New City Council President Calls for Community Based Meetings

BOSTON/Government Center - During his acceptance speech before the Boston City Council this morning newly elected Council President Michael Ross called for a portion of the Council’s business to be conducted in local neighborhoods. “Our citizens deserve a government they can be proud of. To engage them we need to meet them where they are.” “As a first step ” said Ross “I propose that the Council convene a portion of its formal sessions in the community at night with public input.” He noted this would allow direct and immediate public comment and participation in council proceedings. In response members of the audience gave Ross a loud round of applause. Ross’ two year term will begin with considerations of budget cuts and layoffs; including according to recent reports as many as 200 police officers. Saying the City Council historically has been a place for citizens to express their thoughts and opinions he called for a meeting of minds to explore solutions to the economic crisis. “Amid this marketplace of ideas I will convene a summit – that builds on the work started by Councilor Feeney last year – we will invite Boston’s economic non-profit and business leaders who are on the front lines of this crisis to share their ideas with us.” He mentioned “youth violence” as a critical issue in need of the council’s attention. “Government works best when it takes the time to listen ” he added. Ross elected by a unanimous vote of his colleagues called for more “openness and access to the civic realm.” Working with the City Clerk he said he would craft new rules requiring all council documents be made available electronically. “We need to access available technology to bring the Boston City Council into the 21st Century. This will make us more accessible efficient and green.” Ross began his career in city government developing and managing the city’s website. Several speakers including Mayor Thomas Menino said Ross’ term would be a challenging one given the social and economic issues faced by the city and the commonwealth. “None of the votes we take will be easy let me just make that perfectly clear ” said the Mayor. Menino said he hoped for a continuation of the positive working relationship he said his office and the council enjoyed under outgoing President Maureen Feeney. Several councilors are considering running for Mayor this year including Sam Yoon and Michael Flaherty and all face reelection for their Council seats in November. Menino has not yet declared his intention to run for a fifth term. Ross has been a city councilor since 1999. Described by the Boston Globe at the time as a “political neophyte” when he ran and won the District 8 seat formerly held by Thomas Keene and David Scondras Ross currently chairs the committees on government operations and the special committee on the status of the Boston Common. Today’s council meeting was convened by embattled District 7 Councilor Chuck Turner. Turner faces federal extortion and conspiracy charges and is waiting for the conclusions of a council initiated investigation by a retired judge on whether the council can or should ask Turner to resign his seat while court proceedings in his case go forward. By rule the Council's oldest member must convene the first meeting of the new year. Several councilors have expressed regret over former Council President Maureen Feeney’s decision to seek the independent report before Turner’s case is heard in court. Ross told the Boston Globe this morning that “he supported the independent investigation and would wait for the recommendations before taking action against Turner.” Turner introduced four members of the clergy; a Rabbi Minister Imam and Buddhist Sister who offered blessings to the council. Several remarked on the widening economic crisis and its consequences for people living in the city. There was no mention in the chamber during this morning’s meeting of Turner’s legal troubles or the council’s investigation of his viability. Discussion of a law sponsored by Turner that would ban dangerous biological research – such as the work slated to be conducted at the Boston University Medical Campus Level 4 Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory on Albany Street – was referred to the Committee of the Whole for consideration at a subsequent council meeting. The Boston City Council’s next meeting takes pace on Wednesday Jan 12th at 12 noon. Resources: http://www.cityofboston.gov/citycouncil/ Bookmark/Search this post with: Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Reddit Newsvine Facebook Google Yahoo Technorati