Poll: What's Former Boston Mayor Kevin White's Biggest Legacy?
White led the city during some tumultuous years. Where and when do you think he made his biggest impact?
Photos
Vietnam, Watergate, the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., even Neil Armstrong's moon walk -- Kevin White was Mayor of Boston throughout it all, and, while he may not have touched lunar soil, he certainly made an impact on the ground in Boston.
Politicians and pundits have been debating his greatest legacy in articles like this one at the Boston Globe and this one at WBUR, but here at Patch we want to know what you think.
Is it his decisions about bussing that he'll most be remembered for, or the corruption by city employees during his final term? Is his move to broadcast and speak at the James Brown concert a footnote in history, or one of his defining moments? What about the continued success of Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall, and Downtown Crossing, areas that he's credited with revitalizing?
Vote, and let us know why you chose what you did in the comments section! Let's get a handle on what he's leaving behind.
Editorial note: this article and the comments section are shared with the Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Charlestown and South End Patch.com sites.
Jimmy Walsh
7:42 am on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The litany of young KW Administration officials who have gone on to high-impact roles and key leadership positions in government and non-profit institutions.
Kasey Hariman
8:19 am on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Here's an article that focuses on that legacy, if you're interested:
http://articles.boston.com/2011-12-05/opinion/30496826_1_public-service-cluster-civic-leaders
Cory Gudwin
11:42 am on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Most older Bostonians have a personal-encounter-with-corruption horror story involving Kevin White's administation.
It was an era when members of public employee unions were organized to heavily influence local elections. We still live in the legacy of that influence. It is the reason that obvious wastes of public funds often remain unchecked here.
Kasey Hariman
12:53 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Thanks for commenting, Cory. Do you have any specific examples of unions using their political leverage to waste public funds that you could share to support your statement?
Dave flanagan
8:44 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Sad to hear of the passing of former Mayor Kevin White.
I first met Kevin White when he initially ran for Mayor and I was living in the projects in Charlestown. A group of us were playing basketball after school on the grounds of what is now the Kent School on Bunker Hill Street. Mr. White came along, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened- grabbed the ball and took a few shots with us. Never forgot that day so many years ago. Later, I met Mayor White numerous times and got to see him often when I went to work for former City Councilor Maura Hennigan. at City Hall. He has been linked to so many accomplishments but I would have to say the transformation of Boston's skyline and Faneuil Hall which was a barren wasteland when i was a kid were among his finest. He was a good man who gave a lot of individuals from Boston who have since shaped the state and Hub through their longtime actvisim and vision a start.