Page 10 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JAnuARy 10, 2025 Shown from left: Nicholas Saia, Ward 1 Councillor Wayne Matewsky, Councillor-at-Large Stephanie Smith, Everett Charter Review Committee Member David Flood, in back, Clerk of Committees John Burley, Ward 3 Councillor Anthony DiPierro, Councillor-at-Large John Hanlon, Councillor-at-Large Michael Marchese, Ward 5 Councillor and outgoing City Council President Robert Van Campen, City Council President Stephanie Martins (Ward 2), Councillor-at-Large Guerline Alcy Jabouin, Ward 4 Councillor Holly Garcia, Councillor-at-Large Katy Rogers, Ward 6 Councillor Peter Pietrantonio, Legislative Aide Michael Mangan and City Clerk Sergio Cornelio. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) MARTINS | FROM PAGE 1 thank you for your service; to the people who worked on my campaign, I am grateful, and to all the young girls who have come to the country, I see you. I was one of you” – a reference to her own emigration from Brazil in 2005 at age 13. Martins’ father Eudes and brother Giancarlo were in the City Council Chambers for the vote and inauguration by City Clerk Sergio Cornelio. Eudes came to the United States in 1988 and his children followed him later. Martins thanked her father, late mother Angela and paternal grandfather Sebastian. “I’m sure he never imagined his granddaughter would be in a new country holding public office,” she said of her grandfather. Eudes said Sebastian would be very proud. Martins succeeds Ward 5 Councillor Robert Van Campen as president. “His leadership brought a sense of civility to the Council, and I’ll continue his advocacy for transparency,” she said. “Transparency must be at the core of everything we do.” Van Campen nominated Martins. “I’ve come to know her as someone who attends meetings and is in the community and as someone who’s fair and can continue the civility we’ve established,” he said. Councillor-at-Large Katy Rogers seconded the nomination. “I am confident Councillor Martins will excel in the role of Council president and inspire meaningful progress for the city,” she said. “Throughout her tenure on the Council, she has demonstrated exceptional dedication, vision and an unwavering commitment to serving the residents of Everett. Her innovative approach to challenges and advocacy for the community have distinguished her as a true leader.” No other Councillors were nominated and Martins’ selection has been an open secret. This year she had the support of colleagues she hadn’t had in previous attempts to be Council president. “We typically have a new president each year,” she said. “Someone can run again, but they typically don’t.” Everett city government does not elect a Council vice president. When the Council president wants to relinquish the Council chair to participate in discussion, they can appoint any Councillor they want to take over. Martins served in this role a number of times last year. The only time there is a set procedure for someone else to chair a meeting is in the reorganizational meeting when the senior member of the Council oversees the selection of a new president. This year it was Councillor-at-Large John Hanlon who oversaw the proceedings. Martins was first elected to represent Ward 2 in 2019 in the last of four elections dating back to 2013 in which voters from all over the city voted in Ward races regardless of where they lived, seemingly in violation of equal representation requirements. In MARTINS | SEE PAGE 11 Shown from left: Oliveira’s Restaurant owner Wilton Rangel, former Ward 6 Councillor Alfred Lattanzi, Incoming City Council President Stephanie Martins, Reverend Dr. Myrlande Desrosiers and Bishop Robert Brown. Shown from left: animal activists Leann Pollastrone and Carole Pollastrone, City Council President Stephanie Martins, Everett’s dog mother Melissa Guevin and Everett’s Animal Control Officer Stacia Gorgone.
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