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Mayor Wu's administration is hosting its first 'office hours' tonight. Here's what to know
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It's Thursday. We have another round of wintry mix headed our way tonight, with several inches of snow possible north of Boston and maybe even up to half a foot around the New Hampshire border. Meteorologist Danielle Noyes has more details on the timing and potential impacts here.
But first, the news:
Step inside the mayor's office: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's administration is hosting its first-ever "office hours" tonight in Roxbury. Wu's office says it's an effort to make a range of services available outside the concrete confines of City Hall and give residents a chance to ask questions or raise gripes directly to city officials — maybe to the mayor herself. "Our goal here is to be that collection point for any and every issue that you might have," Wu recently told WBUR's Tiziana Dearing.
- What's different: Since taking office, Wu has hosted regular neighborhood "coffee hours." But "office hours" is intended to be more robust. Nearly 20 different city departments will be present, offering help with everything from school applications and marriage certificates to park event permits and 311 requests. Wu said she'll be there as well, "floating around."
- What she's saying: During her interview with Tiziana, Wu compared it (favorably) to the RMV, with tables where residents can walk up and submit questions and concerns. " We want to help with issues big and small," Wu told Tiziana. "We won't be able to help with everything, but we will take down every concern and try to do our very best, even if that means connecting with a different level of government or community partner to try to make that happen."
- Know before you go: Tonight's inaugural event is 6-8 p.m. at the Bolling Municipal Building in Roxbury. (That's 2300 Washington St.)
- What's next: During her inaugural address in January, Wu said the city plans to hold office hours "across Boston." Her office said they'd make decisions on future locations and frequency after seeing how this first one goes.
In the C-suite: Kevin Tabb, a veteran hospital executive who helped redraw the health care landscape in Massachusetts, is stepping down as Beth Israel Lahey Health's CEO next year. As WBUR's Priyanka Dayal McCluskey reports, Tabb arrived in Boston in 2011 to run a teaching hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He went on to lead a merger that created the state’s second largest health system and, more recently, orchestrated a deal to build a new cancer hospital with Dana-Farber.
- Now what? Tabb told Priyanka he's not sure what's next for his career — but he knows what isn't. “I don’t intend to go run another hospital," he said.
One and done: The New England Patriots are cutting ties with wide receiver Stefon Diggs after just one season. According to Associated Press, the team plans to release Diggs when the new league year begins at the start of next week. The four-time Pro Bowler was quarterback Drake Maye's most targeted receiver last season, but the move frees up significant money for the Patriots. Under his backloaded contract, the 32-year-old would get a much bigger salary next season. According to Spotrac, releasing Diggs before the end of next week saves the Patriots nearly $17 million.
- Diggs is also facing felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault charges from an alleged dispute with his personal chef. He pleaded not guilty last month and is expected back in Dedham District Court on April 1.
Meanwhile in Foxborough: Town officials are holding firm on their demand for money upfront to cover security costs for the World Cup games this summer — despite new assurances from organizers that any shortfalls would be covered by Gillette Stadium's owners. Foxborough Select Board members were also not happy about World Cup organizers' proposed offer to help the town acquire safety equipment by June 1 — less than two weeks ahead of the first match on June 13. WBUR's Andrea Perdomo-Hernandez has more on the stalemate here.
P.S.— It's Crispus Attucks Day in the city of Boston. A public wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the Old State House this morning to mark the 256th anniversary of the Boston Massacre. Check out this Radio Boston segment from the archives on the historic turning point and the misconceptions about it that remain today.
