Ross elected to lead City Council

January 5, 2009 11:08 AM Email| Comments (4)| Text size – +

By Donovan Slack, Globe Staff

The Boston City Council elected Councilor Michael Ross to be council president today in a unanimous vote.

Michael Ross

Ross, whose district includes Beacon Hill, Back Bay, and Mission Hill, vowed to address head-on the numerous challenges facing the city in the coming year, including looming budget cuts that could force the layoffs of hundreds of police officers, firefighters, and teachers. And he also vowed to do what he could to deal with the cloud looming over the council -- the indictment of Councilor Chuck Turner on federal corruption charges.

Turner presided over the council election during this morning's meeting but did not address the charges pending against him.

The council has appointed a retired judge to review the case against Turner and recommend action to the council, which could include censure or removal. Ross said he supported the independent investigation and would wait for the recommendations before taking action against Turner.

"We have plenty of time to deal with that issue," he said in an interview after his election.

In his acceptance speech, Ross said he will move immediately to make the council and its proceedings more transparent, introducing a measure to require council documents to be filed electronically and posted online. And Ross said he plans to hold some of the council's meetings at night in neighborhood venues, instead of during the day at City Hall.

Ross said he also plans to convene a special committee to examine the impact of the recession on the city and its residents, and find creative ways to deal with youth violence.

"The City Council more than ever needs to face this problem head-on," he said.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino congratulated Ross and noted that he is taking up the council presidency during "very difficult times." He noted the economic crisis and pending cuts in state funding to the city. One of the council's primary duties each year is to study, debate, and vote on the mayor's proposed budget.

"It's important that we continue, as we have, the debate, to talk about the impact on the people in our neighborhoods," Menino said.

Ross took over the presidency from Councilor Maureen Feeney of Dorchester, who has held the gavel for two years. He is the first Jewish council president in recent memory, and his father, a Holocaust survivor, watched with tears in his eyes as Ross ascended to the presidency.

"It is a proud day," said Stephan Ross, who was liberated from the Dachau concentration camp by US troops in 1945. "It is unbelievable."

Donovan Slack can be reached at dslack@globe.com.

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4 comments so far...

This is a sick and corrupt city and I am glad I d not live here.

Posted by Big Jim January 5, 09 12:35 PM

I think they should do away with the city council before they layoff cops , also they could layoff some firefighters and alot of teachers because the teachers have money to burn fighting question 1. Let them reap what they sow layoff teachers and fireman .

Posted by redzone January 5, 09 12:45 PM

Menino has to go . .

Posted by BBbb January 5, 09 01:26 PM

This is the MO of all of Massachusetts government :the only possible solutions to a fiscal crisis are to raise taxes or lay off the most high profile employees. The valuable and correct reaction to the fiscal crisis is to: eliminate all the known patronage positions- the turnpike authority, the Suffolk courthouse, pretty much any assistant or deputy anything- there are many more but this would be a great start. Next damatically restructure the compensation packages of every state employee- market rate salary, medical, disability, 401(k)- even throw in a 5% contribution with an employee option for more. BINGO no more fiscal crisis

Posted by mynameisbob January 5, 09 03:14 PM