Mayor rejects $100k offer to bring carnival to city

by Julia C. Reischel

Citing concerns over ride safety and gang violence, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone rejected a $100,000 offer by an amusement company to bring the first carnival to the city in 16 years.

"It's really a constriction of business," said Lawrence Joseph Patrick Carr III, owner of Lawrence Carr Amusement Co., which offered the city a carnival contract last year. The carnival would have been at the Assembly Square Mall.

"Somerville hasn't allowed a carnival in recent years. I think it's a mistake. They are cutting our ability to raise money for the city,” he said.

Several carnival companies, including Carr Amusement Company and Fiesta, approached the city last year with bids to run a summer carnival in
Assembly Square, said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone.

"Historically, Assembly Square has been an area that's susceptible to troublemakers," the mayor said. "It's right on the edge of the city
and right on the highway. For any event that the city holds, large or small, public safety is the main concern."

Ward 1 Alderman William M. Roche said he agrees with the mayor’s reasoning.

"It really came down to a public safety issue. Those two things together combined to make us not want to bring a carnival to the
city," Roche said.

"Even with the money they were offering us, it was not worth someone getting hurt or killed,” he said.

Roche said that there had recently been several incidents of carnival-ride accidents across the state. "The department of public
safety was not sending out enough inspectors, and people were getting seriously hurt or killed," he said.

The city was also concerned about giving rival gangs a venue for troublemaking. Roche said that a new gang, the H-block gang, was
emerging in the Mystic View housing Project.

"About last year at this time," Roche said, "there were fisticuffs between MS-13 and H-block that occurred right on the heels of the
carnivals that were asking to come into the city. The concern was that if rival gangs show up at a carnival, people would get hurt."

"You attract so many people," Roche said. "The location is on the Orange Line, so you're not just getting people from Somerville.
You're getting different people of different backgrounds."

The mayor also said that the resources of the Department of Public Works and the needs of the police department were taken into
consideration, and that there were issues of permission with the current occupants of Assembly Square.

John Pino, a Somerville resident who proposed working with Carr Amusement to propose the bid, said that he submitted a letter from
Carr proposing a 10-day carnival to be held in July request to the mayor's office.

"We submitted a letter where we would pay $100,000 if they provided the equipment and the permit for a carnival in the city of
Somerville," Carr said. "John dropped the letter off at the mayor's office."

"The mayor and Roche refused $100,000," said Pino.

Pino said that the equipment would have cost $40,000, leaving the city with $60,000 left over. "You can pay a lot of schoolteachers with
that money," he said.

"We felt that we would make it worthwhile," Carr said. "The city could do something good with the money, like buy sports equipment for
the schools."

"A carnival is a large undertaking," said Curtatone. "It's a great idea on the face of it, but for any event the city might hold, it has
to make sure it's a good investment."

"When you weight the pluses and minuses, it was not worth the risk," he said.

Carr said that he thought the city has developed an anti-carnival stance over the years.

"We used to do a lot of them," Carr said. "We ran one at St. Anthony's in Union Square for years. If you're insured, and the rides
are inspected by the state, there shouldn't be a problem."

Pino said that he had worked with Mayor Brune to produce carnivals. "Why was it refused?" he asked. "We had one there before."

Roche said the 16-year gap started with the then mayor, Michael E. Capuano. "Mike Capuano wouldn't allow them—he didn't want them in the city," he said.

The Good Time Emporium, a sports bar, club, and "Family Fun Center" that boasts 100,000 square feet of amusement space, is located in
Assembly Square. Pino said

"They didn't want the Good Time Emporium disturbed," he said.

"Good Time Emporium and a carnival are very separate—they do not pose any competition,” he said.

Pino said Good Time Emporium has been a hotbed of criminal activity and trouble for the city. "Everybody knows there's been some negative action there."

Pino said that he though the issue of safety was an excuse. “Good Time is offering the same sort of entertainment day after day, whereas a carnival would be a special thing. It would have a different feel to it,” he said.

