Giarratani: Maura to Tom: 4 terms,
4 debates
By Sal Giarratani, Thinking out loud
Allston-Brighton TAB and West Roxbury & Roslindale Transcript
Friday, October 21, 2005
Three Sunday Globes ago, I came across Eileen McNamara's
column concerning the need for real debate between Mayor Tom Menino
and Maura Hennigan in their mayoral contest, so far so lackluster.
Another news story on the appointed School Committee next to the
McNamara's piece was also good food for thought, making me wonder
about the state of city government and politics in Boston.
Last week, as far as debates go, there were two.
One over at Boston University moderated by Mike Dukakis, and the
other last Friday night on WBZ Radio. The BU event made Menino
look silly, reportedly hiding offstage, while Hennigan took questions.
The radio debate was actually the first real debate in this political
season, and Menino seemed to do better than expected. However,
it was Friday night and it was on radio.
Not exactly primetime for potential voters doing
their comparisons.
McNamara pointed out there are issues in need of
public debate. Where does Boston go in this 21st century? We're
losing the middle class from public schools. We're losing the
working class from housing. Taxes are high. Assessments soar.
Rents skyrocket. Home prices hit the ceiling. Crime on the streets
goes up. Kids are dying. All issues affecting why Bostonians stay
or go from the city of their birth.
I believe the media has a responsibility to educate
the public through political debates. However, it appeared that
only Channel 2 made any kind of attempt at this. Even they kowtowed
to Mayor Tom Menino's reluctance to debate his opponent, City
Councilor Maura Hennigan.
I watched that debate. Most were watching the Red
Sox on the night it was first scheduled. The mayor may have stood
next to the 21-year city councilor, but it was as if he stood
alone. He had a script and stuck to it no matter what Maura Hennigan
said. It was a wasted attempt at public discourse.
Back in 1967, Boston residents were given the opportunity
to see the candidates face off against each other. Kevin White,
Louise Day Hicks, John Sears and Edward Logue were all first-tier
candidates ready to debate at a moment's notice. Mayor Kevin White
served four terms and often was referred to as "Mayor of
America" or "Mayor DeLuxe," but even he relished
the challenge of a good debate in all four of his election bids.
His debates against Hicks and Joe Timilty are legendary.
This year, we have a mayor in office since 1993
going for his fourth full term, yet he shies away from real debates
against Hennigan. He has a record to stand on and he ought to
stand up for it.
The people of Boston always deserve real debates
before they cast their ballots in November. Has the mayor gone
stale after too many years in office? Has he turned into the "Prince
of the City," thinking he's mayor for life?
As far as the appointed School Committee goes,
if they never say nay, why do we have it? Why not just let the
mayor run the public schools with input from only the school superintendent?
All signs that we have developed by length of time
in office a political infection known as the "Great and Powerful
Oz" syndrome. Perhaps term limits for mayors is in order?
Either that, or we need a mayor unafraid to stand up in front
of the voters and defend his record against his opponent.
Democracy deserves better than what Boston seems
to be getting at the moment. Mayor Menino may very well deserve
re-election but he's going about it the wrong way. He knows better.
Boston deserves better.