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Flynn, Murphy denounce 'bias' from Boston City Council president
Politics
The councilors, who are in the moderate minority on the council, said President Ruthzee Louijeune is acting with a “perceived bias.”
Two Boston city councilors who have butted heads with the body’s progressive majority are voicing their concerns about City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune’s “conduct in meetings.”
Boston City Councilors Erin Murphy and Ed Flynn sent a formal communication to City Clerk Alex Geourntas dated Monday, which was listed in Wednesday’s City Council meeting agenda.
“The Council President frequently engages in commentary following the remarks of certain councilors, particularly myself and Councilor Flynn, which undermines the impartiality expected of the presiding officer,” Murphy wrote.
Louijeune was sworn into her two-year term as president earlier this year, replacing Flynn in the role.
When reached for comment, Louijeune said her focus is “to keep this honorable body and our great city moving forward.”
“As Council President, I continue to maintain an open-door policy to all of my colleagues if they have any questions or concerns that they would like to discuss in a professional and respectful manner,” she said in a statement.
Flynn, Murphy are political minority on the council
Murphy and Flynn, who are moderates, have previously raised concerns in the press about the City Council. She told the Boston Herald that she sees “chaos and resistance” on the council, while Flynn said he feels “isolated” and bullied as he considers a mayoral bid next year.
Murphy lost her bid for Suffolk County clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court in September. The little-known seat turned into a proxy battle between progressive Boston pols like Mayor Michelle Wu, who backed Murphy’s opponent, and moderates like Flynn backing Murphy.
Late last month, Flynn was a sole objection to adding a home-rule petition filed by Wu as a last-minute addition to the council’s agenda. Audible gasps could be heard from the chamber, and someone cried “shame on you!” after the objection.
The communication filed Wednesday didn’t mention any specific incidents but noted that “several colleagues and members of the public have noted this behavior and expressed their discomfort with the perceived bias.”
“This behavior raises concerns about adherence to our established rules, specifically regarding the expectation that the Council President must step down from the dais to express personal opinions that are not procedural in nature,” the communication read.
Louijeune allies Worrell, Breadon weigh in
Councilor Brian Worrell, who represents Mattapan, Dorchester, and parts of Jamaica Plain and Roslindale, also weighed in. He said Flynn and Murphy’s portrayal “is far from reality.”
“That politically-motivated plot has been a constant on social media and in the press since the start of the term. I urge councilors to sit down and communicate directly with the Council President,” Worrell said in a statement.
Councilor Liz Breadon, who represents Allston/Brighton, is the second-longest tenured member of the council and has served under four council presidents, she said.
“I vehemently disagree with these unfair and baseless characterizations of the Council President,” Breadon said. “These grievances reflect a brand of petty politics that I had hoped this body was above.”
In their letter, Murphy and Flynn ask Geourntas to take their concerns seriously, “as they affect the integrity of our council and the public’s perception of our work.”
“It is our hope that we can foster a more collaborative environment where all voices are heard and respected, adhering strictly to the rules that govern our conduct,” they wrote.
