Page 4 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2024 Mayor honors JWV national leaders with Key to the City E ~ GUEST COMMENTARY ~ There Should Be a Present and Future, Too By Sal Giarratani ugene O’Neill once wrote, “There is no present or fuOn Thanksgiving evening, November 27, 2024, the Jewish War Veterans of the United States (JWV) and Auxiliary of Massachusetts hosted a “Welcome Reception” for JWV National Commander (2024-2025) Gary Ginsburg and Jewish War Veteran Auxiliary (JWVA) National President (2024-2025) Jo Reingold. Both of them were presented, from Mayor Patrick Keefe, Jr., the “Key to the City” in recognition of their distinguished, meritorious service and achievement in their ongoing eff orts to honor and support all our Nation’s Veterans. Included in the presentation were Revere City Council Vice President Ira Novoselsky (Ward 2) — JWV Past National Commander (2008-2009) — JWV Massachusetts Department Commander Alan Lehman and JWVA Post 220 President Leslie Emack. Several post commanders and members were on hand to welcome and recognize our National Leaders. Special thanks to all from the JWV Department, Posts, Auxiliary of Massachusetts, family members and guests that attended the event. The JWV continued our annual tradition of serving our veterans on Thanksgiving Day at Massachusetts Veterans Home at Chelsea, which they have done for the past 70 years. The next visit will be on Christmas Day. (Courtesy photo) ture, only the past happens over and over again — now.” I thought of this bit of philosophy after having read what happened on December 7 during the Revere Human Rights Commission’s (HRC) regular monthly meeting. The meetings always start off with the Land Acknowledgement in which, as always, the Pawtucket tribe gets recognized as the original holder of the land encompassed by what is Revere today. Then, the Mission Statement of the commission is read. The members then watch a video of a recent visit the group took to Plymouth to learn about the Indigenous Wampanoags. Following the video the group reportedly gathered in a Circle Group. Members of the commission were invited to discuss topics that touched on human rights issues. Then after that, the meeting, which lasted 90 minutes, was adjourned. I have nothing against creating a city Human Rights Commission but what really was accomplished at this very ritualistic monthly meeting that has any real bearing on what is happening today in the City of Revere? Sounds like Eugene O’Neill’s quote says it all. Can anyone talk about today anymore or how we proceed in our shared future? After such a contentious political year, we need to fi nd ways to come together today on the values most of us share with one another. How we treat each other and respect one another. How we grow today at this moment in time and helping to create a future full of hope in our shared humanity. I hate to say this but the ninety minutes spent at the latest monthly HRC meeting seemed like a waste of ninety minutes to me. Finally, if the HRC members want to stay relative, talk about today and tomorrow. We can’t change yesterday; we can only learn from it. Saving our Climate is Saving Our Homes O n Monday, November 25th the Revere City Council unanimously passed a curbside composting ordinance and pilot program for Revere residents. Composting is a natural recycling of organic material like food scraps, leaves and yard trimmings into a valuable and soil enriching organic byproduct while preventing them from ending up in landfi lls. The curbside program is intended to have a company do “regular pick-up of compostable material from residents’ homes” to be composted off -site in a regulated manner. “We are thrilled to see Revere moving forward with food waste prevention and composting,” said Cindy Luppi, National Field Director, Clean Water Action. “In one smart step, we are reducing pollution, addressing the climate crisis and reducing reliance on landfills and the WIN Waste trash incinerator — a home run for us all.” Over 50% of greenhouse gas emissions in landfi lls come from food scraps, and those emissions create a gas called methane. In the United States, Municipal Solid Waste landfi lls are the third largest emitter of methane gas, which acts like a thick blanket over our planet; therefore, CLIMATE | SEE Page 10
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