Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 19, 2022 MBTA | FROM PAGE 3 All told, the news from the “T” has been downright grim at times. So grim that a major federal agency, the Federal Transit Administration, began a major safety audit of the entire MBTA system, releasing some of its findings recently. An unsafe MBTA with potentially failing infrastructure is unacceptable to everyone who rides in the system. When a federal agency questions specific safety aspects and insists on a response, the MBTA must answer. The response, announced by Governor Charlie Baker and top “T” officials at a news conference at Medford’s Orange Line Wellington Station last week, was both unique and historic. It was also quite scary to the 200,000-plus riders of the over 120-year-old Orange Line – CIOFFI | FROM PAGE 8 of the last in the world, that he trekked three hours into the forest and was so tired he “almost croaked” due to the humidity. He was looking forward to getting back to the camp because which stretches north to the final stop at Oak Grove Station on the Malden-Melrose line, and south to Forest Hills Station in Jamaica Plain. Gov. Baker announced the MBTA would be completely shutting down the Orange Line... from midnight Friday, August 19 through September 19 – a full month! Badly needed track and safety light repairs were coming, and the decision was made to have full, unimpeded access to both lines from August 19–September 19, rather than shut it down for months of weekends and do the repairs on a more piecemeal basis. Immediately, the strongly worded expressions of dismay and outrage poured in. Locally? A much more pragmatic and measured response from the two Mayors whose communities will be most heavily affected by the Orange Line they “stocked cold beer” – but he was going to hold off on a birthday adventure up some mountain because he was “way outta shape.” I doubt that you were ever out of shape, Steve. Here is my favorite Steve Powell story: I ran into the shutdown: Malden’s Gary Christenson and Everett’s Carlo DeMaria. Of course, they were dismayed by the stunning news about the Orange Line. How could they not be? Malden has no less than two Orange Line stations, Malden Center being within a stone’s throw of Christenson’s downtown office. Instead of joining the boobird chorus when the move was announced last week, Mayor Christenson immediately began working to identify ways to both inform Malden’s citizens on the news and at the same time, to mitigate the effect – if possible – on these residents. Mayor DeMaria began working in similar fashion in Everett. This is how true leaders respond to crises, and Malden and Everett residents are fortunate to have such experienced ones at the helm of their communities. Mayor Christenson and Maymulti-sport star athlete, worldclass adventurer and music lover late night in December of 1994 at the infamous Rat in Kenmore Square. We were both there to see the Jam cover band “All Mod Cons.” After the show we went to Steve’s Our 50th Anniversary Dan 1972 R.Y.O. TOBACCO ---------TUBES CIGAR SMOKERS DELIGHT! 15 Handmade Cigars - Long Leaf - individually wrapped plus a $19. Surprise $43.95 Chris 2022 We Sell Cigars & Accessories Buy Cigars by the Box & SAVE! Competitive prices on all Brands, Great Selection Take an Additional 10% OFF All Boxes and Humidors during the Month of August! * Travel Humidors * Desk Top Humidors * Many Types of Lighters * Ash Trays * Juuls * Vapes * Glass Pipes * Rewards Program * CBD Infused Products * GIFTS UNDER $30 - GIFT CERTIFICATES A.B.C. CIGAR 170 REVERE ST., REVERE (781) 289-4959 STORE HOURS: Monday - Saturday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sunday & Holidays: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM or DeMaria are both members of the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition, a group comprised of representatives “of cities and towns in the urban core of Metro Boston whose leaders gather to exchange information and create solutions for common problems.” Instead of trashing the “T” for their decision, the Coalition had this to say in a joint statement this week: “Choosing to temporarily close the Orange Line for full scale repairs was not a decision that the MBTA made lightly. We hope that this closure will allow the time needed for the comprehensive repairs and upgrades necessary to restore safety, efficiency, and confidence in the Orange Line. “Cutting service hurts us all, but it especially hurts people in the communities most impacted by both the pandemic and recent service cuts.” The Metroapartment in the North End for a “night cap.” He introduced me to his cat “Bella” and explained how he inherited the cat with the apartment. The landlord insisted that if he wanted the place, he had to take the 20plus pound feline that the previous owner left behind when she passed on. No problem. Classic Steve Powell! Steve’s sister Katie was kind enough to reminisce about her beloved big brother: “Steve loved life, a bit too much. He loved people and did everything he could to listen and learn about them from all around the world and people of all walks of life. He never judged anyone and based his opinions only by his own experiences. “Europe and Asia were his favorite places to visit. He traveled by backpack, moped, and hitchhiked. He loved small villages and learning about the natives and their way of life, eating their exotic foods, and experimenting with homemade drink. “I don’t think there has been – or will be – anyone like Steve. He fought for the underdog and didn’t mind telling you what he thought about you if he believed you were a bully. Steve was smart, school was too easy. He was in major works and honor classes. He would engage people in philosophical discussions and had the ability to persuade anyone to his side. He took risks...he wasn’t afraid to try new things...unfortunately, that wasn’t always the smart thing to do. “A couple of stories.... he was backpacking through some small village somewhere in Europe or Asia with his friend, Mike. They were dirty and hadn’t bathed for quite some time. They came across a small, poor excuse for a car wash. Steve politan Mayors Coalition’s full statement also appears in this week’s Advocate. It is not going to be easy or pleasant for anyone who relies on the Orange Line to go to work, visit a relative or to go to classes when high schools and colleges reopen for a new academic year in a couple of weeks. But at least the “T” is doing something comprehensive – and expensive – in an attempt to cure its service ills. It is encouraging to see our cities’ leaders taking the proverbial “bull by the horns” and closely monitoring the situation to try and determine how their constituents are going to get from Point A to Point B as efficiently and quickly as possible. In a year where the summer feels as if it is passing with the blink of an eye, let us hope this next month of no Orange Line does the same. went through it totally naked. When he came out the other side, there were a bunch of village women and men astonished. Needless to say, he was invited for dinner and stayed with one of the families for a short period. “Steve was rebel, and impertinent (at times) ...during his high school years, a coach told him not to step foot on the Macdonald Stadium turf (probably Mr. Duffy), so Steve did a handstand and walked to the other side of the field, on his hands!” “Steve literally had a million stories. Sad that he cannot share them with us. His relentless pursuit of that next adventure, that next high caught up with him in 1999. His friends, his family, and the community at large are poorer for that.” Postscript 1: From 1979’s “London Calling,” an album that mirrored Steve’s life philosophy; a line from “Clampdown” offered up by one of his muses, Joe Strummer: “You don’t owe nothing, so boy get running / It’s the best years of your life they want to steal.” Postscript 2: You gifted Black Flags’ “Damaged” to me back in ’92, Steve. It’s displayed in my hallway. I think of you every time I walk by it. Postscript 3: Steve played on one of Choff’s star-studded hoop teams in the Melrose League many years ago. Choff stacked his squad with ringers like he did every year. Steve fit in nicely as they dominated the league including big wins over archrival Melrose’s (in)famous Barrett and Johnson brothers. Postscript 4: Name change! “Malden Today, Tomorrow, and Yesterday” will henceforth carry the iconic “Malden Musings” label. For better, or for worse. Enjoy!
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