Bostonians - Who else is annoyed at the DNC??? [Long; Vent]

[TLinden16]

I'm not looking forward to all the traffic that is going to going down the main street that my side street is off of. I live right off of Rt. 60 in Medford--right where they are closing up the highway. Rt. 60 is going to be a mess. I'm going to be stuck on my street at night that week. I'm half thinking of setting up a snack shop on the corner of my street and selling sandwiches and drinks to people stuck in traffic.

Karen

 

[aprincessmom]

As long as it doesn't stop the budweiser truck from delivering, you will hear no complaining from this mouth.

Well Cliffy...

As long as your local watering hole has someone there to accept the delivery between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. when most businesses will be allowed to accept deliveries during that week you should be all set! Provided the local distributor has his workers working the night shift that week

 

[padams]

Don't be too concerned. We heard similar warnings when Atlanta hosted the DNC in 1988, and the Olympics in 1996 about businesses closing and massive traffic jams. During both events, it wasn't as bad as predicted. Coastal Georgia has been hearing the same predictions about the G-8 summit in June.

 

[kasar]

Where are all those people who have to take vacations going to go? I'd steer clear of the Cape that week as well!

You know, it's going to be a real pain. But it's a few days and we'll get over it. I'm glad that it's happening in July which is a relatively slow time of the year in Boston for the workers (probably not for the people that rely on the tourist trade). At least it's not happening in late Aug/early Sept. with the influx of students and the "leaf peepers".

gallajO: Your theory is very interesting. Could happen.

 

[aprincessmom]

There are some interesting articles in the paper today about the convention

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2004/05/26/the_dnc_train_wreck/

http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentS...StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1084907828827

And I'm with you kasar...my poor family is making plans to stay at my house to get off the Cape that week. They are dreading life down there as the solution being touted by the Mayor has been "take a week and go to the Cape".

Me...I'll be in Hawaii Who knew I was so psychic when making vacation plans

 

[goofy4tink]

I was planning on visiting family on the Cape at about that time. I'm hoping those attending the convention don't decide to take a short trip to Cape Cod after the convention!! Man, I hadn't thought about that. I'm not leaving my house during the convention. Hoping that it doesn't turn out as badly as it looks like now. Hey, Karen....good idea. Popcorn, lemonade..sandwiches. Can just see it now.

 

[Margie J]

I am not looking forward to that week at all. I live right in the 93/128 area and take the new ramp to Storrow to work (goes around the back of the Fleet). That ramp will be closed for much of the Convention. Since the Commuter Rail will also be effected (going into the Fleet) it leaves me few options that are timely.

On a good day I can drive into Boston in 25 minutes, Commuter Rail + the T takes another 30 minutes. During the DNC I'd anticipate doubling or tripling this time. So, a round trip would be say 4-6 hours just for the commute to work. NO WAY!

Being forced to take vacation isn't a pleasure either. That's a crowded time to begin with. Then you add tons of people fleeing Boston too.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by Margie J

Being forced to take vacation isn't a pleasure either. That's a crowded time to begin with. Then you add tons of people fleeing Boston too.

I know. I only have 3 weeks vacation, more than half of which has been used up already and I need 4 days for a trip I have already booked in Dec.

If they tell me I have to use those days now, and cancel my Dec trip, I will be so furious it will be scary.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by TLinden16
I'm not looking forward to all the traffic that is going to going down the main street that my side street is off of. I live right off of Rt. 60 in Medford--right where they are closing up the highway. Rt. 60 is going to be a mess. I'm going to be stuck on my street at night that week. I'm half thinking of setting up a snack shop on the corner of my street and selling sandwiches and drinks to people stuck in traffic.

Karen

You should! I'll be one of those people! I am sure a nice lemonade and some snacks will be the only salvation during traffic that week.

 

[Norm Peterson]

Hey Cliffy! I think this means the Tan -N- Wash will do a great business! Too bad you and Sam bailed out on it.

As long as your local watering hole has someone there to accept the delivery between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. when most businesses will be allowed to accept deliveries during that week you should be all set! Provided the local distributor has his workers working the night shift that week

Sam will never run out of beer. And if he does, there's always the kegs in my basement.

Now cut the small talk, and get me a beer.

 

[faithinkarma]

I always thought that cities vied with each other to have the conventions. That they believed it was good for the city's economy. I'm not certain if your wrath should be directed at the DNC or the city itself.

Although I don't blame you at all for the rant, and certainly I would be doing likewise.

 

[psammie1025]

Why aren't they holding the CONVENTION at the new CONVENTION CENTER???

After all, isn't that what a CONVENTION CENTER is for? Plus, it's not in the middle of Boston & holding it there wouldn't mean so many road closings!!!

 

[jipsy]

Originally posted by psammie1025
Why aren't they holding the CONVENTION at the new CONVENTION CENTER???

After all, isn't that what a CONVENTION CENTER is for? Plus, it's not in the middle of Boston & holding it there wouldn't mean so many road closings!!!

I would imagine this was booked long before the convention center was built.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by faithinkarma
I always thought that cities vied with each other to have the conventions. That they believed it was good for the city's economy. I'm not certain if your wrath should be directed at the DNC or the city itself.

Although I don't blame you at all for the rant, and certainly I would be doing likewise.

My wrath is geared towards whoever set this up.

All I know is a lot of people will be inconvenienced and that not even the most pro security people I know think it's a good idea. A lot of small businesses are very concerned.

 

[debster812]

My brother is stressing over this big time. He lives on the South Shore. He works as a marine mechanic in Charlestown. Getting TO work will be fine, as he leaves for work around 5:15AM. It's the getting home part that is going to stink. Plus he is the 'road' mechanic, so he will need to be travelling. Right now his plan is to leave his truck at their shop, and commute by boat from the South Shore to Charlestown. He needs to confirm with the Coast Guard that he will be allowed to do this.

Personally, I have never been so glad to be living and working WELL south of the city.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by debster812


Personally, I have never been so glad to be living and working WELL south of the city.

Lucky!

I don't know about boats. My dad normally takes the commuter boat into Boston and he isn't sure if that is even going to run.

 

[Kallison]

We were thinking of stopping in Boston a few days before or after our vacation last week in July on the way to Maine, but that is out now.

 

[fran99999]

I may be wrong but if a Company shuts down telling employees NO PAY I believe you can apply for unemployment. I would call and find out if this is true. This sounds similar to a Lockout.

Like I said I may be wrong.

Believe it or not many companies shutdown (with pay) for 1 or two weeks a year to do machine maintenance and such.

 

[aprincessmom]

Under MA law, you can apply for unemployment if you have become unemployed through no fault of your own and are looking for a new job. In this case, they aren't unemployed only furloughed for one week. They still have a job, just no income.

And the DNC, the Mayor, and Ted Kennedy were all notified that the convention center would be open and available for the convention. They nixed it.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by aprincessmom
Under MA law, you can apply for unemployment if you have become unemployed through no fault of your own and are looking for a new job. In this case, they aren't unemployed only furloughed for one week. They still have a job, just no income.

And the DNC, the Mayor, and Ted Kennedy were all notified that the convention center would be open and available for the convention. They nixed it.

Again, I DO know we need to have heightened security. But i think shutting the city down like this is going too far.

Hopefully my company will not withhold pay if they decide to close. I found out yesterday even with a potential weekly close, our AR dept. will have to come in, as will our call center. DBF is in our call center. He is not very happy about it.