E-Mail This Article to a Friend Voters' Guide (continued)
	Voters' guide questions 1) Rate Mayor Tom Menino’s handling of negotiations with city unions. 2) Would you back a plan to import prescription drugs from Canada for city employees? 3) Name one budgetary item for which you would promise to protect funding for the next fiscal year — and why? 4) What role can the council play in making sure the city impresses the nation during next year’s Democratic National Convention? 5) Do you support a return to neighborhood schools? How can this best be accomplished? 6) It looks like we may be going through yet another round of talks about the Red Sox moving to a new stadium in South Boston. Where do you stand on the location of the ballpark and whether any public funds ought to be spent on such a project? 7) The Supreme Judicial Court is going to issue a ruling in the Goodridge case — in which the plaintiffs seek the right of civil marriage for same-sex couples — any day now. The ruling, regardless of what it is, is widely expected to generate controversy. What will you do, as an elected official, to show leadership on the day the ruling is announced?

Patricia White, at-large challenger

1) The mayor has been tough but fair in negotiating with city unions.

2) I support the hearings proposed by Councilor Michael Ross to analyze the viability of importing prescription drugs from Canada in order to reduce the cost of health-care benefits paid by the city and city employees. However, it is important that we keep an eye on the safety of such drugs because we do not want sacrifice the quality of our health care.

3) School funding must be protected in order to maintain the progress we are making with our schools. It is also essential that we ensure that resources devoted to public safety and other basic city services are protected as well.

4) The Democratic National Convention is an extremely exciting opportunity to showcase the city of Boston on a national stage. The city needs to invest to ensure that all required city services such as transportation and public safety are provided during the convention. The city should work to ensure that there is wide participation from all of Boston’s neighborhoods during the convention-planning process. Finally, because of the additional state revenue the convention will generate through the sales tax, the state should contribute its fair share of the funds to support the Democratic National Convention.

5) Neighborhood schools present exciting possibilities for education in this city by increasing parental involvement, building community, and reducing transportation costs that can be reinvested in the classroom. However, we must ensure that we do not sacrifice the quality of education our children receive across every neighborhood. Striking a balance of these two concerns is complex and requires input from many constituencies. Therefore, we need to proceed cautiously on this issue.

6) The city should work with the Red Sox ownership to make Fenway Park as economically viable as possible at its current site. This plan includes supporting renovation similar to changes made over the last year, such as the new Monster seats and the rehabilitation of Yawkey Way. The city can support these projects, but it should not do so with direct public funds.

7) I will stand with the other leaders of this city for the rights of Boston residents. I will be a strong advocate for the civil liberties of the gay and lesbian community.

Paul Scapicchio, District One incumbent

1) Mayor Menino’s administration has handled a complex and important issue with an even hand. I am confident that the city’s employees will ultimately be awarded with a fair and equitable contract that is commensurate with the outstanding work they do.

2) Yes.

3) It is essential that we continue to provide educational opportunities for our young people. As a result, protecting the Boston Public School budget would of paramount importance to me. We’ve made a lot of progress in keeping families in our system, and I wouldn’t want to jeopardize that progress.

4) This is going to be an enormous undertaking, and successfully hosting the DNC is going to be predicated on a collaborative effort among different groups both public and private. The city council is in a position to facilitate the effort to ensure that attendees are accommodated, that the best the city has to offer is made accessible to them, that transportation services run smoothly, and that residents aren’t impacted by the influx of conventioneers or the changes that the city will adopt during that week to ensure that the city successfully meets the demands of attendees and visitors alike.

5) I strongly support the return to neighborhood schools. Neighborhood schools become sources of community pride. In turn, parental involvement increases and education in our city improves.

6) With the success that the team has enjoyed, the addition of new seats over the Green Monster in left field, the installation of new roof box seats throughout Fenway Park, and the construction of a new picnic area behind the center-field concourse, any discussion of a new Fenway would appear to be moot at this time. From all accounts, the ownership triumvirate of Mr. Luccino, Mr. Warner, and Mr. Henry appears to be making a significant commitment to Fenway Park.

7) I would seek to facilitate continued discourse on the subject among individuals on both sides of the issue with the hopes of reaching a point of consensus, if possible.

Ken Fowler, District One challenger

Attempts by the Phoenix to reach Ken Fowler were unsuccessful.

James Kelly, District Two incumbent, running unopposed

1) They haven’t happened yet, so the jury’s still out on that one.

2) I don’t think I could oppose that. I think that’s going to happen, and as long as they’re good, solid, safe prescription drugs, and would be helpful for the city of Boston, especially for the elderly, I think I would support that.

3) It would have to be police-department budgets and fire-department budgets, both dealing with public safety.

