Murphy Elected to Lead City Council

At-Large City Councilor Stephen Murphy was unanimously elected by the council Monday to serve another two-year term as the body’s president. After being elected Murphy immediately appointed Charlestown City Councilor Sal LaMattina to serve another two-year term as his vice president.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to again lead the body,” said Murphy. “I’m also humbled by the unanimous vote and look forward to moving forward with the budget and getting to work on innovative ideas to soften the blow of potential federal and state cuts.”

Murphy was first elected Council President in 2011 after serving as Chairman of Ways and Means. His experience overseeing the city’s budget prepared him for the difficult task of doing more with less over these next two years of uncertain fiscal times.

LaMattina, who was touted as one potential Council President candidate declined to run for the seat and threw his support behind Murphy.

“He has done a great job leading the body over the last two years I think he will do the same over the next two years,” said LaMattina.

LaMattina, who supported Murphy for Council President in 2011, was again appointed to serve as vice president Monday.

“I’m honored to again be chosen by Council President Murphy to help him lead the city council,” said LaMattina. “I believe that politics is about helping people. I have worked in these neighborhoods for most of my life helping people.  When I was first elected my family and friends understood that being a Boston City Councilor would allow me to continue helping people and making a difference in a City that I am proud to call home.”

A lifelong resident of E. Boston, LaMattina is a product of the Boston Public Schools and graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.  He has worked in various capacities of city government for more than 20 years, serving as a coordinator for the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, the City’s neighborhood liaison to the Central Artery Project, and as the Director of Operations for the Boston Transportation Department.  LaMattina, along with his wife Lisa (Petraglia) and daughter Liana currently reside in Orient Heights.

“Since I was first elected to this position in the summer of 2006, I’ve never forgotten that I’ve been entrusted by the people of this district to be their voice in city government and I’ve never taken that trust for granted,” said LaMattina. “Now, Council President Murphy has trust in me to help lead the council during these tough fiscal times.”

Like Murphy, LaMattina has put a priority on the prompt and competent execution of basic city services.

“We all want to see neighborhoods that are safe and welcoming, schools that kindle a love of learning and produce good citizens, and streets that are clean and quickly cleared of snow,” said LaMattina. “In order to stay on top of these issues, some of the strategies I’ll be looking at this year include year-round street cleaning, increased commercial recycling, and innovative approaches to rodent control. I will continue to work with the Neighborhood Response Teams to quickly address local issues and the Problem Property Task Forces to hold property owners accountable.”

As Vice President LaMattina said he looks forward to rolling up his sleeves with each of his colleagues, and with countless residents and community groups, to address the issues that confront the city.

“Another issue that I remain focused on is development,” said LaMattina. “In the coming year there will be a number of projects moving forward throughout this district, and it is of the utmost importance that residents, businesses, and community organizations be deeply involved in decisions made in their neighborhoods. Development is, of course, important, but overdevelopment is something we must take steps to avoid. As a result, I will continue to insist that input from the neighborhoods be solicited and included in any and all projects.”

During the past 16 years, Murphy has served on many of the Council’s committees.

A champion of public service, Murphy has continuously fought to better city’s commitment to provide a safer Boston.

As Chair of the Committee on Public Safety from 1997 to 2000, Murphy was able to add 550 new Boston Police Officers and 175 new Boston Fire Fighters.

Murphy has also Chaired Government Operations and the Historic Preservation Committees and currently chairs the Committee on Education and School Matters, and the Committee on Labor and Employment.

“Above all, my focus is on our budget and public safety,” said Murphy. “We cannot meet any of our public safety; education or senior services goals without adequate funding. I am committed to finding alternative revenue sources and maximizing our resources, without further burdening the taxpayer.”

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