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Menino says he can’t actively block Chick-fil-A
Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino repeated today that he doesn’t want Chick-fil-A in Boston, but he backed away from a threat to actively block the fast-food chain from setting up shop in the city
“I can’t do that. That would be interference to his rights to go there,” Menino said, referring to company president Dan Cathy, who drew the mayor’s wrath by going public with his views against same-sex marriage
The mayor added: “I make mistakes all the time. That’s a Menino-ism”
The Herald first reported last week that Menino warned “it will be very difficult” for Chick-fil-A to obtain licenses for a restaurant in Boston
The Atlanta-based chicken chain has been eyeing a space near the Freedom Trail and across the street from City Hall, among other locations, for its first eatery in Boston
“I sent (the landlord) a letter, but that’s all. There’s no pressure by me to allow this place to be rented,” he said
Menino acknowledged Cathy’s freedom to express his views, but was unapologetic about his own tough stance that’s become national news
bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061148712“Some people might not like these positions, but as mayor of the city of Boston, you can’t run and hide, and I’ll always protect people’s rights,” Menino said. “I’m right out front there and if people don’t like it, I feel sorry for them. But I’m the mayor of Boston and I get elected to make my opinions known”