Q&A: Stephen Smith Reflects on Unofficial Mayor, Neighborhood Council Memories & Red Sox

Stephen Smith was appointed to the West Roxbury Neighborhood Council by Mayor Ray Flynn in 1991.

  West Roxbury's Stephen Smith chatted with Patch about the Neighborhood Council, the Red Sox and one of his favorite events - the annual Rosie's Place fundraiser (happening tomorrow in West Roxbury). Patch: You've been on the West Roxbury Neighborhood Council since 1991 - how has the Council changed since that time?  Smith: I don’t know if the Council has changed much since 1991 as our role in terms of hearing issues that come up in West Roxbury still remains the same as it did when I came on to the Council in 1991 Patch: Do you think it's become more active, less active or stayed the same? Smith: I think the level of activity fluctuates as we deal with zoning variances. Things have slowed down in that area which is just reflective of the…

• Photos (3)

Smith Honored for 25 Years of Walking the 'Walk for Hunger'

West Roxbury's Stephen Smith has raised $21,413.58 through 25 years of walking Project Bread's Walk for Hunger.

  West Roxbury resident Stephen Smith was honored at Project Bread’s recent Walk Celebration and Awards Ceremony to champion dedicated walkers, volunteers, and sponsors of the 2012 Walk for Hunger. In 2012, Smith's 25th year of participating in the walk, he raised $2,770.13. During his years of walking, he has raised $21,413.58 to help fight hunger in Massachusetts, making him a member of Project Bread's Heart & Sole Circle and the Leadership Circle.  Held at the Museum of Science in Boston, the ceremony recognized the success of the 44th annual Walk for Hunger, which had more than 43,000 participants and raised $3.6 million to help fight hunger in Massachusetts. For info or to donate, visit www.projectbread.org/walk. Smith answered …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (4)

West Roxbury Democratic Delegates Headed to Party’s Endorsing Convention

On Saturday in Springfield delegates will endorse one of the Democratic candidates for US Senate.

  Thirty-one West Roxbury Democrats are headed to Springfield on Saturday to the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s Endorsing Convention to select the Party’s endorsement to one of the Democratic candidates for US Senate.    West Roxbury's Stephen Smith, is one of more than 5,000 delegates, who will attend the convention.  "I wanted to be a delegate because it will give the opportunity to hear Elizabeth Warren and Marisa DeFranco speak before the convention. Warren does have a Democratic opponent, Marissa DeFranco," said Smith. He added, "Each candidate must receive 15% of the delegate vote at the convention. The question is will DeFranco get the 15% so she can be on the primary ballot. It’s also an opportunity to see other people I know in …

• Photos (3)

Viewfinder

Treseler Photos: Inauguration Parade and Party

West Roxbury resident and photographer Paul Treseler captured the Lord Mayor Richie Gormley's unofficial inauguration parade and party, a Patch.com-sponsored event.

  West Roxbury resident Paul Treseler and photographer extraordinaire took these photos of the Patch.com-sponsored inauguration parade and party of Lord Mayor Richie Gormley.

• Photos (35)

Viewfinder

Photo Shoot: Unofficial Mayor of West Roxbury Nominees

Some say the nominees of the unofficial mayor of West Roxbury contest have become rock stars around the neighborhood.

  Just a casual afternoon photo shoot outside the Corrib Pub on Centre Street with several of nominees for the unofficial mayor of West Roxbury poll. Remember this Friday night at 7 p.m. is the inauguration of Richie Gormley as the unofficial mayor of West Roxbury. There will be a parade stepping off at the Gormley Funeral Home at 7 p.m. The event starts will be held at the Irish Social Club of Boston after the parade. $10 suggested donation goes to several Parkway area charities of the 10 nominees choices.

• Photos (11)

10 Random Facts About Stephen Smith

Stephen Smith, an official nominee for the unofficial mayor of West Roxbury mock election, talks about Smittys, political buttons and his favorite place to eat in the neighborhood.

  The Revolutionary War. The signing of the Declaration of Independence. Charlie Sheen getting fired. All major events that have shaped America. On Friday, March 30th from 7-11 p.m. at the Irish Social Club, another such event will take the United States of America by storm. The inauguration of the first unofficial mayor of West Roxbury, Richie Gormley. West Roxbury Patch readers from all around the world chose Gormley. But there were also nine other nominees in the mock election.  We've been getting to know the nominees through 10 (actually more) random facts about each of them. Learn about TD and Mary Mulvey Jacobson here. Please get to know West Roxbury's Stephen Smith: 1) Stephen Smith says "very rarely" does he get called Smitty. "My …

• Photos (3)

It's Official! Richie Gormley is the Mayor of West Roxbury

The votes have been tallied from all around the world, from Dubai to Guam, from Spring Street to Belgrade Avenue - the people have spoken.

  After all the campaigning, debating, politicking, and - most important - poll stuffing, Richie Gormley is the mayor of West Roxbury. "It’s an honor and I’m humbled to be elected," said the soft-spoken Gormley, who served in the 1st Marine Division in the Vietnam War, after which he received the "Cross of Gallantry" for combat action.  Long before internet polls, West Roxbury residents called Richie Gormley the mayor of West Roxbury - actually Lord Mayor. So it is only fitting Gormley won West Roxbury Patch's: Who is the Unofficial Mayor of West Roxbury poll.  Gormley took home 2,112 votes (33%), with Mary Mulvey Jacobson receiving 2,032 votes (32%), and Tony Saroufim taking third with 805 votes (12%). In total 6,254 votes were cast for …

• Photos (7)

Poll: Who is the Unofficial Mayor of West Roxbury?

We all know who the elected mayor is - but who is the unelected mayor? You know, the person who everyone knows, is involved in events and knows the right person to call.

  Here's the deal. We all know Mayor Thomas Menino is the elected mayor of Boston. But who is the unofficial mayor of West Roxbury? I've been covering West Roxbury for years and have seen the nominees on election days holding signs, or running neighborhood meetings, often speaking at neighborhood events, organizing neighborhood sport events, or just grabbing some grub and drink at the Corrib, West Roxbury Pub or The Real Deal. The nominees are listed in alphabetical order (on the poll). No elected official such as state Rep. Ed Coppinger (and the Coppinger Clan votes) were allowed to be nominated. Also no former elected officials are in the mix for instance, former West Roxbury District Councilor John Tobin. I selected the nominees after …

•  118 Comments
• Photos (17)