Page 10 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MARCH 7, 2025 Sen. DiDomenico is Guest Speaker at Kiwanis Interclub Luncheon S tate Senator Sal DiDomenico recently spoke at the Everett Kiwanis Interclub Luncheon as they celebrated their 100th anniversary and hosted the many representatives of Kiwanis Clubs in Chelsea, Somerville, Medford, Malden and East Boston. “I enjoyed seeing many friends, fantastic food prepared by the students at Everett High School, and hearing about all the great things the club does throughout the year as they celebrate their 100th Anniversary,” said Senator DiDomenico. “I am a longtime supporter of this great organization, and I look forward to seeing how they will continue to support members of our community for many years to come.” Senator Sal DiDomenico with Everett Superintendent Bill Hart and members of the Everett Kiwanis Club. Senator Sal DiDomenico approaching the podium to speak after being introduced. REPORT | FROM PAGE 1 ceived information in multiple years concerning the Mayor’s longevity payment amounts, which was included in City budgets posted on the City’s website. It was not until the most recent mayoral election cycle in 2021 that the amounts were called into question. Any skepticism regarding the Mayor’s longevity payment was spurred by this political campaign. The Administration is vigorously exploring options to address the Inspector General’s unsupported and flawed conclusions. I have worked too hard and too long as a public servant in Everett to stand by while the Inspector General attacks my integrity and the integrity of the members of my Administration.” Two lawyers representing DeMaria spoke in Public Comment at the outset of the meeting. Atty. Young Paik asked the City Council to act “only when it has all the facts” and pointed out that investigations by the Inspector General are not adjudicatory and lack the process for rebuttal. John Pappalardo added, “It is important to note when the Inspector General requests inforSenator Sal DiDomenico with Everett Kiwanis Club members. mation, it is a closed process – with no opportunities to confront witnesses. There is no process for appeal because the proceedings are one-sided.” Atty. Young Paik, counsel for the Mayor and for the City’s Chief Financial Officer, Eric Demas, in a statement released prior to the City Council meeting, stated: “The following is undisputed: First, the newspaper that primarily heralded the accusations at issue has since admitted to lying and fabricating evidence. Second, the ordinance in question was proposed by this council and considered by this council publicly, for all to see. Third, the manner in which the Mayor’s administration executed the ordinance was published in the City’s budget and on the City’s website on multiple occasions, for all to see. Finally, the Mayor and Mr. Demas have throughout this process made themselves and the City’s records openly available to the investigating authorities. They have nothing to hide. And let me be clear: I know of zero evidence—no witness statements, no documents—indicating that the Mayor or Mr. Demas proposed or drafted the longevity ordinance, and zero evidence showing any intent by the Mayor or Mr. Demas to conceal the manner in which the City calculated the Mayor’s longevity payments.” Both Paik and Pappalardo submitted longer statements to the City Council for the record. The Mayor’s daughter Alexandra DeMaria also addressed the City Council. She called the allegations “a campaign against my father” and noted, “Being a DeMaria in Everett has not been easy” due to smears and accusations against her father and members of her family, even from teachers she had.
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