New Bedford Gets Rare Nice Press From The Boston Media

Nice piece in the most recent edition of Commonwealth Magazine on New Bedford and Mayor Jon Mitchell. We don't often get good press out of the Boston media so enjoy it while we can.

The article touched on many of the familiar themes but actually takes a positive spin by highlighting Mitchell's insistence that New Bedford chart it's own course and stop depending upon Boston to lead us to the promised. For years we have wallowed in the "it's all Boston's fault " blues, insisting that any success here could only come at the hands of those politicians in Boston who have denied us for so long. Mitchell rightfully believes that we have to find our own way to success and he is leading the way.

We can wail about losing the high tech center at UMD, the rail, the casino (twice), etc...or we can develop the downtown, the waterfront, our neighborhoods and work to attract new business and industry. Through festivals and fairs and the arts and the great cuisine New Bedford has a lot to offer and others have begun to notice. We're far from Nirvana but how far we go is up to us.

If New Bedford is to find it's way it cannot wait for someone else to lead, we have to do it ourselves. We all have a role to play in securing the future. That means sweeping your sidewalk, sending your kids to school, working hard and working together.

The article can be found at www.commonwealthmagazine.org