Page 14 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JunE 19, 2026 STUDENTS | FROM PAGE 1 state officials about their experiences in public service and the importance of civic engagement. Speakers included Mayor Robert J. Van Campen, City Clerk Sergio Cornelio, State Senator Sal DiDomenico, State Representative Joe McGonagle and Everett Public Schools Superintendent William Hart. Following the presentations, students toured City Hall and met with department heads to learn how municipal government operates and how various departments serve Everett residents. “We welcome more young people becoming involved in our community and local government,” said Mayor Van Campen. “Providing students with an opportunity to experience government firsthand helps foster transparency, civic engagement, and future leadership. We are proud to help these young residents learn about public service and the important work being done on behalf of our community every day.” OP-ED | FROM PAGE 2 ies borrow for long-term capital needs such as roads, buildings, public safety equipment, parks, schools, and infrastructure. A strong rating helps proEHS students gathered with City officials for a group photo in the City Council Chambers. “It was a pleasure to welcome students from Everett High School for Student Government Day,” said City Clerk Sergio Cornelio. “Their thoughtful questions, enthusiasm, and interest in local government were inspiring and tect taxpayers by demonstrating that Everett remains a stable and creditworthy community. But I do not view this rating as a trophy. I view it as a responsibility. The World’s First Hearing Aids With Touchscreen Controls. No tiny buttons. No apps. No prescriptions. Call 844-497-3476 to get your 45-day risk free trial. Revolutionary technology with touchscreen control. Hearing modes for any environment. Multiple models to choose from. Portable charging case. 48-hour battery life. UV cleaning. Background noise cancellation. 45-day risk free trial. give me great confidence in the future of our community.” In addition, students participated in a question-and-answer session with Mayor Van Campen, where they learned more about his background, leadership journey and role as A stable rating does not Atom X mean every challenge has been solved. It does not mean we can ignore rising health insurance costs, utility expenses, collective bargaining obligations, debt service, aging infrastructure, or long-standing practices that need modernization. It means Everett has strong fundamentals and that we must continue doing the hard work required to protect them. Residents have also heard about deeply concerning reports regarding longevity payments from the prior administration. I understand why that issue has caused frustration and anger. Public money requires public trust. When residents believe that trust has been damaged, government has an obligation to respond not with excuses, but with action. That is why our administration has focused on strengthening oversight, improving accounting practices, reviewing internal controls, and ensuring decisions are based on numbers we can defend. We are not going to pretend every inherited issue will disappear overnight. We are going Mayor. The day concluded with a mock City Council meeting, giving students the opportunity to experience the legislative process and better understand how local decisions are discussed and made. Student Government Day to confront those issues directly and build systems that will leave Everett stronger than we found it. That is the connection between this budget and the bond rating. The rating is not an endorsement of complacency. It is a reminder that stability is earned through discipline. It is earned by correcting assumptions rather than hiding them, addressing liabilities before they become larger problems, and investing in the staff, systems, and policies needed to run a city responsibly. This budget takes important steps in that direction. It recognizes that health insurance is one of the City’s largest financial pressures and that Everett must begin having serious conversations about long-term cost growth. It recognizes that revenue assumptions must be realistic, financial information must be reliable, and city resources must be tied to genuine public need. It also recognizes that no administration can do this work alone. The City Council has a critprovided participants with a unique opportunity to explore careers in public service, engage directly with elected officials and municipal staff and gain a deeper understanding of how local government impacts their daily lives. ical role in reviewing and approving the budget. City employees have a critical role in delivering services every day. Residents have a critical role in holding us accountable. And this administration has a responsibility to be direct, transparent, and disciplined in the decisions ahead. Everett is a city with enormous strengths: a hardworking community, a strategic location, strong neighborhoods, a growing economic base, and residents who care deeply about its future. Our job is to match those strengths with a government that is stable, modern, accountable, and prepared for the opportunities ahead. The approved FY2027 budget is not the end of that work. It is the foundation for it. I am grateful to the City Council for its review and approval, to our finance team and department heads for their hard work, and to the residents of Everett for expecting more from their city government. We should expect more. And together, we are building a stronger, more transparent, and more resilient Everett.
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