We've lost a friend! Thomas Menino is gone at 71.

[marylander1940]

http://www.wcvb.com/news/tom-menino-bostons-longestserving-mayor-dies-at-71/29029440

 

Chick-fil-A opposition[edit]

 

"On July 19, 2012, Mayor Menino stated that he would work to prevent Chick-fil-A from opening restaurants within Boston, especially near the Freedom Trail, citing their opposition to same-sex marriage and what he called Boston's status as "a leader when it comes to social justice and opportunities for all." The next day, Menino sent a letter to Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy. Menino urged the company to "back out of your plans to locate in Boston" because of his stance on gay marriage. Gay rights supporters applauded the mayors support of gay marriage rights, while first amendment advocates decried the potential for abuse of office to infringe on free speech rights. Menino later stated that he knew there was little he could do as mayor to prevent them from opening restaurants, and that he was stating his personal opinion. He maintained, however, that they were not welcome in the city."

 

Source Wikipedia.

[shadowcatzxxx]

A real loss, of a friend to all people, indeed.

 

We will miss him very much, in many ways.

[AdamSmith]

Truly sad news.

 

His letter to Chick-fil-A is worth posting in full.

 

http://i.imgur.com/Jj7Jb.png

[bigvalboy]

Thanks for posting the letter AS. It is articulate and concise. Indeed sad news.

[AdamSmith]

Nice obit/bio at The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/oct/30/tom-menino-mayor-boston-politics-dies

[bostonman]

Only a few days ago, Menino was in the news, saying that he had made the choice to go off of his cancer treatments. So though it's not surprising that he has passed, it still seems terribly sudden and fast. May he rest in peace.

[AdamSmith]

Really moving long look back from The Boston Globe: http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/10/30/thomas-menino-boston-longest-serving-mayor-has-died-age/zAuWXQ4ccPJSv7uuW0kcDK/story.html