The city fancies itself an avatar of the 21st century. High tech, education, finance and medical research and health care are key industries and Boston has world-renowned cultural attractions (including the Museum of Fine Arts and the Boston Symphony Orchestra). And yet Boston suffers from a parochialism that one would never see in New York or Los Angeles. City and state officials are forever fretting about whether or not Boston is really a "world-class" city (usually when trying to convince a skeptical electorate to back some expensive project or another).
City Government
Boston has a "strong mayor" system in which the mayor is the dominant force in city government. The mayor is elected to a four-year term by plurality voting. The City Council is elected every two years. There are nine ward, or neighborhood, seats, each elected by plurality voting by the residents of that ward. There are four at-large seats. Each voter casts up to four votes for at-large councillors, no more than one vote per candidate. The top four vote-getters are elected. The President of the City Council is elected by the Councillors from within themselves. The School Committee is appointed by the mayor, as are city department heads.
In addition to city government, numerous state authorities and commissions play a role in the life of Bostonians, including the Metropolitan Water Resources Authority (water and sewer) and the Metropolitan District Commission (parks).
Colleges
Newspapers and Media
Professional Sports Franchises
Links
![[Home]](wikipedia.png)