Voting for the final four: Boston’s dynamic city councilor at-large race
Oct 23, 2009
By Samuel Tsoi
All eight candidates vying for Boston’s four open at-large city councilor seats participated in the MassVote forum on Tuesday, October 13, hosted at UMass-Boston.
Even though September’s preliminary election narrowed the crowded field of fifteen down to eight, the candidates remain an impressively dynamic cohort, representing a spectrum of generations, races and neighborhoods.
The candidates showcased a wide range of résumés, comprising experiences ranging from federal, state, and municipal government, business, youth development and community organizing.
The forum began with a simple question: “How will you make a difference?” and ended with another “Why should we vote for you?” Candidates also responded extensively to issue-specific questions fielded by the local media and the audience. Topics ranged from public safety, CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) reform, economic development, city management and education.
Stephen Murphy, an incumbent at-large councilor since 1997, listed accomplishments from his long tenure and his responsiveness to issues such as enacting a grease ordinance after a West Roxbury restaurant fire. “It is a high honor to serve this city, and I will continue my advocacy,” he said.
Murphy also highlighted the PILOT (Payment In-Lieu Of Taxes) initiative to address the city’s property tax imbalance. Currently, more than half of developments are tax-exempt, including many academic and health care institutions. Murphy suggested using incentives such as tuition reduction for students who mentor the city’s youth, and advocated for more on-campus housing.
John Connolly, another incumbent city councilor, touted energy efficiency and effective use of technology as cost-saving strategies. Connolly also reminded voters of his effort in increasing parental responsibility in the chronic absenteeism problem common among many youth.
“As a former teacher, I work hard to keep kids from falling off the tracks,” said Connolly, who described plans for a public environmental science academy. He also urged to unite the neighborhoods. “There is only one Boston, not an old and new Boston,” he said.
Tito Jackson saw it differently, especially in the areas of public safety and economic opportunity. The former Patrick Administration staffer lamented over the city’s infamous racial past. Jackson was born in Boston, and raised by his adopted mother, a biography that he proudly brings to his commitment to public service and youth empowerment.
“The reality is, there are two different cities… I will tear down those walls, and build bridges,” Jackson pledged, pointing to the evidence of deteriorating roads, achievement gaps and the unequal access to financial and educational resources.
In addition to reforming the CORI system, Jackson recommended a change of employer culture, and pressed the city to use its leverage to negotiate for local jobs beyond land and development.
On the issue of public safety, Tomás Gonzalez drew insights from his roles as a parent, homeowner and coach. Gonzalez, a former Latino Liaison in city hall, considered youth violence a public health issue that affects all residents of Boston. “Sending offenders to jail is not enough – we need to strengthen rehab and skills training [programs],” Gonzalez added.
Andrew Kenneally, a former sheet metal worker and city council aide, also stated that his lifelong commitment to Boston and political experience are an asset to the council. Relating to his conflict resolution experience in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Kenneally spoke to the political differences in city hall and the fractioned urban youth culture.
Kenneally advocated a more strategic use of sports, business and education initiatives to prevent youth violence. “As a peace monitor in Northern Ireland…[strategic initiatives] make people realize their common interest,” he said. “We either will pay now, or pay later.”
Doug Bennett, a former Nantucket selectman, said he had spoken to 100,000 people since he began his campaign. “I feel their pain,” he said. Bennett also pointed to his role as a bail administrator at the Suffolk County Court. “I know how to treat people fairly,” said Bennett, who believes ex-convicts should be allowed to work and own a home.
As the recession continues to push state government to tighten its budget, the next city council will inherit tremendous fiscal challenges. Bennett singled out the elimination of public school busing as a solution.
Felix Arroyo, Jr., a Boston native who also attended UMass-Boston, suggested a more nuanced approach to diversify the city’s pool of revenue. To relieve the tax burden on local entrepreneurs and homeowners, Arroyo recommended harnessing the resources of the city’s hospitals and universities. “We also need to look into businesses which operate on state land but are within the city’s vicinity, such as restaurants inside Logan Airport,” he added.
