Local leaders too busy to join Marty at annual conference
Dozens of Bay State mayors have so far shunned the muchballyhooed U.S. Conference of Mayors descending on Boston today — the awkward absences coming as host Marty Walsh looks to cement his political clout among big-city leaders from across the nation.
Only 15 of Massachusetts’ 47 mayors have pre-registered for the four-day gathering, according to a tally from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Registration will remain open until Monday, but several notable local mayors confirmed they’ll be no-shows — giving the political equivalent of the “I have to wash my hair” date dodge.
“I just released my budget and that’s where my attention is going to be,” said Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone, though he said he’ll try to stop in.
More than 240 mayors from across the country will be huddling daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Boston’s Marriott Copley Place, a little over 7 miles from Somerville’s City Hall.
“These meetings typically happen in the middle of the municipal budget. That’s probably what the majority of mayors are doing,” said Curtatone, who took a trip to Washington, D.C., yesterday and also has plans to attend his niece’s graduation this weekend.
The annual meeting usually includes a mix of best-practice workshops along with latenight political schmoozing. Attendees can hit up an afterhours party at the glossy, modern District Hall in the Seaport or march with U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and folk-rocker Melissa Etheridge at the Boston Pride Parade.
Hosting the politically wired mixer gives Walsh a chance to showcase his left-leaning bona fides on climate change, affordable housing and other issues in front of pols and celebs in what is a predominantly Democratic group, even though it bills itself as nonpartisan.
Despite the ritzy attractions a short drive down Interstate 93, Haverhill Mayor James Fiorintini said he’s also unlikely to attend.
“I probably can’t make it,” said Fiorintini, who rushed to add that he’s “proud of Marty Walsh.”
“I’ve been going for over 15 years and I’m going to try, but probably not,” he said.
Even outreach from Hizzoner himself couldn’t sway some leaders, including Fiorintini and Curtatone.
Walsh “has been very engaged and writing people,” said Curtatone, himself a wellknown progressive mayor who has championed sanctuary cities. “He probably understands more than anybody what we’re up against.”
Laura Oggeri, a spokeswoman for Walsh, said the city is paying roughly $12,000 for promotional materials such as notebooks, pens and mints at the event. The meeting is otherwise almost entirely paid for by sponsors. No Boston Police Department overtime was scheduled as of yesterday.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors represents cities with a population of 30,000 or larger, according to its website. However, the site also offers membership to communities with less than 30,000 for an annual fee of $1,992. All mayors can attend the annual meetings.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch will be among the no-shows.
“I can’t make it,” said Koch, who is currently at odds with Walsh over the reconstruction of Long Island bridge over Boston Harbor.
“Too much going on locally,” Koch said.