"Roche told us, 'the kids have got to be safe,'" Pino said. "They're faking, they're kidding somebody. You can't get a permit in this city.
They think they're smart and that the people are dumb."

"It's good family entertainment," said Carr. "Medford, Malden, and Chelsea all have carnivals. Kids in Somerville have to go to other
towns to enjoy a carnival."

The Medford carnival is different, said Roche. "It's truly local, for Medford residents, every year. Most carnivals that happen are local,
but one in Somerville might be creating a recipe for disaster."

"It's not off the table completely—everyone loves carnivals. There's always a possibility,” he said.

"Anything that benefits the residents of the city, whether it makes us money or even costs money, is always welcome. The mayor's office would
be open to a fair that the city would enjoy,” he said.

"You certainly can never close the door on that. If the right opportunity came at the right location."

The mayor said he is trying to increase community-wide events and restore Somerville pride, including the Memorial Day Parade and a Somerville Family Day at Trum field this year.

"I think there's a lot going on in the city," Roche said. "The mayor held fireworks at Trum field last summer for the first time. I think
people are busy with activities that take them out of their homes."

"Events of this nature are on the table," the mayor said.

Comments

[Ronald Cooke]

It is a sad day when the mayor believes his police dept. can't do a good enough job. He should also get his facts stright about carnivals before he speeks. Out of 60 some ways of moving people, (ie. cars, rollor skates, planes), mobile carnival rides have the best safety record only to eleveators.
How did he get to be mayor?

[Mark Mclaughlin]

im from somerville and i would like the money and a carnival and i dont care for the mayor but he's is rite, that is gang land.3 out of 4 homicides in somerville happen in assembley square, you also have gangs from boston that have problems with somerville gangs and medford is close enough and its alot safer.

[Ron Newman]

If Lexington can have an annual carnival every year, why can't Somerville? The mayor should withdraw his objection.

[mb]

first of all- you can't compare lexington to somerville....
second of all- the mayor did the right thing, and this was before all the mess with the medford carnival this year and their "police force."

[Ron Newman]

I'm a Somerville resident who enjoys visiting the Lexington carnival each year. I haven't noticed it causing any problems for that town, and would be happy to patronize a similar event here.

[Ed]

I think with a strong police presence that it would be great for the city of Somerville to host a carnival for the kids as well as us adults who will enjoy it also. Somerville should not let the worry of trouble deprive us the right to enjoy a carnival. That would be like saying don't fly because of terrorist are out there. That's why we have police and we are Americans. Mayor Joe don't give in to fears of trouble. Have the carnival for the people and lets not live in fear? Thank you!

[Duh]

Are you people for real? Don't you remember what happened at the last carnival in Medford? Joe doesn't want to put his constituents in jeopardy. It's his job to ensure all of our safety and that's what he is doing. If you want to see a carnival, go to the one in Medford and hope the gangs don't get you. We don't need the Shi* here in Somerville. We have plenty of other community based, SAFE events that Joe is putting on for us. The fireworks,Family Fun Day, The Sunsetters etc. A carnival is NOT the kind of "trouble-attracting" attraction we need to have a good summer. Things are better than they have been in Somerville for YEARS. Let's step back and see that the guy at the helm is actually looking out for all of us. Do you think he wouldn't LOVE 100 grand for this lean budget? Of course he would! Is it worth the risk? Absolutely NOT!

[Manny Ortez]

Anyone who tries to compare Lexington to Somerville needs to get their head examined. I highly doubt that the lawyers, doctors and MILFS in Lexington cause much trouble. Somerville, however, has a slightly more diverse demographic, as we all know, and a carnival would indeed attract an unsavory element.

[Ron Newman]

What happened in Medford? I usually try to get to their event each year as well, but missed it this year.

[Marcus Peterson]

If you can have a 4th of July show why cant you have a carnival??? Explain to me someone plz. I think the mayor is confused to tell you the truth.

