Oct 4, 2008 12:57 pm US/Eastern
Biography: Boston Mayor Thomas Menino
Thomas Menino was elected
Mayor of Boston in 1993 and is currently serving his fourth term as mayor. Should Menino complete his fourth term, he would become the longest-serving mayor in Boston's history.
A native to Hyde Park, Menino continues to live there with his family. Prior to becoming mayor, Menino served on Boston's city council. He was preceded Ray Flynn.
While In Office:
2004 DNC
Menino is credited with bringing the 2004 Democratic National Convention to Boston, which is estimated to have generated $150 million of revenue for the city.
Watch:
New Benefits For The City Of Boston Thanks To DNC Watch:
Mayor Thanks Boston For Being Good Host Boston's Green Initiatives
Boston has implemented a number of sustainability initiatives, including being the first city to have green building standards for private and public large building developments. According to Menino, Boston is the largest municipal purchaser of green power in New England. The city has also implemented clean vehicle and fuel policies for municipal vehicles.
Under Menino, Boston has also adjusted the times of
traffic lights at 60 intersections to help traffic flow more smoothly, reducing the amount of emissions in the air.
In August 2008, Menino teamed up with Boston police Commissioner Ed Davis to convert all
cabs to hybrid vehicles by 2015.
Menino's Priorities:
In January 2008, Menino announced a plan for a $1 million program to care for the city's children and reduce violent crime, boost test scores and decrease dropout rates.
Menino has also claimed that an increased number of police patrolling the streets of Boston has helped reduce crime by 9 percent, homicides by 11 percent and shootings by 14 percent in 2007.
During Menino's
2007 State of the City Address, he stressed future plans in neighborhoods.
"We are strengthening civic spaces in all of Boston's neighborhoods. In Mattapan, we will break ground on a new public library. In West Roxbury, we are building a new playground at Hynes Field. And at our public high schools, we're in the midst of a multi-year commitment to upgrade our athletic fields. Citywide, we are improving the places that put the life in city life."
Controversies:
A deadly fire in West Roxbury sparked a battle between Menino and union firefighters in 2007. Two firefighters who were killed in the blaze had drugs and alcohol in their systems. The incident raised questions about drug testing among firefighters, who are currently not on a contract with the city and are not required to undergo routine drug tests.
Menino has opposed any firefighter contract that doesn't include random drug and alcohol testing. Menino has also accused the firefighter union, which has been working without a contract for more than two years, of opposing reforms.
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