Page 2 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – Friday, January 3, 2020 TIME FLIES | FROM PAGE 1 “We all know this is an exciting year for the city, but we have a lot of changes coming up to us we’ve never seen in Everett,” said Dell Isola. “We all have to be working together as a team in the City Council Chambers – work together with the Mayor’s Office and the School Department – all as one team working together, because we’re all in this together. What we do here will affect us down the road, our families and the future of Everett’s residents.” Mayor’s vision On February 11, the City Council voted 7-2 to approve the robust Urban Renewal Plan designed to breathe life back into Everett Square. During the meeting, Jef Fasser, vice president of BSC Group, said the plan included redeveloping 419 Broadway into two mixed-use parcels. Fasser also spoke about plans to rehabilitate the Everett Savings Bank building and the Universal Church as well as redevelop the 9/11 Memorial Plaza. “We want to further attract people to Everett,” he said. Law Offices of John Mackey & ASSOCIATES * PERSONAL INJURY * REAL ESTATE * FAMILY LAW * GENERAL PRACTICE * PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY 14 Norwood St., Everett, MA 02149 Phone: (617) 387-4900 Fax: (617) 381-1755 John Mackey, Esq. WWW.JMACKEYLAW.COM Patricia Ridge, Esq. * Katherine M. Brown, Esq. nek. That information did not sit well with DiPierro. “Councillor, you told me the other day that you don’t have regular conversations with the newspaper,” said DiPierro. “There’s a slew of text messages; this matter is over in my eyes.” DeMaria said McLaughlin had characterized the Center as being “unsafe” and “negative” without ever setting foot in the building. “While you are out spreading false rumors, you do us all a disservice,” he said. DeMaria also defended KarPriya Tahiliani was unanimously chosen by the School Committee as Everett’s new superintendent of schools. (Photo Courtesy of the Everett Public Schools) Although he was not required to do so under state law, Mayor Carlo DeMaria suggested keeping the councillors involved in the plan going forward. “Let’s give the City Council a voice in this process,” he said. “I want to see some life in Everett Square.” Ward 5 Councillor Rosa DiFlorio expressed her support for the revitalization effort. “I’m all for it; I think Everett Square needed to be done years ago,” she said. Councillor-at-Large Wayne Matewsky suggested demolishing the Bouvier Building, which has been vacant for a number of years. “It’s a blighted building,” he said. “This building is a mess; I’d like to see it eliminated completely; let’s just call it a day over there.” Matewsky also reminded the City Council about the importance of having a vibrant downtown, particularly after the casino opened. “We are no longer going to be little Everett – we are going to be big-time Everett,” he said. March came in like a lion as The City Council voted unanimously to name Councillor-at-Large Richard Dell Isola as president for 2019. (File Photo) DeMaria showed no mercy in quickly dispelling a multitude of allegations from Ward 6 Councillor Michael McLaughlin regarding the city’s Health and Wellness Center. During the March 4 meeting of the City Council’s Government Operations Committee, DeMaria said McLaughlin had continued to “spread false rumors” about the Center that were published in The Everett Leader Herald. “For some reason, Mr. McLaughlin, you’re choosing to align yourself with the editor and the owner of The Leader-Herald,” DeMaria said in a prepared statement. “While you’re carrying water for this newspaper, you are damaging this city.” DeMaria had been speaking for 30 seconds when McLaughlin tried to interject. “Mr. Chairman, this is a personal attack,” he said. However, Committee Chairman Anthony DiPierro allowed the mayor to continue. DeMaria also called attention to a series of text messages between McLaughlin and Leader Herald reporter Joshua Resen Avila, the Center’s former director of Health and Wellness. Avila had resigned in February after it was discovered she had exaggerated her credentials, saying she held a master’s degree in nutrition from Tufts University. “Karen was not required to have the credentials she claimed to have to do her job,” he said. “To make a situation bigger than what it is, is irresponsible.” In response, McLaughlin said that as of as of February 12, Avila was listed on the city’s website as the director of the entire Center. However, DeMaria said McLaughlin intentionally misread Avila’s title. “It doesn’t say ‘Center’; read it again,” said DeMaria, raising his voice. “I’ve been here 25 years; I’ve never seen someone act like you do.” Stop & Shop strike In April, Everett Stop & Shop employees took part in a labor strike for the first time in 30 years, citing the possibility of “unreasonable cuts” to health insurance, customer service and overall compensation. Paul Glufling, a 26-year employee, said it was a shame that picket lines were needed to get TIME FLIES | SEE PAGE 3 A FULL SERVICE REAL ESTATE GROUP Commercial Sales and Leasing Residential Home Sales Real Estate Consulting Apartment Rentals Real Estate Auctions Business Brokerage Personal Property Appraisals Mass Licensed Auctioneer 560 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149 | 617-512-5712 | sam@broadwayRE.com ADRIANA RESNICK DOMENICA RIGGIO SAM RESNICK
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