Ray Gottwald's Blog

The Last Day of July

THE LAST DAY OF JULY

I was surprised to read in one of the Boston newspapers that July 31st is Governor Deval Patrick's birthday.

 I also had the same reaction when I worked for state government and received a birthday invitation to former Governor Weld's birthday celebration which also happens to be July 31^st.

 You see I also happen to be born on July 31^st, so of course right away one ponders,  what do I have in common with these two Governor's I share a birthday with?  Is there really some sort of truth to Astrology and those daily horoscopes many of us read?

 Besides the obvious passion for public service and politics , what else do we have in common?

 We all love the seashore, but also enjoy spending time in the mountains.You may remember Governor Weld loved his time hunting and fishing in the Adirondacks and Governor Patrick relishes his time in the Berkshire.

 I grew up in Schenectady, NY  so a lot of my childhood time was spent vacationing in the Berkshires and Adirondacks which were at most a hour's drive. Athough having a father who worked for General Electric my guess is that the places we stayed were perhaps a bit more modest.

 One thing that the two Governors seem a bit different on is their mode of dress. I remember former Governor Weld bragging about the holes in his shoes in his campaign for US Senate against John Kerry. I detect that Governor Patrick is a bit more attentive in this arena. And where do I fit in? Well when I worked in Boston I wore a lot more suits, but were on the Cape after all and I prefer the casual look except for special meetings and occasions.

 And my bi-partisan family background and birthday I share with two Governors from different parties fits in with my own. My mom is a Democrat and my dad is deceased but was an active Republican . I find that sometimes works to my advantage in building consensus and finding the middle ground.  

 And just think on my birthday-July 31^st,  I could be on the state house at this very moment with the last minute feeding frenzy going on in the House of Representatives, with issue after issue being voted on quickly and without very little debate or public input.