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July 18, 2006
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Worcester Mayor Tim Murray, a Democrat, just finished an enthusiastic session with Sun editors this morning, where he promoted his city's accomplishments and his run for Lieutenant Governor. Murray is one of three Democrats in the statewide race, and is aiming to raise $1 million to support his effort. He said he'll launch an advertising blitz in mid-August.
I found Mayor Murray to be very likeable, energetic and confident. Also, he's a good listener, after putting up with me for an hourlong question-and-answer session. What impressed me most is that Mayor Murray understands the challenges urban centers face in improving educational opportunities, improving infrastructure and reviving commercial downtown districts. When you think of it, he'd be a good complement to any of the Democratic gubernatorial candidates who've never worked in municipal government.
Worcester is the second largest city in Massachusetts and the third largest in New England. it's annual budget is $457 million, or $177 million more than Lowell's. It educates 25,000 school kids a year. Of course, it has some of the best private colleges in the state within its borders, along with the UMass Medical Center and several hospitals. The operating budgets of the colleges alone amount to $1 billion, which generates an economy in itself. Mayor Murray is now helping to lead a 22-acre renovation of the old downtown mall. Plans call for a commercial/residental project anchored by Twin Towers that will house new bio-tech companies. The total cost of the project is about $550 million, he said. In a lot of respects, Lowell's Hamilton-Canal District plan is a smaller version of Worcester's plan. It would be good if Lowell could get an anchor employer in its own district..
Murray believes the present Republican administration has done little to assist the needs of local communities. He's a big booster of improved commuter rail services, which has allowed many of Worcester's newer residents to find housing in the city and still keep their jobs in outlying areas.
Murray seems to have a bright future. "Government needs to work for the people and someone has to push the bureaucracy to make it work. That's why I'm running for lieutenant governor," said Murray.
Sounds good so far.
Learn more about Tim Murray at
www.TimMurray.org
Posted by JimC at July 18, 2006 11:41 AM
It sounds like Mayor Murray should be running for Governor. he has the experience in working in not only city government, but also the private sector.WHy not have a person outside of 495, it's about time we all get our fair share, I am going to support Tim Murray for Lt Governor.
Posted by: tony at July 20, 2006 10:59 PM
Tony, I agree that Tim Murray sounds like a gubernatorial candidate. He is confident in his managerial abilities and certainly Worcester has a reputation for being a well-run city. The system of government is a hybrid Plan E. Candidates for mayor run for both city council as an at-large candidate and also for mayor. So you can win one seat but lose the other. Worcesterr also has a city managerr who is appointed by the city council. The mayor's repsonsibility is to work with the council to set priorities while the manager handles day-to-day fiscal matters. Murray's resume shows that he has been very busy cultivating new economic development for downtown Worcester. Now I don't know if he gets the credit or what, but it seems as if Worcester has a vision for what it wants to do and is achieving results. My only concern about Murray, and we joked about this while he was here, was that he kept bashing the Romney administration for holding back on releasing more money to cities and towns. I said to Murray that we have created a state where allthe municipalities are so dependent on local aid that we can't accomplish anything on our own. That means keeping public swimming pools open in Lowell to paving streets and improving infrastructure in Groton and Chelmsford. He shrugged a bit, and agreed that we have to reduce the costs of government through better efficiencies. I've been hearing this talk from Democrats for years, and yet they are the free-spenders once they get elected!
Posted by: jim campanini at July 21, 2006 9:52 AM
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