Page 6 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, DECEmbER 22, 2023 DiDomenico meets with district fire chiefs and promises continued support S tate Senator Sal DiDomenico recently met with fire chiefs from 35 fire departments across Metro Boston at a State House event, including Chelsea Fire Chief Leonard Albanese, Everett Acting Fire Chief Sabato LoRusso, Cambridge’s Assistant Fire Chief, Brian Gover, and former Revere Fire Chief Gene Doherty. The event featured an informational session about the critical issues currently affecting the Fire Service in the Commonwealth and the support they need from the State Legislature. JOHN MACKEY & ASSOCIATES ~ Attorneys at Law ~ * PERSONAL INJURY * REAL ESTATE * FAMILY LAW * PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY * LANDLORD/TENANT DISPUTES 14 Norwood Street Everett, MA 02149 Phone: (617) 387-4900 Fax: (617) 381-1755 WWW.JMACKEYLAW.COM Senator Sal DiDomenico (far left) stands alongside fire chiefs and State House colleagues in the House Chamber. HART | FROM PAGE 1 tion is to be the advocate I can for as long as I can. I ask you to consider my credentials, my commitment to the community and desire to continue in this role. I hope this School Committee and the next will work with me to maximize our relationship.” He added that he’s identified certain areas of concentration: safety, facilities, teaching and learning. “Everything starts with safety,” he feels. “This isn’t a slogan. It’s a mandate to make sure we’re following protocols. We need to double- and triple-check that schools are able to implement protocols. Our security team will evaluate and upgrade security systems in the schools.” He also acknowledged the lack of space, which has led to the city applying to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to fulfill a plan of Mayor Carlo DeMaria for a new High School in Rivergreen Playground, conversion of the High School to a Middle School and pulling Middle School-aged students out of the neighborhood K-8 schools. During his remarks Hart announced that Everett’s Statement of Interest has been forwarded by the MSBA to the Eligibility Stage. “I want our school grounds to be welcoming and secure,” he added. “Well-equipped facilities are connected to student success. When teaching and learning are happening in nontraditional spaces, we have to ask ourselves why and what we can do better.” He also said he would “place emphasis on teachers working with students” and set clear goals “so we are meeting the needs of the students. It’s up to us to figure out the best strategies.” “I am so grateful for all these public servants who sacrifice their wellbeing to keep our communities safe and put our minds at ease,” said Senator Sal DiDomenico, who is Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. “I will always be a steadfast supporter of fire departments in my district and throughout Massachusetts.” Retiring Ward 6 member Michael McLaughlin asked Hart about his experience in the state Community College system, as a former teacher at nearby Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) and head of the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges. Hart answered that Everett was the largest feeder of students at BHCC. “We provided support systems so they could be successful, and that’s one of the things I hope to create here – those supports. Community Colleges are the forgotten point of access to higher education, but are one of the best strategies to determine what you’ll do.” Asked about communication, Hart answered he would provide information in a variety of languages to “so people will understand the importance of what’s going on.” McLaughlin also asked Hart what he’s learned in his tenure as Interim Superintendent. “It affirmed what I already knew, but I don’t want to rest on our laurels,” Hart answered. “Who we are educating today could be our future citizens like we all are. I don’t want them to encounter the impediments my grandparents did.” At-Large member Cynthia Sarnie, who lost her bid for HART | SEE PAGE 23
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