THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JAnuARy 10, 2025 Page 11 Outgoing City Council President Robert Van Campen passes the gavel to Incoming President Stephanie Martins on Monday night at City Hall. City Council President Stephanie Martins is shown with Be Live In Realty owner Lia Carminati. MARTINS | FROM PAGE 10 2021 and 2023 the rules were changed back to the previous rules, with residents being required to live in a Ward to vote for its Councillor. “It was about to be challenged by civil rights groups, so it was changed voluntarily,” Cornelio remembers. “It had been changed before as part of changes in the Charter, but people could vote only on the entire Charter.” She votes at the Parlin School as a resident of Precinct 3 in the Ward, which is in the center of the city on the east side of Broadway. Van Campen represents Ward 5, which includes the old High School. Ward 2 is basically across the street. “I’m the Ward 2 Councillor, but work with everyone in the city,” Martins told The Advocate. “Being president is a great opportunity to move things forward, make the Council more accessible and make information available.” She sees the upcoming elecCity Council President Stephanie Martins is shown with Brazilian Times Marketing Director Liliane Sousa Paiva. tions and getting accurate information from the Mayor’s Office on agenda items as challenges this year. “We’ll continue to work toward having complete paperwork when an item is added to a City Council meeting agenda,” she said. “We’re looking for more responsiveness from the Administration. Many issues have not been addressed or are addressed inconsistently.” That includes what may happen to the old Everett High School on Broadway, for which the Administration and School Superintendent William Hart are asking $79 million for renovations for it to be used for 7th and 8th grades. “The Administration has given unclear answers, but the Council is ready to move after we get through community forums,” Martins said. “Once we have a real answer, we’re ready to vote.” She outlined impacts from work on Ferry Street, rodent control and flooding due to rain as important issues for Ward 2. “The drainage system is unable to handle current levels of precipitation,” she feels. Everett’s election schedule puts every Council and School Committee seat up for election every two years, unlike some communities with rotating terms. Martins will be running for reelection this year, but hasn’t decided to run for the Ward 2 seat or for a citywide At-Large seat. “I intend to run but haven’t decided where,” she said. There will be a mayor’s election as well, but any candidates have yet stepped forward. It is not unusual for a Councillor-at-Large to run for Mayor, which creates a ripple effect in openings for At-Large seats and, subsequently, Ward seats. In her first act as president, she appointed Councillor-at-Large Guerline Alcy Jabouin, Ward 3 Councillor Anthony DiPierro and Ward 6 Councillor Peter Pietrantonio as messengers to inform Mayor Carlo DeMaria of her selection as City Council President. State Senator Sal DiDomenico and new City Council President Stephanie Martins. City Council President Stephanie Martins with her friend, Alessandro Cornelio.
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