Description: Meg Vaillancourt reports on the failure of Ward 7 to elect any minority delegates to the Massachusetts State Democratic Party convention. Minority voters accuse party bosses of discouraging minorities from running as delegates. Ward 7 residents Dianne Wilkerson and Bernard Sneed both ran for delegate in Ward 7 last year. Sneed calls for a change in the election process. Interviews with Wilkerson and Sneed. Wilkerson accuses City Councilor James Kelly of setting up the election to be restrictive and hostile to minority delegates. Vaillancourt quotes Kelly as saying that he set up a fair election and that Wilkerson and Sneed lost. Wilkerson and Sneed were named as delegates on an appeal to the State Democratic Party.
1:00:00: Visual: Footage of Dianne Wilkerson (Ward 7 resident) saying that minority voters have been consistently loyal to the Democratic Party. Wilkerson questions the commitment of the Democratic Party to minority participation. Shots of residents on the streets of Ward 7 in Boston; of minority residents on a busy street corner; of a commercial street in South Boston; of two African American women entering a shoe store; of pedestrians walking by the shoe store. Meg Vaillancourt reports that Boston's Ward 7 has always been a stronghold of the Democratic Party; that Ward 7 stretches from Upham's Corner in Dorchester to South Boston. Vaillancourt notes that Ward 7 has ten precincts; that eight of the precincts are almost totally white; that two of the precincts have large Hispanic and African American populations; that Ward 7 has never elected any minorities as delegates to the state party convention. Vaillancourt reports that minority voters accuse party bosses of discouraging minorities from running as delegates. V: Footage of Wilkerson being interviewed by Vaillancourt. Wilkerson says that party leaders publish notices about party caucuses in the South Boston Tribune newspaper; that minority voters do not read the South Boston Tribune because they do not live in South Boston. Vaillancourt notes that Wilkerson and Bernard Sneed (Ward 7 resident) both ran for delegate in Ward 7 last year; that neither was elected to the position. Vaillancourt reports that Wilkerson and Sneed say that the election for delegates was selectively advertised; that Wilkerson and Sneed say that the election was held in an area of South Boston which was outside of the ward. V: Shot of Vaillancourt interviewing Sneed; of a streetcorner in a minority neighborhood. Footage of Vaillancourt interviewing Wilkerson. Vaillancourt asks if the election was set up to put Wilkerson and Sneed at a disadvantage. Wilkerson says that the election was set up to be "uncomfortable, prohibitive, restrictive, harassing and hostile." Wilkerson notes that James Kelly (Boston City Council) set up the election. Vaillancourt reports that Kelly is Chairman of the Ward 7 Democratic Committee; that Kelly is a vocal opponent of affirmative action. V: Shot of Kelly working behind a desk in an office. On-screen graphics show a quote from Kelly which reads, "We held a full and fair election. And they lost." Vaillancourt reports that Wilkerson accuses Kelly of making her candidacy difficult. V: Footage of Wilkerson saying that the Democratic Party needs to monitor the elections in Ward 7. Footage of Sneed saying that minorities will not be elected as delegates until the process is changed. Shot of residents on a streetcorner in a minority neighborhood. Vaillancourt stands on a streetcorner. Vaillancourt reports that Sneed and Wilkerson have won their appeal to the State Democratic Party Committee; that the Committee has forced Ward 7 to accept Wilkerson, Sneed and three other minority delegates as add-on delegates to the state convention. Vaillancourt notes that much of the work by the other Ward 7 delegates has already been finished.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/21/1987
Description: Eastern Massachusetts demand is too much for the water supply from the Quabbin Reservoir. Conservation measures are being taken, mainly in stopping leaks from the pipes used to transport the water. The Water Resources Authority is seeking an alternative supply for Boston area water, which may include the Sudbury river. Environmentalist argue against the idea. Massachusetts Environmental Affairs Secretary James Hoyte says they're keeping the option open. Additional story on the Merrimack River, it's possible use as an alternative water supply, and the debate over that decision.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 11/12/1986
Description: Long Wharf Marriott. Chart House restaurant. New England Aquarium. Pedestrians. Parked taxi. View from Waterfront Park to expressway, Government Center skyline in background. Many shots inside Deer Island sewage treatment plant. Temperature and pressure gauges. Screen splits (top half of image appears on the bottom have of the screen) in the middle of the video.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/26/1982
Description: Waterfront park, Harbor Towers, Mercantile Wharf, Long Wharf, Chart House, Lewis Wharf, Joseph's Aquarium restaurant, Union Wharf. Sign 'lobsters shipped anywhere.' Commercial Wharf building boarded up. Prince building.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 07/12/1978
Description: Christy George reports that George Bush has nominated attorney Wayne Budd for the post of Massachusetts US Attorney. George reviews Budd's career as an attorney and state official. Budd at a press conference talking about his credentials and that the color of his skin is irrelevant to his nomination. Scenes of Budd in his office at the Budd, Wiley and Richlin law firm, including architect Paul Parks visiting him in his office. Former Massachusetts US Attorney Frank McNamara left the post after a controversy. There are some pending cases being handled by the present Massachusetts US Attorney.
