Ailing Boston Mayor Thomas Menino not stepping down early

BOSTON, April 14 (UPI) -- Aides to Boston Mayor Thomas Menino dismissed speculation he might leave office early after suffering a broken leg that required major surgery.

The five-term mayor was resting at Brigham and Women's Hospital after surgeons repaired his left fibula with a plate and screws, and will be on crutches for a couple of months, but he will continue his mayoral duties, his spokeswoman said Saturday.

Menino broke his leg Friday when he fell while visiting a school. The extent of the injury stirred up speculation he would step down, the Boston Herald said.

Menino, 70, said in March he will not run for re-election in November.

"The rumor is absolutely ridiculous," Menino spokeswoman Dot Joyce said.

The broken leg is the latest in a series of health issues affecting Menino in recent months. He was hospitalized with a blood clot and diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and a lung infection in the fall, The Boston Globe said.