THE NEAR-TOTAL silence surrounding Mayor Menino’s two month absence from office demonstrated how weakened the city has become (“Respect for Menino and the status quo,” Op-ed, Dec. 27).
Imagine the mayor of New York or Chicago claiming to run their city from a hospital bed without a single public appearance. Imagine the media and other city leaders failing to criticize this behavior — even as development flounders, the city center remains blighted, and crime ticks up.
Menino’s iron grip on Boston demonstrates a profound lack of respect for the city’s potential. As long as he and his machine continue to exercise their corrosive influence, Boston will be a second-class city despite world-class resources.