Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 3, 2023 ACHIEVEMENTS| FROM PAGE 1 public safety sector of Police, Fire and Health, along with the Malden Public Schools, there was also a detailed report on the $45 million-plus received by the city from the federal government from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The Mayor explained how committees were formed in concert with the Malden City Council to decide how to END OF SHOW SCENE: The end of the State of the City Address livestream, Malden Night Live, was similar to the goodbye scene at the end of Saturday Night Live, with handshakes, high fives and hugs. spend the funds to impact specific issues and situations in the city, including housing, food security, qualified improvements and other expenditures that fit the federal guidelines. Included in this ARPA report, among other items, was a recollection the city awarded a $1,000 scholarship to every graduating senior in the Malden High School Class of 2022 and Malden residents at other THE MALDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE THRIVING: Malden Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ligia Noriega-Murphy said the “schools and students are thriving” post-pandemic, with a new curriculum for K-8 and a growing student population. “PUNXSUTAWNEY” MAYOR: “Can’t win ’em all,” said Malden Mayor Gary Christenson after calling off winter in Malden on Feb. 9, then seeing it snow – twice – since then. (Advocate Photos from State of the City) PHANTOM GOURMET: The Phantom Gourmet Food Festival on June 25, 2022, brought thousands of people to downtown Malden. high schools who are furthering their education in college. In one of the subtle reveals of the evening, Mayor Christenson also reported that the City of Malden’s generous assistance would continue this year – as all seniors from the Class of 2023 will also receive the $1,000 municipal scholarship. The ARPA monies are also going toward the upgrades of Devir Park, Kierstead Park, a new fitness court at Callahan Park and funding for the popular Malden summer and winter festivals, as well as funding for the food distribution program at the Mystic Valley YMCA in Malden and Malden’s Bread of Life, among others. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime, transformational opportunity,” Mayor Christenson said of the ARPA funds. In other reports and updates: • Like the City Clerk’s Office, which saw a changing of the guard from Greg Lucey to Carol Ann Desiderio, right at the “MAYOR” HENRY FAN: Malden High School ninth grader Henry Fan portrayed Mayor Gary Christenson in the introductory skit in the 2023 State of the City Address. body cameras. Malden Police also had a number of promotions and new officers. In a ma“MALDEN NIGHT LIVE” BAND FROM MALDEN HIGH: The “house band” for Malden Night Live (State of the City Address) was the Malden High School Band. start of this year, with the Mayor praising Lucey for a major changeover to biliteral voting to benefit Malden’s large Chinese-speaking population, the city also welcomed new Police Chief Glenn Cronin in 2022. It was the conclusion of an impressive, 42-year career in Malden law enforcement for outgoing Chief Kevin Molis. • Malden was the first community in Massachusetts to convert to the use of Axon 1 jor statement, Malden Police reported a substantial drop in violent crime. • The Malden Fire Department responded to over 10,000 emergency calls in total in 2022 and battled five major fires, including a recent one late last year where five firefighters were treated at the Mass. General Hospital Burn Center. • Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ligia Noriega-Murphy also
11 Publizr Home