Janey leads, despite leftover problems, new challenges
Politics has always been very much a contact sport, especially in Boston. It can get bloody and often does. But I don’t think it’s too much to ask for a modicum of fairness in our mayoral race.
I remember when Tom Menino became acting mayor in July 1993. Passing the baton from Mayor Ray Flynn to Council President Menino was practically seamless, without much criticism. Contrast that with the transition of power from former Mayor Marty Walsh to Acting Mayor Kim Janey — chaotic at best and with many things left undone by the former mayor.
Though unintentional, a considerable burden was passed to Janey, beyond the Boston Police Commissioner scandal, a school committee in turmoil, a committee on the problems associated with Mass and Cass that hasn’t operated in two years — and I’m sure more will come to light.
She’s handled it well and still put her imprimatur on the office. Janey also managed to pass a budget with the support of her colleagues on the city council who voted her president of that body.
In my opinion, Janey has been slammed for much of her four months in office — most often by her rival candidates. But in the race for money she raised more than a million in campaign funds in a third of the time it took the other candidates. That says something about respect for the process and not simply resting on her laurels as acting mayor. She has consistently been in a dead heat with one of her rivals — topping the two polls that have been released.
Menino was not happy with the title “acting mayor” — and with good reason. He was doing the job of mayor. So is Janey.
Janey took some heat for associating vaccine passports with slavery — hyperbole perhaps, but the core of her argument was sound. Needing papers and passes to be permitted to travel is part of a very sad time in Black and American history. Others have written about the potential for vaccine passport mandates to be exclusionary.
I don’t think anyone can understand “exclusion” unless they have lived it. Women of all races understand the concept well. As a Black woman, Janey has certainly lived it on a couple of fronts. She’s overcome it and knows it when she sees it, with all its potential. She’s worked all her life to combat inequities. I say that’s a good thing for our city — especially if we are committed to a fair Boston and a just society.
The naming of Janey as acting mayor lifted Boston’s image across the country. There is no doubt the nation will be watching to see how fairly a competent Black woman who is already in the mayor’s seat is treated.