It is great news that City Councilor John Connolly will run for mayor. Whether incumbent Mayor Thomas Menino runs again or comments from some other prominent role in civil life, this competition of ideas guarantees a serious discussion of Boston’s present and future.
The highly competitive mayoral race in 2009 was one of the best things to happen to the city in years. It made the winner, Menino, a better mayor. Major reforms of public schools and nonprofit tax payments quickly followed.
No matter who ends up behind the mayor’s desk, we will all be winners in this race.