Today’s Herald reports that the holders of numerous critical city jobs have quit and haven’t been replaced. So, in addition to the well-known lack of a permanent police commissioner, there is no homeland security czar, no fire commissioner, and no schools superintendent. Seth Gitell, the ex-Phoenix reporter who signed on as Menino’s press secretary and who quit in June, also has not been replaced. The Herald says that this is the first time these posts have all been vacant simultaneously.
Menino says it “takes time” to get the right people into these jobs. Which kind of begs the question: why are people leaving in droves in the first place?
A law enforcement source close to [departing homeland security director Carlo] Boccia said he was driven out of the job because the mayor micromanaged every decision made by the Homeland Security Office during monthly meetings. He felt he was being undermined by the mayor, said the source. It was hard to get the job done. …
He likes to have total control, said Barry Mullen, a longtime Dorchester community activist who has threatened to sue the city over historically low police staffing levels. Ive always respected Tom Menino, but he went from being the neighborhood mayor to the downtown mayor. He lost his vision, Mullen said.
Maybe four four-year terms in this – or any – office isn’t such a great idea after all. More on that soon….
First things first, I always say. See here. Worry about the shootings later.