Two weeks before Election Day, the eight candidates vying for four at-large City Council seats rehashed their positions on city policies at a forum at the Park Street School on Monday and said universities should contribute to the city by paying property taxes.
Unlike the last two debates, last night’s debate was held in the intimate setting of an elementary school gymnasium. Candidates offered compliments and often agreed with each others’ positions.
City Councilor At-Large Maura Hennigan, who is giving up her seat to run against Mayor Thomas Menino, made an appearance. She mingled with the members of the audience before the debate while her legislative aid Mary Regan handed out campaign party flyers.
John Connolly supporters, who stood outside the school with “Connolly for Council” signs, were the only visible campaigners.
“Connolly has a commitment to education and poverty. He has a strong foothold in all parts of Boston, and I believe he can stitch the city together,” said South End resident Richard Shibley, 46.
Connolly said city property taxes are driving people out of their homes. “The sole source of revenue for the city is property tax,” he said. “It is hard for young people to make a life here.”
He proposed that universities and colleges pay “their fair share of taxes.” Connolly told The Daily Free Press that universities should be able to pay property tax without raising tuition for students.
“I leave that up to the universities,” he said. “I think they have enough in reserve to not have to resort to that.”
Connolly also said he thinks rent control is ineffective. Without rent control policies, he said homeowners have greater opportunities to prosper because they are exempt from taxes if they own a two- or three-family home and can set their own rent prices.
The absence of rent control would not increase property taxes, Connolly added.
Matt O’ Malley, the youngest candidate in the race, said residents should have more say in neighborhood policies.
“Community residents don’t play a strong role in what goes on in their neighborhood,” O’Malley said. “They need to have a voice.”
Incumbent Councilor Stephen Murphy expressed support for Boston University’s Level 4 biolab that will be constructed in the South End.
“There are 5,000 labs in the city,” Murphy said. “I don’t think that BU should be the overriding issue in this race.”
But Sam Yoon, a first-time candidate in the race for City Council, equated the biolab, which would contain strains of lethal diseases, to a maximum security prison, saying that neither belongs in a residential area.
Yoon said Cambridge passed a law to prohibit the construction of Level 4 biolabs in the city.
“Does Cambridge know something we don’t?” he said.
Candidates were allowed to ask questions of each other, but for the most part, did not challenge each other’s views.
With only two weeks remaining before the Nov. 8 election, candidates said they will be campaigning in full force.
Murphy said he plans to solidify his place in the race by airing commercials on cable television.
O’Malley said he will continue shaking as many hands as possible. “I won’t eat, sleep or shower,” he said. “Every hour will be dedicated to convincing everyone I can to vote for me.”v