Our man for District 7

Our man for District 7

The election of a new city councilor for District 7 in Roxbury and Dorchester has become a battle between the community and City Hall.

It is not unusual for a strong mayor to try to gain control of the City Council. A compliant City Council would give the mayor unbridled power.

Mayor Thomas Menino saw his chance to move on the black community when 12 potential candidates announced that they would seek the seat vacated by Gareth Saunders. Undoubtedly, City Hall reasoned that with so many candidates splitting the vote, the candidate with the backing of the mayor's machine would cruise to victory.

Tracy Litthcut, a well respected youth worker for the city, jumped into the race with the apparent backing of the mayor. City workers staffed his campaign effort. Signs popped up throughout the district. According to reports, there was some expectation that City Hall would control the District 7 seat.

This is not to imply that Litthcut is merely Mayor Menino's toady. Litthcut is an honorable man who has worked for years successfully as an employee of the mayor to decrease the involvement of community youth in crime. It just so happens that his views on many subjects of importance to the community comport with those of the mayor. For example, he supports the return to neighborhood schools, a policy which existed prior to the 1974 school desegregation decision.

City Hall underestimated the appeal of Chuck Turner. It would be inaccurate to state that Turner is a newcomer to politics. He has been involved in the political and social affairs of the community for more than 30 years. However, this is the first time he ran for office himself.

After the smoke cleared on primary day Turner had amassed 1,153 votes for 31 percent of the total. Litthcut, with all the help of City Hall, came in a distant second with 590 votes for 16 percent of the total.

The battle is not yet over. On Tuesday, November 2, Turner and Menino's champion will confront each other at the polls, mano a mano. The result will determine whether the community has an independent councilor or one whose philosophy is to go along to get along.

Be sure to register and vote! Much is at stake. Do your duty!