Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/555971
photography by Conor Doherty Most Congenial Governor Charlie Ba er takes over the state house, with lessons learned from a loss and a commitment to rule with kindness. by brian wright o'connor Sitting cross-legged on the grass, Governor Charlie Baker eyes a semicircle of fourth graders who are camping out overnight behind the protective granite walls of Fort Independence on Castle Island. A pigtailed blonde from the Condon Elementary School in South Boston tells the blue jeans – clad governor that she lives in Dorchester. "Which parish?" he asks, not missing a beat, as American f lags snap in the breeze blowing off Boston Harbor. The answer—"St. Brendan's!"—is less revealing than the question, which demonstrates the Republican governor's schooling in Boston politics. In the shrinking precincts of white Dorchester, Roman Catholic parishes identify home turf as readily as street names or hills. In these highly Governor Charlie Baker, seen in his State House office, learned from his parents how to disagree without being disagreeable— a tone he hopes to bring to Massachusetts government. continued on page 68 bostoncommon-magazine.com 67 PeoPle View from the Top