John's Record of Accomplishment

Councilor Keenan’s Performance For Our Neighborhoods:

Drafted legislation which placed a moratorium on unchecked development in our residential neighborhoods, and then co-authored ordinance amendments to permanently protect our neighborhoods.

Amended city ordinances to halt the paving of front yards and the parking of cars on lawns.

Voted to acquire and rezone key parcels of land as open space to preserve our neighborhoods.

Co-sponsored the resolve which resulted in the establishment of a neighborhood code enforcement officer.

Voted $10 million to purchase open space, improve our neighborhood parks and playgrounds, and plant trees, using the hotel/motel fund - not homeowners' tax dollars.

As Chairman of the Council's Finance Committee:

In anticipation of the current financial situation, proposed rational budget cuts totaling $5 million when the Mayor's FY 2009 budget was introduced in May of 2008. Voted against a compromise of $3 million in cuts, forewarning the financial situation would only get worse. In December 2008, with the City's finances worsening, John pushed the Mayor and Council to cut an additional $2 million in spending, which cuts were passed unanimously.

Opposed Mayor Phelan's proposal, which the Council approved, to shift $2 million from the Stabilization Account to offset the FY 2008 tax levy. John called the shift a short-term fix, and in fact the FY 2009 tax levy had to be increased to make-up the deficit that was created by the shift in FY 2008.

In the Spring of 2009, John conducted Council hearings to review all aspects of City spending, challenging his colleagues to fundamentally change Quincy's government and its delivery of services.

Has consistently called for increasing the City's stabilization fund.

Performance that has resulted in recognition of John's "...legitimate experience in financial analysis..." Patriot Ledger

For Our Schools:

Approved school budgets to fund full day kindergarten classes, to hire literacy specialists, to implement a new system-wide reading program, and to keep class sizes down.

Beginning in May 2008, in anticipation of the present fiscal crisis, John called on the School Committee to assess and prioritize all programs and to explore new funding methods.

On Downtown Revitalization:

As chairperson of the Downtown and Economic Development Committee from 2004-2006, John:

       Spearheaded the passage of “Smart Growth” legislation –

       the first of its kind in Massachusetts– for the revitalization

       of  Quincy Center.

      Supported the creation of a Tax Incremental Financing (TIF)

     District and a District Improvement Financing (DIF) program for

     Quincy Center.

     Urged the passage of amendments to the City's zoning ordinance to

      encourage downtown development.

      Strongly supported the completion of the Quincy concourse,

      recognizing the road as the key to future development in Quincy

      Center.

      http://www.newquincycenter.com

     http://www.ci.quincy.ma.us/EconomicDevelopmentPage2.html