Candidates and the issues

Eight candidates are vying for four at-large seats on the Boston City Council. Some are longtime council veterans, while others are newcomers to Boston politics. They vary in age from 24 to 63 and live in neighborhoods throughout the city. With Tuesday's election approaching, the Globe asked each to give his or her views on key issues, from rent control to school busing. The Globe also has published a full-length profile of each candidate.

Felix Arroyo 55, Hyde Park Globe profile

What it your top priority for the upcoming term?

One, advocating for full funding of public education; two, taking the necessary steps to address the affordable housing crisis; and three, ensuring that every resident receives the support and services they need.

What steps would you take to ease the financial burden on renters in Boston?

I firmly support rent stabilization and new just-cause eviction rules, and have advocated for signi. cant reforms of the Boston Redevelopment Authority, including the creation of a city department to promote housing development.

As the city faces a fiscal crunch, can you identify any sources of revenue you would tap more aggressively?

We have done too little to reevaluate the payment in lieu of taxes program, reduce existing and new unfunded mandates, or to sell surplus city property.

How much money should the city contribute in public funds to the Democratic National Convention?

I would not support the use of any additional public monies not required under the contract for the convention.

Would you make changes to Boston's requirement that city employees live within city limits?

Though I support the requirement generally, I recognize there is a real need to examine it. We should look to fix inequities without losing the spirit of the basic requirement.

Should unions now negotiating contracts with the city be given similar raises to those awarded in flusher times?

City workers should receive fair, just raises that are as large as the city can reasonably afford. I believe it is essential to avoid cuts to services and do everything we can to minimize cuts to city personnel or salaries.

Should the city adopt neighborhood schools and abandon the busing program?

The issue of "neighborhood schools" and busing is a distraction from the real need to reform and improve the Boston public schools across the city.

Michael Flaherty 34, South Boston Globe profile

What it your top priority for the upcoming term?

More programs to solve the growing youth drug problem; work with police to get gangs, guns, and drugs off streets; improve education by lowering class size and reforming student assignment policy.

What steps would you take to ease the financial burden on renters in Boston?

Increase production and preservation of rental housing; enforce affordable housing requirements of developers; provide incentives to landlords who offer affordable rents; support non-pro. t housing development.

As the city faces a fiscal crunch, can you identify any sources of revenue you would tap more aggressively?

I support closing corporate loopholes and granting Boston the ability to impose local option taxes. While I wouldn't rule out a restoration of the income tax rate, I believe this option would hurt those struggling to make ends meet.

How much money should the city contribute in public funds to the Democratic National Convention?

Any city investment should be limited to that which can be recouped through revenue the convention will bring to the city. I would hope that the state would also contribute.

Would you make changes to Boston's requirement that city employees live within city limits?

I support the ordinance. I am open to dialogue on the subject and have appointed a special committee to review the ordinance and report on what amendments, if any, would be advisable.

Should unions now negotiating contracts with the city be given similar raises to those awarded in flusher times?

All city workers deserve fair, equitable contracts. I led the council in demanding a $17 million reserve be used to help fund contracts. If necessary, some portion of other reserves should be used.

Should the city adopt neighborhood schools and abandon the busing program?

Boston's school assignment policy is outdated and doesn't work for Boston's families. We need to reform the policy so that more students will be able to get into a school that is their first or second choice.

Althea Garrison 63, Uphams Corner Globe profile

What it your top priority for the upcoming term?

Upgrading senior citizen and veterans programs. Passing the Rent Stabilization Act to help tenants. Aggressively seeking federal aid from Washington. Public safety. Holding the line on taxes.

What steps would you take to ease the financial burden on renters in Boston?

Pass rent stabilization.

As the city faces a fiscal crunch, can you identify any sources of revenue you would tap more aggressively?

Aggressively seek more federal aid under the Homeland Security Act.

How much money should the city contribute in public funds to the Democratic National Convention?

