Don't blame the politicians until you've looked in the mirror.

Too many people in Woburn are yawning and watching reality TV while a good man's future is at stake.

A bit of background for the two or three Woburnites who have not heard the buzz about the DeNapoli benefit package; for those who aren't familiar with it, here's the short version: Officer DeNapoli is the police officer who was shot and gravely wounded in a Woburn jewelry store robbery. The City Council voted to extend 100% salary to Officer DeNapoli for the rest of his life; Mayor Galvin wants that benefit to cease at age 65, at which point it would be reduced to 80%. Much has been said about the merits of this case, including here on Patch, and I hope people will read and understand the issue fully because it speaks loud and clear to the character of our public representatives in an election year.

My point here is not to rehash the DeNapoli issue in its entirety. My intent is to focus on a critical part of that discussion, one which affects us all.

At last night's City Council Subcommittee Meeting, Alderman Drapeau suggested that the City put the issue to the public on this fall's ballot. But Alderman Denaro warned that if the ballot question failed, Officer DeNapoli would be faced with a drastic reduction in benefits – even less compensation than contained in the package proposed by Mayor Galvin. The question must pass by 50% plus one vote of all participating voters (which the entire Council agreed would not be hard to attain); the sticking point was the additional requirement that one-third of Woburn's registered voters actually vote. And all agreed that this requirement was unattainable.

That is one of the saddest things I've every heard! Mayor Galvin won't be responsible for Officer DeNapoli's diminished quality of life. The Aldermen who represent us won't be responsible. WE are responsible. We, who elect (or, by not voting, allow to be elected by default) people who toy with people's lives in pursuit of their own ambitions, are responsible for this sort of injustice. We're simply lucky that Aldermen DiTucci, Raymond, Gately, and Drapeau are strong, outspoken and wise in representing us. Just LUCKY because a few perceptive people made time in their oh-so-busy schedules to vote for them. And luck should play no part in it.

This is an election year. Don't let life get in the way of your attention and your vote ... it really *does* count in a big way! Officer DeNapoli's situation is proof of that.