EV RETEVT V E ER T Vol. 35, No.12 -FREET www.advocatenews.net Your Local News & Sports Online! Scan & Subscribe! ADDOCCO TEAT Free Every Friday Mass. Inspector General meets Mayor Van Campen on municipal “listening tour” Special to Th e Advocate A s part of his ongoing municipal outreach “listening tour,” Massachusetts Inspector General Jeff rey S. Shapiro met with Everett Mayor Robert Van Campen early this week. “As Inspector General, I want to make government work better tomorrow than it did today, which requires listening to and working with the people who are on the ground doing the hard work of governing day in and day out,” Inspector General Shapiro said. “Mayor Van Campen has assembled an outstanding team and I commend them for their work to set a positive tone from the top and strengthen policies and procedures to ensure sound governance.” LISTENING TOUR | SEE PAGE 6 617-387-2200 Friday, March 27, 2026 Van Campen Administration Highlights Early Progress, Sets Course for Future A look at the administration’s fi rst 60 days and the roadmap ahead Special to Th e Advocate A s his administration approaches the 90-day mark, Mayor Robert Van Campen is highlighting the work completed during his fi rst two months in offi ce, pointing to early eff orts focused on leadership, financial oversight, and long-term planning. “This has been about getting Mayor Robert J. Van Campen (left) recently met with Massachusetts Inspector General Jeff rey S. Shapiro at City Hall. They had productive conversations around best practices, strengthening government transparency and ensuring fi nancial decisions serve Everett residents responsibly. Mayor Van Campen is looking forward to working collaboratively and thanks the Inspector General for visiting. (Courtesy of Mayor’s Offi ce) F. J. LaRovere Insurance Agency, Inc. 492 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 617-387-9700 phone 617-387-9702 fax INSURANCE FOR AUTO, HOME, AND BUSINESS We offer very competitive rates, and by representing many different companies we can shop for the best price for our customers. Call us today! Open Monday – Friday 9am-5pm and Saturdays 9am-12pm Messinger Insurance Agency 475 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 617-387-2700 phone 617-387-7753 fax to work right away,” Van Campen said. “Taking a hard look at where we are, addressing urgent needs, and making sure we have the right people and plans in place.” Early priorities included building out a senior leadership team and making new appointments Robert J. Van Campen Mayor to boards and commissions, with an emphasis on bringing in diff erent perspectives and reengaging residents in local govCOURSE FOR FUTURE | SEE PAGE 4 City Council OKs Wage Theft Ordinance in 9-1 Vote, One Dissents By Neil Zolot T he City Council voted 9-1 to approve an ordinance promoting fair labor standards and preventing wage theft at their meeting on Monday, March 23, with Ward 1 Councillor Michele Capone dissenting and Councillor Michael Marchese absent. It reads, “The purpose is to promote fair labor standards and lawful wage practices, prevent wage theft, ensure the City contracts only with responsible employers, protect workers through a transparent complaint process and safeguard taxpayer funds from supporting employers who violate wage and hour laws.” Wage theft is defi ned as failure to pay minimum wage, overtime, the prevailing wage and/or pay in a timely fashion. Making unlawful deductions from wages and misclassifi cation of employees as independent contractors are other elements. The ordinance applies to contractors applying for permits or tax incentives, with denial of issuance as a possible outcome. “We’ll have the ability to revoke a contract,” Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins explained. “As a City, we’re choosing not to do business with contractors and businesses who have a judgement in violation and are requiring contractors to maintain accident insurance, maintain daiAPPROVE | SEE PAGE 6
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