Category Archives: Government activism

Continental won’t fix the problem; will the government step in?

I just sent this letter to my contact on Sen. John Kerry’s staff: Subject: Progress on regulation related to airlines’ handling of unaccompanied minors Ms. [elided], I’m writing to check in with you on the status of Senator Kerry’s efforts to prevent what happened to my daughter on June 14 — being put on the… Read More: Continental won’t fix the problem; will the government step in? »

Resident only parking — it’s not over yet

(Follow the whole story here.) I found this photocopy in my mailbox yesterday after returning from a two-day trip: I’ve redacted identifying information both because I prefer not to publish other people’s names, identifying information and private correspondence without their consent, and because I don’t want this to turn into a personal battle among residents… Read More: Resident only parking — it’s not over yet »

Resident-only parking restriction removed!

As I previously reported, Allston/Brighton resident-only parking signs were posted on my block on May 15, without any prior consultation with or notice to the homeowners on the block. The day I wrote to the city about this, I received a response from someone in the Transportation Department claiming that it would be looked into. … Read More: Resident-only parking restriction removed! »

Spam Yoon

In a recent email message to me entitled “Fighting the Good Fight,” friend, author and politician Michael Burstein referred me to Kate Hutchinson’s blog entry about spamming by Sam Yoon.  Michael is an avid reader of my blog and therefore knows that I’ve been in more than a few scraps of my own like Kate’s. … Read More: Spam Yoon »

City of Boston converts our block to resident only parking without our knowledge, desire or consent

May 15, 2009 Dear Mayor Menino, I have lived at __ ___ Street in Brighton for almost twelve years. I came out of my house this morning and found a BTD employee posting “resident parking only” signs on our block. I do not understand why the residents of our block were not consulted about whether there… Read More: City of Boston converts our block to resident only parking… »

MBTA Botches Route 57 AGAIN

April 27, 2009 Daniel Grabauskas General Manager MBTA 10 Park Plaza Boston, MA 02116 Dear Mr. Grabauskas, Once again, I find myself writing to the T to complain about service which falls far short of “bad,” doesn’t come anywhere near “unacceptable,” and perhaps even falls just a little bit south of “What in heaven’s name… Read More: MBTA Botches Route 57 AGAIN »

Letter published in yesterday’s Herald

I was the “lead” letter to the editor (i.e., the one in the grey box in the center of the letters page under a photo of the front page I was writing about) in yesterday’s Boston Herald.  It’s here on their Web site; here’s the text in case it’s no longer accessible there.  Following their… Read More: Letter published in yesterday’s Herald »

Complaint letter to CEO of US Airways

(Follow the whole story at http://blog.kamens.brookline.ma.us/tag/trapped-in-georgia/.) (If you’re trying to find out how to complain to US Airways, see this posting.) March 10, 2009 Doug Parker Chairman and Chief Executive Officer US Airways 111 West Rio Salado Parkway Tempe, AZ 85281 Dear Mr. Parker, I am writing about the outrageous experience which has prompted my… Read More: Complaint letter to CEO of US Airways »

Safety warning: Jordan’s Furniture / Pulaski Build-A-Bear loft bed risk of collapsing ladder

Executive Summary The Pulaski Build-A-Bear loft bed, sold by Jordan’s Furniture and other furniture retailers, has a dangerous safety defect with the brackets with which the ladder is attached to the bed.  Jordan’s Furniture failed to adequately address this defect when notified about it.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is currently investigating.  I am… Read More: Safety warning: Jordan’s Furniture / Pulaski Build-A-Bear loft bed risk… »