Boston Mayorfest 2009: Chelsea

Bostonist is asking the local and nearby mayors and city-managers the following question:

Is there anything in particular you'd like to see -- or hope to see -- with the next (or "next," depending) mayor of Boston?

Here's what Jay Ash -- the City Manager of Chelsea -- had to say:

It is not my place to try to insert myself into Boston politics, but you asked and I will share with you this perspective. I hope the next mayor of Boston, whomever he should be, will continue to be the leader on issues facing municipalities like Mayor Menino has. From local finance to regionalism to public safety to development, Mayor Menino has consistently provided outstanding leadership on the efforts the rest of us have needed a champion to pursue. The fact of the matter is that few care to listen to the City Manager from Chelsea, but everyone wants to hear from the Mayor of Boston. His pursuasive arguments and tactical efforts on behalf of local aid, health insurance reform, community policing and the Urban Ring, among many other items, has open the door for the rest of us to be heard. A concrete example is his personal, repeated participation in the Metro Mayors Coalition, the group of mayors and managers from around Greater Boston who have collaborated to advance regional planning, purchasing and policy pursuit. Frankly, if I was the Mayor of Boston, I'm not sure I'd spend as much time as he does discussing and listening to the City Manager from tiny Chelsea. But he has, and is the reason our group has enjoyed the success we have on such a wide and important agenda.

I know and admire Sam Yoon and appreciate Mike Flaherty's leadership record, so I am not suggesting that one of those men shouldn't be the next mayor. What I am saying is I hope that the next mayor continues to realize that it is in Boston's best interest to consider and be a leader in Greater Boston, just not the City of Boston, because it is the only way to ensure that Boston will, in fact, be a greater place to live, work and visit.

Previously: Sam Yoon Has Something to Share.