Page 14 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2021 PROGRAM | FROM PAGE 4 havioral health disturbance with no criminal charges, meaning that an arrest would not have been made in the fi rst place,” she said, adding that 2,088 trips to the emergency room were also avoided last year. “I accompany offi cers to many diff erent types of calls, and not every individual that I work with turns out to have mental health or substance abuse issues. I can also help with mediation, nonviolent communication and crisis de-escalation.” Peterson said homelessness and addiction have escalated in Everett since the program began three years ago. “These issues can be overwhelming at times as there are very limited options for housing to break the cycle of homelessness,” she said. Peterson said the program is now expanding so that residents can reach out to her directly at 617-389-2120 or via email at tpeterson@eliotchs.org. She is also available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. BHRC | FROM PAGE 13 mouth) and Rep. Patrick Kearney (D-Scituate) each fi led the proposal at the request of one of their constituents Sabrina Holland. “This legislation … is deserving of a favorable report by the committee and has my full support,” said Sen. O’Connor who supports the bill. “This language is needed to offi cially prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual preference or gender identity, to perpetuate Massachusetts’ values and to create a truly equitable and safe society for all.” Neither Rep. Kearney nor Sabrina Holland responded to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on the proposal. And Kearney did not respond to a specifi c question as to whether he supports the bill. Sometimes a legislator will fi le a bill as a courtesy to a constituent even if the legislator doesn’t support it. GIVE GOVERNOR THE POWER TO APPOINT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR (H 84) – Grants the governor the power to appoint a lieutenant governor if the offi ce is vacant because of the death, resignation, removal from offi ce or incapacity of the lieutenant governor. The appointment would have to be confi rmed by a majority vote of the House and Senate. Current law leaves the seat vacant until the next election. The measure’s sponsor, Rep. Paul Mark (D-Peru) did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on the proposal. MAKE CONSTITUTION GENDER NEUTRAL (H 79) – Makes the state constitution general neutral by striking all references to “he” and replacBHRC | SEE PAGE 20
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