Arroyo to Boston: I've got issues

Talk about good damage control. Felix Arroyo didn't just air his dirty laundry on a Friday afternoon--he aired it on a Friday afternoon, two years before the next city-council election!

Just one question: what does "unfavorable driving record" mean, exactly?

Here's the press release put out by Matuya Brand, Arroyo's recently hired spokesperson, at 3:18 p.m. today. (Apparently Matuya's stint as Dianne Wilkerson's flack taught her some lessons about how to handle damaging revelations...)

"Information on Councillor Arroyo's Financial Matters

"City records show that I owe the City of Boston $399 in unpaid motor vehicle excise taxes for one year, for cars which I no longer own. I continue to believe I may have been incorrectly charged for vehicles which were not on the road, but will nevertheless resolve this issue in the near future.

"I additionally owed approximately $25 plus interest for a missing property tax payment in 1997, an amount which I believed had been paid through an escrow account set up through my mortgage company. I recently paid this amount in full.

I do not owe any other local, state, or federal taxes or student loans. \n\n

I also have an unfavorable driving record (I assure you that this does \n not and will never include operating a vehicle under the influence of \n alcohol). I am now using public transportation. \n

As an elected official, I understand that I am and should be held to a \n higher standard. I am grateful to represent the people of Boston and will \n continue to work to meet that standard. \n

\n

*****************************
March City Council Meetings\n

Wednesday, March 1, 8, 22, 29, 11:30 a.m. Ianella Chambers, 5th Floor, \n City Hall \n

Question of the Week \n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Councillor Arroyo \n wants to hear from YOU! \n

Each week, the Update will feature an important question on issues \n affecting the community and allow the public to share their ideas on how \n we can together make Boston a better place. Thanks to all those who made \n suggestions last week. \n

Remember, the Weekly Update is interactive. You can reply to the Update \n and let the Councillor know what you think or what you would like to see \n being done in the City Council.\n

THIS WEEK\'S QUESTION: \n

How do you think we can address the increasing drop-out rates in the \n City of Boston?

\n

To answer, reply to this Update or e-mail matuya.brand@cityofboston.gov \n\n

\n

Excerpts to the answers from last week\'s question
("What \n should be the qualifications for the next superintendent of the Boston \n Public Schools?"):\n

-A good leader
-Open to input, ideas, and suggestions from parents, \n teachers, students, and others",1] ); //-->

"I do not owe any other local, state, or federal taxes or student loans.

"I also have an unfavorable driving record (I assure you that this does not and will never include operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol). I am now using public transportation.

"As an elected official, I understand that I am and should be held to a higher standard. I am grateful to represent the people of Boston and will continue to work to meet that standard."