Page 24 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, NOVEmbER 3, 2023 SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 22 cal slogan to use by someone who is not a new candidate. Why would we want to turn back the clock? Would we end up with leadership who put the children fi rst? Would the schools return to order, get deep cleaned, landscaped and the bullying under control? Would communication flow freely to the parents? Would more than 20% of the students be performing at or better than expectations? We already know Tom does not put our children fi rst, he puts his family fi rst. He is protecting $600,000 in salaries and benefi ts. He is protecting his son’s illegal activities as an Everett Public School’s teacher. Those School Committee members who believe the nonrenewal of the superintendent’s contract was a poor idea have all endorsed Tom Abruzzese. These members and Superintendent Tahiliani have all been silent on the illegal activities by Tom’s son, an Everett Public School employee. They do have the power to renew or not renew teachers’ contracts. They are in a situation where they have complete control to make the correct, just and ethical decision that they all claim to practice. By putting the children fi rst, they have the ability to take action on this employee, yet they are silent because he is an Abruzzese. Are they really putting the children fi rst like they claim to be? Are the City of Everett and the Everett Public Schools really “lucky” to have Priya Tahiliani’s leadership? Trick-or-Treat H alloween just past, the trick-or-treaters greeted us in costume pretending to be something they are not. There are a number of candidates running for School Committee. At the October 2, 2023, School Committee meeting, Ward 4 School Committee candidate Robin Babcock spoke out during public comment and stated that she is a professor at UMass Boston. It is impressive that we had a professor as a School Committee candidate running for the Everett School Committee. The newspaper office received a number of phone calls from Lafayette School parents claiming that she is not a professor. When she was asked by parents what her area of expertise was, she immediately retracted that statement. After these phone calls, I did my due diligence on Ms. Babcock, and to my surprise, learned she is NOT a college professor. Nowhere in UMass Boston’s records does it state she is a professor. She is a Writing Program Manager. If he lived today, the Greek philosopher Diogenes – remembered for holding a lantern before the citizens of Athens in hopes of discovering an honest candidate – would fi nd his arm throbbing as he searched Ward 4 in vail for a wannabe worthy of inhabiting the Everett School Committee. At this time the Everett School Committee needs honest candidates who will focus on the education and the issues that arise within the schools rather than grandstand. With this week being Halloween, don’t be tricked by Robin Babcock, who claims to be something she isn’t. The Circus Comes To Town…Again A contentious circus is the only way to describe Monday’s special meeting of the Everett School Committee as a result of the activity of school committee members Lambert, Cristiano, and Barros.This meeting was called due to ten complaints filed by Everett School Personnel against Superintendent Priya Tahiliani for a hostile work environment.School Committee member Samantha Lambert grandstanded throughout the entire process, speaking out of turn and was even ruled out of order a number of times.Why is she not listening to these employees’ complaints?She works for them too and they have a right to have their complaints respectfully addressed. She showed her true colors tonight by interrupting everyone that disagreed with her opinions. She performed a great side show explaining due process but what due process did she do when she was handed the report composed by the Law fi rm of Cliff ord and Kenny, LLP that provided clear recommendations on how to handle the illegal activities by Mr. Jason Abruzzese, the son of her landlord and former school committee chair Tom Abruzzese?She disregarded it!She never spoke up about the safety of the children at the English School and allowed his transfer to the Webster School. She had a few years to investigate these claims while he was being paid with your tax dollars to stay home. This office received many phone calls on her hypocritical performance.Why is Mr. Abruzzese allowed to escape freely without an investigation, while she blocks ten investigations against Superintendent Priya Tahiliani?Samantha, please speak up on your decisions regarding the superintendent.We have yet to hear a good reason for her defense.Someone once said, “Sunshine is the best disinfectant in a democracy.”Mrs. Lambert, LET THE SUNSHINE IN! — JDM
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