Weekend Redux: What You Missed

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Just because you spent all weekend doing your mother’s bidding doesn’t mean the world stopped moving. We round up the notable stories you missed.

Saturday
Well, well, well. Look who’s trying to get all their ducks in a row.

House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi said he paid off the balance of an unusual $250,000 third mortgage on his North End condominium yesterday, after the lender, his close friend Richard D. Vitale, who is under scrutiny for work he did last year on behalf of the state’s ticket brokers, registered as a lobbyist.

Surely all their problems are solved.

“The statute speaks of promoting legislation,” [Secretary of State Bill] Galvin said. “Clearly what Mr. Vitale did was to promote legislation. It is no longer in dispute. We’ll wait for the additional reports to come in from the other entities and explore them for their thoroughness and completeness.”

We just have one question: If King Sal had the money kicking around to pay a $250,000 mortgage off in one fell swoop, why did he need it in the first place?


It continues to suck to be Powers Fasteners. The only company that’s facing criminal charges in connection with the Big Dig tunnel collapse may face additional charges if federal investigators can prove any employees were involved in using the substandard glue.

Something just doesn’t feel right about the Turnpike Authority cracking down on toll abuses. Last week, they started conserving funds by cutting back on the use of outside consultants. It’s so strange. Oh well. At least we still have the MBTA to look to as a model of inefficiency.

Suck it, Mickey Mouse!

According to ForbesTraveler.com, which recently listed America’s 25 Most Visted Tourist Sites, the historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace ranks fourth, one spot above vacation destination Disney World.

Sunday
Looks like we’re not the only ones who won’t be going to Denver for the DNC this year.

State Treasurer Tim Cahill suffered an intra-party political defeat yesterday, getting trounced in his bid for a coveted delegate’s seat at the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Denver.

That’s not the treasurer’s only problem. The Globe reports that the State Lottery gave away over $1 million worth of tickets to major sporting events to retailers. But the broadsheet also found that lottery employees sometimes took the coveted seats.

Maybe they’re some of the folks who’ve just jumped back on the Celtics bandwagon.

The Urban Mechanic is back in the shop. This time, Mayor Tom Menino is fixing up Dacia Street in Dorchester.

Eastie residents may have a way to get home that doesn’t involve trying to fool cabbies into driving through the tunnels. Apparently, Boston has water taxis.

Photo by John Goodman