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August 20, 2015
WWW.SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Thank You In case you haven’t noticed as summer rolls along “Mom’s Bench” as Deirdre, Tom, and Alanna Grealy call it, is back in its rightful place. Under a shady tree overlooking M St beach is the bench that Sharlene Feeney Grealy walked to when she needed to relax and reflect on all that she was blessed with and some things she would battle to keep. The bench always recharged her. It rejuvenated her and gave her cause to smile. Cancer took her in June of 2003. We lost her beautiful smile, her bubbly personality, and the fighting spirit that kept us all going. Sharlene was gone, but the bench stood firm. A suttle monument to a neighborhood girl that everyone loved. On a cold rainy night, some months ago, a motor vehicle accident tore the bench from its concrete platform. The crash left it twisted and broken. Mom’s Bench was gone! News spread quickly through the neighborhood and within an hour of the accident Deirdre, Tom, and Alanna Grealy were told, “Don’t worry the bench will be back. We promise!” Like so many times before Southie stepped up. The neighborhood rallied and proved once again that they are the heart and soul of this city. Bar none. Calls went out and donations poured in “Let’s get the bench back.” was an immediate neighborhood cause! I’m sitting on the bench as I write this reflecting as my beautiful wife once did. Thinking of how fortunate and blessed The Feeney and The Grealy family are to have you all on our side. You’re the best. On behalf of both families, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your help and support in “Bringing back the bench.” It would take two editions to list all of the people that helped along the way. The families would like to especially thank State Representative Nick Collins for his effort and thoughtfulness all through the process, Kevin Hollenbach of the DCR who went back and forth and above and beyond to secure the placement of the new bench, Lt. Mark Kiley of Massachusetts State Police in South Boston who helped locate the plaque from the original bench, and of course, each and every one of you, The People of Southie. Donations were amazing and plentiful throughout the process, but as Shalrene would want, they were sent to her favorite charities. St. Jude’s Hospital, Cops for Kids with Cancer, and Melanoma Research Foundation are just a few of many sent in Sharlene’s name. Thanks again everyone! We will see you down at The Bench.
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Linehan, Murphy Bill for Tax Relief Pushed by Collins, Michlewitz on Beacon Hill Recently, the Massachusetts Legislature held a public hearing on a home rule petition which would grant tax relief to homeowners throughout Boston. The petition was presented by City Council President Bill Linehan and City Councilor Steve Murphy and was approved by the City Council. As written, the home rule petition would establish property tax deferrals for low-income, long-term residents over the age of 55. This deferral would allow older residents to stay in their homes despite the burden of rising property taxes. In order to out this tax relief program into effect, the City of Boston must first obtain authorization from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As a result, Representative Aaron Michlewitz and Representative Nick Collins filed the home rule petition with the Massachusetts Legislature and testified in support of it at the public hearing at the State House. “Councilor Linehan and I filed this petition to bring relief to long term homeowners who need it now” said
Councilor Murphy. “I want to thank the Mayor, Rep. Collins, and Rep. Michlewitz for driving this home at the State House” “This bill would give well deserved tax relief to those longtime residents who need it the most” said Rep. Michlewitz. “Allowing residents to stay in their homes should be a priority and that is why I was happy to sponsor this bill with Representative Collins.” “There are many lifelong residents of our city who are on a fixed income and are struggling to keep up with rising taxes in so that they can remain in their homes,” said Rep. Collins. “This is a problem we are aware of at the city and state levels and I am working with my colleagues in City Hall and the Boston Legislative Delegation to protect these members of our community. This bill will allow long-term residents on a fixed income, particularly the elderly and disabled, to continue living comfortably in their beloved homes.” The bill is now being considered by the Joint Committee on Revenue.