THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2021 Page 15 OP-ED | FROM PAGE 8 cials are not left behind. The second proposal is to deploy the 7,000 of the 12,000 professional firefighters around the Commonwealth who are also EMTs to administer the vaccine to their colleagues, including call and volunteer departments. This is a simple and effective solution that will help to more quickly distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to our men and women on the front lines. I know that vaccine distribution and administration is a massive feat that will undoubtedly need to be reviewed and amended as rollout continues over the coming weeks and months. Under no circumstances do I believe this holdup has been deliberate by anyone on the state LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER FACEBOOK.COM/ ADVOCATE.NEWS.MA level; our Commonwealth is being asked to take on an extraordinary challenge without proper support and resources from the Oval Office. However, it is also clear that further action needs to be a taken and these two proposals are a great place to start. I am already encouraged to see that the Governor Baker plans to address many of our concerns this week and will release more information regarding vaccine distribution plans for first responders in light of these concerns. I think we all know that our first responders, including our men and women in uniform, have played a crucial role in Massachusetts’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic and have risked and sacrificed so much for the greater good of our commuEverett resident earns degree from UNG D AHLONEGA, GA – Isatou Jallow of Everett recently graduated from the University of North Georgia (UNG) with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science. UNG awarded more than 1,000 degrees and certificates during the graduation exercises on December 5-6, 2020. nity. We owe it to them to ensure that our vaccine rollout is equitable, transparent, and effective. I stand with our public safety community and will continue to support any and all efforts to ensure that they are given every opportunity to access this vaccine as deserved. COST | FROM PAGE 10 chairman, elevated the committee to an “award-winning level” during the past two years. In October 2020, the committee received the Division II All-State School Committee Award from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. COVID-19 update Tahiliani said that as of January 2 there were 5,449 cases of COVID-19 in Everett for a positivity rate of 10 percent – the ninth highest rate in Massachusetts. She also said 250 children, ages 19 and younger, had contracted the virus in December 2020. By comparison, 156 children tested positive during the prior month. MEMBERS | FROM PAGE 3 The council voted unanimously to refer the matter to the Committee of the Whole. School Committee Salary In other news, Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins proposed a new annual salary of $15,000 for the members of the School Committee. She said the current salary is $11,500 and has not been adjusted since 2015. Martins said the increase would not apply to Mayor Carlo DeMaria. How ev er, Council - lor-at-Large John Hanlon said it is not up to the council to offer a salary increase. “If the School Committee wants a raise, they should ask for it,” he said. The council voted 6-3 to refer the matter to the Committee of the Whole. LETTER | FROM PAGE 7 but we will get through this together and will become a stronger community in the process. Working together, we will ensure that 2021 is a much better year and that Everett will be a better place to live and work. Let’s all continue to do our part to help one another. Happy New Year to you all. Stay positive and be safe. Sincerely, Fred Capone Councillor Ward 1
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