By Seth Daniel
After a number of forums and debates, both candidates for mayor have hit the streets and the phones in the last remaining days of the campaign in advance of the Nov. 7 City Election.
Two, major mayoral debates took place this month, one in Roxbury and another televised on WGBH, rounding out that phase of the campaigns. Now, it has moved to direct contact with voters as the candidates solidify their differing visions for the city.
Incumbent Mayor Martin Walsh’s campaign said this week that they have pivoted to knocking on doors and making tons of calls to people on the voting lists.
Walsh said he is running on his record of the past four years, and asking voters to allow him more time to work toward his vision for Boston.
“I’m very proud of all we have accomplished in our city in the last four years,” he said. “We’re lifting up our young people, building affordable housing, creating jobs and job training, actively addressing substance use and addiction, and making our city safer — and there is more work to do. I invite everyone in Boston to join me as we recommit ourselves to furthering our work in every school, neighborhood, and workplace. Over the next four years, we’re going to keep fighting to make sure Boston is truly a city for all of us.”
The campaign added that they have participated in at least a dozen neighborhood forums around the city, as well as the major debates.
For the Tito Jackson campaign, the same strategy is being implemented.
Candidate Jackson was seen around the city on Halloween, meeting voters and conversing with kids in Charlestown and at Titus Sparrow Park in the South End.
Last week, the Jackson campaign took a unique step in releasing their own city budget, called “The People’s Budget for Boston.”
“A budget is a value statement,” Jackson said, noting that he is not aware of any other campaign that has released its own budget document. “Where we choose to put your money shows the world what we value.”
For Jackson, he said those values involve disbanding the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA), bringing back and elected School Committee, increasing the power of the City Council, auditing city agencies more frequently and creating a new City Ethics Commission.
Voting begins at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7., and concludes at 8 p.m. Absentee ballots are still available by contacting the Election Department at City Hall.
The Perks of Voting
Voting in the City Election on Nov. 7 this year will have some perks in the South End, courtesy of Washington Gateway Main Street and several area businesses.
Besides heading to the polls because it’s the right thing to do, there are some other surprising benefits to getting your “I voted” sticker. Several local businesses are encouraging Southenders to get out and vote. Here are some South End freebies and discounts that customers with their “I voted” stickers can take advantage of on Election Day:
- Ash and Rose, 10 percent off
- Bark Place, free dog treat
- Bar Mezzana, surprise
- Barre3, one free class
- Blackbird Donuts, free mini donut
- European Wax Center, free brow wax
- Flock, 10 percent off
- Flour Bakery, free small coffee
- Fomu Ice Cream, free mini scoop
- Formaggio Kitchen, free Lakota cookie
- Gifted, 20 percent off
- M. Flynn Jewelry, 10 percent off
- Niche, free 2-inch succulent
- Polka Dog Bakery, free 2 oz. tube of Chicken Littles or Luck Duck treats
- SAULT New England, 20 percent off
- Skoah, free pep talk body lotion
- Table and Tulip, free flower
- Uniform, surprise gift