$0. We are in a fiscal crisis and I don't think the government should be spending our tax dollars on political parties, Democratic or Republican. This should be done through private donations.

Would you make changes to Boston's requirement that city employees live within city limits?

Yes, city employees should be able to stay outside of Boston without losing their jobs, because housing may be more affordable.

Should unions now negotiating contracts with the city be given similar raises to those awarded in flusher times?

The city can't afford to be too generous in negotiations. It is advisable that the city offer a much smaller percentage than in plusher times.

Should the city adopt neighborhood schools and abandon the busing program?

Yes, because our city schools are more segregated now than before when busing was forced upon the citizenry.

Maura Hennigan 51, Jamaica Plain Globe profile

What it your top priority for the upcoming term?

Education. We need to replicate good education models via the use of pilot schools like the Patrick Lyndon School. I also believe in teaching financial literacy to children and adults to help them make wise financial choices.

What steps would you take to ease the financial burden on renters in Boston?

I support protections for tenants and legislation to protect their homes. Increasing the supply of affordable housing must be a part of the solution. Ten percent of new growth revenue should be set aside for affordable housing.

As the city faces a fiscal crunch, can you identify any sources of revenue you would tap more aggressively?

I believe we can tap into a portion of the undesignated fund balance (overlay account) to provide new revenue. I also believe tapping into the BRA's surplus funds could provide needed revenue.

How much money should the city contribute in public funds to the Democratic National Convention?

None.

Would you make changes to Boston's requirement that city employees live within city limits?

I am a supporter of the residency requirement. However, I have voted to support waivers in the past. I believe that our city benefits by having workers reside in our city because it provides stability and is an asset.

Should unions now negotiating contracts with the city be given similar raises to those awarded in flusher times?

Obviously the economy has had an effect. I feel Mayor Menino needs to become more involved in the negotiations. The workers deserve fair compensation in a city where the costs of living are out of sight.

Should the city adopt neighborhood schools and abandon the busing program?

Currently, there are not enough schools in every neighborhood. I believe the assignment plan should be changed by decreasing the size of the current zones.

Stephen Murphy 46, Hyde Park Globe profile

What it your top priority for the upcoming term?

Finding ways to fund programs that city residents need and deserve. I spearheaded an effort to restore $64 million in local aid to Boston, and authored legislation that will bring in $20 million to $30 million.

What steps would you take to ease the financial burden on renters in Boston?

The most overlooked factor driving rents skyward is the number of students here. I have urged the building of oncampus housing. Colleges should pay per-student fees, to cover city services.

As the city faces a fiscal crunch, can you identify any sources of revenue you would tap more aggressively?

Tax-exempt institutions can help. We provide police, fire and EMTs to colleges and hospitals. Many of them operate research labs and generate revenue and should help pay costs of emergency services.

How much money should the city contribute in public funds to the Democratic National Convention?

In this uncertain economic climate, the city should be prudent with its funds, and aggressively pursue funds from corporate partners, Democratic supporters, and businesses.

Would you make changes to Boston's requirement that city employees live within city limits?

I am co-chairing a committee to examine this issue and make recommendations to the council, and it is important that I go into that process with an open mind, so I will not issue an opinion on the matter.

Should unions now negotiating contracts with the city be given similar raises to those awarded in flusher times?

I led the repeal of a requirement that Boston hold a high percentage of revenues in an overlay account, freeing up $24 million to $34 million. It is important there not be a gold-rush toward this money.

Should the city adopt neighborhood schools and abandon the busing program?

I strongly support a return to quality neighborhood schools with some option for choice, first within schools based in the same ward, then beyond.

Matt O'Malley 24, Roslindale Globe profile

What it your top priority for the upcoming term?

My top priority - and the catalyst for my campaign - is to strengthen the state of public education in the city of Boston. We need to give our children and teachers the support and resources that they need to flourish.

What steps would you take to ease the financial burden on renters in Boston?

