shut down all day everyday, just certain higher risk times. And do you think everybody will be OK with moving the DNC to the convention center in Southie? Of course not. Every suburb on the South Shore will complain about how it will affect their commute. I applaud Mayor Menino for working so hard to bring the DNC to Boston, and I am embarrassed that Governor Romney finds it necessary to step on everyone’s toes by trying to get the DNC moved to Southie. If this were the GOP convention, I'm sure Romney would be more than happy to offer the Fleet Center as a convention site. Everybody needs to grow up and shut up. The DNC will last less than one week and we will all be in the same boat. Sheesh.

Paula, Somerville, MA

I think it's ludicrous and insulting that the people who live and work in Boston, essentially the lifeblood of the city, be expected to take a back seat and have their lives disrupted in such a massive way like this. The Secret Service says that the closing of North Station is "nonnegotiable." I say that this interruption into the lives of so many people who make up the foundation of our city is "nonnegotiable" and they should work around us, the people, at all costs. When my mother-in-law comes to visit, she sleeps in the guest bedroom, we don't move out!

Adam, Boston

Of course, this is going to be a nightmare. However, it is interesting how much people blame the democrats for this mess. We would likely be dealing with the same problems if the republican national convention were in town instead. The fleet center is just not a good choice, and it's unfortunate that the convention center in southie wasn't given more consideration. It is likely that the republicans would have seen the same benefits in using the fleet center as the democrats, if they were given the opportunity. Just remember that the secret service is under george w.'s watch, and of course he would love it if this could be turned into an ugly spectacle for the democrats.

Jess, boston

Didn't Ed Markey just say - in the Globe - something like: "The roads aren't closing, the governor just wants to make John Kerry look bad in his home state so that's why he wants to move this convention." Also, the Globe quoted another convention heavyweight - it was either the Mayor or Nancy Pelosi - who, when asked about the roads closing, said that Romney was just being a skunk. Ouch! Hmmm....

Maureen, Manchester

For safety reasons, it is justified to close down segments of 93 in both directions, and the rail systems. What is not jusitified is having it at the Fleet Center to begin with. They should have it at in the Convention Center. Creating this type of havoc for the people of MA that have to commute in and out of Boston to earn a living will surely not be in the Democratic Party's best interest. There is a strong possbility that this more than just an inconvenicne will make a great number of the commuters resent the Dems. I am sure Senator Kerry will not want this resentment to be lingering three monts later on election day.

Nadine, Walpole

With all the hassels from the closures, it would seem many employees will avoid the city during this convetion week. Has anyone thought of the loss of income for the city if the workforce stays away? Since much of the workforce will not be in the city to buy meals, pay for transportation, and purchase services, the economic advantages of the convention seems to cancel out. Are the media angle really worth all this trouble? Who watches all four nights anyhow? Move it to the Convention Center (isn't this why we have a convention center??)

Jackie H., Taunton, MA

So. They shut 93 and the "T" down when the Dems are at the Fleet Center but they don't shut it down when I bring my kids to "Disney on Ice" or when I go to a Celtics game at the Fleet. Terrorists are more likely to strike when we least expect it (e.g., NYC or Madrid), not when they know security will already be at an all time high. For the money this is supposedly bringing to Boston, what about all the lost money of people that will be AVOIDING Boston? Menino should be ashamed and maybe it is time someone run against him.

Am I not important?, Charlestown