Boston Mayor Martin Walsh on Thursday sought to "calm municipal employees worried about an agreement he signed that forbids them from criticizing the city’s bid" for the '24 Olympics, according to Michael Levenson of the BOSTON GLOBE. Walsh in an e-mail sent to the city’s approximately 18,000 workers "reiterated his contention" that the ban on criticism he signed with the USOC is “boilerplate language that all cities have historically signed.” He added that it "should not discourage city workers from voicing their opinions." Walsh wrote, "I will not -- and will never -- limit your right to free speech. ... I want to emphasize that no employees will face any consequences for contributing their thoughts -- positive or negative -- and I look forward to hearing from all of you.” Levenson noted the USOC on Thursday released a letter also "asserting that the agreement it signed with the city was not intended to restrict employees from voicing their personal views on the Olympics." However, Walsh "has not said if he plans to change the agreement" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/23).
ROCK THE VOTE: Former Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Evan Falchuk on Thursday said that he "filed paperwork to create a ballot question committee to pursue a referendum on Boston’s bid." Falchuk said that he is "still working on potential language for a ballot question, but the purpose would be to restrict the ability of the government to put tax money toward the Games" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/23). In Boston, Scot Lehigh cites a recent WBUR-FM poll as showing that 75% of Boston-area residents "wanted the matter put to a public vote." Lehigh: "Here’s the real question: Will the vote come sooner -- that is, this fall -- or later, when it could toss more of a monkey wrench into Olympics planning?" Despite Walsh moving from a "no-referendum stand to saying he wouldn’t try to prevent one," it is "obvious that Boston 2024 doesn’t want a public vote at all." Given the "inevitable effects the Olympics would have on Boston," voters should "have a say on the fundamental question of whether to play host" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/23).
COMMON SENSE: In Boston, Richard Weir notes Beacon Hill neighborhood leaders and stewards of the Boston Common are "blasting Boston 2024’s choice of the historic park to host a beach volleyball arena, fearing the Olympic event could cause long-term damage and take the national treasure out of commission during prime summer months." The idea of a 16,000-seat stadium with jumbotrons and nighttime volleyball matches called over loudspeakers "has some local residents on edge." And they are "ready to speak their minds Tuesday, when the city kicks off public forums on Boston’s Olympics bid." Bid organizers and Walsh "vowed that if the Hub is picked to host the Olympics, all the sites will be restored after the games end" (BOSTON HERALD, 1/23).
SILVER SPOONS: In Boston, Beth Healy in a front-page piece reports Boston bid organizers are "wooing wealthy business executives to join an elite group of private financial donors known as the 'Founders 100,'” with "entry to the club" starting at $50,000. The Founders, numbering about 30 so far, are a "microcosm of the city’s prosperous and powerful: male, white and at the peaks of their careers." Five Bain Capital execs, led by Celtics co-Owner & Managing General Partner Stephen Pagliuca, who is co-Chair of the '24 fundraising effort, "wrote checks for a total of $650,000." Owners of the Celtics, Bruins and Patriots also "have donated." Red Sox Owner John Henry "has not donated" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/23).
