By David Benoit
Special to the Reporter

TJ Burke will begin his term as Mayor of Dorchester with Sunday's Dorchester Day Parade. The 67-year-old Fields Corner resident ran unopposed for the seat, but has ambitious plans for his office. As a lifelong resident of Dorchester, a graduate of St. Gregory's Elementary School, and Dorchester High, Burke has been waiting for a number of years to take the position. The father of six and grandfather of ten took a few moments to speak with The Reporter about Dorchester and his upcoming responsibilities.

1. Why did you run for Mayor of Dorchester?

"I'd been planning on it for quite a few years but I had been doing so many other things I didn't have time … then I retired in 2003, and my sons kept telling me to run."

2. What is your favorite part of the parade?

"I like the bands the best, the more bands the better … Of course, most kids love a parade and I'm still just a kid."

3. What is the best part about being Mayor of Dorchester?

"Meeting the people I always wanted to meet before, but I never knew how to get a hold of them. … Also I really want to help the seniors out, I never considered myself a senior, even if I am chronologically … Seniors are my priority right now."

4. Favorite pub in Dorchester?

"The Blarney Stone, of course. My father used to take me there back when it was Costello's and Kelley's; that was back around the Second World War in the 1940s. He used to take me there every Sunday."

5. What will be your first act as Mayor of Dorchester?

"Well marching in the parade is going to be first, but my landlord happens to be the president of the Fields Corner Civic Group and I've been trying to go to those meetings … Just trying to get more active, you could say."

6. Best year in Boston history in your lifetime?

"Well 2004 when the Sox finally did it."

7. Do you think it would better to be Mayor of Dorchester or Mayor of Boston?

"Well I don't really think I'm qualified to be [Mayor of Boston] … I think it's important just to be the little guy."

8. What has been the biggest change in Dorchester in your lifetime?

"Biggest change is the ethnicity, I guess. When I was growing up it was all white as far as color, we had Irish, Polish, English, and Italians … but they were all white. Probably color and language [are the biggest changes], people all spoke English even though they were different nationalities, now they don't. I might have to learn Spanish."

9. Who is your favorite Sox player?

"In my time, Carl Yastrzemski … I saw Ted Williams at the end of his career, but I saw the whole career of Yastrzemski … and he was definitely my favorite."

10. Can you get us Red Sox tickets?

"No. Unless I get to the scalpers first."