Mayoral candidates debated Thursday night—possibly for the last time—at UMass Boston, with next Tuesday’s preliminary election looming.
Already divided on the issue of a city-wide, or East Boston only casino vote, candidates debated the financial costs and possible social consequences that a casino could bring, according to the Boston Globe.
Bill Walczak, who opposes a casino entirely, criticized other candidates for not doing the same.
“This is going to change the culture of Boston forever,” Walczak said, during the forum.
Walczak asked John Connolly and Dan Conley to take a stand on the casino issue. WBUR reports that Conley suggested he was personally opposed to a casino. But, because “citizens of Boston don’t want to be told what to think,” Connolly said East Boston voters should have the final say.
Connolly, the favorite to replace Mayor Tom Menino, also voiced concern about “very vague” legislative language regarding host city benefits, the Globe reports.
A recent WBUR survey found 47 percent were in favor of the casino and 44 percent opposed.
Mike Ross, who is in favor of an East Boston only vote, fired back at Walczak, arguing that even if the East Boston casino was scrapped, Everett has its own casino proposal.
Ross reportedly “mocked” Dan Conley for proposing a legal challenge to Everett if the city continued with its casino plan, according to the Globe.
While Connolly has been a consistent front-runner, the rest of the field has remained congested. Recent polls indicate that Charlotte Golar Richie, Marty Walsh and Conley are Connolly’s biggest competition. Neither of these candidates, however, have been able to create separation.
The Globe reports that Thursday’s forum was “likely” the last time these candidates would be seen together before the Sept. 24 preliminary.
With Menino maintaining strong approval ratings in his final months, candidates have remained hesitant to criticize his leadership. According to the Globe, candidates have directed their attacks at the Boston Police Department.
Last night, Walczak, Felix Arroyo, and Conley were the only candidates that said they would retain Police Commissioner Edward Davis. Charles Yancey and Charles Clemons said he should go. The rest said were undecided, according to the Globe and WBUR.
The candidates agreed that the department needs to address the promotion of women and minority officers. John Barros criticized the department’s process of selecting leadership.
Walsh was critical of the Boston school system, noting the disproportionate ratio of teachers of color in schools where the majority of the students are minorities, the Globe reports.
Arroyo said the key to improving student achievement, however, is addressing poverty, according to WBUR.
Overall, the candidates stuck to familiar talking points they’ve addressed throughout their respective campaigns.
Rob Consalvo was not in attendance because he was meeting with campaign volunteers in Mattapan, a spokesman told the Globe.
Photo via West Roxbury Patch
