by Franklin W. Liu

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone was very busy attending events July 26 to July 29 in and around the Democratic National Convention held in the Boston’s FleetCenter.

“I attended a reception for Senate President Robert E. Travagaglini, as well as a reception for the MA Congressional Delegation held at the Moakley Courthouse, a tribute to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy at the Boston Pops, and also a reception for Teresa Heinz Kerry held at the Mistral,” the mayor said.

Curtatone said the Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee Sen. John Edwards gave an excellent “Hope is on the way” speech.

He was thrilled to watch the Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John F. Kerry walked up to the podium, saluting the frenzied, cheering crowd saying, “I’m John Kerry and I’m reporting for duty,” he said.

Curtatone said he applauded Kerry’s rousing acceptance speech, promising to fight terrorism and restore respect for America around the world.

Afterwards, Curtatone said he attended a post-convention reception at the Museum of Science.

“I enjoyed seeing both Clintons speak and I thought the former president spoke especially well,” he said.

The mayor said it was great that because the presidential nominee is the junior senator from Massachusetts and the City of Boston was hosting the convention, the Massachusetts delegation got assigned absolute prime seating; front row and dead center, facing the podium.

The mayor said he was also impressed, like everyone who heard the spirited, short talk given July 27 by Ilana Wexler, a red-hair, freckled face 12-year old founder of KidsForKerry.org from Oakland, Calif.

“Ms. Wexler was incredibly poised. It’s heartening to see such a young person take an active role in the democratic process. I encourage other young people to do the same” he said.

Of all the speeches delivered, the one Mr. Barack Obama, a first time U.S. Senate candidate from Illinois, gave was especially noteworthy, Curtatone said.

His speech resonated so well with Democratic Party luminaries, 4,300 delegates and invited guests that Curtatone agreed with the buzz on the convention floor political star was born that evening, he said.

Considering all of his fears of traffic jams and other problems strangling Boston and neighboring cities arising from convention activities, the mayor said was happy to have the week go smoothly.

“Luckily, we were not hit with any unforeseen problems. We, of course, along with the entire region were ready for a significant amount of traffic in the city,” he said.

“In the end, with the exception of a slight increase towards the end of the week, there were very few back-ups in Somerville. The city’s public safety officials were extremely well prepared for any problems,” Curtatone said.