4) I think just being at the events where the conventioneers are, showing them that the elected officials of the city work well together. The city councilors could do that, and I certainly intend to do that along with all 12 of my colleagues.

5) Of course, of course. Everyone with common sense wants neighborhood schools. It’s simply a matter of the mayor calling his handpicked people from the school committee, telling them to start now to implement the policy, and it would take effect in September of the year 2004 — I don’t think we ought to disrupt this year’s school session. Not so much for neighborhood schools because I’m not sure there are enough neighborhood schools at this point to satisfy the needs of the neighborhood. But I would argue to send the kids to schools closest to their homes. And those schools that are subpar, I would grill [Boston Public Schools] superintendent [Thomas] Payzant to find out why, when he has more money than God, are there schools in Boston that are subpar?

6) My position is hopefully as clear as I can possibly make it that I am adamantly, strongly opposed to the relocation of the Boston Red Sox to the South Boston waterfront. There’s no public money. A couple of years ago, I was open to the idea because there was $100 million on the table that the state legislature had committed to the Fenway neighborhood for infrastructure improvements. If that money committed to the Fenway could be transferred to the South Boston waterfront for infrastructure improvements, then I’d be open-minded.

7) I’ve got to voice my disagreement with the ruling if the ruling allows same-sex marriages.

Maureen Feeney, District Three incumbent, running unopposed

1) Unfortunately, the administration has not built enough good faith with the unions for the unions to understand fully the city’s financial predicament. Past generous contracts cannot be a measure of the city’s present ability to pay. The use of any present surplus to cover raises for the current year does nothing to fund contracts in subsequent years and could harm the city’s long-term fiscal situation. I would advise the mayor to negotiate in good faith, to convey accurately the city’s financial situation, and to be open to creative ways to reach settlement on the outstanding contract. I would advise the unions also to negotiate in good faith, and to make reasonable proposals that help solve our fiscal problems.

2) In the next few weeks, the Boston City Council will be taking this matter up for discussion in the Health and Human Services Committee, where we will gather more information regarding the pros and cons of supporting such a change in public policy. This and potential legal problems aside, importing drugs from Canada is not a long-term solution to the high cost of prescription drugs. Canada’s price-control structure relies on the drug companies for supply. It is hard to imagine that they will just continue to ship to Canada the quantity of drugs necessary to supply the growing number of Americans who are availing themselves of this option.

3) I believe that we must make sure that we adequately fund the police department so that we do not start losing the gains we have made over the last several years in the fight against crime. Boston deservedly gained a national reputation for its efforts, and the resulting drop in the crime rate is a major reason behind Boston’s recent renaissance. We need an adequate number of officers to staff our neighborhood-policing efforts and continue further the progress we have made.

4) Beyond the usual steps of making sure our streets are paved and clean, we should insist that all Bostonians who wish to will have an opportunity to benefit from the presence of the convention. We should also make sure that there will be opportunities for delegates and other visitors to see our neighborhoods beyond downtown.

5) I do support neighborhood schools, as does the vast majority of parents. But we need to recognize that there are not presently enough schools in appropriate sites throughout the city. These buildings cannot appear overnight, so we should inventory other city properties to learn if they can be converted into schools. In my own district, I was able to participate in an effort by the principal of the Murphy School, parents, the school department, and the administration to develop the neighborhood-school concept there housing kindergarten through grade eight. We have been able to demonstrate that establishing a neighborhood school can be accomplished within present budget constraints. While there are still transportation issues for some students, the construction of three new schools nearby should substantially address this issue. Regardless of other policies in developing neighborhood schools, there must be provisions for parents to utilize any school of their choice as long as seats are available.

6) If any such plans are proposed, my guiding principles in reviewing them will be to consider the appropriateness of the site, the impact on the surrounding communities, and the wishes of the neighborhoods most affected by any such stadium. It is my belief that public funds ought not be directly spent on such a project.

7) As soon as the ruling is made, I will immediately study it, try to measure its impact, prepare myself to be fully conversant in its implications, stand ready to help my constituents understand it, and be prepared to support legislative efforts that may be necessary to respond to the decision.

Charles Yancey, District Four incumbent

1) I believe that Tom Menino’s handling of the unions has been poor. He has not been consistent and has abruptly cut out negotiations at critical points.

2) Yes, I would back a plan to import prescription drugs from Canada if we can verify the safety of these drugs.

3) I will fight to protect funding of the Boston Public Schools. I believe that we do not adequately fund our schools. An effective investment in the schools now will help our children succeed in the future.

4) The Boston City Council can help the city impress the nation by effectively negotiating the fiscal year 2005 budget and passing meaningful legislation, which may be emulated around the country.

5) I believe that increased participation of parents within our schools should be encouraged.

