It's not as if we all haven't known since the September primaries that come Jan. 2, Althea Garrison would replace Ayanna Pressley on the City Council.
And yet, as one roving UHub photographer discovered today, it seemed like a huge surprise at City Hall. He reports Garrison, her new chief of staff and some friends made their way up to the fifth floor at 12:30 p.m. - as somebody at City Hall told them to - only:
When she got there she was told her swearing in was put off a week, her office was locked and was not ready for her and still had Ayanna Pressley's name on it.
At least Councilor Ed Flynn (South Boston, South End, Chinatown, Downtown), who happened to be there, welcomed her and offered her any help she needed.
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Comments
Cliquey Bullcrap
By anon
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 3:14pm
One of the things I hate about this state. At least Ed Flynn has some class)
The Feds were ready for Ayanna
By Nancy Pelosi
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 3:28pm
They had her name tag and her office ready:
https://twitter.com/AyannaPressley/status/10801712...
Why is Boston so unwelcoming to a transgender person of color?
Were new council members who
By anon
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 3:37pm
Were new council members who are cisgender or not of color welcomed differently?
Well ...
By adamg
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 5:54pm
She was the only new member today.
There are multiple councilors
By SwirlyGrrl
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 6:02pm
And it seems like only one of them wasn't contacted about the change in plans.
No, this only affects her
By adamg
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 8:23pm
Here's the deal: Last year, Bostonians went to the polls and elected four at-large councilors for a two-year term (and nine district councilors, also for a two-year term). One of the at-large councilors then went and got herself elected to Congress, creating a vacancy among the at-large seats. Under the city charter, that councilor's seat went to the fifth-place candidate, who was Garrison.
So since it's the middle of their two-year terms, 12 of the 13 councilors did not have to be sworn in or get a new office. Just Garrison.
It's a different process completely with district councilors, like, oh, Josh Zakim (who, however, did not win his primary for secretary of state, so no biggie, at least in terms of council membership).
That is Ed Flynn in the photo ...
By adamg
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 3:22pm
Doing his best Flash imitation (from experience, I know it's hard to take photos up there, the lighting tends to be terrible).
Ed Flynn
By anon
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 4:35pm
is one of the only politicians in City government who really cares about working class people, Veterans and families. All the rest are a bunch of developer ass kissing turds.
Failed to open the Steno Record of Public Meetings of Council.
By theszak
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 10:18pm
a) [b]Steno Record[/b]
Councilor Flynn did nothing about the hidden Stenographic Record of Public Meetings of Boston City Council a more accurate Document not available for hard of hearing folks, better than flawed inaccurate video captions. More complete than Minutes.
b) [b]Sorted-By-Topic 2018 Roll Call Votes[/b]
Councilor Flynn did nothing to make available online Sorted-By-Topic Roll Call Votes taken in 2018 Public Meetings of Boston City Council.
c) [b]Names of Bordering Streets between neighboring Districts[/b]
Councilor Flynn did nothing to make available for upcoming Redistricting a better online Map clearly delineating the Names of Bordering Streets between adjacent neighboring Districts for folks nearby Bordering Streets.
Did you specifically ask him for these things?
By Waquiot
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 10:59pm
If not, that makes you more of the problem than he is.
Also, most people don't know how to read stenographic notes. I remember this guy who spent years trying to get the stenographic notes of some agency or other and finally got it. He could not make heads nor tails of it. He had the worst time trying to translate it. If Councilor Flynn can get it to you, you might want to track that guy down. He has a very strong presence on the internet. Any time he gets, he goes on about stenographic notes. He's the guy you'll want to talk to.
Decoding Boston City Council?
By theszak
Thu, 01/03/2019 - 6:25pm
Compare a flawed inaccurate .sgstn decoding attempt with flawed inaccurate video captions at http://anopenbostoncitycouncil.blogspot.com/
You must live a very sheltered life
By lbb
Fri, 01/04/2019 - 10:37am
Don, do you ever complain about something that is both significant and relevant to the matter under discussion? All you ever do is post non sequitur comments, and it's frankly very rude.
The photograph and the Photographer!
By theszak
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 5:06pm
Please tell more of the story of the photograph and the Photographer!
Partial answer
By adamg
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 8:26pm
The photograph was taken on the fifth floor of City Hall, in the City Councilor's Warren of Offices (well, they have another name for it, I guess), shortly after 12:30 p.m. As for who took the photo, the photographer asked for anonymity.
