Yes, it seems hypocritical for Statehouse Democrats to push for appointment of an interim U.S. Senate successor when they had just voted the other way a scant four years ago.
But state Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante raised important points in noting that a shutdown of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s office by Oct. 23 would leave Cape Ann-based issues hanging — notably the need for legislative reform of the federal fishing regulatory system for which Kennedy’s staff has played an important role.
Indeed, with the New England Fishery Management Council discussing landmark regulatory changes this week, and the Department of Commerce Inspector General’s investigation into the feds’ heavy-handed enforcement tactics still in the works, the shutdown of the Kennedy office could not come at a worse time for Gloucester, Cape Ann and other fishing communities, especially.