John Guiney e-PRO, CBR

I had the privilege of meeting "Ted" on more than one occaison. The first was when he spoke at my high school graduation more than 3 decades ago. At the time he was involved in a bitter dispute with his constituents over desegregation and the issue of forced busing. Most of his constituentcy was opposed but "Ted" knew that the moral road demanded an end to the absurd idea that segregation was good for Boston. I can still hear the groans from the audience when he referred to my school (Boston College High) as "South Boston High". I though there would be a revolt right then and there.

Ted would be the first to admit that he made many mistakes in life, who among us hasn't. I think that anyone who has had to live with the tradgedy that he has propably would have succumbed long ago. As the youngest of nine children he learned his place early on. He suffered as his oldest sister Rosemary was institutionalized after a failed attempt by their father tried to help her by having a lobotomy performed. He suffered the loss of his oldest brother Joseph who died when his plane blew up on a suicide mission during World War II. We all know he lost his brothers John and Robert to assination. He also lost his sister Kathleen in a plane crash. He himself broke three vertebrae in his back in a plane crash. He became a father to all his siblings children as well as his own. He suffered through his first wife's alcholism. He perserved and became the spokesmen for not only his large family but for all of us who suffered.

He was present at every single burial for every Massachusetts veteran who died during the Iraq war. After the service of those who were buried at Arlington he would stop by his brothers graves. I can't imagine the hurt he felt.

There could be no better memorial to "Ted" than to pass universal healthcare for all is his honor. After all he served 46+ years in the US Senate trying to get this accomplished. Not because he wanted it but because he saw the need of so many of us who need it.

Thank you "teddy" from all of us.

I am an admitted history loving person. I do not profess to know it as well as I should however.

I have had the priveledge of being born and having lived in Quincy Massachusetts for almost all of my life. We have a wonderful history to be proud of.

My thought for today is how we managed to name the various sections of our city. Some like compass points ( i.e. North or West Quincy) lack a certain amount of imagination to say the least. Merrymount for instance captures the image of its not so puritan past as the spot where a Maypole was raised and certain rights of spring were practiced. This is a story for another day though.

Today I question the naming of the Germantown section. This pennisular was originally named Shed's Neck after settler Daniel Shed of England settled it around 1643. This would appear to be an appropriate name. In fact it lasted until Joseph Palmer and Richard Cranch came up with the idea of a planned manufacturing town in the 1750's. Germantown was born when they started this endeavor by installing a glass factory with imported German Labor. The glass made there was of such an inferior product that the factory was gone by 1760. Certainly we can come up with a better name than one which remembers a failed attempt at P.U.D (planned Urban Development).

The area was later a major shipbuilding area. Two other names this spot held were Gull Point and Sailor's Snug Harbor. Both superior names in my humble opinion.

Maybe we could get the local politicians to change the name to reflect some better aspects of this historicaly proud residential neighborhood. Please let me know what you think. Also if you have any ideas or knowledge of how to start the process.

Please show your home in the best possible light. Not like this!

No matter how new the appliances or kitchen cabinets, roof, heating system etc. If your home is a mess don't let it be shown to prospective buyers. It will turn them off and you will lose a possible sale!

Buyers today have so many homes to choose from they will not look past your clutter or filth to see the potential. All they will see is a home that is overpriced and one that was not cared for.

This past Sunday I spent several hours with buyers touring over a dozen homes some of which were spotless and some of which I wouldn't let a stray cat spend the night. Guess which ones my buyers were interested in?

So I am pleading with you Mister and Misses Seller. If you want your home to sell, clean it up until it shines and get rid of the clutter and for heaven's sake price it right!

We wake up every day in a new world, one where we have lost some of our liberties along with some of our naivete.

We are spending $12 billion dollars a month on a war that has lasted too long already and has cost far too much in human terms. Well over 4,000 of our best men and women lost. Many thousands more injured. Are we even looking for Osama Bin Laden? Are we even fighting in the right country? Have we lost our chance at justice?

We are fortunate that we live in the "last best place on earth". We need to remember on this day what makes this country great. The American People! We need to remind ourselves that we alone can determine the course of this country. We need to band together on this anniversary and renew our pledge to find those responsible for the horrific attack that occurred this day seven long years ago.

Why do I feel like George Bush has pulled an O.J. Simpson on us. It appears to me that he is looking for Osama about as much as O.J. is looking for Nicole's killer.

I think we deserve more! I know that those brave souls who lost their lives deserve more. I hope that we don't observe this date for even one more year before we see justice served. Mission Accomplished, I think not!

I encourage all of you with a vested interest in our great city to share your input. Here is a link you can follow to give them your ideas! Visit http://www.ci.quincy.ma.us/ and let your ideas be heard. I know that I for one would like to be able to view the plot plans on line for our properties. Maybe they can even incorporate the FEMA flood zone maps or link to them.

And if you get a chance you should visit our farmer's market Fridays through October from 11:30 to 5:00

Rain or Shine

Located at the Hancock Municipal Parking Lot* across from the Courthouse Chestnut Street, Quincy

* Free Parking for the first hour; $2 per hour after the first

Also we will be having an even bigger and better August Moon Festival this year! See you there!