News coverage of Boston City Council/Boston City Clerks Offices
By theszak
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 9:45pm
Great news coverage of a difficult to cover organization within city government. Keep up the good work!
She played by the rules
By anon
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 3:50pm
Why did they have to start the new year by insulting her and her staff.
Wow
By bosguy22
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 4:26pm
Who knew such a progressive city would have such an issue with a trans POC. Do better Boston. This is not OK.
It's really not that
By Gary C
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 4:47pm
I think her actions, like nonsensical letters to the editor, have earned her a certain reputation. Whether what happened today was a slight or just an oversight, I can't say. Most of her rep is earned by what she has done and said, and not by her personal characteristics.
Yes, and ...
By SwirlyGrrl
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 6:03pm
It should't matter either way.
Both
By eekanotloggedin
Thu, 01/03/2019 - 11:57am
This is an issue of a queer woman of color being disrespected, which sends clear messages and which I will stand up against for that reason.
But also, I'm not a fan of her behavior and beliefs, particularly as pertains to her really not being a supporter of the queer community. And sure, the mainstream queer community has issues with racism and transphobia, so I get why she might not be exactly in love with it, but she goes above and beyond in just really not being a supporter of us.
The Coup. Angels, Liars, and Thieves by David Scondras
By theszak
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 6:54pm
New books by former City Councilor Scondras are insight even today into practices of Boston City Council. [b]The Coup. Angels, Liars, and Thieves[/b] https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/6904525075
Look for 2nd Editions! of the 4 books series.
david scondras got his computer back?
By bostnkid
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 6:35pm
maybe an old typewriter?
Central Council Staff. Boston City Council.
By theszak
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 5:22pm
The Central Council Staff are the worst bunch of the 90 or so Council Staff. Central Council Staff and Legislative Support Program of Boston City Clerks Offices, page 329 at https://budget.boston.gov/img/pdfs/13-Non-Mayoral-... are responsible for a less democratic organization trying to maintain their administrative control with out of date practices.
Who’s the city council chief of staff?
By Annonie
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 7:52pm
Exactly. This isn’t the responsibility of individual councilors (though kudos to Ed King). There’s a chief of staff who gets paid to manage the office. Turnover in council members seems like a basic responsibility. It’s not like they haven’t known about this since November 7.
Freudian slip?
By John-W
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 9:48pm
"Ed King"? ....chuckle...
(iknowwhatchamean, and agree.)
Council Pres CoS, each Councilor CoS, Central Staff Director
By theszak
Thu, 01/03/2019 - 7:13pm
• Council President Chief-Of-Staff
• Each Councilor's Chief-Of-Staff
• Council Central Staff Director
page 336 at https://budget.boston.gov/img/pdfs/13-Non-Mayoral-...
Or https://data.boston.gov/dataset/employee-earnings-...
An Open Boston City Council http://anopenbostoncitycouncil.blogspot.com/
It Would’ve Been a Major Story If....
By Carmella
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 5:07pm
I wonder what the outcry would be if an outgoing councilor other than Ayanna Pressley kept the doors shut and failed to vacat the office in a timely fashion, locking out incoming Councilor Garrison.
Wait, are you blaming this on Ayanna?
By fungwah
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 5:13pm
Not sure why it would be her responsibility to keep the office open and nameplate updated, given that she doesn't work there anymore.
(edit to add: pretty sure it wouldn't be her responsibility even if she did still work there! Presumably there's a building manager in charge of these things?)
What planet
By SwirlyGrrl
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 6:04pm
I'm still trying to figure out what planet you are reporting from.
Pressley has started a new job.
Her resignation did not take
By Billy jim
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 7:43pm
Her resignation did not take effect until 5pm this afternoon. So legally, I don’t think the new Councilor can be sworn in prior to that.
I would guess
By Waquiot
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 7:17pm
That Congressperson Pressley has forgotten about her time on the City Council by now. That said, since she made a show of her final listening session as a councilor, I think it is safe to say she vacated her offices by now.
I would hope
By anon
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 8:35pm
I would hope that she hasn’t, and that it will help to make her different as a member of Congress. As a (white male) Bostonian, I’m beyond psyched that she’s representing me in the House.
Please
By adamg
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 8:27pm
This has nothing to do with Pressley. It's not a tenant's fault when she moves out and then the landlord fails to give the next tenant the key to the apartment.
The council be like...
By TrophyWifeLinda
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 5:16pm
The council towards Althea is like this woman towards this creepy old man grabbing her at the Christmas Party....