Arroyo, a former city council aide and labor organizer, also acknowledged the rising costs that cripple the city’s budget. Health care costs doubled in his career in the case of city employees, he pointed out.
On the matter of fiscal responsibility as a whole, Arroyo implored voters to keep the legislative body accountable on such tough issues. “The city council is only as strong as the people who you elect,” he said.
Ayanna Pressley, a former political director for Senator John Kerry, aspired to carry her political skills and strong sense of public collaboration to the local advocacy level. “I want to fight with you and for you…I want the city council to be a public partnership,” she said.
Pressley was brought up in a single-parent home, often dealing with heavy responsibilities and her father’s incarceration. She believes these personal experiences allow her to speak frankly and intimately on the issues of crime, family unification and social stigma.
Pressley, who resides in The Carruth, a socio-economically diverse and transit-oriented development built on top of Ashmont Station in Dorchester, also considered smart housing developments as her top priority.
Many Chinese voters, who heard the candidates via simultaneous interpretation provided by the Chinese Progressive Association, were pleased about the opportunity to learn about each candidate and new ideas for improving the city.
Henry Yee of the Chinatown Resident Association wished the candidates had spoken more on affordable housing as well a permanent neighborhood library.
Prior to the forum, many of the longtime residents of Chinatown recognized Stephen Murphy, the longest serving councilor in the field, and Felix Arroyo, whose father was an ally to the Chinatown community when he was a city councilor.
Through the vast array of voices, the forum allowed candidates to demonstrate their personality, nuanced policy ideas and personal stories. In a city election that has not seen such dynamism and competitiveness in recent memory, voters are pressed with the privilege and responsibility to choose the final four to fill the next Boston City Council.
The final MassVote mayoral forum featuring four-term mayor Thomas Menino and challenger At-Large Councilor Michael Flaherty will be on Tuesday October 27 in Faneuil Hall at 6:30PM. Boston’s election day is Tuesday, November 3, 2009. Polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Samuel Tsoi is a Sampan correspondent.
All eight candidates vying for Boston’s four open at-large city councilor seats participated in the MassVote forum on Tuesday, October 13, hosted at UMass-Boston.
Even though September’s preliminary election narrowed the crowded field of fifteen down to eight, the candidates remain an impressively dynamic cohort, representing a spectrum of generations, races and neighborhoods.
The candidates showcased a wide range of résumés, comprising experiences ranging from federal, state, and municipal government, business, youth development and community organizing.
The forum began with a simple question: “How will you make a difference?” and ended with another “Why should we vote for you?” Candidates also responded extensively to issue-specific questions fielded by the local media and the audience. Topics ranged from public safety, CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) reform, economic development, city management and education.
Stephen Murphy, an incumbent at-large councilor since 1997, listed accomplishments from his long tenure and his responsiveness to issues such as enacting a grease ordinance after a West Roxbury restaurant fire. “It is a high honor to serve this city, and I will continue my advocacy,” he said.
Murphy also highlighted the PILOT (Payment In-Lieu Of Taxes) initiative to address the city’s property tax imbalance. Currently, more than half of developments are tax-exempt, including many academic and health care institutions. Murphy suggested using incentives such as tuition reduction for students who mentor the city’s youth, and advocated for more on-campus housing.
John Connolly, another incumbent city councilor, touted energy efficiency and effective use of technology as cost-saving strategies. Connolly also reminded voters of his effort in increasing parental responsibility in the chronic absenteeism problem common among many youth.
“As a former teacher, I work hard to keep kids from falling off the tracks,” said Connolly, who described plans for a public environmental science academy. He also urged to unite the neighborhoods. “There is only one Boston, not an old and new Boston,” he said.
Tito Jackson saw it differently, especially in the areas of public safety and economic opportunity. The former Patrick Administration staffer lamented over the city’s infamous racial past. Jackson was born in Boston, and raised by his adopted mother, a biography that he proudly brings to his commitment to public service and youth empowerment.
