2013 elections

WBUR reports on progressives fretting about the City Council winding up next year just as white and XYish as "old Boston." Or as 'BUR calls these folks, "self-styled progressives," because God forbid people be allowed to identify their political leanings without a reporter casting some doubt on what they really are by adding some empty phrase like "self-styled." But I guess we could expect no less from self-professed reporter David Scharfenberg.

The Herald talks to Dan Conley and John Barros. Currently, only East Boston is slated to vote on the proposed Suffolk Downs casino.

The Jamaica Plain Gazette reports on a gathering of nine mayoral candidates at a forum sponsored by the West Roxbury Courthouse Neighborhood Association.

The candidates were mostly non-specific in their answers regarding plans for improving the city, sticking to generalities like "bringing people together," "broadening opportunities" and "improving schools," though Arroyo brought up his proposed "Invest in Boston" bill, which would invest Boston’s money in banks that invest in Boston to help promote economic development.

Above is the "Volunteer" page on Rob Consalvo's new campaign Web site, as viewed on my Acer laptop with a 15-inch screen. Below is the "News" page on the site:

They look identical, no? They also look just like the home page. At first, I thought, hmm, did they just link all the tabs at the top to the home page by mistake? But no, the problem is that the designer put such a large photo of Consalvo's head on the page that, on your average laptop, you don't see anything the rest of the page, and will probably miss the actual contents unless you happen to notice the scrollbar on the right. It also probably doesn't help that the tab for the page you're on doesn't change color.

The site does have a different layout for mobile devices, but even there, the logo is so large, you won't notice any content in landscape mode, and only one line of different text in vertical mode.

Shaun Ivers of Jamaica Plain plans to formally launch his campaign today in Geneva/Bowdoin, but first he took a few potshots against rivals Michael Flaherty, Steve Murphy, Ayanna Pressley and Michelle Wu.

There is no place in an at-large race for candidates like Michael Flaherty who are only interested in issues that pertain to their own neighborhood. That’s what district races are for. ... This city does not need more hack politicians like Michael Flaherty and Stephen Murphy, nor does it need self-interested opportunists like Michelle Wu and Ayanna Pressley. When elected I promise serve the people – not exploit them.

Meanwhile, the Jamaica Plain Gazette reports that two employers whom Ivers claimed to be working for as a freelance writer say he never worked for them.

Ivers's complete release:

Boston, MA, May 1, 2013 – As at-large city council candidate Shaun Ivers pulls nomination papers Wednesday he will call upon his opponents to properly represent every neighborhood of Boston.

"Far too often supposedly ‘city-wide' representatives are content to select pet neighborhoods and pet issues while ignoring the greater spectrum of issues that impact voters every day," said Ivers. "There is no place in an at-large race for candidates like Michael Flaherty who are only interested in issues that pertain to their own neighborhood. That's what district races are for."

Ivers also called upon candidates to elaborate past superficial assessments of their chosen issues, and upon voters and reporters to demand substantive answers from the candidates.

"I don't want to hear that someone plans to ‘reduce crime.' Talk about reducing access to guns in Roxbury, Jamaica Plain and now Roslindale. Talk about reducing the number of desperate addicts on the streets of the South End and Dorchester willing to do anything for a fix. Talk about residents locking their vehicles in suburban neighborhoods such as West Roxbury and Brighton."

Ivers plans to further elaborate his call Wednesday afternoon at his signature gathering kick-off, which will be held at the Geneva Cliffs Park, which is located at the intersection of Geneva Street and Bowdoin Avenue. Ivers is expected to arrive at 5 pm, but supporters are encouraged to arrive early.

"I would like to bring attention to a part of the city that, as the Boston Globe chronicled this winter, is a microcosm of the sharp divide in this city between the haves and the have-nots," said Ivers.

Ivers also plans to confront his opponents and draw a stark contrast between him and the other candidates.

"This city does not need more hack politicians like Michael Flaherty and Stephen Murphy, nor does it need self-interested opportunists like Michelle Wu and Ayanna Pressley. When elected I promise serve the people – not exploit them," said Ivers.

The Globe calls the Senate primaries for Markey and Gomez.

The Dorchester Reporter reports the governor is slamming a pro-Collins ad featuring a photo of him and Nick Collins in the Bay State Banner, because he hasn't taken sides in the race between Collins, Linda Dorcena Forry and Maureen Dahill.

This isn't the first time Patrick has had to deny endorsing somebody, although at least this time his signature wasn't forged on the alleged endorsement.

Meanwhile, WBUR provides an overview of the race to represent the Southie/Dot district.

John Barros, who has served on the School Committee for three years, will announce his candidacy for mayor tomorrow morning at the Haley House in Roxbury.

Barros is also executive director of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative.

Ed. conflict of interest note: I've done Web work for DSNI.

The Dorchester Reporter gets the scoop on the Dorchester resident who is a former state rep and aide to the current mayor.