Table of Contents
Welcome to this space — My regular contribution, hopefully monthly, to informing, challenging, and sharing some thinking about a world, where rationality can serve an active role, in a world of chaos.
My own background, is often thought to be interesting, challenging, even a bit inspiring, as I had parents, who were early pioneers, in home schooling, and in many other ways, as well. This schooling, led me towards being an historian, who respects the dynamic of current events, and their ceaseless evolution into various historical accounts; and their influence on civics, civic literacy, and more.
This column, hopefully gives you, the reader, an encouragement, to feel that I, as an experienced columnist, will provide useful information, in a respectful way; even while I may challenge your views, my own views, and the apparently confused reality of our broader world.
I choose the word Gazetteer, to introduce a literate dictionary encouraging, engagement with language, that might befit, the late Russell Baker. Baker, an excellent writer, and reporter, gradually developed into a great humorist, a flavor of which, can be captured by the title of a late in life work of his, noted in his Britannica Encyclopedia biography:
“In 2002 he published ‘Looking Back: Heroes, Rascals, and Other Icons of the American Imagination.’”
Surely, the United States, and Massachusetts, and even Winchester, have had heroes, rascals, self-appointed, and/or otherwise designated.
In noting heroes, two great governors of Massachusetts, lived much of their public lives, in Winchester, Gov. Samuel McCall, and Gov. John A. Volpe, both of whom, inspired many, saved lives, and influenced good actions taken in, and for, our town, and well beyond.
McCall, is best known for his relief expedition to Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1917, after a terrible explosion that devastated that important community. The wonderful gesture of Nova Scotia, yearly sending of a Christmas tree, that is erected on Boston Common, is but a modest cosmetic, for a tremendous gesture by Massachusetts.
McCall did a lot more as well, and was largely responsible for the last Constitutional Convention of Massachusetts, in 1917-1918, and the lengthening of the governor’s term, from one year, to two years.
Along the way, McCall was a significant writer, journalist, and thinker; hopefully, my words may contribute to such efforts, in our own present time.
Volpe, is known for many actions, including lifting the railroad crossing, at Winchester Center, which has undoubtedly saved many lives, and avoided uncounted accidents. Along the journey of a long, and productive life, Volpe, was appointed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, to be in charge of developing the Interstate Highway System.
Volpe’s engagement in Massachusetts government, also led to major reform, including the creation of our state cabinet, and extending the term of governor, from two years, to four years. He also served as U.S. Secretary of Transportation, and U.S. Ambassador to Italy, in a remarkable career.
The condensation of media, including the collapse of much of the print media, the distinct weakening of local coverage, and the concentration of media power by mergers, acquisitions, purchases, and other social phenomena, is contributing to the weakening of our society.
As Americans move about, hounded by tidal waves of increasing costs in housing, and declines in big city, metropolitan mass transit; it is ever more important that individuals, and families, can access local news, and opinion.
While Winchester News, is distinctly online, it represents one of many newer responses, to the challenges of reporting local news, informing our residents, our citizenry, and our newest neighbors, of vital information, and hopefully, with a friendly, and constructive flavor.
Towns, such as Winchester, still with Representative Town Meetings, and almost entirely volunteer decision making elected offices, as their front door; are where we, and in which, much of our surrounding communities live.
Of course, we are influenced by the larger cities, of Boston, Cambridge, and other places; and this does, and should reflect that Massachusetts, is a Commonwealth, that suggests, and sometimes behaves as a state, where we have much in common. What we have in common, and how we might challenge each other, are among those aspects, that this column will seek to address.
Welcome to what I hope, can be a “multilogue”…. More than just a dialogue, of screaming across at each other, but efforts to share information, ideas, and worthwhile thinking.
Vincent Lawrence “Vince” Dixon, is an historian, political activist, and small business oriented resident of Winchester; and appreciator of all friends, those he knows, and those he has yet to meet. He can be reached with further comment, and suggestions at: vincedixon99@yahoo.com.
