By Dan Mitrovich
Many of us know and remember the late Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neil, who grew up in North Cambridge, Massachusetts. I begin my piece here today with Tip O’Neil’s famous quote, “all politics is local.” While there are several variations of this phrase, this version resonates most with me, and it’s the one I choose to carry forward.
The truth is, that statement brings my thoughts right to our own neighborhood here in our nation’s capital—and the idea that The Southwester is local.
Recently I had the privilege to sit down with Beth Hall, the newly elected President of the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly, which leads projects including The Southwester. We met at a local coffee shop right here in our neighborhood. I shared with her that I grew up in El Cajon, a town just outside of San Diego in Southern California. Back then, we only had the option of receiving our news of the day from the local newspaper that was delivered by a delivery boy who threw our morning paper in our driveway.
Growing up in El Cajon back in the sixties, our local newspaper was The Daily Californian, published by a man named Sy Cassidy. I got to know Mr. Cassidy and many of his children, some of whom remain friends of mine to this day. The Daily Californian brought us readers the news of the day on politics, sports and other important information about our town. The local newspaper was essential for all of us readers.
Today, in the year 2025, most people go to their cell phones for news. However, 99% of the time, there is no local news for us to read—so we often go without. To me, going without local news is not acceptable. I moved into our Southwest neighborhood in May of 2024, so while I am still considered a newcomer, this is now my part of town as well as yours.
That is why The Southwester plays such an important part for us that live locally. I have spoken of late with friends from around the country who say the local news is coming back, and we need it now more than ever.
As I go out on my morning run five days a week, I often switch up my route to get the flavor of our neighborhood. Along the way, I often make a mental note of the new businesses so I can return later to learn more about the store, restaurant, or shop that may be important to me in my daily life. Whether you’re a runner or a walker, getting outside allows us to explore the neighborhood we all live in.
While running down at the Waterfront, I discovered the Titanic Memorial and learned about its architect Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. I enjoy my mornings circling the monument, each time reflecting on the tragic sinking of the Titanic in 1912, which claimed the lives of over 1,517 people. As I circle, I give a quick prayer for all who suffered on that fateful day—April 15, 1912.
The April 2025 edition of The Southwester gave us news about Cherry Blossom Festivities, Mutual Aid, Southwest Gardens Spring Kickoff, and a story I enjoyed, the “Bird Man” Rodney Stotts.
The truth is, were it not for our local newspaper, many of those stories and events would have quietly passed us by. So, in closing, I ask my fellow neighbors to remember the words of the late Tip O’Neil: “all politics is local” and use his quote as a reminder to keep The Southwester local.
I want to thank the publishers of our local newspaper The Southwester. Keep up the good work you’re doing for all of us here in the Southwest corner of our nation’s capital.