Mayoral races down to the wire / Mayoral hopefuls face off Tuesday

[Ian David]

Mayoral races down to the wire

By Robert Preer, Globe Correspondent | November 1, 2007

In stump speeches and campaign material, Mayor William J. Phelan of Quincy has stressed his accomplishments: keeping taxes down, strengthening finances, and expanding all-day kindergarten.

But challenger Thomas P. Koch characterizes Phelan's tenure as six years of inaction - on building a new high school, development encroaching on neighborhoods, and increasing drug-related crime.

A similar dynamic is playing out in Brockton: First-term incumbent James E. Harrington claims success in stabilizing city finances and avoiding cuts in services, but challenger Jass Stewart says the mayor could do more to reduce crime and promote development.

While mayors seeking reelection often prove to be easy targets, that is especially true in times of fiscal austerity. Voters on Tuesday will decide whether change is warranted in Quincy and Brockton. They will also fill open mayoral seats in Braintree and Weymouth.

More:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/11/01/mayoral_races_down_to_the_wire/


Also:


Mayoral hopefuls face off Tuesday
Moak, Stiles draw sharp differences

By John Laidler, Globe Correspondent | November 1, 2007

Mayor John F. Moak and his challenger, James A. Stiles, are voicing differences on education, the central waterfront, and other issues as Newburyport's race for mayor moves into the home stretch.

<snip>

Moak appears the favorite based on the preliminary, in which he outpaced Stiles, the second-place finisher, 1,355 to 659 votes.

But Councilor at Large Barry Connell said he believes this year's race has tightened since the preliminary, in part because "Jim Stiles has been running a more effective campaign than most people expected," given his status as a novice candidate.

More:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/11/01/mayoral_hopefuls_face_off_tuesday/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+City%2FRegion+News

[bicentennial_baby]

1. I'm voting for Phelan

:)