Now that the Boston mayoral race has been whittled down to two able candidates, Marty Walsh and John Connolly, the question as to what our current-sitting and longest-serving Mayor Thomas Menino will do after 20 years at the helm of Boston is one plaguing the minds of city-dwellers from the Lower Mills to the Bunker Hill Monument.
While we know that “Mumbles” will make an attempt at virality with a post-mayoral blog describing his transition out of the City Hall office he’s occupied for an unprecedented 5-terms, such speculation as to the foreseeable future of one of The Hub’s most endeared characters also comes with a tinge of bittersweet reminiscence.
Last Saturday marked the final 100 days of Menino’s tenure, so to help send him off in the same humble yet good-humored style he and the city have grown accustomed to, here’s a video of Tom Menino’s first State of the City address and inaugural speech in his first full term as Mayor.
You can watch the entire 1994 State of the City address here
Admittedly, the footage is just north of a half hour long so don’t feel like you have to sift through the entire video for a handful of comedic and quotable Menino maxims.
Rather, just start doing your best Menino impression in your head — a heavy, low-tone Boston accent full of slurs, garbles, and overall mispronunciations — and say the following lines:
“I am not a fancy talker”
“This is why I’m the mayor. To make sure happiness like this is possible for everyone living in the city of Boston.”
“I promise to dedicate my time as Mayor of Boston to not only make you feel safe again, but to make your children feel safe again”
“You came to Boston for the same reasons that my grandparents did. Because you love the idea of America. Because you want a decent life for yourself and a better life for your children”
“The 21st century belongs to you”
“No matter what happens on the national level, no one, whether a long-time resident or an undocumented new-comer, will be denied healthcare”
“I don’t need anyone to tell me how important education is”
“When I was young, I tell ya, I didn’t get it. Let me tell you I get it now”
While Mayor Menino is notorious for verbal gaffes and zingy one-liners, there’s no denying the thunderous applause he received upon taking the podium or the tidal wave of support behind each one of his mayoral promises. We can only hope our next mayor emulates even the smallest iota of the job and service Menino provided for our great city.
