Pulverize Bulger’s ‘Haunty’ House [PHIL-OSOPHY]

As you look at the outside of this simple house of ill fame, there's not a hint of its frightening and foreboding history inside, where three of James "Whitey" Bulger's victims were murdered and buried in the basement.

You can't help but imagine seeing Bulger walking through the tiny doorway and overhearing the myriad of evil conversations he had with the criminal underworld or the F.B.I. That house will either be leveled to the ground and sold for its parcel, or it will be ranked as a significant South Boston landmark.

Bulger nicknamed his house the "Haunty," which means unruly, restless or impatient – perhaps a better description for his own persona. And speaking of nicknames, early in his criminal career, local police gave Bulger the nickname "Whitey" because of his blond hair. Bulger hated the name; he preferred Jim, Jimmy or "Boots," from his habit of wearing cowboy boots with a switchblade hidden inside, but "Whitey" stuck.

Let's get back to the homestead.

The Boston Landmark Commission has until December 12 to decide whether or not to wipe off the face of the earth Bulger's "Haunty" house in South Boston. It's listed for $3.5 million because there's enough room to build a multi-family development.

I say bulldoze it down. Anyone who thinks that unholy place is a significant landmark would only be glorifying a heinous killer. If there's anything left over from the sale, it ought to be divided up between the families of all the victims.

Let 799 East 3rd Street go to hell where it belongs, along with its former owner.

Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. H can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.