Worcester City Councilor at large candidate Bill Coleman mayor telegram.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from telegram.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Raymond V. Mariano
There are a couple of words that some people constantly misuse that really get under my skin. I’m not talking about common grammatical mistakes. I’m talking about taking simple words and distorting their meaning to the point where they become almost meaningless.
Those two words are “hero” and “patriot.”
Over the years, I have given a number of speeches focusing on the subject of heroes. To me, a hero is someone who does something extraordinary, at great risk to themselves, for the benefit of someone else.
When Worcester lost six brave firefighters who rushed into a burning building in search of a homeless couple, I asked that all of the students in the public schools write essays about the true meaning of heroism. I was overwhelmed by the beautiful and touching responses that I was privileged to read.
WORCESTER Time and age and history are funny things to think about some time.
William S. Coleman III is 66, but he said he feels like he s still 22, the first year he ran for office in the city. He hasn t been on every ballot since 1976, but it s close. He s giving it another go this year, in the at-large race for City Council.
For someone who has never quite been able to harness whatever it is that puts candidates over the edge in elections, Coleman remains an optimist about his chances, and a realist about his role. I m determined, Coleman said in a recent interview. My determination is steadfast. I m a New Englander when it comes down to persistence. But I want to open up the process to the people. If I get elected, I realize my future on the council won t be as long as my past. I m not looking at 10 years down the road.