Thomas M. Menino was the last of the “big urban mayors” of the 20th Century. As the city celebrates his career, since he announced no intention to seek a sixth term last Thursday, media outlets are puffing his legacy left and right. Who could possibly replace this man, one of the most popular democrats in the country, and how can they even hope to reign just as long as Mumbles?

Seriously, he has touched every neighborhood in Boston, helping open up shelters, parks, and encouraging programming for citizens of all ages. He’s helped spring-up businesses across the peninsula and beyond, even opening up the entire waterfront neighborhood to exciting new ventures. Menino, within his first few years, refused participation in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade because of the exclusion of LGBQT groups. As you’ll recall, last year, he spoke out against Chick-Fil-A, whose owner is a well-known bigot, while they tried to secure a restaurant license in Boston. Today, our City Hall proudly displays a pride flag.

Menino, along with Allston-native Michael Bloomberg, helped co-found Cops Against Illegal Guns, which has grown exponentially since it’s inception in 2006. He’s encouraged the reduction of gas emissions, helping bring countless LEED-Green certified buildings to the downtown area as well as in neighborhoods. The list goes on and on. Menino has been the model big-city mayor, there’s no doubt about that. Say what you will about him, but he’s done more good than bad for the city of Boston. Perhaps the greatest threat he’s brought upon the city is the security culture, initially set up in 2004 when the Democratic National Convention came to town. There are CCTV cameras everywhere you look.

So, what names will be filling our pages next semester if they survive the summer? The only three candidates declared are: Councilman John Connolly, former candidate for councilman Will Dorcena, and former BPD officer and radio station owner Charles Clemons.

Clemons, who runs Touch 106 FM, has previously been pursued by the FCC for illegal broadcasting. Clemons, who saw the current law as unfit, then walked from Boston to Washington D.C. for what he believed in. Since then, Touch 106 FM has become a huge voice for the black community in the area and has touched the hearts of many with its community programs and benefits.

Councilman Connolly launched his campaign with an event including local band Bad Rabbits. The band had played up the ranks through basement and loft shows, which the Boston Police have recently infiltrated and taken down. Who knows if Connolly would give them preferential treatment? His image is supposedly hip and fresh, and wants to replace the “culture of cynicism” with a “culture of opportunity,” especially when it comes to Boston Public Schools. He’s the type of guy who wants to challenge the status quo, to see outside of it to reveal the underlying problems.

Finally, there’s Will Dorcena, who lost a bid for Councilman in 2011 after spending the entire race complaining that no one would listen to him. He entered the race to end the “dictatorship,” as he saw it, of Menino. Now that that’s for-sure over, Dorcena will have to make his platform apparent — since it’s available hardly anywhere. He does, however, have a very passionate and decorated past, serving as director of the New England Press Association and the Ford Hall Forum.

Good luck to the three men in the race so far! We encourage all of you to stay connected and informed on this race and register to vote for November!