The head of the Boston Chamber of Commerce is backing the decision for the deadlocked City Council to again $13.3 million in federal counter-terrorism funding.
In a letter obtained by the Herald, chamber chief James Rooney mentioned delaying the money as antisemitism and terrorism threaten the vacations is fear sufficient.
He’s urging the council to “reassemble as soon as possible” and move the multi-million greenback funding.
As the Herald first reported, Boston City Council President Ed Flynn mentioned he’s carried out with taking part in “politics with the safety of residents” and is asking the mayor to shortly resubmit her request to allocate the grant cash. If not, he vowed to name an emergency assembly subsequent week.
Those {dollars} are for the Metro Boston Homeland Security Region, which incorporates Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, and Winthrop.
Rooney pressured in his letter supporting Flynn that “last week’s vote by the Boston City Council to reject the $13.3 million grant places our communities at risk.” It does in order the FBI and Homeland Security have posted a terror look ahead to over the vacations.
“Greater Boston is an economic engine for New England and proudly home to a strong business community with an international port that is a direct trade partner with all parts of the world. Additionally, Boston is a popular convention and tourist destination welcoming a steady flow of international visitors. As we have unfortunately experienced in the past, our global brand makes Boston an attractive target for terrorists’ activity,” Rooney writes.
“We believe it is imperative that the City of Boston and its elected officials urgently reconvene and approve this critical grant funding,” he provides. “We must ensure that Boston and its surrounding cities and towns are prepared for any potential threats and attacks. Instead of turning away this grant funding, the City Council should recognize that successful anti-terrorism efforts will save the lives of residents, workers, visitors, and families in the region.”
Mayor Michelle Wu has mentioned the grant money might be resubmitted after the brand new City Council members are sworn in Jan. 1.
The chamber represents 1,200 members.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”