Fred Laskey deserves the public’s gratitude for his leadership after the water main rupture.
(Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff)
Globe Editorial
The impressive response to last weekend’s water main rupture in Weston showed government at its best. But anyone who knows Fred Laskey, the Everett-born, Medford-raised, UMass Boston-educated executive director of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, knows that he would never take the credit himself.
The break, which would send 265 million gallons of water gushing out over the next two days, occurred Saturday morning. After around-the-clock efforts, it was fixed by dawn Monday — and by 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Governor Patrick could lift his boil-water directive.
In an interview, the self-effacing Laskey praised Patrick and Mayor Thomas Menino of Boston for their leadership. He also praised his own team — people whom he describes as “top-flight professionals.’’ Yet it’s Laskey who most deserves the public’s gratitude, both for the quietly effective way he has led the water-and-sewer agency since June 2001 and for his leadership in this situation.
“What stands out about Fred,’’ says Ian Bowles, who as secretary of energy and environmental affairs chairs the MWRA board, “is his incredible hard work, his being present around the clock, the depth of his knowledge about the system itself, and the high degree of credibility he has with all the employees.’’
Dedicated, determined, and capable leaders shine most in emergencies. Laskey should take a bow.
© Copyright 2010 Globe Newspaper Company.
