RadioBDC "Live on the [Union] Square" show proceeding Sunday 10/13 even though not yet approved

[ron_newman]

Boston.com's RadioBDC is aggressively promoting its free Union Square concert on Sunday, October 13 even though the Somerville Board of Aldermen have not yet approved it. (When you read to the end of the article, you'll see that only a three-member subcommittee has very grudgingly given its approval; the full board has yet to vote on this.)

I suggest that you walk or bike to this show if you want to attend it. The show starts at noon, which is also when the HONK! Parade begins, shutting down Davis and Porter squares and all of Mass. Ave. down to Harvard Square. Harvard Square will also be closed to traffic for Oktoberfest. It's not clear yet whether the RadioBDC show will close down all of Union Square, or just the plaza and parking lot. The bus routes serving Union Square (86, 87, 91) will all likely be seriously diverted or delayed.

[Earlier discussion here.]

Comments

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

I'm really looking forward to finding out if our Board of Aldermen has the guts to say "No" to the mayor. I kind of fear that some of them are a little bit too weak to vote against him, and our city kind of lacks checks and balances because of it.

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

I'm also deeply offended at how the mayor's office is promoting it without approval. In essence either taking their rubber-stamp for granted, or saying F-you to the Board's disapproval.

Here's our chance to see which of the Alderpersons who are up for (re)-election can stand their ground when they're being steamrolled.

[squirrelitude]

If I were one of the Alderpeeps, my inclination would be a knee-jerk "nope" -- because I tend to be rather mulish towards people who try to push me into things. But that's unfair as well, so I think that if everything else looked OK for a permit, I would propose rolling a die: 1 approves, 2-6 denies. I think that expresses the proper sentiment.

ETA: Well, no, that's just my fantasy. I'd probably do something boring and reasonable. But it would be tempting...

[ron_newman]

It looks to me like RadioBDC, not the mayor's office, is "promoting it without approval". I don't see the event mentioned anywhere on the city web site or the Arts Council web site. But it's all over the RadioBDC site.

[leafshimmer.livejournal.com]

Heavens. I wonder how any pregnant ladies who happen to go into labor are supposed to get into Mount Auburn hospital on that day!

[ron_newman]

Perhaps Walden Street to Fayerweather Street, or else Route 16 (Alewife Brook and Fresh Pond Parkways)?

Since it's a Sunday, Memorial Drive from Fresh Pond Parkway to Western Ave. will also be closed.

[rosiewoodboat.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, there is a contingency for that. It involves a network of large diameter pneumatic tubes....

[thedonk.livejournal.com]

I had similar concerns when one of those mega-closure road races fell the day before my due date. If you call 911, they will help you find a safe route, including opening up a closure for emergency access if need be.