The paucity of affordable housing can be best solved by developing more housing units. By building more, market price will drop and we'll be able to keep people in the city without resorting to rent control.

As the city faces a fiscal crunch, can you identify any sources of revenue you would tap more aggressively?

I would work with the mayor to put some of the $400 million worth of land controlled by the Boston Redevelopment Authority on the tax rolls where it belongs. The revenue could exceed tens of millions of dollars.

How much money should the city contribute in public funds to the Democratic National Convention?

As little as possible. City leaders need to be aggressively looking after corporate underwriters to pick up the tab next summer. Boston has already given more than their fair share to the DNC.

Would you make changes to Boston's requirement that city employees live within city limits?

I support ending the residency requirement. It is an unfair burden that often denies young families their chance of attaining the American dream.

Should unions now negotiating contracts with the city be given similar raises to those awarded in flusher times?

Yes. There are 30,000-plus city employees working without a contract. It is unfair and must be settled as soon as possible. I support using a percentage of the overlay fund to pay fair raises.

Should the city adopt neighborhood schools and abandon the busing program?

Absolutely. The benefits of neighborhood schools are too numerous to list. I support a return to "walkto" schools, provided that there be excellent resources in every part of the city.

Roy Owens 58, Roxbury Globe profile

What it your top priority for the upcoming term?

Education. We need to restore the budget. The future of our children is at stake.

What steps would you take to ease the financial burden on renters in Boston?

I started the Woodville Neighborhood Association to combat crime and devastation in the community. If I did it once, I can do it again.

As the city faces a fiscal crunch, can you identify any sources of revenue you would tap more aggressively?

I will work with the churches in terms of faithbased initiatives. Many of the organizations in the city don't want to work with faithbased organizations. I will get more federal faithbased grants for the city.

How much money should the city contribute in public funds to the Democratic National Convention?

That's a good question. I think it's something that needs to be studied.

Would you make changes to Boston's requirement that city employees live within city limits?

No. It's the only economic safeguard for minorities in the city. Prior to having the residency requirement, you couldn't get a job - unemployment was even higher.

Should unions now negotiating contracts with the city be given similar raises to those awarded in flusher times?

I think you have to ask yourself: Did the mayor and the City Council get a raise? Are they (union workers) less human? Do they have families?

Should the city adopt neighborhood schools and abandon the busing program?

The first thing we have to say about neighborhood schools is that it sounds like a good idea, but we don't have neighborhood schools. Neighborhood schools are just a concept, without any money behind it.

Patricia White 33, Beacon Hill Globe profile

What it your top priority for the upcoming term?

My top priority for the upcoming term is to make Boston more affordable for working families, young professionals, seniors and immigrants alike.

What steps would you take to ease the financial burden on renters in Boston?

I would support efforts to increase the supply of housing and streamline regulations that prevent homeowners from converting portions of their properties into affordable apartments.

As the city faces a fiscal crunch, can you identify any sources of revenue you would tap more aggressively?

I will work to implement creative measures to increase revenues without impacting vital services. One idea that I believe has merit is to work with our universities, hospitals, and Massport, to increase payments in lieu of taxes.

How much money should the city contribute in public funds to the Democratic National Convention?

The city should ensure that all required services such as transportation and public safety are provided during the convention. And because the convention will generate state revenue, the state should contribute.

Would you make changes to Boston's requirement that city employees live within city limits?

Having city workers living in Boston makes our city a better place. I am open to adjustments, but we must do everything possible to improve education and lower the cost of living so adjustments are not needed.

Should unions now negotiating contracts with the city be given similar raises to those awarded in flusher times?

All city employees deserve fair, equitable contracts. The city has to negotiate in good faith and do the best we can for those who serve the public.

Should the city adopt neighborhood schools and abandon the busing program?

Neighborhood schools present exciting possibilities for fostering parental involvement and community, and reducing transportation costs. But we cannot sacri. ce the education children receive in every neighborhood.