Connecting Marathon Victims to Special Care
A new collaborative effort by city and state government will help connect victims and their families with trained specialists. South End Patch News
Markey Wins Senate Special Election
It’s been a long road to the Senate for Ed Markey, but the road finally came to a successful end for the longtime Congressman Tuesday night. Markey, a Democrat who has represented Malden since 1976, beat Republican Cohasset businessman and former U.S. Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez in the election Tuesday. Markey’s party at the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston’s Back Bay was a raucous one for local and state Democrats who could revel in a special election victory after losing their last such race in 2010. He thanked his opponent and said that while they disagreed on issues they both “love the state of Massachusetts and love the United States of America.” Gomez, speaking to his supporters gathered at the Seaport Hotel, said that he called Markey with congratulations shortly after the race was called and that they had a “very productive talk.” “I wish him nothing but the best,” Gomez said. Markey was thankful of supporters who knocked on doors over the weekend in sweltering heat to get people out to vote Tuesday. “Regardless of how you voted, I say to you tonight, this is your seat in the United States Senate,” Markey said. Gomez framed his concession speech with the story of his parents, who immigrated from Columbia in 1964, and their decision to remain in the United States and raise their son. He went on to the Naval Academy, the NAVY SEALs and Harvard Business School. “I love this county with the bottom of my heart,” Gomez said. “I will continue to fight for my country. I’m going to ensure we have a strong, safe America.” Gomez did not hold back on his criticism of what he called the “Democratic machine,” and though he apologized several times for “coming up short,” his supporters shouted that he had nothing to apologize for, being a Republican in Massachusetts. “Sometimes you face overwhelming force,” Gomez said. “I mean, we were massively overspent.” “But in the face of this adversity,” he continued, “we could not have fought a better fight.” Markey, meanwhile, said he wants to be a leader on the issues of climate change, clean energy, gun control and making college affordable for all students among other ideas. “I want what you want, a 21st Century that is more educated, more healthy, more prosperous and more fair than the 20th Century was,” Markey said. “I will honor the vote that you gave that makes it possible for me to stand here tonight as your next United States Senator.” ***** ***** ****** ORIGINAL STORY: The Associated Press projects Democratic nominee Edward Markey […]
Special Homecoming for Marathon Bombing Survivor
Wearing a white T-shirt with the words “Roseann Strong” in bright orange letters, Boston Marathon bombing survivor Roseann Sdoia made her way home Tuesday morning, after a grand send-off at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital that included a three-engine escort from the Boston Fire Department. The milestone came almost exactly one month after the April 15 explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon that killed three and injured more than 260 people. Sdoia had attended that day’s Red Sox game at Fenway Park and headed over to Copley Square to watch the rest of the marathon when she was caught up in one of the two explosions. On Tuesday, Sdoia spoke to reporters in the lobby of the new Spaulding Hospital in the Charlestown Navy Yard before making her way outside on crutches and climbing into a friend’s waiting car. “I’m doing really good. I’m excited to go home,” Sdoia said. “I’m definitely going to miss this place, but I’m excited to go home.” Asked how she expects life to change once she leaves the hospital, Sdoia said she plans to take it “day by day.” “I’m just trying to get back to my normal life and routine,” she said. Sdoia said she expects to be return to Spaulding in about two weeks for a follow-up appointment and to get fitted for a prosthetic leg. “Tomorrow, I get my staples out of both legs, which I’m looking forward to. […] Then it’s really just trying to see how every day goes. I used to run, and I’m hoping at some point through the prosthetic process I get back to running,” she said. As for how she is doing emotionally since the day of the bombings, Sdoia said she thinks she’s OK. “My philosophy has always been, and if you ask my friends, I look at it as things happen for a reason and once it’s happened you just have to move forward, because that’s what it is. There’s no way or no reason to look back and say why did this happen or just focus on the negative. At this point, I just have to look forward,” she said. Sdoia thanked the many people who had helped save her life and get her to that point—several of which stood beside her as she got ready to go home, including Northeastern University student Shores Salter, who came across an injured Sdoia in the aftermath of the bombing and helped get her off the street, using a belt as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding on her right leg. “I have the best support system that helped me that day. It […]
Tisei Will Not Run in Special Election for U.S. Senate Seat
A day after saying he was considering running for the seat vacated by Sen. John Kerry, Republican Richard Tisei announced that he will not be in the race after all. On Saturday night, Tisei, a former state Senate minority leader, released a statement regarding his decision: I’ve been humbled by so many people who’ve urged me to run for this seat, following Senator Scott Brown’s decision not to run on Friday. I believe it’s imperative that the Republican party put forward a strong candidate who can help bring much-needed change to Washington. Unfortunately, the timing is simply not right for me to do so – deeply as I feel about the need to strongly compete in this election. It was also my desire to make this decision as quickly as possible so that other potential candidates would be able to consider whether they should run. We have many talented people from all walks of life who should get involved in the political system to bring about change. The political class ought not be a select few. That’s part of the reason that we’re in such a mess and that our political system has become dysfunctional. I urge principled, qualified men and women to stand up and be counted in the political arena. We have no right to complain if we’re not willing to be constructively involved as we try to build a better future. I’ve met thousands and thousands of people who do care and have been involved and I urge them to stay involved and to continue to make a difference – especially in these difficult times. I look forward to continuing my involvement and to supporting strong, principled, independent-minded candidates who may choose to run for this and other offices. All of us – Republicans, Independents, and Democrats – need to roll up our sleeves, pitch in, and bring about the reforms of our political system that are so desperately needed. Whether as a candidate or concerned citizen, I will continue to be involved with other men and women of integrity who share my desire for real reforms. South End Patch