January 7, 2008

Boston--Maureen E. Feeney was reelected today in a unanimous vote of her colleagues as president of the Boston City Council for a second term, making her the longest serving woman Council President in Boston history.

Read the Council President's Inaugural Address

"It has been an honor and a privilege to lead the Boston City Council and I very much look forward to continuing in this role," Feeney said. "In this next year, with renewed energy, I pledge to work with my colleagues to engage the people of Boston more fully in civic life and to make city government more effective and responsive to its citizens."

During her inaugural address today, Council President Feeney announced an initiative to spur civic engagement in the city through a city-wide summit for community groups and their leaders to be held in April. The forum, to be hosted by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority at the Convention Center in South Boston, will also provide support and training for civic activists and will be, "a positive, forward looking event which celebrates the greatness of our city and raises people's expectations and understanding of their government," Feeney said.

Feeney also announced the creation of committee to commemorate the City Council's 100th anniversary next year. The centennial committee will be charged with making recommendations for a stronger and more effective body. Additionally, Feeney said the Council will define a set of collective policy priorities and plans to publish independent research and recommendations in various programmatic areas. She also envisions a stronger role for the Council's Post-Audit and Oversight committee, "to ensure that the funds we appropriate and the legislation that we pass are spent and implemented to the maximum benefit of our citizens." Feeney further announced the creation of a special Council committee focused on historic Boston Common, adding that Councillor Ross will serve as chair and Councillors LaMattina and Linehan as members.

Feeney added, "In the last year, we made important strides in building greater cohesion on the body. We will take that several steps further this year."

Feeney, who was elected unanimously to her first term as Council President in 2007 as only the second woman to serve in the post, will become the longest serving woman Council President in Boston history following her election today. Louise Day Hicks, the first woman to serve as council president, served only one term.

In discussing the Council's accomplishments in 2007, Feeney highlighted the work of her colleagues in bringing crime-solving ShotSpotter technology to Boston, maintaining 24-hour security at Boston Housing Authority buildings and finding additional funds in the FY08 budget for youth outreach and dropout prevention programs. As policy priorities for 2008, Feeney highlighted continuing to build trust between police and the community, improving the Boston public school system, reforming the development and zoning process, and lowering property taxes, particularly for seniors.

The president is elected each year by a majority vote of the thirteen members of the City Council during its first meeting of the year, held on the first Monday in January. This year's meeting was held on January 7, 2007 at 12:00 noon in the Christopher A. Iannella Council Chamber. The president of the Boston City Council is the head of the legislative branch of municipal government and is responsible for committee assignments, directing legislation through the Council and managing the Council's central staff. The Council President also becomes as Acting Mayor should the Mayor leave office.

Feeney, who represents district three in Dorchester, was first elected to the Council in 1993. She has chaired the Council's committee on Government Operations and City and Neighborhood Services and served as Vice President of the Council under then-President Jimmy Kelly.

In the coming weeks, the Council President is expected to release revisions to the City Council Rules and announce committee assignments for 2008.

The prepared text of the Council President's inaugural remarks is available by request from Justin Holmes at 617-635-3455 or Justin.Holmes@cityofboston.gov.

Media Contact: Justin Holmes; Office: 617-635-3455; Cell: 617-347-5667' Justin.Holmes@cityofboston.gov