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Knight of night life

Taking on Boston’s biggest bully
By CHRIS FARAONE  |  October 26, 2009

0910_selkoe_main
GET UP, STAND UP: Karmaloop.com owner Greg Selkoe is the rare Boston business owner to stand up to Mayor Menino.
The most feared man in Boston isn’t a crazy-eyed killer or a brutal street thug — he’s an elected official. Evidence? When was the last time you heard a disgruntled Boston businessperson publicly criticize Mayor Tom Menino?

Privately, of course, countless builders and restaurateurs will share horror stories about incurring the wrath of Hizzoner; on record, they’re less candid. Even bar owners who were possibly pressured into canceling mayoral candidate Michael Flaherty’s campaign events were reluctant to speak to the Phoenix.

This past August, when the Boston Globe dispatched three top investigative reporters to expose the influence that Menino wields over development, only one subject had the gall to speak openly about alleged favoritism that determines who gets to build what, and where. That renegade is Greg Selkoe, a 33-year-old city planner turned entrepreneur who is determined to smack the status quo — even if that means rattling the man who, according to many, metes out approval with vindictive memory.

Selkoe was emboldened this past September to help form the Boston Night Life Coalition (BNLC) — a group of at least eight business interests that are outraged by, among other entertainment industry-related issues, the liquor-licensing process. A Jamaica Plain–born gadfly, Selkoe remains the lone high-profile dissenter who will vocally lambaste Menino — though the fact that powerful folks are rallying alongside him (and endorsing the mayor’s first serious opponent in 16 years in their literature, no less) is unprecedented in this municipal monarchy’s recent history.

Before founding karmaloop.com and transforming his boutique into the Web’s leading street-wear retail hub, Selkoe was a Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) planner, who in that capacity met with Menino to discuss housing policy every Monday. The Harvard-educated then–bureaucrat neophyte was stunned by City Hall’s top-down infrastructure. “At the BRA, I did recommendations to the board of appeals,” recalls Selkoe, “and we would always get calls requesting zoning relief for the mayor’s friends and neighbors. Those weekly meetings were both surreal and ridiculous — like everybody tip-toeing around a king. There was no common respect at that table. It was all about how we were going to please this guy.”

Along with BNLC promoters — including Jon Regan of Future Classic and Ace Gershfeld of 6one7 — Selkoe is pushing for changes that he’s certain won’t happen under a Menino administration; he says Menino approaches nightlife with the mentality that few good things happen after midnight. Among the group’s wishes: later closing times, extended T service, increased arts funding, and more late-night dining options.

“There can be a better nightlife in Boston and less issues with neighbors if there was a real dialogue,” says Selkoe, who stresses that Flaherty has made no promises to BNLC operatives. “Instead of just assuming that it’s a bunch of yahoos beating each other up, it’s important to work with the nightlife community. But for now it’s an adversarial position.”

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Related: Yoon or Flaherty, Menino's 50-Percent Solution, Edifice complex, More more >
  Topics: News Features , Politics, Entertainment, Nightlife,  More more >
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Comments
Re: Knight of night life
Who's a bully? Selkoe with his absurd group of operatives promising lies from his thug candidate deletes comments and kicks out anyone who doesn't agree with him on his Facebook group. Try it and see. 
By Sarah Scolari on 10/21/2009 at 6:39:31
Re: Knight of night life
You should see the emails this guy sends out...Waaa, the mayor is a bully.  Waaa, look at what some other city is doing.  Waaaaah... Geez, you'd think a former BRA planner could figure out how to accomplish some of the group's goals without being such a freakin' windbag.  We're not like other cities.  There were laws in place for hundreds of years that directly affected the social scene in Boston.  Most of them have been rolled-back over the past 10 yrs but you can't expect things to change over night...especially not with Floon at the helm. Oh well, keep poppin your collar buddy.  And thanks for giving me a reason to unsuscribe to those stupid club emails like 6one7.  I was just looking for an excuse to do it cuz they're so pointless, and you just provided it.
 
