THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, January 15, 2021 Page 7 Sheriff Koutoujian completes term leading Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association M iddlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian has officially completed his tenure as president of the Massachusetts Sheriff s’ Association (MSA) after leading the organization for the past three years. The tenure of Koutoujian, who was elected in October 2017, was originally slated to conclude at the end of 2019. MSA presidents traditionally do not serve longer than a single twoyear term, but Sheriff Koutoujian was asked to serve an additional year by his colleagues in order to synchronize the MSA presidential term with the legislature’s session. “I want to thank my colleagues for the faith they placed in me as president. I especially thank outgoing Vice President Sheriff Chris Donelan for his thoughtful partnership over the past three years,” said Koutoujian. “During our tenure we worked closely with the legislature and the Baker Administration on some of the most important legislation impacting the criminal justice system in decades. Sheriff s do this job because we want to help those we serve; I am proud to have helped advance that goal over the last three years.” Koutoujian has been succeeded by Suff olk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins as President. Donelan has been succeeded by Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi as Vice President. “As Sheriffs Tompkins and Cocchi begin their tenure, I look forward to working with them to build upon the foundation of collaboration and professionalism that have been the hallmark Peter Koutoujian Middlesex County Sheriff of MSA’s approach to enhancing public safety and improving outcomes for those in our custody, their families and our communities,” said Koutoujian. “Over his tenure as MSA President, Sheriff Koutoujian helped us to shepherd through a number of changes that impacted not only our collective organization as a whole, but our individual county operations as well,” said Tompkins. “We are all thankful for his service to the MSA and appreciative of his great eff orts to advance our mission. And, as I take the baton, I look forward to expanding upon those efforts alongside Sheriff Cocchi and MSA Executive Director Carrie Hill as we continue to elevate the work of the MSA.” During his term as president, the MSA worked with State Senator William Brownsberger and State Representative Claire Cronin on the historic 2018 criminal justice reform bill. The bill included changes to restrictive housing within jails and prisons, created a special commission to study the prevention of suicide among correction offi cer,; expressly authorized the establishment of specialized housing units for individuals ages 18–24 (which the Middlesex Sheriff ’s Offi ce had previously opened) and created a mechanism for medical parole, among other key provisions. Medical parole had been a top priority for Koutoujian since 2013 when he began working with State Senator Patricia Jehlen on passage. Under his leadership, the MSA also worked with the Baker-Polito Administration, State Senator Cindy Friedman and State Representative Denise Garlick on the passage and implementation of legislation establishing a landmark Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) pilot program involving seven sheriff s’ offi ces. Under the law, those entering custody in one of those seven counties on an FDA-approved MAT regimen can continue that regimen unless determined otherwise by a qualifi ed addiction specialist. Sentenced inmates not on a verifi ed MAT regimen at the time of their commitment may also be evaluated for participation 30 days prior to their scheduled release. For the past year, Koutoujian served concurrently as president of both MSA and the Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA). As MCSA President, Koutoujian leads an association comprised of sheriffs of over 100 of the nation’s most populous counties. He will serve as MCSA President through the end of 2021. Thirty-five legislators urge Baker to prioritize low-income schools for vaccines, pool testing S tate Representative Steven Ultrino and 34 of his colleagues in the legislature are calling upon the Baker administration to prioritize low-income schools for vaccines and pool testing in order to ensure the quickest return to in-person learning in communities that need it most. While remote learning has changed life for every student and family, it is evident that the consequences and negative effects are disproportionately felt in low-income districts. Led by State Representative Andy Vargas and State Senator Adam Gomez, the 35 legislators signed a letter to Governor Baker, Secretary Sudders, and Secretary Peyser, asking for “a deliberate prioritization in the application and marketing of both pool testing and vaccine deployment” in low-income school districts. “With vaccines for all K-12 staff on the horizon and the recent announcement of pool testing resources available, we hope the administration can prioritize low-income school districts fi rst. Several studies and evidence from our constituents have shown how challenging remote learning has been for low-income schools and families,” said Vargas. “There is no question that lower income communities have been hit the hardest since the pandemic began,” said Gomez.“This letter makes clear, through the support of my colleagues, that the Administration should prioritize the needs of low-income school districts for vaccines and pool testing, particularly in communities where COVID-19 cases are at their highest.” “Communities like Malden have suff ered more than most during the ongoing pandemic, that’s as true for our students as it is for the broader community” said Ultrino. “It simply makes sense to prioritize vaccines and pool testing in school districts like ours where online learning has been difficult due to systemic barriers between students and reliable technology and internet connections. I hope that Governor Baker will honor his commitment to put the communities hurting the most at the front of the line for this vaccine by ensuring that low-income school districts are appropriately prioritized.” The Baker administration has placed K-12 workers in Phase 2 of the vaccine deployment plan, but it has not specifi ed which K-12 schools would come fi rst. Additionally, the administration announced pool testing resources last week and funding available on a fi rst come fi rst serve basis. Legislators would like to see both off ered and deployed in low-income districts fi rst. Malden Lions Club announces clothing drive T he Malden Lions Club is having a clothing drive. They accept clothing, shoes, pocketbooks, etc. Items may be dropped off at Dr. Deborah Wayne’s offi ce, which is located at 702 Salem St. in Maplewood Square.
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