1:00:19: Visual: Shot of Wayne Budd (Nominee for Massachusetts US Attorney) entering a room. Footage of Budd speaking at a press conference. Budd says that he is very proud of his black heritage; that the color of his skin is irrelevant to his nomination for US Attorney. Budd says that his credentials are the important issue. Shots of Budd walking past desks and cubicles in an office environment; of Budd sitting down at his desk. Christy George reports that Budd served as the first African American president of the Massachusetts Bar Association. George notes that Budd has been in private practice since he stepped down from his post in the Civil Rights Division of the Attorney General's office in the 1970s. George adds that Budd has strong ties to Michael Dukakis (Governor of Massachusetts); that Dukakis picked Budd to head the Civil Service Commission in 1983; that one of Budd's law partners was an advisor to Dukakis' presidential campaign. V: Footage of Budd sitting with two African American women in his office. Shots of Budd and the women conversing. George reports that George Bush (US President) has nominated Budd for the Massachusetts US Attorney post. V: Footage of Paul Parks (architect) and another man entering Budd's office. Budd greets the two men. Shot of Parks. Footage of Budd at the press conference. Budd says that he is an advocate of social and civil rights. Budd says that he ranges from moderate to conservative on fiscal matters. Budd says that he bears no grudges against anyone; that he is not beholden to anyone. Budd says that he will not "go after" the Democratic Party on Bush' s behalf. Shots of members of the media at the press conference. Shots of Budd greeting colleagues. George reports that Budd was on the short list for US Attorney in 1986; that Ed Meese (US Attorney General for Ronald Reagan) chose Frank McNamara for the post; that McNamara left the office after a controversy. V: Shot of McNamara leaving a press conference. George reports that Budd says that there are morale problems in the US Attorney's office. V: Footage of Budd at the press conference. Budd says that public servants are given a "public trust"; that violations of the "public trust" should be investigated. Budd says that violators of the "public trust" should be prosecuted. Budd says that "the drug war" is another priority. George stands outside of the offices of Budd, Wiley & Richlin. George reports that there are some pending cases in the US Attorney's office; that the 75 State Street case is one of the pending cases. V: Footage of Budd at the press conference. Budd says that Jeremiah O'Sullivan (Massachusetts US Attorney) will probably finish the 75 State Street case before he leaves office.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/30/1989
Description: State welfare office interiors. Receptionist takes calls on multiline rotary dial phone. Women workers at metal desks in groups of four. File cabinets stuffed with manila folders of paperwork. Form for assistance payments. Staff person talks to client/applicant in Spanish. Interviews with two supervisors about qualifications for social work jobs.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 06/15/1977
Description: Several people address a crowd of clergymen, giving them details on a meeting held that day on the "Mobilization on the white problem in metropolitan Boston." They discuss what churches can and should do to help fight against white racism towards African Americans, especially African American business people. Silent footage of the audience. Reporter standup.
Collection: WHDH
Description: 1975 Boston mayoral race debate between current mayor Kevin White and Senator Joseph Timilty, filmed in WEEI studio. Reporter Mike Ludlum introduces White, Timilty, and City Hall reporter Les Woodruff. Ludlum sets ground rules and itinerary for debate. During debate, discussion of Timilty's accusations against White about "arrogance of power;" cronyism; corruption; CETA hiring abuse; Frog Pond; fundraising pressure; tax allocation. Film artifact obscures image intermittently starting at 00:12:16. Reel 1 of 3.
Collection: Evening Compass, The
Date Created: 10/23/1975
Description: WEEI reporters Mike Ludlum and Les Woodruff are the moderate a portion of 1975 Boston mayoral debate in WEEI studio between incumbent Mayor Kevin White and Senator Joseph Timilty. Timilty accuses the White administration of fiscal irresponsibility. White defends his administration's accomplishments, citing building projects to provide new facilities for the city's neighborhoods. Both candidates comment on "white flight" from the city and the state of the Boston school system; public facilities.Tape ends during White's closing statement.
