The
Enterprise
Posted Nov 02, 2009 @ 11:00 AM
Last update Nov 02, 2009 @ 11:38 AM
BROCKTON —
Since Brockton’s last mayoral election,
our region has been battered by the national
economic maelstrom. The city and its
residents have suffered more severely than
most from home foreclosures and lack of
available jobs.
City residents and local business owners
remain fearful for their personal safety.
Major developments have stalled, gone
bankrupt or fallen into foreclosure. Any new
economic development seems to have happened
by chance or circumstance rather than by
plan.
At a time when unity was paramount, City
Hall mishandled several incidents that
divided the city, most notably the flawed
school superintendent search and
reorganization of the city’s economic
development group.
And the city administration has remained
insular and isolated from innovative
approaches to problem solving.
While incumbent Mayor James Harrington
has kept this ship of government afloat and
basic services functioning through the storm
— and he deserves credit for closing a $25
million budget gap without harming public
service or hampering city functions — not
enough has been accomplished to aim Brockton
toward a brighter future.
Positive ideas, inclusive strategies and
a motivated citizenry are the currency the
city needs to build a better Brockton in the
months and years to come. We believe Linda
Balzotti will work to achieve those goals
and re-energize her hometown. We endorse her
candidacy for mayor.
Balzotti, a six-term city councilor and
public information officer at Bridgewater
State College, has spoken eloquently about
the power of pride in one’s heritage and the
accomplishments that can grow from seeds of
hope and perseverance.
She’s an experienced elected official
who isn’t afraid to admit she doesn’t have
all the answers. What she does have is an
open-mindedness about bringing others to the
table — people with ideas, knowledge and
skills that can help formulate plans and
solutions.
For many years, the city’s chief
financial officer, John A. Condon, has
guided neophyte and veteran mayors alike
through good times and bad. His steady hand
and effective financial stewardship have
kept Brockton’s books balanced when many
communities with broader resources have gone
down in flames.
Wisely, Balzotti has indicated her
appreciation of Condon’s significant
contribution to the city and a commitment to
keeping him in place.
The next mayor will need to negotiate
fairly but firmly with the city’s unions,
keep spending in check and accelerate
development of sustainable businesses. The
next mayor will need to open the doors and
windows of City Hall to new ideas, new
people and fresh approaches to problem
solving.
The next mayor will need strength of
purpose, wise counsel and a respectful and
supportive partnership with the City Council
to accelerate Brockton’s re-emergence as a
robust community.
We believe Balzotti can be that mayor.