THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, OCTObER 28, 2022 Page 5 ~ Guest Commentary ~ The Great Pretender M y opponent pretends he is leading the way to provide housing for our most vulnerable residents, yet he wants to take away much-needed affordable senior and veteran housing. The city purchased Pope John High School with the support of the City Council for senior and veteran housing for Everett residents. I spent six years on the Housing Committee in the Massachusetts House with four years as the Vice Chairman, working to understand and address housing problems statewide. I have witnessed hundreds of residents around the Commonwealth testify on all aspects of housing. One of the biggest issues we faced during my tenure on the committee was affordable senior housing for the “Baby Boomer” Generation, the largest and fastest-growing population in our country. Similarly, our brave veterans are facing a serious lack of affordable housing. Nationwide, 22 veterans a day are committing suicide, many of them due to homelessness. We must do what we can. The St. Therese project is the perfect example of the senior and veteran housing shortage in Everett. There were 540 applicants for 77 units and the demand for more housing like this is clear. My opponent wants to stop the Pope John Housing Development and waste $140 million of taxpayers’ money to rehab an old school that will do nothing to solve the overcrowding issue at Everett High School. While overcrowding is a district-wide concern, the Mayor and his administration have an alternative plan to build a new High School and after state reimbursement would be a comparable cost. My opponent has no plan for our seniors or veterans. My opponent spews vitriol and his vindictiveness clouds his ~ Letter-to-the-Editor ~ School Committee Hypocrisy Continues Dear Editor, I watched the October 17 Everett School Committee meeting and was struck again by the hypocrisy of committee member Samantha Lambert regarding children who do not reside in Everett but are, nevertheless, attending Everett public schools. It was reported that Ms. Lambert’s landlord, a wellknown former chairman of the Everett School Committee, has three grandchildren who do not reside in Everett and are, nevertheless, attending an Everett public elementary school. Instead of addressing and trying to rectify this particular objectionable situation, HYPOCRISY | SEE PAGE 6 ~ OP-ED ~ T here’s been a lot of talk lately from the School Superintendent and some School Committee members about overcrowding in the Everett Public Schools. This has the feel of an intentional distraction from a much bigger issue: a steady decline in student learning, as evidenced by lower MCAS scores again. This is despite having an additional 71 teachers since Oct. 1, 2018, according to the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE). A review of fi gures on the DESE website shows that student enrollment in the Everett Public Schools over the last 10 to 15 years, as recorded yearly on October 1, has remained remarkably steady. (While overall enrollment remains high, there was an actual decrease of 315 students when the October 1 fi gure in 2015 is compared to the 2021 fi gure.) While it is true, as the Superintendent has stated, that the schools are now operating beyond their capacity to the tune OP-ED | SEE PAGE 7 his family and friends Halloween Night Oct. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m. Halloween Treats and fun 125 Clarence St. 617-387-3327 judgment for any of the administration’s plans, regardless of the cost. He does not understand that being a public servant is about compromise and collaboration. Now, after two failed attempts to become State Representative as a democrat, my opponent is running on an anti-leadership platform to be one of two independents in the MA House of Representatives. This would be disastrous for the people of Everett. He is a voice of obstruction that will deliver nothing for Everett. His slogan is “It’s time for a change”. I agree, my opponent’s behavior has no place in City Hall, Beacon Hill, or anywhere in our community. My opponent’s career as a State Legislator would be much like his as a City Councilor – unaccomplished. Regards, Joe McGonagle Middlesex State Representative 28th Join Senator Sal DiDomenico Check out the NEW Advocate Online at: www.advocatenews.net Happy Halloween!
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