Thursday, May 16, 2013
In total, 24 people signed up for mayoral nomination papers, and 27 people signed up for nomination papers for at-large city council.
The deadline to sign up for nomination papers for Boston's mayoral and city council elections has passed, with 24 possible candidates for mayor. To put that in perspective, there were five total candidates in 2009's preliminary election for Boston mayor. The deadline to sign up for papers was Monday at 5 p.m., and there were no big surprises at the deadline—like Mayor Thomas Menino deciding to seek reelection. "The 24 candidates who signed up by Monday’s deadline must now gather 3,000 signatures by May 21 in order to appear on the Sept. 24 election ballot," city spokesperson Emilee Ellison said. Some possible candidates have already started to announce they're not running for office, such as Frank John Addivinola Jr. and Gene Gorman. …
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Martin Keogh and Seamus Whalen are the only two West Roxbury residents who have pulled nomination papers for the at-large race.
West Roxbury's Martin Keogh said his campaign for the at-large Boston City Council race will focus on improving the Boston Public Schools. Keogh, an attorney, is one of two West Roxbury residents, the other being Seamus Whelan, who have pulled nomination papers for the at-large race, according to Boston's Elections Department. “It’s pretty simple. If we give kids something more to do after school, something that they will enjoy doing - and not just homework, they, and their parents, will stay in that school, and stay involved in that school," said Keogh through a statement in announcing his candidacy. "This will not only strengthen the school, but the entire community. But that is never going to happen unless we offer more choice, offer …
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Boston Police can arrest aggressive solicitors. Solicitation at certain locations banned, including 10-feet of a bank, ATM, or check cashing business.
Looking to curb aggressive public solicitors, Boston banned solicitation in places such as bus shelters, parking lots, and within 10 feet of an ATM or financial institution. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino pushed for the city's soliticitation rules to be updated and created a task force with police, neighborhoods leaders, and emergency personnel to stop solicitors from doing things like walking up and down traffic lanes. "This measure does not (just) go after homeless people, but also aggressive solicitors," said District 6 City Councilor Matt O'Malley, who led a recent hearing on the issue as chair of the Government Operations committee. O'Malley, as well as other city councilors, including District 8's Mike Ross, wanted to make it clear the…
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Monday, February 25, 2013
Boston City Councilor Connolly says the student assignment plans for Boston still fall short in several important areas.
On Monday night the External Advisory Committee on Student Assignment is slated to recommend a new assignment model to the Superintendent and School Committee. After nearly a year of work, the models put forth by the district for the EAC's consideration still fall short in a several areas. In October, a coalition of six elected officials put forth the Quality Choice Plan as a comprehensive model that addresses the issue of uneven quality across the city as an integral part of the creation of a new assignment model. Over 7,000 Bostonians signed onto the plan and, as this process comes to a conclusion, their voices must be heard. There are a few key elements that should be included in the final recommendation to the School Committee. A …
Friday, January 25, 2013
Boston City Councilor Frank Baker wants a hybrid School Committee to replace the current model of being appointed by the mayor.
Boston's School Committee is currently chosen by mayoral appointments, but District 3 City Councilor Frank Baker would like it to be a hybrid of elected officials and mayoral appointments. “I believe our schools are the most important issue in our city. If we have strong schools, we will have a vibrant and successful city,” Baker said. “The school committee serves an important role in the decision making structure of the Boston Public Schools and should be accountable and responsive to the citizens of Boston, not solely to the mayor and his administration.” Baker has filed a home rule petition to reorganize Boston's School Committee into a hybrid model of both elected and appointed members. Boston did previously have an elected school …
Friday, January 18, 2013
The District 6 city councilor will serve his second year as chair of the committee.
West Roxbury’s city council representative will serve another year as chair of an influential government committee. Boston District 6 City Councilor Matt O’Malley was renamed chair of the Government Operations Committee Thursday, according to a statement from O’Malley’s office. The committee focuses on issues related to the structure and mechanics of city government and its departments, agencies and commissions, according to a statement. All proposed ordinances and special laws are referred to this committee, which also aims to reduce overlap in city functions and programs. The committee also has oversight of the activities of the mayor’s office and numerous committees and boards. During his first year as chair, O’Malley, who represents…
Friday, January 11, 2013
Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley and state Rep. Ed Coppinger were two of a dozen or so elected officials who were invited to Israel with the Jewish Community Relations Council.
District 6 Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley spoke with Patch.com about his recent trip to Israel in mid-December. Patch: Why did you go to Israel? O'Malley: I was invited to go with Jewish Community Relations Council with 12 or 13 elected officials from around the state. It was an educational trip to share best practices, meet with our colleagues in government in different Israeli and Palestine governments. We met with the Prime Minister of Palestine (Salam Fayyad) and the mayor of Bethlehem (of the Palestine side). We met with Israeli city senators in Haifa. Patch: What did you do in Israel? O'Malley: It was an incredible trip. We met with many government officials, members of military, professors, and saw historical sites during …
Gun control laws are regulated at the state and federal level, but Boston City Council President Murphy believes the city can affect change, too.
The Boston City Council unanimously elected Stephen Murphy to serve as council president for 2013. During the Council's first meeting on Jan. 7 after being re-elected as council president, Murphy, an at-large councilor from Hyde Park, took on banning assault weapons. “No sportsman or gun collector needs an assault weapon. There is no sport in using an automatic rifle,” said Murphy. The Boston City Council and Mayor Thomas Menino supported a ban on assault weapons after the Newtown school shooting. Gun control laws are regulated at the state and federal levels, but Murphy believes the council can affect change in three ways: Murphy also promised to be actively involved in the rejuvenation of the Fairmount-Indigo Commuter Rail project …
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley offers his four-pronged priorities for 2013.
District 6 Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley sat down with Patch to discuss his priorities for 2013. District 6 includes West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, a little bit of Roslindale and Mission Hill. Patch: What are your priorities for 2013? O'Malley: Among the things I’ve been working on the last two years: public education, public safety, economic development and livability. Those are my four priorities for both West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain. Education – (I'm) continuing to push for the Quality Choice Plan to the Education Advisory Committee, which has done incredible work. It's imperative that we have a close-to-home option in the student assignment process, ensuring we have top quality options for Boston residents. Which is why having …
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Murphy to remain as Boston City Council president after getting support from his peers.
Boston City Council President Stephen Murphy has secured nine votes from his colleagues to remain City Council President for a new term beginning January 2013. According to a release from Murphy, the following councilors have committed their vote to Murphy: Felix Arroyo, Frank Baker, Mark Ciommo, John Connolly, Rob Consalvo, Tito Jackson, Sal LaMattina, Bill Linehan, Matt O’Malley, and Murphy himself. That leaves At-Large City Councilor Ayanna Pressley, District 4 City Councilor Charles Yancey, and District 8 City Councilor Mike Ross, who have not committed as of yet. Murphy pointed to his leadership in making Boston the first city in the nation to require sports injury and concussion training as part of the permitting process for the …
Westie Guy
1:06 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013
Rob Consalvo is an empty suite! Aka The Mayors Joe Biden! more ›