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January 27, 2005

Jeremy Schwab

While Mayor Thomas Menino has yet to announce whether he will seek a fourth term this fall, an unofficial race is heating up between him and persistent critic at-large City Councilor Maura Hennigan.

To win, both must court black, Latino and Asian voters, who now make up a majority of Boston residents and whose voter participation is increasing.

During Banner interviews this past week, both Menino and Hennigan emphasized their history of collaboration with people of color to promote policies that empower communities of color.

Menino highlighted his work to build more affordable housing, rejuvenate Blue Hill Avenue and Dudley Square and close the achievement gap between black and Latino public school students and their white and Asian counterparts.

“The work we have done in the last 11 years in the communities of Boston is really a major factor in improving the quality of life for neighborhoods,” said Menino. “When I took over there was disinvestment in Grove Hall. Now, it is a place people want to open businesses.”

Hennigan emphasized her political alliance with the council’s three members of color — Charles Yancey, Chuck Turner and Felix Arroyo. Frequently, the four find themselves on the losing side of controversial votes.

“I have a long history of supporting communities of color,” said Hennigan. “I cast a vote for [Bruce] Bolling as president. I was a supporter of Yancey in his quest [for president] as well as Arroyo.”

Hennigan takes every opportunity to criticize the popular Menino. She faults him for supporting a planned anti-bio-terrorism research laboratory near the border of Lower Roxbury and the South End, not incorporating lessons learned in pilot schools into mainstream public school pedagogy, not embracing the kindergarten through eighth grade model fast enough, only building three new schools when he initially promised five and exercising too much influence over the development process through mayorally appointed Boston Redevelopment Authority board members.

“You have a mayor who has had over 11 years to act on issues and be able to point to results,” she said. “You see missed opportunities after missed opportunities. The development policy in the city is a closed shop. It favors some developers over others.”

Menino dismisses Hennigan’s list of complaints, preferring to discuss what he says are his accomplishments in promoting opportunities for people of all racial backgrounds.

“It is always easy to criticize in this business,” he said. “What matters are accomplishments. We have a very good record hiring and promoting [people of color]. Look at my director of human services, Robert Lewis, and Department of Neighborhood Development Director Charlotte Golar-Richie. Look at our director of recreation and Small and Local Businesses Office Director Brooke Woodson.”

Menino said he has worked to reduce the achievement gap by promoting after-school, early literacy and mentoring programs.

Observers say Hennigan, who has not yet declared her candidacy but has made no secret of her intentions, is a long-shot to unseat Menino. Political consultant Louis Elisa indicated Hennigan faces an uphill battle.

“Maura has a chance,” said Elisa. “Of course she has a chance. I’m a Christian, I always believe you have a chance. Can Tommy be beaten? At this point, no. I don’t think he can be beaten unless you did the Herculean task of coalescing all the progressives in the city. A lot of progressives consider that Tommy has done a lot for them, and that that is a challenge to get them to look at her as a person who would do a better job. I don’t know if she has been able to do all that convincing.”

But Hennigan strikes an optimistic tone in discussing her candidacy.

“The way I have always run my campaigns is to build my case over the course of an election cycle,” said the 25-year council veteran. “The nice thing is people know me, my track record and style. And I think that is an asset.”

Hennigan appears intent on gaining support in communities of color. She said James Cofield of the Black Political Task Force will play a “significant role” in her campaign.

“I have always enjoyed support from [communities of color],” she said. “My staff has always been reflective of the diversity of the city.”

For his part, Menino has been a regular presence in neighborhoods across the city, including Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan, always ready for a chance to speak at a press conference or ribbon cutting.

When asked who would win in communities of color, Elisa said he thought Menino would, but that that could change.

“Right now, it would be Tommy,” he said. “But I strongly think that could change over time as Hennigan clarifies her past activities and clarifies her alliances. She has worked with a number of community groups, latching onto issues from rent to the biohazard lab, public safety and street maintenance. She has been supportive of issues in education, high schools and libraries.”

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