Pride in my Newton, Massachusetts community

There are frequently occasions when I feel somewhat embarrassed by my home city of Newton, Massachusetts. Generally, those occur when some member or members of the Board of Alderman presumptuously undertake to have my city make policy pronouncements on national or international issues instead of sticking to the local matters they were elected to address. Recent examples include proposed or actual resolutions inviting released Gitmo terrorist suspects to come live in Newton, condemning the U.S. war in Iraq and limiting the portion of the federal budget to be spent on the military to 25%.

The recent work of a volunteer committee consisting of both public and private members, however, should make all Newton residents beam with pride. That committee was formed almost immediately after the tragic death of Newton resident Jeff Beatrice, a well known father, husband and youth sports coach. Beatrice was only 49 and his sudden death devastated his wife and seven school-aged children not only with the loss of his love and emotional support, but also the loss of their home and only source of income. The volunteer committee, known as the "Beatrice Family Fund" stepped in to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay off the Beatrice's home's mortgage and stave off threatened foreclosure.

Kudos to this volunteer committee for putting together their compassion, time and skills to accomplish such a noble endeavor. Additional kudos for their setting up the ongoing "One Newton Foundation" to help any other local families facing similarly drastic situations. For all its foibles and quirks, Newton truly is a caring community.