THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, DECEmbER 2, 2022 Page 3 Councillors vote 8-2 to ban animal testing; Marchese and Smith vote against Pictured from left to right during Monday’s City Council meeting at City Hall: animal advocates, including Barbara Aceto, Stefanie Hanlon-DuBois and Charlotte Michaels; in back are Salem Saves Animals Foundation Founder Laurie Stathopoulos and Paul Koeing; in back are Katy and Patti Rogers, as well as Matthew Judd (far right) – pushing against animal testing in the city. (Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) By Tara Vocino C ity councillors voted 8-2 to ban animal testing in the city during Monday’s City Council meeting at City Hall. Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins said the ordinance states that they don’t want any testing of animals in the city. “By broad, it covers all animals, and that’s what our residents have asked of us,” Martins said. “I work for the people, not big corporations.” She emphasized that the city can still bring in technology companies and labs that make substances without testing on animals. “Are we money driven, or is it about our values and defending animals?” Martins asked. Martins said that if it doesn’t pass, they would allow experimenters to burn, poison, starve, infl ict brain damage, restrain, shock, mutilate and do other distressing procedures to them. Martins made a motion to strike the description of ‘research institution,’ and she recommended favorable action, as amended. Councillor-at-Large Stephanie Smith referred the motion to the Mayor’s Offi ce. Martins said she fi nds it ironic that some council members selectively want to hear from the mayor on certain things. “We have the power to make decisions – yes or no,” Martins said. “It will go to the Mayor’s Offi ce eventually.” Smith called for the question. Ward 3 Councillor Darren Costa, who canvassed his residents, speaking on the motion to refer to the Mayor’s Offi ce, said he doesn’t want to be responding to someone testing on primates. “That keeps me up at night,” Costa said. “But people have spoken – they don’t want it.” Smith again called for the question. Councillor-at-Large Richard Dell Isola asked the purpose of sending it to the Mayor’s Offi ce. Smith then rescinded her motion for favorable action, as amended by Martins. City Council President John Hanlon warned of cross debating between members. Smith said she got confi rmation from the city solicitor that she doesn’t have a confl ict of interest, so she will vote on it. She and Marchese voted no on the motion. A round of applause from audience members followed the vote. After the vote, Salem Saves Animals Foundation Founder Laurie Stathopoulos, who has donated approximately $100,000 over the years to save Everett’s animals, said she is happy to see that the majority of the council are kind people. “You can still build a bio lab without animal testing,” Stathopoulos said. “I will contact the ethics board about Everett resident earns Professional Hospitality Certifi cation at Lasell University L Smith, who I believe is affi liated with a bio lab.” During public comment, Stathopoulos said they stick needles in rabbits’ eyes, among other cruel acts. “You’ve always shown kindness to animals,” Stathopoulos said during public comment. “All we need is for one mouse to get out of a lab, and we could have a whole new strand of COVID-19.” Katy Rogers, who spoke publicly several times against animal testing, said she is proud of the results tonight – that Everett is maintaining its reputation as a cruelty-free city. Her mother, Patti Rogers, said 70 percent of bio labs do not use animal testing. “We aren’t against bio labs, just against animal testing,” Patti Rogers said. “We’re a cruelty-free city.” OUR OFFICE HAS MOVED TO 519 BROADWAY, EVERETT SABATINO INSURANCE AGENCY eah Figueiredo, a Lasell University student from Everett, earned a Certifi ed Guest Services Professional (CGSP) certifi cation and designation from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. The CGSP designation is recognized worldwide as the highest acknowledgement of award-winning guest service for employees in the lodging industry. Figueiredo earned the certifi cation in their Hospitality Management course at Lasell. 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: Rocco Longo, Owner WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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