Publius,
We agree upon there being no substitute for the ex officio membership of the mayor.
Perhaps I did not express the pragmatic aspect of my last comment adequately.
Notwithstanding the public sentiment favoring the &#039;presence&#039; of the Mayor, it seems a matter of common managerial &amp; political sense for the Mayor to be up to date on the BoE&#039;s issues, feelings and votes.
Absent the Mayoral presence, someone should be keeping the city&#039;s chief executive informed.