Re “Boston needs a ‘night mayor,’ ’’ (Editorial, Jan. 1): An Office of Night Mayor is essential to achieve the nighttime environment Boston needs, and which is possible. Indeed, an effective means is overdue to articulate the goals and provide the forum, direction, and incentives to achieve reasonable accommodation and enforcement among residents, entertainment providers, security, transportation, and civic entrepreneurs. Our 20 years of advocacy and demonstration for advanced civic illumination has taught us that, no matter how worthwhile, nothing is easy in our city.

Success will not happen without concerted city effort teamed with citizen puposefulness working on multiple fronts. In play are many interests, not infrequently in opposition. The follow-up letter to the editor, “No, Boston doesn’t need a ‘night mayor’’’ (Letters, Jan. 3), stating that success will come only if city leadership gets out of the way, is oddly naive in believing that competing live music and the enforcement of nuisance laws alone can get the job done. Only focused and sustained leadership, paired with committed civic partnerships, can achieve a superior nighttime environment.

Todd Lee

Boston

The writer is the president of LIGHT Boston.