CANDIDATES NIGHT ON MAIN STREET
by Greg King
Candidates Night on Main Street (at the 888 union hall) was well-attended. Not only did quite a few members turn out, considering Charlestown's not-so-central location, but both mayoral and six of the eight at-large city council candidates showed up.
Mayor Thomas M. Menino spoke first. He tols us that the city is going through a fiscal crisis, with local aid on the verge of being severely cut back by the state. He said he'd have to make some tough decisions, but that he would try to use $20 million of the rainy day fund to offset some of the lost revenue. That $20 million apparently comes from the new hotel and meals taxes. The Mayor spoke of his administration's accomplishments, for example the 18,000 new units of affordable housing built by his administration. He admitted there were still problems with the schools, but pointed to a possible expansion of charter schools.
Councilor Michael Flaherty, the other mayoral candidate, spoke next. He reminded us that he has two children in the public schools and said he favored strengthening the public school system over expanding charters, although he said he would do that, too. He said he would institute a performance evaluaiton system in city government whereby his administration could really keep track of what we did and how we did. The Councilor asserted that there was a "who-you-know" culture at city hall. Those with the inside track get the contracts. He said his administration would reflect Boston the way it really is, not the way it was. He promised to remember that he was working for the citizens of Boston, not the other way around.
Then at-large council candidate Tito Jackson came up to the microphone. Mr. Jackson spoke of overcoming obstacles on his way to a degree of success. He told us he still lived in Grove Hall, where he had bought his parents' house. He told us he would see to it, as Councilor, that those who are often left out of the picture would be included. Mr. Jackson said he would do his best to make the city's workforce more representative of the community.
Councilor Steve Murphy spoke next. He reminded us of how he had led a group of councilors to the negotiations between building owners and the janitors who cleaned those buildings, demanding fairness. The Councilor pointed out that he had authored the city's prevailing wage ordinance, which set a wage way above the federal minimum wage. He told us he had always been pro-labor, and would continue to be.
Ms. Ayanna Pressley walked up to the microphone. She told us about the very harsh circumstances of her upbringing in Chicago, and how her mother worked very hard to pay Ayanna's way through a private school there. Her mother had given her the chance to make a better life for herself, and she took full advantage of that. She reminded us of her service with Congressman Joe Kennedy and Seantor John Kerry, saying this gave her the ability, if elected, to pick up the phone and get things done. Ms. Pressley said it was important for her, given her background, to mentor girls,and that she devoted a lot of time to that. She promised to see that others have the chance she had.
Felix Arroyo, Jr. then strode to the front. He reminisced about his days as an organizer for SEIU, Local 615, particularly during their campaign for the janitors. He told us he still kept up his dues in a UAW union local. Mr. Arroyo said he believed strongly that working people should have a voice, that we should have some control over our lives.
Next John Connolly spoke. He reminded us of his experience as a teacher, both in New York and Boston. He said he understood the problems children were having in the schools, and pledged to do what he can about it. He said he wanted to be a councilor for all the citizens of Boston. He said he would work with the union.
Finally, Tomas Gonzalez told us of his experience as Latino liaison and chief of staff of the Elderly Commission. He said that in the latter position he had tried to be fair to the union. Mr. Gonzalez related his working-class roots, growing up in Jamaica Plain. He said he wanted to work with the union.
A number of our members asked questions of each candidate. They inquired of them what they would do about the fiscal crisis, about jobs and about the schools. Each candidate paid attention and answered our questions thoughtfully.
The 888 leadership said they would average out the numbers from 1 to 5 on which we graded the candidates, and see which candidates the majority of members present recommended for endorsement. Several members present said this method of involving the members could be a hallmark of Local 888. All in all, the evening was a rousing success.