BOSTON, MA – As someone who spent 35 years working with youth in our city at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, I understand the importance of making sure kids have access to jobs and other productive opportunities in the summer months. 

I am calling upon the Mayor to schedule another job fair, and to show up for the event, ensure it is properly staffed, and make sure our youth can safely sign up for summer jobs.

In her State of the City speech a few weeks ago, the mayor talked about the importance of summer jobs, and in a press release last week, her office boasted about how the turnout at this year’s job fair was going to be the biggest ever.

So why was the event so poorly staffed, and why was there no plan to manage the crowds? If they knew the attendance was going to be large, why were they so underprepared.

In fact, did the Mayor or her staff even pull a permit for the event?

Having a record turnout at this year’s fair means nothing if crowds cannot be properly managed, and kids don’t leave with the hope of a summer job.

This is the pattern with Mayor Wu. There are always lots of lofty words and big promises, but when it comes to making something work for people, she fails. 

The mayor’s favorite talking point these days is her “safest city in America” claim. But if your teenager can’t show up at a job fair without fear of being hurt, how safe a city do we really have?

Finally, Mayor Wu has been basking in the warm media glow of her national media appearances over the past several weeks while things here on the ground for the people aren’t working. 

It is time for the mayor to turn her gaze away from the national spotlight and focus on running the city.

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Media Contact:
Eileen O’Connor
eileen@joshforboston.com
617-806-6999