Page 10 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, SEpTEmbER 13, 2024 Mayors across Massachusetts Urge NO Vote on Question 5 bipartisan group comes together to protect servers, bartenders and neighborhood restaurants put as risk by ill-conceived ballot question oston, MA – The Committee to Protect Tips released the first round of Mayors endorsing a No on 5 vote on this November’s ballot. This bipartisan group of Mayors represent every corner of Massachusetts, thousands of neighborhood restaurants, servers, bartenders and other tipped employees. B “The more Mayors learn about the impacts Question 5 will have on their communities, the more they join NO on 5,” said Chris Keohan, spokesperson for the Committee to Protect Tips. “When mayors walk into a restaurant in their community, servers and bartenders are letting them know directly that there is overwhelming opposition among the staff, management and owners of neighborhood restaurants across the state. The reason is simple…this will lower tipped employee take home pay, skyrocket costs to restaurants and dramatically increase prices to patrons resulting in fewer jobs and closured businesses.” Endorsing Mayors include: (Alphabetical by last name) • Melinda Barrett – Haverhill • Gary Christensen – Malden • Christian Dumais – Marlborough • Robert Hedlund – Weymouth • Patrick Keefe – Revere • Nic ole LaChapelle – Easthampton • Michael Nicholson – Gardner • Neil Perry – Methuen • Joe Petty - Worcester • Sean Reardon – Newburyport • Charlie Sisitsky - Framingham • Robert Sullivan – Brockton “The restaurant industry is a cornerstone of our local economy, providing jobs and generating tax revenue. This ballot question would disrupt the system that currently works for servers, bartenders, and business owners who have said time and time again that they want to keep it the way it is. Vote No on 5 for the future of Haverhill and communities across the Commonwealth.” – Melinda Barrett, Haverhill “This out-of-state ballot initiative is an approach that does not work for Massachusetts. Our tipping system has proven to be successful, and the majority of tipped employees prefer it. To ensure our local businesses can continue to prosper, vote NO in November.” – Gary Christensen, Malden “Quest ion 5 wi l l force restaurants to raise prices and our servers and waitstaff will earn less. We need to help our tipped employees and restaurants, not make things harder, while making it even more expensive for everyone else.” – Robert Hedlund, Weymouth “The advocates of this ballot initiative fail to consider the real-world impacts on tipped workers and the businesses that employ them. If passed, Question 5 will hurt the very people it claims to help.” – Patrick Keefe, Revere “The Commonwealth was built on small, local businesses. The passing of this ballot question will create irreversible economic damages within each and every community in Massachusetts.” – Neil Perry, Methuen “I’m supporting the overwhelming majority of servers and bartenders who oppose Question 5 because it will reduce their wages while forcing many restaurants to raise prices. Higher prices and lower wages while we are still struggling with inflation is not what we need in Massachusetts.” – Joe Petty, Worcester “Nobody knows the Massachusetts tipping system better than the bartenders, servers, and owners themselves. I worked in restaurants for over 30 years, and it was an occupation that kept my family in our home and food on our table. This could cripple restaurants in the Commonwealth, and particularly my City of Newburyport. To prevent excess, unnecessary financial burdens, it is of utmost importance to vote NO this November.” – Sean Reardon, Newburyport For more information about the campaign, please visit www.protecttips.org. EVENTS | FROM PAGE 6 rent work. For ages 18 and up; registration is not required. All skill levels are welcome. This program is generously funded by the Friends of the Everett Public Libraries. We look forward to stitching with you! Resume Writing: Shute Adult Department; book a one-on-one resume assistance appointment at the Shute Library and let a librarian help you craft a resume tailored to your strengths and aspirations. Sign up for a 30-minute session at the Shute Library. By appointment only; please email shuteinfo@noblenet.org or call 617-3942308. Computer Basics 101: Shute Adult Department. Tech Newbie? No Problem! Learn to power up, click around, type like a pro, explore the digital world and even send your first email. Book your Friday adventure with technology today! By appointment only; please email shuteinfo@noblenet.org or call 617-394-2308. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net
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