I don’t know if this move illustrates the ignorance, stupidity, or the insensitivity of the councilors. What I do know, is that this measure will hurt more than it helps. To the shopkeepers and store owners, who are already saddled with payroll taxes, property taxes, income taxes, and the high cost of health care, the Council wishes to burden the cash strapped businesses with another tax. This measure would require all storefront businesses to “upgrade” their metal grates to a far more expensive grate similar to the ones you would see in the mall. It seems that the city always finds new ways to pass the cost off to the little guy.

If the councilors of our city actually walked the streets of city, then they would see that this idea is wrong. They would understand that the metal grates in use now protect the stores from being broken into, or from the windows being broken. They would know that the proposed grates would do little to protect the property of the storekeepers. Most importantly if the councilors did walk the streets of Boston’s neighborhoods they would see that a majority of the owners are hurting enough already without this proposal.

If the councilors talked to the citizens they are supposed to represent they would know that the grates on a store are very low on their priorities. They would understand that we are concerned about burden of increased tax bills, the crime rate, the schools our children go to, the after school programs and libraries. But that would take the elected officials actually going out to the main streets and doing some “hard work”.

Sadly if the councilors do walk the streets and talk to the people of the neighborhoods, then they just ignore our voices and pleas. They turn a deaf ear to the cries of the hardworking people of our city. They mix-up their priorities, and in an attempt to beautify the neighborhood, they in turn ignore the people of the neighborhood. We deserve better.

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