Phelan makes it official: He’ll run again; Union members picket Quincy mayor’s event

Phelan

By DIANA SCHOBERG
The Patriot Ledger

QUINCY - Mayor William Phelan has been in office for more than five years. But at the kick-off last night for his bid for a fourth term, he portrayed himself as someone who continues to fight city hall insiders to stand up for ordinary citizens.

‘‘At the time, the insiders didn’t like it,’’ he said of his win over six-term incumbent James Sheets. ‘‘And you know what? They still don’t like it. And that’s what this election is all about.’’

Phelan told the crowd of supporters that one of his proudest achievements has been helping Quincy students who have reading problems. He also touted achievements like the balanced budget, senior housing and the city’s low crime rate.

The Phelan campaign estimated that about 1,000 people turned out for the event at the Quincy Elks on Quarry Street.

The Massachusetts AFL-CIO sent out a letter last week asking local unions to attend the kick-off to support Phelan. In response, more than 200 teachers, firefighters and other city union employees held an informational picket outside, protesting the fact that they have been working without a contract for nearly 10 months.

‘‘We felt (the letter) was inviting people under false assumptions,’’ said Paul Phillips, president of the teachers union.

Phelan briefly mentioned the picketers during his remarks, thanking his supporters for coming anyway.

Daniel Harding, a Quincy resident and member of the local pipefitters union who was at the event, said he was not aware of the problems city unions have been having until he saw the picketing.

‘‘The mayor has actually been pretty good to the construction trades,’’ he said.

Phelan is being challenged by Tom Koch, who resigned as parks commissioner in January to run.

Copyright 2007 The Patriot Ledger
Transmitted Friday, April 27, 2007