Monday, April 27, 2009

Making his move

East Boston resident Andrew Kenneally, who is running for an at-large seat on the Boston City Council, today received the endorsement of a well-known union. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 93 praised Kenneally's "knowledge, experience and vision" in announcing the endorsement.

Kenneally's campaign kick-off event is scheduled for Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Spinelli's in Day Square. The candidate has a pretty slick web site here. The City Council has not had an at-large member from Eastie in 15 years.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is this the same guy who works for the Mayor?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous: I think you are thinking of Michael Kinneavy (not sure of the spelling.)

Anonymous said...

I found Kenneally's campaign kick-off event on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1126799377537&f=1&e=0#/event.php?eid=85159458551&ref=ts

Anonymous said...

now that he has lived in east boston for a month. he will represent us.
thanks
good luck

Murdock said...

I actually think a highly educated, relative newcomer to the area could be a great representative for East Boston. He would bring a fresh perspective and some new ideas for solutions to the issues facing the neighborhood. Eastie suffers from townie politicians, with questionable educational and professional backgrounds, that continue offer more of the same and little else. Some new blood would be a welcome change.

Jim said...

To Anonymous at 1:01 p.m.:

I believe that Andrew Kenneally has lived in East Boston for four years, but regardless of that he is running for a citywide seat. I would think most Eastie residents would support a local candidate for one of the at-large spots.

Anonymous said...

He worked for mike flaherty for four years, has not lived here for four years. I do hope he wins because presently he is unemployed. He also looks like a young Eddie Andelman who is a favorite of mine.

Anonymous said...

murdock, are you saying our representatives are not doing the job? We need kenneally to save the day? i think that anthony, carlo and sal, lifelong residents are doing a great job. it seems that the new comers who now live in the old bra factory are very insulting and show little respect to the lifers. yes murdock he is wonderful, he never got flaherty's coffee order wrong.

Mary said...

So, anonymous, are we now supposed to elect representatives because they are currently unemployed? That is, indeed, an odd reason to elect someone.

Bobby DeFreitas said...

I am not sure who is making up lies about Andrew Kenneally, but its probably a cowardly competitor who is scared at how well he is doing. Aren't we all sick of this kind of faceless mud slinging?

As someone who is friends with Andrew, I can say for the record that he is employed by the Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local 17. He has also lived and owned a home in East Boston for over 4 years. Although he was born and raised in West Roxbury, his Italian grandfather grew up on West Eagle Street in Eastie where Andrew still has family today.

But that's not why he has my support. He has my support because he is the best prepared to take on the challenges our city faces. Don't take my word for it, visit Andrew's website and judge for yourself: www.andy09.com.

Murdock said...

To Anon @ 11:19 – You might want to re-read my post. I didn’t say anything about our representatives not “doing their job” nor did I say we needed Kenneally to save the day. My point was that a fresh perspective would be beneficial for the neighborhood. Apparently you disagree. And, to be clear, I do think some of our elected official are townie hacks – people who wouldn’t have a job were it not for their political connections.

Anonymous said...

this is an extremely weak field and two seats are open.Kenneally has a decent chance if he can come out of Hyde Park and W. Roxbury in 3rd place,Connolly and Murphy have strong bases there.He should do well in Southie because of his friendship with Flaherty. These wards will vote in high numbers,as will East Boston where he can do well if he does the work.I wish him well.

Anonymous said...

Hearing that he is friends with Flaherty is depressing. Can anyone who doesn't know people in power ever get elected?

Anthony said...

Hey Anonymous, Flaherty is not a bad guy. It just might not be his time. Then again this is a democracy and we do prize competition don't we? Let the best person win.

That said, whatever you feel about Flaherty should not be passed off on Kenneally. The kid has worked for alot of political leaders (Joe Moakley, Mayor Menino, Maura Hennigan, etc.). He also ran a non-profit.

I don't think a kid learning the ropes and earning crap pay while working for our elected leaders should be seen as bad. If anything, the kid has experience and won't be tripping over himself like our gov.

Anonymous said...

Keneally was once an aide with Mickey Roaches' office but due to opposing political views they had to part ways. Some see this moment as the down fall of Mickey's time in City government.

Pat said...

Kenneally never worked for Mickey...must have been another guy with the same name... only people he worked with were Kineavy, Hennigan and Flaherty... Roche was gone by the time Kenneally joined the council....

Anonymous said...

Kenneally should get something to hand out, then stand at Orient Heights,Wood Island,and Maverick station for starters. He is way overdue on putting out bumper stickers,and should have done two drops in Eastie by now.Nobody is going to hand it to you.You are not known here.Get started quick.

Anonymous said...

I agree with 3:51.This guy is the Howard Hughes of Boston politics. His face should be on a milk carton.A citywide race is alot of work. Andy needs to get it in gear fast.July and August people turn off,then its a sprint after labor day.He should be doing the grassroots,increasing name recognition.I'll give him a vote if he shows the effort.

Anthony said...

Howard Hughes? Whoever you are you don't know Andy Kenneally. I know Andy and he is zig zagging the city. He has enormous support here in Eastie and across the city.

Unlike other candidates, Kenneally has been working in public service for over a decade. The kid co-founded and directed a non-profit over a 5 year period, which worked to combat substance abuse in his hometown; studied and worked as a peace monitor in Northern Ireland; and worked for 5 years as a top aide on the Boston City Council to make our streets safer, schools better, and create more jobs. He also fought for increase security for eastie after a series of sexual attacks in memorial park.

Don't base your vote on what he is going to do, base it on what he has done. This kid is a worker pure and simple and a hometown kid to boot. If you don't believe me, check out his website and offer him your help: http://www.andy09.com.

Michael said...

For those of you who wish to speculate as to the qualifications of Andrew Kenneally to be Boston's next City Councilor At-Large, feel free to be left in oblivion. However, as several of you have already pointed out, Andrew has a highly informative website which I would encourage all who are interested in the City Council race to visit: andy09.com.

It is disappointing, not to mention slanderous, that the blogger here has chosen to characterize Andrew's decision to run for City Council as a purely opportunistic "move" without any personal knowledge as to Andrew's motivations for running. For those of you who are interested in what motivates Kenneally to serve, you might start with his more than a decade of experience in government. As someone with personal knowledge, I can attest to the fact that Andrew Kenneally is running for City Council because he wants to give back to the community that has been his lifelong home. After a quick browse of his record on andy09.com, I think many will be highly impressed with his unique life experience and background that will make him an excellent public servant of the City of Boston.

Anonymous said...

I checked out his website.Very nice. He doesnt even have a bumper sticker on in this town.He hasnt done any drops,or been seen around town campaigning.He isnt going to win if he doesnt campaign.It's really that simple.

candy.bacon said...

In order to update this a bit, Kenneally has proved that not only is he a tireless campaigner but a well-supported candidate. He is the leader in endorsements, has made phone calls to and knocked on hundreds of doors , and had a great stand-out in Central Square today. He's handing out lit and shaking hands at t-stops all around the city monday-friday. If anyone would like to meet him in person or ask any questions, please attend his East Boston meet and greet:

August 25th
Kelley's Square Pub
84 Bennington St.
6-8 PM