Q&A: City Councilor Rob Consalvo Part II

District 5 City Councilor Rob Consalvo's district encompasses four Boston neighborhoods: Hyde Park, Mattapan, Roslindale, and Readville. Consalvo sat down with Roslindale Patch to talk about his Roslindale issues, his political career and his godfather.

This is Part II, click here for Part I.

Patch: The City can't stop Dominos from coming in to Roslindale Village?

Consalvo: Correct. But I think as elected officials we have organized to say it’s not the right use. We hope a collected voice makes the applicant think otherwise.

We'd like to see a more viable use of the business district. Where will the delivery drivers park? It’s on a main thoroughfare. Where would the 18 wheelers park (that drop off supplies)?Where would customers park for getting a slice? I don’t think it’s the right fit, and there are a number of public safety issues to address.

Domino's has a Boston Licensing Board hearing on October 3 – I am planning on attending to voice my opposition.  

Patch: Do you call it Roslindale Village or Roslindale Square?

Consalvo: Roslindale Village.

When I was growing up taking the bus from CM to Hyde Park, I called it Roslindale Square.

Patch: Some folks have complained about the Flaherty Pool reconstruction – is there reason to be concerned?

Consalvo: It absolutely is going to be shutdown. The only way to reconstruct the pool is to close it. This is a top to bottom complete renovation. The only way to do it is to close it down. And while people may be inconvenienced in the meantime, the final product will be a state of the art beautiful facility that people will be able to use.

Patch: You live in Hyde Park, and some say they’re prefer to have a Roslindale resident as a city councilor, what do you say to that notion?

Consalvo: I think it’s who's the most effective advocate for the district. The district is four separate and unique neighborhoods with their identities. They could also say that. It’s important to focus on that it’s one district... it’s important not to divide, it does not matter who the city councilor is or where they’re from.

Patch: Why do you speak so fast?

Consalvo: It’s a passion for the issues I’m talking about - and little bit of Italian blood.

Patch: I’ve heard a rumor that you’re Mayor Menino’s godson? True or false?

Consalvo: Not true. I’ve tried to end it for years. Not that I don’t love the Mayor, but I have a godfather – it’s my uncle Joe. He’s proud that I’m his godson.

Patch: Anything else?

Consalvo: There are two important public safety initiatives – one working with the BTD and the valet industry to close a very dangerous loophole that allows the valet companies to allow intoxicated individuals get behind the wheels... Second - another initiative coming, and spearheaded by a Roslindale resident – is we're in the process of creating a special needs individuals registry – a volunteer registry for Boston EMS, Fire and Police to respond for (emergency situations). Police respond and (will) know an autistic child is there and needs to be prepared (on how to rescue that individual). Or at a house with an elderly person with dementia, or people in a wheelchair, deaf or blind. Currently, there is no way for a responding person to know before ahead of time that there is someone with an oxygen tank... this could be great for a natural disaster.