Convention assurances offer cold comfort

Bombarded with negative news about the Democratic National Convention, Mayor Thomas M. Menino put two local business executives in front of television cameras yesterday to offer a positive message about the convention and to calm fears about inconveniences.

It won't be so bad, they said, just as the Blizzard of '78 wasn't so bad.

''Large-volume events, disruptions in operations, we do it every year on July Fourth, with hundreds of thousands of people," said Bonnie Michelman, director of police and outside services at Massachusetts General Hospital. ''People still talk about the Blizzard of '78 who are at the hospital."

For anyone who lived through it, the blizzard that walloped New England in February 1978 may not be the most reassuring image. The freak weather system paralyzed the city with hurricane-force winds and more than 2 feet of snow. Thousands of motorists were stranded.

But yesterday, snow was the metaphor for the July 26-29 convention, when some 35,000 visitors are expected and about 40 miles of roads will be closed.

''Our South Boston plant has been making blades day in, day out for 100 years, so we equate the impact of the [convention] to that of a four-day snowstorm," said Eric Kraus, vice president of corporate communications at Gillette Co., who was also at the mayor's press conference.

Menino announced an Info 2004 hot line, similar to winter storm hot lines he has set up in the past. This one, along with a new information page site on the city's Web pages -- will be for residents seeking information about anything from road closures to public events.

''We can do it," he said. ''We will get around this convention in July."

Menino said City Hall will remain open during the convention and is offering a limited number of City Hall employees the option to work 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. He urged other businesses to do the same.

''Boston is leading by example," he said.

The mayor said residents can call the hot line at 617-635-2004 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. As the convention nears, the hours may be extended. Information will be available at www.cityofboston.gov/info2004.

The mayor accused the media of dwelling on the convention's inconveniences, such as the closure of Interstate 93, and urged residents to think positively.

''Our city needs more of that 'can-do' attitude that these two companies have shown us," he said. ''There's no doubt about it, hosting the DNC is a major undertaking. . . . We all have to be creative and flexible."

Michelman of MGH said: ''We know this is going to create some tough challenges, and perhaps some inconveniences during the week. .

''We're very excited about it," she said. ''My plan is to celebrate with my staff after this 96 hours and to have some fun. But we are open for business as usual."