By egonzsb on 10/21/2009 at 7:09:22
Re: Knight of night life
You should see the emails this guy sends out...Waaa, the mayor is a bully.  Waaa, look at what some other city is doing.  Waaaaah... Geez, you'd think a former BRA planner could figure out how to accomplish some of the group's goals without being such a freakin' windbag.  We're not like other cities.  There were laws in place for hundreds of years that directly affected the social scene in Boston.  Most of them have been rolled-back over the past 10 yrs but you can't expect things to change over night...especially not with Floon at the helm. Oh well, keep poppin your collar buddy.  And thanks for giving me a reason to unsuscribe to those stupid club emails like 6one7.  I was just looking for an excuse to do it cuz they're so pointless, and you just provided it.
 
By egonzsb on 10/21/2009 at 7:09:59
Re: Knight of night life
You should see the emails this guy sends out...Waaa, the mayor is a bully.  Waaa, look at what some other city is doing.  Waaaaah... Geez, you'd think a former BRA planner could figure out how to accomplish some of the group's goals without being such a freakin' windbag.  We're not like other cities.  There were laws in place for hundreds of years that directly affected the social scene in Boston.  Most of them have been rolled-back over the past 10 yrs but you can't expect things to change over night...especially not with Floon at the helm. Oh well, keep poppin your collar buddy.  And thanks for giving me a reason to unsuscribe to those stupid club emails like 6one7.  I was just looking for an excuse to do it cuz they're so pointless, and you just provided it.
By egonzsb on 10/21/2009 at 7:10:46
Re: Knight of night life
Hilarious! The laws that drive bar closings in Boston are STATE laws, not city ordinances."Massachusetts law requires that all alcohol service end by 2 a.m"//www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/04/28/a_4_am_close_for_hotel_bars_proposed/ What bar is going to stay open past 1:45 if they can't earn revenue by selling drinks?!?! no one switches to soda at 2am...let's be serious. And rumor has is Selkoe rolled into the BRA flaunting his Harvard education and tried to make everyone do things his way because he was 'smarter'; when the other hardworking employees at BRA wouldn't cave to one pompous man and told him to  check his ego at the door he got furious and ever since has tried to take it out on that agency and the Mayor.
By katesbJP on 10/22/2009 at 9:41:41
Re: Knight of night life
Hilarious! The laws that drive bar closings in Boston are STATE laws, not city ordinances."Massachusetts law requires that all alcohol service end by 2 a.m"//www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/04/28/a_4_am_close_for_hotel_bars_proposed/ What bar is going to stay open past 1:45 if they can't earn revenue by selling drinks?!?! no one switches to soda at 2am...let's be serious. And rumor has is Selkoe rolled into the BRA flaunting his Harvard education and tried to make everyone do things his way because he was 'smarter'; when the other hardworking employees at BRA wouldn't cave to one pompous man and told him to  check his ego at the door he got furious and ever since has tried to take it out on that agency and the Mayor.
By katesbJP on 10/22/2009 at 9:41:52
this dude is such a joke!
 Hilarious! The laws that drive bar closings in Boston are STATE laws, not city ordinances."Massachusetts law requires that all alcohol service end by 2 a.m"//www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/04/28/a_4_am_close_for_hotel_bars_proposed/ What bar is going to stay open past 1:45 if they can't earn revenue by selling drinks?!?! no one switches to soda at 2am...let's be serious. And rumor has is Selkoe rolled into the BRA flaunting his Harvard education and tried to make everyone do things his way because he was 'smarter'; when the other hardworking employees at BRA wouldn't cave to one pompous man and told him to  check his ego at the door he got furious and ever since has tried to take it out on that agency and the Mayor.
By katesbJP on 10/22/2009 at 9:42:41
Re: Knight of night life
