The Boston City Council’s vote to expel their colleague Chuck Turner last week was the right thing to do.
The 11-1 vote showed the resolve of the council, despite many of its members fretting that Turner was their friend and it was a difficult vote to make considering all he had done for his constituents over the years of his service.
The vote was not about Turner’s achievements.
The vote was about Turner’s conviction for public corruption in Federal Court.
With his sentencing coming in January, it was up to the council to expel him or to allow him to continue to vote and to take part in the creation of public policy.
Council President Mike Ross showed leadership in this matter.
Turner continues to protest his conviction. He says he is an innocent man.
The Federal judge sentencing him in January will surely take his protests into consideration before handing Turner his sentence.