At Holy Name School in West Roxbury this morning, a Walsh supporter in a bowler had a nice chat with Bill Walczak about how JFK ruined the American hat industry.

Another voter dressed in her Tuesday finest to cast her vote, then exited past Dan Conley, doing a little politicking a bit closer than 150 feet to the entrance to the polls, as is the tradition there:

What are you seeing at the polls?

The Globe reports on a forum in Dorchster last night, in which Barros, former head of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, compared the law-enforcement response to the Amy Lord murder with the response to murders in Roxbury.

In a debate that at times devolved into an incomprehensible roar as moderators did little to try to keep order, 11 candidates offered their opinions on everything from a casino vote to education. David Wyatt also attended, but spoke only during the two times he was asked a direct question.

Casino vote

John Connolly said East Boston residents will be hit far harder by a potential casino than anybody else, so they should be the ones to vote.

Dan Conley, however, says all Bostonians should vote. "It will affect our character, our culture and it needs a citywide vote." Almost said he opposed the casino when he compared it to the proposal to move the Red Sox to the South Boston waterfront. "Can you imagine if that had happened?"

Bill Walczak opposed the casino, period, called it "a public health disaster."

Charlotte Golar Richie didn't say who she feels about the vote - although she said she would oppose ramming a casino down East Boston's throat if it voted against it and the rest of the city voted for it, but said she would take some casino revenue and use it for crime prevention.

The Dorchester Reporter alerts us that Nick Collins is going to endorse John Connolly, rather than, say, Marty Walsh, whom the Reporter notes stayed neutral in Collins's failed state-senate bid.

Mike Ross says he's with the striking fast-food workers:

This morning, I stood with striking fast food workers in support of their efforts to fight for higher wages. I want to make Boston the best city in America in which to do business, but I also want to make sure that all of those businesses pay a living wage and treat their employees fairly. Strong communities are filled with people who can provide for themselves and their families.

Bill Walczak, who says Suffolk Downs should be turned into an Innovation District instead of a casino, says Harvard should turn its vast tracts of land in Allston into an Innovation District:

I believe the residents of Allston would welcome an opportunity to work with Harvard on plans for an Allston Innovation District. The "enterprise research campus' formerly discussed with the community would provide a critically important complement to the nearby Harvard Innovation Lab and Startup Lab Boston.

Bill Walczak today called for the state to loosen civil-service rules to let BPD Commissioner Ed Davis elevate more minority and women officer to senior ranks (although the Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers, which wants Davis cashiered, says that's not good enough, because even with equal scores, Davis goes white).

Walczak says he wrote Gov. Deval Patrick seeking action, adds:

Bill Walczak traveled to Malibu Beach today to push an agenda for dealing with climate change by both preparing the city for a rising sea - increased protection of buffering marshes and other steps to protect local buildings and infrastructure - and decreasing the city's production of greenhouse gases.

Among his proposals: 24-hour T service and converting bus and commuter-rail lines to electric service to reduce diesel emissions.

With 86 days to go to the September 24, 2013 Preliminary Election, the following list is the Power Rankings of Boston Mayoral Candidates as July 1, 2013. Just to note, David Portnoy, John Laing, and Robert Cappucci who had been ranked previously did not make the ballot and thus have been eliminated:

1. John R Connolly, West Roxbury (Ward 20, Precinct 10)

2. Martin J Walsh, Savin Hill (Ward 13, Precinct 10)

3. Charlotte Golar Richie, Meeting House Hill (Ward 15, Precinct 3)

4. Daniel F Conley, West Roxbury (Ward 20, Precinct 20)

5. Rob Consalvo, Hyde Park (Ward 18, Precinct 18)

6. Felix G Arroyo, Jamaica Plain (Ward 19, Precinct 7)

7. Charles L Clemons Jr Dorchester (Ward 14, Precinct 4)

8. Michael P Ross, Mission Hill (Ward 10, Precinct 5)

9. Bill Walczak, Savin Hill(Ward 13, Precinct 10)

10. Charles Calvin Yancey, Mattapan (Ward 17, Precinct 3)

11. John F Barros, Uphams Corner(Ward 13, Precinct 5)

12. David James Wyatt, Roxbury (Ward 11, Precinct 2)

ANALYSIS of MAYORAL CANDIDATE RANKINGS

1. John R Connolly, West Roxbury (Ward 20, Precinct 10) (Previous Rank #2)

At a forum sponsored by several local educational groups today, candidates for mayor agreed that Boston public schools need a longer school day and need to be freed from the shackles of an oppressive central administration at Court Street.

Bill Walczak said innovation and great teaching come from "autonomous" schools without the heavy boot of downtown pressing them down. John Connolly said Court Street "just seems to lose a billion dollars a year. ... They don't do much well."