Press Release: Mayor Menino, hundreds of supporters rally to energize neighborhoods before Election Day

For Immediate Release                                            

For More Information Contact:
Mayor Menino’s Campaign, 617-367-1900

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Celebrate city’s diversity, Mayor’s vision for moving Boston forward

With just one full day remaining before Election Day, Mayor Thomas M. Menino joined supporters at two community rallies, bringing together leaders and community members from some of Boston’s most diverse neighborhoods.  At Hibernian Hall in Roxbury, Mayor Menino was welcomed by hundreds of eager supporters from Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan.  The Mayor then joined over one hundred supporters in Jamaica Plain for a get out the vote rally at Bella Luna Restaurant.

Ralph C. Martin, II, who spoke to the crowds at both Hibernian Hall and Bella Luna, said “As the former Suffolk County District Attorney and a parent of a child in the Boston Public Schools, I appreciate the progress Mayor Tom Menino has made in making our streets safer and our schools better.  His passion, energy and effective leadership makes him the right person to keep the job going!”

“Mayor Thomas M. Menino leads with his heart and has an unwavering commitment to seniors, youth and the residents of our communities,” local elderly services advocate Catherine Hardaway added.  “His love for this great city and its people has transformed and shaped individual communities and the City of Boston as a whole. I call him: ‘The People’s Mayor’.”

The community rally at Hibernian Hall featured singing from the Charles Street Gospel Choir as well as performances by Elder Clarence Powell and jazz recording artist Andre Ward.  With Coach Willie Maye serving as MC, other guests included Representatives Marie St. Fleur, Jeff Sanchez, and Byron Rushing, Sheriff Andrea Cabral, former Representative Shirley Owens-Hicks, Reverend Greg Groover, Reverend Jeffrey Brown, Bob Gittens, Alfreda Harris, Carol Fulp, Horace Smalls, and Clayton Turnball.

“Our campaign and this election are about the future of our city and improving the quality of life for all of the people of Boston,” Mayor Menino said.  “Let’s make the most of the next two days, so we can create new partnerships, improve our schools, make our streets safer, and build on a history of innovation.  But we can’t do this alone.  I need your help and I am asking for your vote.  I know you have already accomplished a lot for our campaign.  But I am asking you to sprint to the finish.”

Kaithie Mainzer, owner of Bella Luna Restaurant, hosted the Jamaica Plain get out the vote Rally at her restaurant.  Special guests to the rally included Ralph Martin, Sheriff Andrea Cabral, Representatives Jeff Sanchez and Liz Malia, Claudio Martinez, and local community organizer and business owner Charlie Rose.

The rallies capped off a busy weekend of campaign activities that included a “Women for Menino” standout in West Roxbury, trick-or-treating with hundreds of children at the Strand Theatre in Uphams Corner, and church visits in Mattapan and the South End.

 

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