No matter what end – or portion of the middle – you may lean to politically, you have to hand it to those who step up and serve their communities. It takes a lot of dedication and know-how to effectively get there, and then do a good job once one actually gets there.

This is so on the grand national scale, and just as much so on the smaller, civic level of city administration. Service is service, and it takes the same grit and commitment, no matter how large or small one’s constituency may be.

Alderman At Large and Somerville Board of Alderman President William A. White Jr. is one such giant of service to his community. He has just been elected Board President for his third term, and a well-deserved vote of confidence it is. The alderman has a brilliant command of issues that confront the Board, and comprehends the eye-wateringly obtuse legalese and knotty legislative puzzles that would make most of us throw up our hands and run for cover.

Likewise, we commend relative newcomer Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 7 Alderman, and newly appointed Vice President of the Board.

Both of these individuals have risen to the occasion, to lead the way in taking on the weighty issues and questions that confront our city.

Small town heroes, perhaps. But heroes nonetheless. They stand up for us and let it be known that they care.