New In The Phoenix -- The New City Council

In this week's issue of the Boston Phoenix -- in print tomorrow, online now -- I look at the notoriously irrelevant Boston City Council, and note that it has been acting surprisingly relevant in the past year.

The Council is in an interesting period of transition. New at-large councilors Felix Arroyo and Ayanna Pressley got elected a year ago, a new member will be elected next week to replace John Tobin, and it's likely that Chuck Turner will be removed next month, triggering another special election. (Side note for city-politics trivia hounds: that would make a majority of district councilors first elected by special election, along with Mark Ciommo, Bill Linehan, and Sal LaMattina.)

Plus, the council will soon choose a new president to succeed Mike Ross, barred by a recent two-consecutive-term limit.

The article is here: Kids In The Hall

Also, check out the new Phoenix editorial, commenting on the Keith Olbermann dust-up, and endorsing Matt O'Malley for that District 6 City Council seat.