As if the changes and cuts to Boston's community-center based daycare and pre-kindergarten programming was not enough, it now appears that some additional critical staffing at some community centers is also being cut.

The large community center "clusters," those centers that were joined at the hip for management purposes (2, 3, and 4 buildings in some instances) are cutting their "assistant cluster administrator" position. While that may sound a tad administratively heavy, these people are often the equivalent of a ship's executive officer of "chief of the boat," and are irreplaceable.

Mike Ball and I had breakfast with Pressley this morning in JP (at Doyle's, of course). He does an excellent job summarizing the discussion so go read his account. Basically, Pressley is bright and personable and well versed in the ways of government, which would help tremendously in the consensus building she says are vital to the city, but at some point, she'll need to take some specific stands on issues.

Chris Kulikoski of the North End said today he'd been certified for the ballot this fall for the city council seat now held by Sal LaMattina.

Kulikoski, a former teacher who now runs the Mazzaro Family Market on Salem Street in the North End, was to formally announce his candidacy at party at Joe's American Bar and Grill tonight:

It is time that city government was better attuned to the working people, families and retirees of the city. Being a city councilor means representing everybody and looking out for the specific needs of each neighborhood – not catering to the well-connected.

He pointed to neighborhood schools, public safety, the structure of the city council and cleaner streets and parks as his major issues.

Campaign Web site.

The city council president is proposing legsilation that would let people who live in foreclosed properties continue to stay there as long as they pay "full market value rent" each month - until the property is sold.

... Foreclosures and evictions lead to abandoned properties. Banks have left over 1,000 properties abandoned in Boston, having catastrophic impacts on neighborhoods. These abandoned homes provide easy opportunities for crime. They become homes for squatters and drug dealers, and lead to crashing property values and skyrocketing crime rates.

The foreclosure crisis also tears apart the fabric of our communities. In March, I took a tour of the Four Corners area of Dorchester with people who'd been affected by foreclosure. The stories I heard that day were not of irresponsible homeowners, but of predatory lending practices that made it impossible for these hardworking individuals and families to keep their property. ...

Wicked Local Allston/Brighton reports two people have pulled papers to run against incumbent district Councilor Mark Ciommo.

No, not that one. The community activist whom David Bernstein reports is running for an at-large city council seat (hmm, would it be quicker at this point to just list Boston residents who aren't running?). He also writes that Sal LaMattina could have competition in East Boston, Charlestown and the North End.

Wicked Local West Roxbury reports that City Councilor John Tobin (West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain) is, with a partner, opening a comedy club at the Charles Playhouse.

The Dorchester Reporter reports councilors Sam Yoon and John Tobin hold an emergency hearing tomorrow afternoon on the fate of workers at pre-school and after-school programs at city community centers, who could lose funding for their jobs under Mayor Tom Menino's current budget plans.

Kevin McCrea reports he's registered to run for both mayor and city council.

He says he'd rather run for mayor, but he wants to make sure his voice is heard this fall and just in case he decides he can't raise enough money to run for mayor, he'll try for an at-large council seat:

My first priority is to be elected Mayor and give the citizens of Boston the honest and accountable leadership they deserve. However I am the first to admit that I do not have the same access to money and special interest influence that my opponents have. They are all entrenched politicians who have been involved in 'go along to get along' back room deals that have favored insiders at the expense of the public. I still want the opportunity to change this city, and that is why I am keeping the option of running for City Council open.