LUCAS WILL WRITE

The headline is a jocular reference to one of the most famous (infamous?) Boston newspaper headlines ever, "WHITE WILL RUN," the tabloid screamer over a piece by then-columnist Peter Lucas breaking the news that then-Mayor Kevin White would seek another term. Unfortunately for Lucas, he was sold a bill of goods by a score-settling White camp, and White didn't run. And it's also unfortunate that this remains such a memorable part of Lucas's legacy, obscuring years of sharp-edged political analysis.

But perhaps that miscarriage of journalistic justice will be put in its proper perspective now that Lucas is returning to columnizing for the Lowell Sun. As someone who grew up reading and admiring his work, this is good news for political junkies, especially if Lucas puts the wisdom gleaned from a recent stint inside the beast at the MBTA to work on behalf of Sun readers wondering just how badly we're getting screwed by state government.