dorchester

The head of Arts, Tourism and Special Events for the city was accused of racial discrimination after she fired the manager of the Strand Theatre in 2006. The Reporter learned this week that the complaint--against Julie Burns--was filed with the state's Commission Against Discrimination. The commission found that the 2007 complaint had enough merit to launch a formal investigation. The City of Boston has now settled the matter by paying $38,000 to the complainant, Michelle Baxter. The settlement happened in April of this year. Burns, who still serves on Mayor Tom Menino's cabinet, announced last week that she is leaving city hall to work for Blue Cross-Blue Shield. Baxter had worked as the manager of the city-owned Strand Theatre before she was terminated in September 2006. She claimed that Burns showed "hostility" towards her and the "minority, community-based projects" she was booking at the Strand. In particular, Baxter claimed Burns was angry that Baxter staged a hip-hop festival at the Strand that year. The top attorney for the city of Boston, Bill Sinnott, told the Reporter this week that the city contested Baxter's complaint- and was confident that Burns would be vindicated in a full hearing. But Sinnott said the city agreed to settle the case as a cost-saving measure. Baxter's complaint had sought $175,000 in damages. Mayor Menino said in a statement that Burns had done a wonderful job in her duties. Sinnott added that Baxter's complaint was one of "very, very few" alleging racial discrimination that have been filed against the city in recent years. Sinnott was unable to say how many of the complaints the city had settled.

New Owner Plans to Reopen Savin Hill Avenue Restaurant

A Savin Hill restaurant that went out of business in 2009 could soon be back up and running under new ownership. CF Donovan's was sold this morning to Kenneth Osherow, the man who owns McKenna's Café right across the street. Osherow, who is also a local realtor, bought the property for $875,000. He says that he and a partner intend to open a new "family-style" restaurant in the space. The old Donovan's restaurant was a popular spot when it opened in 2001- right through to its abrupt shut-down last year. The old owners lost the building to foreclosure. A longtime fixture on Dorchester Avenue is in danger of closing for good.

Adult Education School Near Peabody Square Shut Down

The Board of the ODWIN Learning Center in Peabody Square voted in June to indefinitely suspend the school's programming. The board cited a drastic funding shortfall that threatens to shutter the adult education outpost permanently. Board members who spoke to the Reporter last week remain hopeful that they will be able to rekindle the school's mission. Two ODWIN teachers will continue to hold consulting hours at the center for the rest of the summer, while the building is being cleaned out.

Candidates Competing in Dorchester for Open State Rep Seats

Two contested State House races will get some extra spotlight later this month. Mass VOTE will sponsor forums for candidates in both the Fifth and Sixth Suffolk legislative districts. The first forum will include hopefuls in the Fifth Suffolk, where ten-year incumbent Marie St. Fleur has left a vacancy by taking a job on Mayor Tom Menino's staff. The four candidates to replace St. Fleur--Althea Garrison, Carlos Henriquez, Barry Lawton, and Roy Owens--will gather for a forum at Hibernian Hall on Tuesday, August 24, 6-8 p.m. A second forum is planned for voters in the Sixth Suffolk, where current State Rep. Willie Mae Allen is stepping down later this year. That'll be on Thursday, August 26, also 6-8 p.m., at Prince Hall Grand Lodge in Grove Hall. Hoping to succeed Allen are five Democrats: Kathy Gabriel, Russell Holmes, Darrin Howell, Divo Monteiro, and Karen Payne. For more information on the candidates in the Sixth Suffolk, read a feature story on the race in the Dorchester Reporter.

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