It’s been three years ago this month since my grandmother passed away and, though I miss her often, the feeling is never as intense as it is this time of year.

Federal politicians inside the Washington, D.C., bubble sure could stand to learn a lot from a group of local elected officials committed to doing right by their constituents.

Punch and iced sugar cookies notwithstanding, the Nov. 27 joint meeting between Quincy and DeGraff village councils was fierce and, at times, a bit confrontational as both groups sought to get their way in an ongoing difference of opinion over how best to pay the incoming operator at the wastewater treatment plant.