Wellfleet Public Library

The Battle for Boston

Author Don Gillis in conversation with Mary Nee

The Battle for Boston captures the remarkable era under Mayor Ray Flynn, whose election in 1985 marked the beginning of a profound shift in the citys political and social landscape. Don Gillis, a Flynn senior advisor, chronicles the inspiring journey of a city that dared to challenge the entrenched power brokers, including developers, landlords, and banking industry leaders, through powerful grassroots campaigns. In a historic turn, in 2021, Michelle Wu became the first woman, person of color, and Asian-American elected Mayor of Boston.

Wu's victory on a similarly progressive platform as Flynn underscores the enduring relevance of his legacy, signaling a hopeful future for more inclusive and effectively governed cities. The Battle for Boston poses a critical inquiry: Can cities truly embrace progressivism and govern effectively in the twenty-first century?

Don Gillis, PhD, is a longtime Wellfleet homeowner and current resident. He has been a community organizer and activist in Boston, advised mayors of several cities, and led economic and workforce development agencies in Massachusetts. He holds a PhD in urban sociology and the sociology of education, as well as an MA in community sociology, from Boston University, where he has taught undergraduate and graduate students.

Mary Nee, an Eastham resident, was a Senior Budget and Policy Analyst for the MA Senate Ways and Means Committee. In 1984, she joined Boston Mayor Ray Flynn and established the Mayor's Office of Capital Planning, producing a $1.3 billion rebuilding plan-the first in 23 years. She has held senior leadership positions in several nonprofit organizations. For the past 4 years, she has chaired the Eastham Zoning Task Force, receiving voter approval for 20 zoning amendments.