Boston Mayoral candidates surface

(John Moroney, NECN) - Boston Mayor Tom Menino has yet to announce plans to run for a fifth four-year term, but candidates have already begun tossing their hats in the ring for his job. Boston City Councilor Michael Flaherty announced his candidacy via YouTube video on Saturday night. Then took the video down, only to re-release it shortly after. His campaign called the initial release a technical test. Kevin McCrea is the only other candidate officially in the race, and was quick to discuss his new opponent. "He talks about how we have to get rid of the backroom deals and that we need to bring transparency to City Hall," McCrea said. "Unfortunately, Michael Flaherty is a part of those backroom deals and has opposed transparency." As for Menino, he said that he was more concerned with how the budget affects the residents of Boston over making an announcement for another run at the mayor's office. Flaherty's campaign said the candidate would not be available for interviews on Sunday, and that the video would serve as his kickoff. <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1mPH5y5pzc&eurl=http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/01/flaherty_formal.html&feature=player_embedded" target="-blank">View Flaherty's YouTube announcement by clicking here.</A> NECN's John Moroney reports.