A feature on Matt O'Malley, Hennigan's opponent will run tomorrow.

If elected this Tuesday as the Boston City Council District 6 Councilor, Jim Hennigan said he'd keep on doing what he's always done.

"I've actively participated in my community and neighborhood," said Hennigan, a father of four.

Hennigan touts his business experience of running James Hennigan Insurance to show how he understands the problems that face small business owners.

He grew up in Jamaica Plain and lives in West Roxbury and he says people come up to him all the time asking him for his advice and help, even before he announced his candidacy.

Hennigan is facing Matt O'Malley, who came in first with 53 percent of the vote in a five-person special election primary with 3,827 votes, while Hennigan took 30 percent of the vote (2196 votes).

Hennigan, who comes from a political family with both his sister and father having been elected officials, said he understands the problems that families face in the Parkway area.

"I think one of the big issues I hear about over and over again is regarding the schools. People are very concerned, as I have been with the school system in Boston," said Hennigan. "As a city councilor I would work to bring neighborhood schools back. I believe the vast majority of people want this. The schools have become very diverse."

He said in his opinion the majority of Boston residents want local schools that are accessible, led by teachers who are accessible.

He would also like to see community organizations get more involved with schools.

Hennigan's involvement in the Parkway community includes being the Chairman of the West Roxbury YMCA, which he led in recent fundraising efforts to expand and renovate the Y.

He also created and continues to organize the Parkway Kettle Campaign outside of Roche Bros during the holiday season.

When asked whether he would personally attend community meetings or a staff member, he said that he would attend meetings, but a staff member would attend when scheduling conflicts arise.

On one of the hottest topics at City Hall, Hennigan said he would vote to remove City Councilor Chuck Turner from the council because Turner is a convicted felon for taking a bribe. The council will vote Dec. 1 on whether to remove Turner from the council.

And Hennigan would like to see more programs from teenagers throughout the city, which he hopes would help quell youth violence. Hennigan has worked to create programs for teenagers at the Y through the years, knowing that there are a lot of programs for young kids, but programs seem to dry up when kids reach 13, which is often the time when kids start turning to drugs, alcohol and violence.

"(From) 13- to 18-year-old there's nothing for them to do. We need community leaders to step forward and create programs. I've been advocating for this as the chairman of the YMCA," said Hennigan.

And if elected, Hennigan said his first order of business would be to sit down with all of the city councilors to learn about their priorities and how they can work together. Some of them he said he's already known for years, others he would be meeting for the first time.

"I would be able to talk with my fellow councilors and look them in the eye and let them know that if I'm working on an issue one day (that they don't support) doesn't mean that on other occasions I won't work with them (on other issues)."

The special election for the District 6 Boston City Council seat is taking place on Tuesday, Nov. 16. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.