The Globe did an article about the banner but didn't mention threats of fines.
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SIGN OF BUSH'S SUPPORT SURFACES
Author(s): Donovan Slack, Patrick Healy, and John Ellement of the Globe
staff, and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Date: July 22, 2004 Page: B1 Section: Metro/Region
Even though he voted for George W. Bush four years ago, Mark F. Pasquale was looking forward to the Democrats coming to town, especially since the pizza shop he has run for the past 23 years is right across the street from the FleetCenter. But then the barriers started going up, the security rules kept getting changed, and he finally had enough. He's closing during the convention and leaving behind a banner in support of Bush.
"It seems like there was supposed to be a party, but it turned out to be a private party," said the 51-year-old Pasquale, who was deluged with media attention yesterday as the 24-foot-long, 4-foot-high banner draped across the building started getting noticed. "They have 30,000 prepared meals . . . I put my food against anybody, but you can't compete against a free meal." Pasquale said he will vote for Bush again and said that if the Texan ever comes to Boston, he hopes the president makes Halftime Pizza, located at the corner of Friend and Causeway streets, one of his stops.
Pasquale said he once served Democratic nominee John F. Kerry some pizza years back, but never expected the Massachusetts senator would one day be running for president.
Pasquale said that his two sisters, both Democrats, are not happy about the sign and that they are also concerned there might be repercussions. Still, he won't take the sign down.
"I got it bolted into the brick," he said.
Pasquale, who lives on the North Shore, is not only skipping the convention; he is also skipping the country during his week off. He will be golfing in Canada.
Concord, Lexington vie for Kerry stop
When John F. Kerry returns to Massachusetts Wednesday, on the eve of accepting the Democratic nomination for president, where's he going first?
Concord or Lexington, possibly.
Kerry is eager for convention week to reflect the patriotic spirit of the state's signal role in the Revolutionary War, and there has been buzz for months that he hoped to draw thousands of delegates and voters to one of those historic towns to hear him issue a rallying cry about building a stronger military and projecting democratic values to the world.
Yet a final decision isn't proving easy within Kerry headquarters. Some officials see special symbolism in a rally on the Lexington Green, where Kerry and about 350 others were arrested at an antiwar protest in 1971, still the largest mass arrest in state history. Some campaign officials are concerned that images of the presumptive nominee in handcuffs from `71 may not play well with Southern and Midwestern voters, yet they like the symmetry of his return all the same.
Kerry is scheduled to fly to Massachusetts early Wednesday afternoon.
Kerry spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said last night that both towns are under consideration for a rally, but that it might not come off, because of planning and permit issues.
High-tech center to monitor security
It looks like Mission Control, the famous room where NASA monitors missions to space.
But the 76 work stations, high-tech communications equipment, and giant video screen will be used to monitor next week's Democratic National Convention.
The Multi-Agency Communications Center will serve as a central control room for the four-day event, where more than 40 state, federal and local law enforcement, public safety, and communications agencies will share information on events big and small.
The four-day event is the first national political convention since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The communications center in Boston is the largest set up to date by the Secret Service for an event it has deemed a National Security Special Event.
For security reasons, the Secret Service has asked reporters not to publicize the locations of the centers.
New home needed for beer ice cream
When the Ohio delegation pulled out of the city's welcoming reception at Samuel Adams Brewery in Jamaica Plain yesterday, saying its members would be partying with local unions instead, the move left party planners holding the bag. Or the vats, as it were.
Gallons and gallons of beer-flavored ice cream were slated to be churned in preparation for the brewery fest. Samuel Adams Cream Stout which leaves a cappuccino after taste, company officials say and Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock were the flavors to be served. Now, the delicacies will be sent to other events.
"I know some of it will be served at the Children's Museum," said Michelle Sullivan, spokeswoman for Boston Beer Co. "But not to the children, though." |
