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Maura Hennigan’s Announcement Speech
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Good morning…it’s a beautiful day! To the citizens of Boston…my friends and family…
as most of you know I was born and raised in this city...my family has deep-seeded
roots and a strong history of committed public service. For almost 24 years I have
served faithfully and fought hard to make sure the citizens of this city
had a strong voice for their causes and issues.
I believe that the time has come for me to take that experience and determination
and to bring it to the highest level of service for our city. I do this by formally
announcing my candidacy for Mayor of Boston.
I truly believe the time has come to Believe in a Better Boston!
In the same period of time that we have elected 8 different Presidents of the
United States…this city, one of the highest profile cities in the world…has
had only 3 Mayors! When the city’s leadership becomes
entrenched and unchallenged the city cannot and
does not reach its highest potential.
I believe Boston can be better!
When I travel throughout our neighborhoods people constantly ask me: “why aren’t
our schools better?” “Why are our taxes so high?” Why is the cost of housing
so out of reach?” I’m running for Mayor to address these questions. For the
first time in a long time the people of Boston will have a choice for the
leadership and direction of their city. The people of this city deserve a
mayor who listens and talks to them about the issues that affect their lives.
I believe Boston can be better!
I stand here today outside this historic site and home of the Boston School
Committee as a symbol of our future and our children’s future. Due to the
impending departure of Superintendent Payzant, the decisions of the next mayor
will be crucial in deciding the direction of the Boston Public Schools. Your
choice in this election will play a significant role in these decisions.
I believe Boston can be better!
Our city has been referred to as the Athens of America…Boston is home to some
of the finest Higher Educational Institutions in the world…our children
deserve to receive unparalleled world-class educations.
I believe Boston can be better!
Our City Schools currently show a trend that nearly one-fourth of Boston’s
9th graders will drop out before graduation. Is that the mark of success?
Are all of our children receiving the best opportunity to succeed? Are we
giving our teachers enough of the support that they need to be
successful?
I believe Boston can be better!
As a former teacher and the founder of a successful city pilot school…I know
first hand the needs and requirements of a strong school system… I will truly
be the “Education mayor” because I personally know what it takes to make a
school succeed.
I believe Boston can be better!
Boston is one of the most expensive cities in the country to live. Our citizens
deserve first class city services. Our roads and sidewalks need to be safe…
clean…and accessible.
I believe Boston can be better!
Taxes in our city continue to climb every year…and every year the weight of
those taxes falls more and more on the shoulders of homeowners and less on
the commercial owners. As a result Boston residents bear the brunt of the
burden. Bostonians should be subject to fair and honest tax distribution.
I believe Boston can be better!
We require many of our city employees to live here, yet the city continues
to make it more difficult to afford to stay. The current administration missed
a golden opportunity to increase the supply of affordable housing when it
allowed favored developers to buy out of their obligation by paying a mere
$53,000 a unit! Who in this city can buy a home for $53,000???
I believe Boston can be better!
Boston is increasingly becoming a city of “Haves” and Have Nots”. Our working
and middle-class families have historically been an essential part of Boston
but are now being driven out of the city.
With the housing market so high and the lack of affordable housing, where
are they supposed to live?
I believe Boston can be better!
As the New Boston evolves, your Mayor must take the lead in promoting a
racially diverse middle class that finds economic opportunity in this city,
a middle class that has a stake in the city. As your Mayor, I will seek out
our business leaders and work together with them to reach these goals.
I believe Boston can be better!
We now see in the papers that there is another promise of a “New Dynamic
Boston” from a 12-year-old administration…it’s not possible to head in a
new direction under a stagnant administration… This administration has
failed to improve the quality of life for all Bostonians. This mayor has
failed to take responsibility! As Mayor of Boston I will live by the words
of President Harry S. Truman, “The Buck stops here!” This campaign won’t
about me versus the mayor. This campaign will be about the people of Boston.
I am going to talk about their issues…both large and small…because all these
issues affect everyday people everyday.
I believe Boston can be better!
Our beloved Red Sox dared us to Believe and rewarded us for our faith! Our
Patriots have taught us the power of teamwork. If we really want to have a
victory for our city we need major reform in how government operates. We
need to move beyond us versus them. We need to work together to build a
stronger city…our union laborers work hard and deserve fair and timely
negotiations and a fair contract.
I believe Boston can be better!
This city that we live in…the city in which I was born and have lived in
all my life…the city I love has changed in so many ways. We have a rich
history and amazing diversity…we’ve broken curses and held victory parades…
but the parade I want to lead down Boylston Street is the celebration of
our children achieving excellence in our schools. We are living in and making
history…we can do it again! My name is Maura Hennigan…with your help and
your VOTE…I truly believe I will be the next Mayor of this great city of
Boston!
I believe in a better Boston!
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