[SomRentalOwner]

"Pino said that the equipment would have cost $40,000, leaving the city with $60,000 left over. "You can pay a lot of schoolteachers with
that money," he said."

But what about the 6 or so cops that would have to be on detail for the 11 days the carnival is open. That would have to cost at least $1000 a cop or $60,000 dollars. Not to mention the cost of other city services.... So how are you going to pay teachers pino?

[Ignorance is bliss]

Sticks and stones may brake my bones but the property value in Somerville will always be higher. Stop complaining the fact is that you can not afford to live in Somerville, and that is why your a HATER!

[Ron Newman]

According to the Medford Transcript, Medford will have a scaled-down "kiddie carnival" this year, at Fellsway Plaza, on Route 28 near Wellington Circle. It will take place from May 31 to June 3.

[against it]

I wouldnt go to a carnival in Somerville until the city does something about the gang issues we have. I am totally against it having it here, it would cause more problems and be a waste of money. Sure the city is going to get 60k after they pay for expenses btu how much of that is going to have to go to police overtime, ambulance overtime, firemen etc, ect.

[William Jefferson Hurst]

What makes Lexington so different from Somerville? Maybe they have more trees than we do. Before you answer this, it would be best if your answer is "politically correct". When someone says "Lexington is different from Somerville" I suspect it is a racist and biggoted response to the lack of minorities in Lexington vs Somerville which is more racially diverse.

[Kiss of Death]

I dont agree often with Joey the boy Mayor but this one he got right.
Carnivals are an attraction for trouble in any city. Somerville has enough public safety issues without taking on 10 days of a bunch of problems that will certaintly end up costing more than the $60,000 the city might net.

I say, go to Lexington and enjoy the rides. Its only 15 minutes up Mass. Ave.

As for the difference between Lexington and Somerville- I dont think its about race- its about the density of the population and the number of kids without parental supervision that the Cities have to deal with. One can hope that one day Somerville will as safe a place as Lexington- but we are not there yet.

[William Hurst]

Kiss of Death,
So, it becomes more of a matter of how many people per sq. mile that reside in a community and that Lexington parents have better parenting skills than our Somerville parents. Thanks for clearing that up.

[Kate]

I agree with the decision.

WJH - "When someone says "Lexington is different from Somerville" I suspect it is a racist and biggoted response to the lack of minorities in Lexington vs Somerville which is more racially diverse."

Why do you automatically assume that an allusion to our city having minorities is racist and biggoted? It is a fact, that we are racially diverse.

[Ron Newman]

By the way, this discussion re-started (after a year's dormancy) because someone posted a comment slamming our city as 'Slumberville'. That comment was later removed, so all the comments after it look a bit out of context.

[Kate]

Ruh-roh. Thanks, Ron, I didn't notice the original date.

[Kiss of Death]

Hurst,

You can close your eyes to the real world if you choose.

But I think you'll find that there are more kids whose and teens with one parent or whose parents work 2 jobs in any city including Somerville- than you will find an affluent burbs like Lexington.

Personally, you couldnt pay me to live in Lexington or Winchester. But lets not close our eyes to our reality.

It would be nice if we invested in things like teen centers, outreach programs, and summer youth jobs- to help alleviate the obvious.

thank you

[William Hurst]

Kate,
Re-read my comment, again I make mention that Somerville is indeed more diverse than Lexington. I also know that some people in this are very racist and their not wanting a carnival is based on their ignorance not mine.

[Yorktown Street]

Kiss of Death, the Board of Aldermen is holding hearings on the budget. Maryann Heuston chairs the youth services subcommmitee. Why not give her a call and say what you said here?

[Kiss of Death]

LOL. Hueston is a rubber stamp for the boy mayor. She sold out the day her significant other accepted a plum DPW role and has acted accordingly since. What is needed are some fresh faces and ideas from people who are not bought out of the process of being objective.