“The reality is, there are two different cities… I will tear down those walls, and build bridges,” Jackson pledged, pointing to the evidence of deteriorating roads, achievement gaps and the unequal access to financial and educational resources.
In addition to reforming the CORI system, Jackson recommended a change of employer culture, and pressed the city to use its leverage to negotiate for local jobs beyond land and development.
On the issue of public safety, Tomás Gonzalez drew insights from his roles as a parent, homeowner and coach. Gonzalez, a former Latino Liaison in city hall, considered youth violence a public health issue that affects all residents of Boston. “Sending offenders to jail is not enough – we need to strengthen rehab and skills training [programs],” Gonzalez added.
Andrew Kenneally, a former sheet metal worker and city council aide, also stated that his lifelong commitment to Boston and political experience are an asset to the council. Relating to his conflict resolution experience in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Kenneally spoke to the political differences in city hall and the fractioned urban youth culture.
Kenneally advocated a more strategic use of sports, business and education initiatives to prevent youth violence. “As a peace monitor in Northern Ireland…[strategic initiatives] make people realize their common interest,” he said. “We either will pay now, or pay later.”
Doug Bennett, a former Nantucket selectman, said he had spoken to 100,000 people since he began his campaign. “I feel their pain,” he said. Bennett also pointed to his role as a bail administrator at the Suffolk County Court. “I know how to treat people fairly,” said Bennett, who believes ex-convicts should be allowed to work and own a home.
As the recession continues to push state government to tighten its budget, the next city council will inherit tremendous fiscal challenges. Bennett singled out the elimination of public school busing as a solution.
Felix Arroyo, Jr., a Boston native who also attended UMass-Boston, suggested a more nuanced approach to diversify the city’s pool of revenue. To relieve the tax burden on local entrepreneurs and homeowners, Arroyo recommended harnessing the resources of the city’s hospitals and universities. “We also need to look into businesses which operate on state land but are within the city’s vicinity, such as restaurants inside Logan Airport,” he added.
Arroyo, a former city council aide and labor organizer, also acknowledged the rising costs that cripple the city’s budget. Health care costs doubled in his career in the case of city employees, he pointed out.
On the matter of fiscal responsibility as a whole, Arroyo implored voters to keep the legislative body accountable on such tough issues. “The city council is only as strong as the people who you elect,” he said.
Ayanna Pressley, a former political director for Senator John Kerry, aspired to carry her political skills and strong sense of public collaboration to the local advocacy level. “I want to fight with you and for you…I want the city council to be a public partnership,” she said.
Pressley was brought up in a single-parent home, often dealing with heavy responsibilities and her father’s incarceration. She believes these personal experiences allow her to speak frankly and intimately on the issues of crime, family unification and social stigma.
Pressley, who resides in The Carruth, a socio-economically diverse and transit-oriented development built on top of Ashmont Station in Dorchester, also considered smart housing developments as her top priority.
Many Chinese voters, who heard the candidates via simultaneous interpretation provided by the Chinese Progressive Association, were pleased about the opportunity to learn about each candidate and new ideas for improving the city.
Henry Yee of the Chinatown Resident Association wished the candidates had spoken more on affordable housing as well a permanent neighborhood library.
Prior to the forum, many of the longtime residents of Chinatown recognized Stephen Murphy, the longest serving councilor in the field, and Felix Arroyo, whose father was an ally to the Chinatown community when he was a city councilor.
Through the vast array of voices, the forum allowed candidates to demonstrate their personality, nuanced policy ideas and personal stories. In a city election that has not seen such dynamism and competitiveness in recent memory, voters are pressed with the privilege and responsibility to choose the final four to fill the next Boston City Council.
The final MassVote mayoral forum featuring four-term mayor Thomas Menino and challenger At-Large Councilor Michael Flaherty will be on Tuesday October 27 in Faneuil Hall at 6:30PM. Boston’s election day is Tuesday, November 3, 2009. Polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Samuel Tsoi is a Sampan correspondent.
Article Reference: http://www.sampan.org/show_article.php?display=2135
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