Boston Courant: Endorsement

Who would have thought that Mayor Thomas Menino would be considered a financial genius? Compared to most mayors, governors and corporate CEOs, he is.

We know him as the “urban mechanic” concerned about every pothole, empty building and homeless person. Now we know him as a brilliant budgeter of the city’s funds.

The economic meltdown has destroyed some cities and has harmed many, including Boston. Menino’s prudent approach to city finances over his many years as mayor has insulated Boston from wholesale layoffs and decimating cuts in social services. His stewardship of the city’s bond rating, which is one of the highest for any municipality in this country, has literally saved millions in interest payments and will provide the basis for growth when the economy improves.

This reason alone would be enough to warrant our endorsement. An equal reason to vote for Menino is his ability to stay vitalized. The city’s development of the just-released iPhone application, Citizen’s Contact, will revolutionize the reporting and repair of potholes, graffiti, burned-out streetlights and other annoyances. His alliance with private financial institutions to prevent home foreclosures will soon become a national model. His attempts to bring the Boston public school system from the dark ages into the 21st century, while slower than even he or we would like, has won international praise.

We urge you to vote for Mayor Thomas Menino’s reelection.