Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 9, 2024 ~ Malden Musings ~ Malden Police Commissioner Barbara Walsh Murphy By Peter Levine I t is said in “Malden Musings”... • On Wednesday night, June 24, at about 6:48 p.m., Malden celebrated bigly. From CPL William T.J. Dempsey Memorial Square in Linden all the way to the Lt. Walter J. Gunther Jr. Memorial Stone at the Rez, Maldonians raised a glass of cheer for Barbara Walsh Murphy, Malden’s very first female Police Commissioner. The overflow crowd waited patiently for the eagerly anticipated vote as many of the councillors weighed in on the merits of Barbara’s appointment. All spoke in glowing terms of their former colleague but, surprisingly, one councillor voted against the appointment. On a side note, how ’bout being that lone solitary councillor, in the books as being on the wrong side of history? Good grief! Then MPD Chief Glenn Cronin (backed by many of the men and women in blue serving us so proudly) took the podium and gave a presentation for the ages – sealing the deal for Barbara (I hear tell Animal Control Officer and amateur historiMalden Mayor Gary Christenson, Malden Police Commissioner Barbara Walsh Murphy and “First Gentleman,” husband Jeff. an Kevin Alkins had a hand in researching some of the more esoteric historical MPD moments captured by Chief Cronin). Not to digress but just to reiterate, Malden is extremely fortunate to have Chief Cronin sitting in the big seat. Another fabulous decision by the Mayor’s Office for our future in Malden. Keep up the great work, Chief, your department is, without doubt, the envy of our neighbors – on a daily basis, each and every officer making us proud. Barbara! Congratulations! You so deserve this appointment, and you will be exceptional at it. Malden has your back as you witnessed at the SRO special session to anoint you. I even saw your cousin Jimmy (Sullivan) come out of hibernation to show support, with your hubby Jeff making a rare in-person appearance (LOL)! All the best in the future and to the future, Barbara! Show them what we in Ward 5 have known for years: You are simply the best! Hey, you know you’ve made an impact if The Kevin Larson takes time to write a letter to the editor praising your appointment. • Oh, and by the way, once again a tip of the fedora to Erika’s little brother, Mayor Gary Christenson (and his staff), for making yet another brilliant decision benefiting the lives of each and every Maldonian for many years to come. Hey, if Mayor “Beast Slayer” fails to make another important decision during his tenure, this appointment and his tearing down the “Beast That Devoured Pleasant Street” would be enough to cement his legacy. • “What you are about to read is a matter of human record. Explain it: we cannot. Disprove it: we cannot. We simply invite you to explore with us the amazing world of the Unknown ... to take that One Step ... Beyond.” Ron Hogan aka “The Stable Genius” wears many hats in the Malden he loves so dearly. Director in the Parking Dept., Malden’s Chief Strategy Officer, parent to Theo and – much like Master Po in the 1972 TV series “Kung Fu” – a dispenser of wisdom for any grasshopper that may seek it are but a few. What many do not know is that he is a world-class chef. I kid you not. Long (true) story short, Ron brings a crockpot full of his celebrated meatballs into the office for the Parking Control Officers. The food was to recognize the exceptional work they had been doing lately. Ron created these yummy orbs with the recipe gifted to him from Johnny Cagno. I’m sure you know Johnny or somebody in his large, wonderful extended family. JC was one of those kids growing up who “all the guys wanted to be like, and all the girls wanted to be with him.” True fact. A little backstory: In 2008, Johnny aka Gino emails Ron aka Luigi (inside joke) his mother Nancy’s recipe for her Edgeworth-famous meatballs (“don’t make them too small!”). The recipe disappears; in 2012 upon request, John forwards the much sought after recipe back to Hoagy. Anyway, as I said, this recipe was from John’s late mom, Nancy (aproMUSINGS| SEE PAGE 14
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