Exactly three months from today, Boston will play host to the Democratic National Convention – the party’s biggest bash in four years and an event that is assured to bring Boston prestige and future tourism dollars.

Convention planners and city officials have been planning for the event for about a year and a half now, but there are still some finishing touches that need attention. In 91 days, the city will be overrun with politicians, members of the media, tourists and delegates from across the country, and if things continue on the current path, the convention may go off with quite a few hitches.

Top city officials and politicians need to work together in order to ensure the convention’s success. Both Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Gov. Mitt Romney need to set the proper example and act as the true leaders the people elected.

Nearly 30 unions are threatening to protest – including the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association – if they can’t reach a compromise with Menino before the convention begins. Menino and the unions have hit a wall, but both sides must find a middle ground and reach a compromise for the sake of the convention after months and months of negotiating and arguing. Both the DNC and Menino cannot afford additional protestors outside the convention, and the unions cannot afford another four years of George W. Bush.

While the convention will provide the unions with an ample opportunity to gain media attention for their cause, it could instigate supplementary negative attention around the DNC and ultimately hurt the unions. It is in the unions’ best interest to have a Democratic president in office – specifically Kerry, as he has said he plans to further union initiatives. The DNC will attract large amount of media attention and protesters outside will only take away from the convention and away from the positive press for the host city. Because it is in no one’s best interest for unions to protest outside the convention, both sides must work hard to find some middle ground for the betterment of all.

Romney himself also must work on his manners and work on being a gracious host – he has not seemed welcoming to the convention thus far. The governor must set an example and act as a good ambassador during the convention. He must put his political ideology aside and work with Menino to create the most amicable atmosphere for the convention, as it should benefit both the city and the state. As we have said before, Romney must follow the example set by Pennsylvania Mayor Edward Rendell, a Democrat, who during the 2000 Republican National Convention set aside his political beliefs and worked with the state’s governor and convention planners to host a successful event.

While many critics of the convention have complained about the city’s poor convention planning, which has led to the planned closure of Interstate 93 for a majority of the DNC, a number of things must be done before the city will be ready for the convention, and if arranged appropriately, the city will stand to greatly benefit from the convention.

While a recent think tank at Suffolk University has cited that the convention will actually cost the city $12.8 million, the convention should ultimately attract future tourists and generally improve Boston’s image. Until the convention actually takes place, it will be impossible to accurately estimate just how much money will be brought in or taken out. If the event is planned appropriately and city officials take the time and put in a concerted effort to clean the entire city and use the convention to put Boston in a positive light for the national media, the convention could bring in a tremendous amount of income in the future.

But Boston must be cleaned and prepared to host an enormous number of guests. Increasing the city’s visual appeal will only help the city in the future, as an attractive Boston will only appeal to a greater number of visitors considering a possible return. But the city must also use this convention to benefit the entire city. A significant number of people will be greatly burdened by the convention’s presence. The city will be bogged down not only by the closure of a main artery, but also by the huge number of people coming to town to witness the event. No doubt, the convention will be beneficial to the political community, but it must also prove beneficial to the rest of the community – those who will also suffer from it. Any money that is brought in from the convention must be spent wisely and politicians must not be the only ones who benefit.

The convention will also present a number of opportunities for students to volunteer in countless areas. Boston University has already begun the process of increasing student involvement by offering a summer program for students to actually cover the DNC, but students must take the initiative and volunteer on their own. BU stands to benefit economically as well, as it has offered up nearly 200 rooms in the Student Residences at 10 Buick St. for the occasion – a gesture that will not only increase the public’s awareness of BU and better relations between city officials and the university. BU has taken the right action by offering up its services as the gesture will only stand to benefit the university – both economically and academically.

But in order for the 2004 “political Olympics” to take place without a hitch, all sides must work together and compromise for the betterment of the entire city. The convention stands to benefit all of Boston and bring the city and all those involved a tremendous esteem. But in order for that to take place, a compromise must be reached and the best interests of the city and its residents must be put first.