6) My preference is to keep the Red Sox at its current location. However, if the alternate site in South Boston wins support from local residents, I will reconsider. I do not favor using public funds on this project.

7) I will encourage the public to be respectful of every resident of Boston and not to discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation.

Ego Ezedi, District Four challenger

1) Fairly.

2) Yes.

3) Public safety — police-staffing funding would be increased, to increase police classes.

4) Rather than seeking photo ops for themselves, bring some of the influential people into the neighborhoods, such as District Four, to use their restaurants and other amenities rather than having all monies spent go downtown.

5) Parents should have a choice for a neighborhood school, along with busing, is what I support.

6) I believe that a little public funding should be appropriated for, for example, infrastructure support — but outside of that, no public monies for sports venues. Location: keep the park in Boston, working closely with the community’s input.

7) My leadership is expressed every day by my support of civil same-sex unions.

Rob Consalvo, District Five incumbent, running unopposed

1) While I am not involved with the negotiations currently under way, I believe that city employees deserve a fair wage and that the city must do everything possible to make sure they are compensated properly.

2) I support exploring new ways to provide cheaper prescription drugs for city employees.

3) I will continue to fight to preserve appropriate staffing levels in Boston’s police and fire departments. It is important to keep our commitment to public safety to ensure that Boston’s neighborhoods are safe places in which to live, work, and raise a family.

4) I believe that the council can play an important role in showcasing our neighborhoods for those involved with the Democratic National Convention. I plan to make sure that some delegates, at least, have the opportunity to see what my district has to offer.

5) Yes, I support a return to neighborhood schools. I applaud the city’s efforts to build three new schools, and I think we must continue to build schools in the neighborhoods that need them so that every child has an opportunity to walk to school. At the same time, I think some element of choice should be maintained for those parents who desire it.

6) I am not aware of any serious plan that is under consideration to move Fenway Park from its current location. If a plan were put forth, I would address it at that time.

7) I am already on record as supporting civil unions and domestic partnerships, and I support extending domestic-partnership benefits to same-sex couples. I would reaffirm that support publicly.

John Tobin, District Six incumbent

1) I know there are at least 30 unions with expired contracts. The pressure is on. Clearly, much more can be done. I do support raises, and I would like to see this taken care of sooner rather than later, before we have potential work stoppages from those unions that do allow strikes. But it’s really unfair of me to comment without being in the room myself.

2) I’m reluctant to support it right now basically because it’s illegal. I want to make sure that the drugs that people are buying from over the border are safe for people. The Justice Department has made it clear that it will come down on cities and towns that start to do that. I don’t want to help put the city in peril.

3) The arts. I’ve already gone on record as saying that if there’s not money added to the arts budget next year then I will not support the budget — I will vote against the city budget. It’s been two years in a row now we’ve seen cuts to the arts. It’s unacceptable and as chair of [the[ Arts and Humanities [and Tourism Committee] and as a friend to many artists across the city, I just can’t allow that to happen.

4) I think the best thing I can do is act as a sort of ambassador when the delegates and the national media come out to West Roxbury. I think this convention, if it’s done right, it’s going to lose money. But the thing that you hope for from a gathering like this is that you’ll impress a delegate from Colorado or Alabama so much, they might decide to vacation here the next few years. I think we’re looking more for the residual effects.

5) I think the best way to accomplish that is that any plan has to be sold citywide. We’re going to start looking at diversity as much more than black and white. Boston’s a new city — it’s Latino, it’s Asian, it’s economic background, it’s sexual orientation, it’s religion, it’s a lot of those things. We have asked the school department — they want to expand the current school districts — when they have those meetings, bring the appointed school committee out to those meetings. It has to be sold citywide. I want to be able to give people the opportunity to go to school in their neighborhood, but I don’t want to take away that right, if someone lives in Roxbury and they go to school in South Boston, in Chinatown, and they like that school — we’ve got to find a way to keep that option open as well.

6) The only public funds that should be spent on it are similar to what the state spent out in Foxborough. [Patriots owner] Bob Kraft spent his own money, but the state did come in with highway improvements and off-ramps and infrastructure things. I don’t represent the waterfront, I don’t represent South Boston, but I like the location — I’m talking about the McCourt location. Look, I worked at Fenway for a couple of years, I’m a gigantic Red Sox fan, but Fenway Park was built in 1912. It was built when the average person was five feet tall. It has outlived its usefulness, and I dare anybody to tell me, short of sitting in the 406 Club or some of the luxury seats, tell me if they find it acceptable to sit out in right or left field facing the Monster, sitting at a 45-degree angle in seats that were made 100 years ago.

7) I think the best thing I can do is to state what I’ve always stated — I support civil unions. Who am I to say who loves each other and who should marry each other?