March 2, 2010

South Boston Citizens’ Association President Tom McGrath has announced that the Association will present its 2010 President’s Award to former City Councilor Michael Flaherty at this year’s Evacuation Day Banquet, to be held on March 12th at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

“This award will be presented to Michael Flaherty in recognition of his ten years’ of service to the City of Boston and, especially, to his South Boston friends and neighbors as a member of the Boston City Council and as its president for five years. It also recognizes his lifetime of commitment to his community and service on numerous levels in giving back to the people of South Boston,” said McGrath. “Councilor Flaherty has truly made a difference in preserving and enhancing the quality of life in our community and for that we are thankful.”

This year will mark the Association’s 130th annual Evacuation Day Banquet and the 234th anniversary of the British Evacuation from Boston, which was forced by the positioning of canons taken to Dorchester Heights by Henry Knox on March 17th 1776.

“I am truly honored by this award,” said Flaherty, who also served for many years as a member of the Association’s executive board. “Of all the recognitions I have received in my career, I am always most honored—and most humbled—when I am offered an award by neighbors in my own community of South Boston. I have never considered working on the behalf of my friends and neighbors in South Boston a job or a task; it has always been, and will always be, a privilege and an honor,” Flaherty said.

President Tom McGrath advises that the banquet is selling out fast but that tickets are still available. Anyone interested in attending should contact Banquet Chairman Tom White at1-781-350-8326.