Ad distorted Feeney's position on fire response

To the Editor:

 On August 29, the City of Boston lost two brave firefighters, Paul Cahill and Warren Payne, during a tragic fire in a West Roxbury restaurant.  In the funeral services that followed, we heard of their dedication to their calling and love for their families.  We witnessed the solidarity of firefighters from across our nation who joined together in mourning.  And we were reminded that each day, as others run away from danger, these brave men and women run toward it, making each of us safer through their sacrifice. 

 The City Council stood with thousands in offering tribute to the service of these brave men.  Further, on September 12, 2007, the Council unanimously approved an order for a hearing to discuss closing any potential loopholes in the current safety inspection system in hope that we might prevent future tragedy.  I was proud to join with my colleagues in adding my name to this order, filed by Chair of the Public Safety Committee, Councillor Steven Murphy.

 Last week, I was dismayed to read an advertisement in the Reporter taken out by my opponent suggesting that I would oppose hearings to bring to light the facts of this tragedy.  I did say clearly that the Council should not interfere with any fire department investigation.  It is untrue to say that I would prevent or postpone hearings.  To the contrary, as I stated above, I fully supported the call for further investigation.  But besides the misinformation, it is simply disrespectful to the memories of these fallen firefighters to use this tragedy in political propaganda. 

While I appreciate my opponent's interest in this serious issue and welcome his experience in his condo association, I would remind him that leadership is not about scoring political points on the news of the day.  Leadership takes dedication, sacrifice and courage, values these brave firefighters demonstrated to each of us on that tragic night. 

Sincerely,

Maureen E. Feeney

President, Boston City Council

Housing, unlike churches, in short supply

To the Editor:

Pastor Antoine Montgomery is quoted as saying that his church's plans for city-owned parcels on Norfolk Street are better than housing because "we have housing all over the place." ["City lots may fuel expansion by church in Codman Sq.," Sept. 13.]

We have homelessness all over the place too.

There are 14,000 families on the waiting list for public housing and an additional 7,000 families in our city on the waiting list for Section 8 vouchers.

Homelessness is one paycheck away for many who cannot afford the rents in our area.

City-owned parcels must be used for the most important public use and that use is homes for families.

We have churches all over the place too.

Richard Heath

Jamaica Plain

Time for a real end to U.S. role in Iraq

To the Editor:

It was déjà vu watching the testimony of General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker last week. It reminded me of Colin Powell's presentation before the U.N. about all the reasons the United States must attack Iraq. We know those turned out to be lies and the basis for an illegal and immoral war.

Petraeus' and Crocker's testimony included plans for the withdrawal of a few troops from Iraq. But the general and ambassador also laid out plans for a long-term U.S. military occupation of Iraq, creating a compliant, protected regime in the oil-rich heart of the Middle East. A long-term military occupation of Iraq is a bad solution to a failed war policy. Our members of Congress should be working towards an end to the war that people in this country of all political parties can unite around.

One such proposal has already been put forward and would enact into law the recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, including a firm commitment for the withdrawal all U.S. military troops from Iraq, full support for regional diplomatic negotiations with all of Iraq's neighbors, and a commitment to assist in rebuilding a country that U.S. military troops have helped to destroy. I hope that we can count on our members of Congress to support this bill and a real end to the Iraq war.

Elissa Menconi

Adams Street