10:13:52: Recording begins in mid-speech. Visual: Joseph Timilty, Kevin White and 2 moderators sit at a table in the WEEI studios. Moderators are Les Woodruff and Mike Ludlum from WEEI.) Timilty questions the White administration's ability to deliver the economic reform necessary to attract new industry to the city. 10:14:28: V: Woodruff asks Timilty how he would handle economic reform. Timilty responds that he would push for a broadening of the city's tax base; that he would look to reform city programs, citing a need for reform in the Little City Hall Program; that he would make budget cuts; that he would target urban renewal through neighborhood-based community development corporations and push for growth in the city's neighborhoods . 10:17:00: V: Ludlum asks White to address the issues raised by Timilty. White asks Timilty to explain an earlier accusation regarding high percentage rates paid by the city on its bonds. White defends his administration's record on reducing unemployment and attracting industry to the city. He cites his accomplishments in the areas of welfare and the city budget. White again asks Timilty about percentage rates on bonds. 10:19:00: V: Timilty responds that the city's debt has increased 176% during White's tenure as mayor. He mentions high interest payments paid by the city. Timilty contests White's claim of responsibility for the transfer of welfare costs from the city to the state, and claims that real estate taxes have increased 67% under White. Timilty says that credit for stabilizing the tax rate should go to the state legislature, which increased funds for the city. White taps his pen against the table, looking frustrated. 10:20:11: V: Ludlum says that White deserves a chance to respond. White returns to the question of the bond percentage rate. Timilty responds that Boston probably pays 4%. A heated exchange ensues concerning the bond market and the percentage rates paid by the city of Boston. Timilty again claims that Boston pays rates that are too high, and that the city has amassed a dangerous amount of debt. White contends that he has saved taxpayer money by raising the bond rate; White says that he has spent bonded monies on increased services and growth for the neighborhoods. White asks if Timilty supports these neighborhood projects. 10:23:08: V: Timilty says that fiscal responsibility is important. He accuses White of overspending on projects that have made little difference to the neighborhoods. Timilty says that White's spending has decreased the city's rating on the bond market, and that the city is in fiscal jeopardy. 10:24:03: V: Ludlum interrupts Timilty to let White respond. White asks Timilty if he agrees that bonded monies are needed for new construction projects. Timilty responds that bonded monies are needed, but too much debt puts the city in jeopardy. White says the building projects were sorely needed by the neighborhoods, and bonding was necessary to get the money. Timilty counters that the neighborhoods need a reduction in the crime rate more than they need new buildings. 10:26:05: V: Woodruff invites the candidates to address the issues of decreasing white enrollment in schools, decreasing white population in the city, the viablility of the public schools and contract negotiations with teachers. White says that ethnic diversity is important for the city, but he recognizes that some citizens fear the growing minority population, and adds that a low tax-rate might help to keep these people from moving out of the city. Timilty interrupts and asks what the tax-rate has to do with the school system. White defends himself by saying that a low tax-rate and good city amenities prevent "white flight" and keep white children in the school system. White adds that further improvements to the schools will attract more white students. He cites Charlestown as an example of a neighborhood with a stable white population and B.C. High as an example of a good school attracting white students to the city. White concludes by saying that the school system needs to improve. 10:30:03: V: Woodruff sums up White's position and invites Timilty to respond. Timilty says there has been little effort to improve the public schools. He says that families are eager to move out of the city because of bad schools, the high cost of living, and high property taxes. He proposes a plan for magnet schools in the city which is more fully developed than the one in place. 10:32:16: V: Ludlum poses a series of questions and demands brief answers from the candidates. Moderator asks about the issues that strike a chord with the voters. White's answer is the stabilization of the tax rate. Timilty's answer is a responsive city government. Ludlum asks each candidate the difference between him and his opponent. White's answer is experience and performance. Timilty answers that he has a plan for the city. 10:34:25: V: Mayor White gives his closing statement. He cites his performance as mayor, his efforts to stabilize the tax rate, his fight against valuation, his efforts to build facilities for the neighborhoods, and to appoint competent people. He mentions three critical issues: tax reform, healing racial wounds, and improving education.
Collection: Evening Compass, The
Date Created: 10/23/1975
Description: Senator Joseph Timilty's closing statement in 1975 mayoral race debate against current mayor Kevin White, filmed in WEEI studio. Radio broadcast closed by announcer Mike Ludlum. Following close of broadcast is silent footage of participants and others shaking hands conversing in studio. Reel 3 of 3.
Collection: Evening Compass, The
Date Created: 10/23/1975