#getoverit
#haverespect
#GLBTQequality
This is a really unfunny
By The Guy
Thu, 01/03/2019 - 8:42am
This is a really unfunny parody you're doing here.
Sigh
By eekanotloggedin
Thu, 01/03/2019 - 12:01pm
Adam, why do you condone accounts that exist to do nothing but transphobic, sexist, racist trolling? This account and a few others like it add nothing of value to the discussions here.
Has Ayanna formally resigned
By Rob
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 5:18pm
Has Ayanna formally resigned yet?
Has the new Congress been sworn in yet?
Imagine if Pressley didn't
By anon
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 6:18pm
Imagine if Pressley didn't resign, and decided to keep her "part time" side job.
Congress sworn in in Thursday the 3rd
By Hardy Har Har
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 7:48pm
Don't know if Ms. Pressley has resigned her council seat yet.
According to an article dated today in the Dorchester Reporter:
"Althea Garrison, the former state representative and incoming city councillor at-large, will be sworn in at the council’s first meeting of the year on Wednesday, Jan. 9. Garrison finished in fifth place in the 2017 municipal elections. Under council rules, if an at-large vacancy appears, the next highest vote getter finishes out the remainder of the term. With Pressley’s move to Congress, Garrison will serve out the next year in the open seat."
https://www.dotnews.com/2019/state-city-federal-of...
According to a post today on the City Council FB page
By Hardy Har Har
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 8:02pm
Ms. Pressley resigned at 5pm today (the letter itself is dated Dec. 12, 2018).
The biggest shocker/non-shocker
By JohnAKeith
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 8:12pm
Amazing that she found any city councilor in the building on a non-meeting day ...
This is uninformed clickbait.
By Max Filth
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 8:39pm
This is uninformed clickbait. Garrison has always been scheduled to be sworn in at the first Council meeting of 2019, which is next Wednesday. Pressley didn’t even formally resign until today at 5 pm.
Why did Pressley wait until
By anon
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 9:15pm
Why did Pressley wait until the last minute to resign? Did she spend the day today working on City of Boston business?
Dignity and respect. Central Council Staff. Boston City Council.
By theszak
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 10:09pm
Any citizen visiting Boston City Council can be given dignity and respect, a routine practice. Regrettably the Central Council Staff aren't like that. Get new Central Council Staff with updated practices, updated technology, updated software. Welcome all visitors with dignity and respect even the denigrated. No more out of date gratuitous practices of Central Council Staff and ingratiated metro journalists.
No more Council Committee Hearings with intimidating setups that limit civic engagement of the less enfranchised in our communities. Add social media for greater civic engagement on Matters before Council Committees that even a trip to City Hall wouldn't necessarily be required to submit ideas, comment, suggestions, questions. For example from a Branch Public Library computer.
[quote][b][i]"...maximize opportunities for citizen input into the Council's Legislative Process."[/i][/b] page 333 at https://budget.boston.gov/img/pdfs/13-Non-Mayoral-... [/quote]
Okay
By anon
Thu, 01/03/2019 - 9:09am
Explain why you clicked since you are so pure?
So, Mayor Walsh wasn't on
By Christine Langhoff
Wed, 01/02/2019 - 8:45pm
So, Mayor Walsh wasn't on hand to welcome our new City Councilor?
I know she's a perennial political gadfly and has spent most of my adult life running for one office or another, either as a Republican, Democrat or Independent. So she got lucky this time.
Treat others the way you'd like to be treated. It's really pretty simple.
Has she ever run as a Dem? I don't think so.
By Jeff F
Thu, 01/03/2019 - 12:54am
I've been voting here my entire adult life, and I could have sworn she's always run as a Republican, or as a conservative Independent. When has she run as a Democrat?
Also/again, is there actually a source that can confirm she was stood up, rather than she made an error wrt scheduling? By her own (proud) public admission, she doesn't do computers or email or 'technology'.
Yes, she has
By adamg
Thu, 01/03/2019 - 10:05am
She's run as a Republican, a Democrat and an independent, although not all at once.She ran as a Democrat last year in the primary for the special election for the state senate seat Linda Dorcena Forry gave up (no surprise, she lost), then as an independent in the November election for state rep in the 5th Suffolk District (she lost).
That's incorrect
By Jeff F
Thu, 01/03/2019 - 11:29am
Both Ballotpedia and the MA Sec of State site say that Nick Collins ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and that Garrison ran as an "Independent Progressive" in the general of that special election.
You are right
By adamg
Thu, 01/03/2019 - 6:38pm
I screwed that up.
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