Fishing allowed in Quabbin

To the Editor:

President Kennedy once said that, "Defeat is an orphan, but victory has a thousand mothers." The recent approval by the Massachusetts Water Supply Trust to reopen the Quabbin Reservoir for seven day a week fishing access is a great case in point to that great quotation.

The North Worcester County Quabbin Anglers Association and the Quabbin Fisherman's Association working for decades on promoting the splendid fishing and recreational opportunities rightly deserve the lions share of the credit for the successful restoration of this achievement. These two groups, their leadership team and their point person, Retired Brigadier General William Meehan, gave a powerful, united and responsible voice to the hundreds of anglers who partake in recreational activities on the 400 billion gallon Quabbin Reservoir.

Fishing is perhaps the greatest of all true family activities. It is grandparents, parents, and children alike partaking in healthy bonding time. The Angler groups also organize a special Olympic Fishing weekend in August and as one who has seen the smiling faces on those people who face extraordinary challenges in their every day lives, it is nothing short of inspirational and emotional for many of us. God Bless them. So many people of the Swift River Valley who sacrificed their New England hometowns of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott deserve the access of this 58,000 acres reservation and the Water Supply Trustee members are making this happen. So, congratulations to all of you who have advanced this measure. Generations past, present, and future owe you a debt of gratitude.

Stephen M. Brewer

State Senator

D-Barre