Thursday, 4:30 PM
Mayor Menino's press secretary resigns
By Donovan Slack
GLOBE STAFF
Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino's press secretary announced this morning that he is leaving his post next week to pursue a freelance writing project.
The resignation of Seth Gitell, press secretary since May 2003, is the latest in a string of more than a half dozen departures of high-level officials from the mayor's four-term administration. Many key leadership positions remain vacant, including chief of staff and commissioners of public works, transportation, fire and police. Schools Superintendent Thomas W. Payzant is scheduled to retire next week and a replacement has not been named.
Gitell presided over media relations during some of the best and worst times of Menino's tenure, including the aftermath of massive cuts in state and federal funding in 2003, the city's hosting of the Democratic National Convention in 2004, and skyrocketing violence that left the city with a 10-year high in the number of homicides last year.
"It has been an adventure," Gitell said in an interview this morning. "You live the life of the city and whatever's happening affects you."
He said he plans to write a piece for The Atlantic Monthly about the effects of the Vietnam War on his father, a former green beret and 20-year Boston cab driver who is now retired and living in Las Vegas.
Gitell said he is leaving City Hall "on good terms."
"There's no better school for politics than City Hall," he said. "And there is no better teacher than Mayor Menino."
Gitell said he told the mayor about his intentions last month, and Menino told other city officials today. Gitell's last day will be June 30. He said the mayor was unavailable for comment.
Donovan Slack can be reached at dslack@globe.com.
