Feature Interview with San Rafael Mayor Al Boro
By Mahren Hudson, Sofie Levin , Sari Wisoff and Emily Zaltsman - from Brandeis Hillel Day, Old Mill and Saint Mark’s Schools
It’s not that easy running a city with all of the many problems and situations that might come up. We met with the mayor of San Rafael, Al Boro. He told us, "The problems our city faces are not unique, they are problems faced by every town city." When we asked what the biggest challenge was he said, "keeping the revenue stream coming in so you have enough funds to pay the fire department, the police and run the city."
The mayor’s full name is Albert Boro. He has four children and two granddaughters and a wife that he has been married to for 51 years. He’s been the mayor for 20 years and still loves it. He had just retired from working for the city council and for AT&T. In 1991, he saw that there was an election, and wanted to try to run for mayor. We asked the mayor what he enjoys in his free time, and he told us, he loves to travel.
His salary is only $702 a month, although some mayors get less; we thought he’d get a lot more. Sometimes he gets burdened by the problems of being a mayor, but he doesn’t show it. And he told us, "As long as I feel I’m helping the people and businesses who live and work in San Rafael, I’ll continue to be the mayor." When we asked him his best perk of being the mayor, he replied, "My free parking space right in front of City Hall." He’s also received numerous awards and plaques, a key to the city and he likes it when people who might not even know him, compliment him on the job he’s doing running the city. He added," Another good part is working with the fine people who help me run this city."