 SarahScolari --  I experienced the same thing with that facebook groop -- it's funny, on the facebook group page are these absurb lies about Flaherty promising the moon and the stars to keep bars open later and run the MBTA 24hrs a day (another thing the position of Mayor doesn't control -- talk about trying to exercise absurd power)....Funny that in this article he makes is SOOOOO clear that Flaherty has in fact promised NOTHING around keeping bars open later :) Oh the liesssss
By katesbJP on 10/22/2009 at 9:46:25
Re: Knight of night life
  SarahScolari --  I experienced the same thing with that facebook groop -- it's funny, on the facebook group page are these absurb lies about Flaherty promising the moon and the stars to keep bars open later and run the MBTA 24hrs a day (another thing the position of Mayor doesn't control -- talk about trying to exercise absurd power)....Funny that in this article he makes is SOOOOO clear that Flaherty has in fact promised NOTHING around keeping bars open later :) Oh the liesssss
By katesbJP on 10/22/2009 at 9:47:01
Re: Knight of night life
Looks like the Menino apologists are here...step out from behind the computer, kids!  There is a big world out here; where its ok to stay up past 9:30pm!! The only thing that I've heard Flaherty promise is to have an open mind and a willingness to discuss how to make Boston more competitve with cities like New York, Miami, San Fran and Chicago.  Can we say the same about Menino?  Ever been to a licensing or entertainment hearing?  The answer is always the same...NO!  Imagine a city with street festivals and outdoor concerts; where artists are welcome and ideas outside the proverbial box are not immediately quashed.  Some of these issues are state matters.  But has Menino ever tried advocating for 24 hour transportation?  Has he ever lent his support behind researching the pros and cons behind extended club hours?  He can control late night dining options and block parties...see many of those around?  Open your minds and let the sun shine in.  There's a fun world out there and Boston should consider expanding its horizons with someone that doesn't think nightlife is a four letter word.  
By missymiss on 10/22/2009 at 2:12:21
Re: Knight of night life
Looks like the Menino apologists are here...step out from behind the computer, kids!  There is a big world out here; where its ok to stay up past 9:30pm!! The only thing that I've heard Flaherty promise is to have an open mind and a willingness to discuss how to make Boston more competitve with cities like New York, Miami, San Fran and Chicago.  Can we say the same about Menino?  Ever been to a licensing or entertainment hearing?  The answer is always the same...NO!  Imagine a city with street festivals and outdoor concerts; where artists are welcome and ideas outside the proverbial box are not immediately quashed.  Some of these issues are state matters.  But has Menino ever tried advocating for 24 hour transportation?  Has he ever lent his support behind researching the pros and cons behind extended club hours?  He can control late night dining options and block parties...see many of those around?  Open your minds and let the sun shine in.  There's a fun world out there and Boston should consider expanding its horizons with someone that doesn't think nightlife is a four letter word.  
By missymiss on 10/22/2009 at 2:12:35
Re: Knight of night life
The Mayor's a longtime advocate of extending T service. Maybe your guy should run for governor though if he's interested in making these changes. And someone ought to go tell the voters in West Roxbury and Roslindale what Flats is planning for their local nightlife. I bet that will go over great!
By Sarah Scolari on 10/23/2009 at 6:59:03
Re: Knight of night life
The Mayor's a longtime advocate of extending T service. Maybe your guy should run for governor though if he's interested in making these changes. And someone ought to go tell the voters in West Roxbury and Roslindale what Flats is planning for their local nightlife. I bet that will go over great!
By Sarah Scolari on 10/23/2009 at 7:09:49
Re: Knight of night life
 menino apologists are right up there with teabaggers and birthers...delusional idiots like hiz-dishonor... 
By purplehusky64 on 10/24/2009 at 7:11:53
Re: Knight of night life
don't stop believin,' kids.
By Sarah Scolari on 10/26/2009 at 10:38:26

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