The retirement of MBTA has general manager Michael Mulhern for a position in the private sector has left a void in the transit agency. Mulhern was a strong advocate for neighborhood transportation issues, and was highly regarded by community activists and local legislators for his accessibility and willingness to listen to neighborhood concerns. He leaves at a time when there are several pressing issues facing public transit in Dorchester, amoing them the uncompleted renovations of four Red Line stations and the long awaited plans to give more local access to the Fairmount/Indigo rail line. Michael Mulhern was a champion on those issues.

But the news may not be bad, as Mulhern's replacement is Daniel Grabauskas, recently the state's Transportation Secretary. The new T General Manager will be remembered for the terrific job he did during a previous tenure reorganizing the Registry of Motor Vehicles. It was Dan Grabauskas who streamlined customer service at the Registry and made that agency much more effective.

We welcome him to his new role, and remind him that Dorchester neighborhoods have long waited for improved public transit amenities. Michael Mulhern got things on the right track for us, and we have every hope that this work will continue.

-Ed Forry

An Award Tour

It is the awards season in Dorchester, a traditional time when local schools and organizations take a look back over their program year and acknowledge the good that has taken place. UMass-Boston has announced that five honorary degrees will be awardedon June 3. Those receiving degrees include Leonel Fernandez, president of the Dominican Republic, WGBH-TV news presenter and commentator Emily Rooney, veteran banker Gail Snowden and Boston rock and roll performer Steven Tyler.

This week, it was the Dorchester Bay EDC staging its annual dinner and awards program. The 26- year old non-profit honored four for their efforts in Dorchester, among them:

Andre Medina, Cuban-born owner of Americas' Food Basket, the independent grocery which employs 160 in three local stores; Julie Connelly, Senior vice president and CRA officer at Citizens Bank; State Rep. Marie St. Fleur, the state legislator from Uphams Corner who recently has been promoted to vice chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee; and Michael Glavin, a native of Meeting House Hill who until this year managed the former Fleet Bank's community development efforts. The four were feted at a UMass-Boston function attended by some 300 people, and featured TV performer Mark Curry as master of ceremonies.

Later this month, UMass-Boston's new campus center will once again be the site of a traditional gathering of neighborhood folks for a community breakfast. Two local men - Bob and Dan Ferrara - will be honored with the Robert H. Quinn Award for Outstanding Community Service.

- Ed Forry