Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 27, 2026 MAYOR | FROM PAGE 1 to the audience at the well-attended 2026 State of the City Address delivered on Wednesday, March 18, at the Malden Senior Center/Teen Enrichment Center (MTEC) located at 7 Washington St. in Malden. The Mayor welcomed the many in attendance and thanked his staff and the members and personnel from MTEC, including Coordinator Cathy MacMullin, for hosting this year’s event, which was a change of venue from what had been a presentation in a traditional function hall. Before he began a detailed account of the improvements, changes and infrastructure rehabilitation that has gone on in Malden this past year, the Mayor honed in on some characteristics which he said define this community, showing the substance and strength of this city and its residents: Resiliency, for one. “This year we’re stepping back from me coming out of a time capsule or hosting ‘Jeopardy,’ and instead, we’re focusing on a more personal delivery,” Mayor Christenson said. “Tonight, I am confident that you will see, just as I feel in my heart, that the state of our city is resilient — resilient not because we are without challenges, but because we have the people ready to meet this moment, the creativity to solve problems, a community that lifts one another up and the determination to see our work through,” he added. In addition to recapping the Malden City Solicitor Alicia McNeil speaks. Mayor Gary Christenson (center) is shown with his department heads just before delivering the 2026 State of the City Address at the Malden Senior Center/Teen Enrichment Center. (All Photos Courtesy/ City of Malden/Paul Hammersley) highlights of the past year in the State of the City Address, Mayor Christenson zeroed in on current events, including the upcoming Special Election on March 31, which asks taxpayers to consider supporting an increase in local property taxes beyond that allowed under Proposition 2 1/2. “We understand that asking residents in a hardworking gateway city like Malden to consider a voluntary increase in property taxes is a big ask,” the Mayor said. “It has critics, and we respect that, but it is an unprecedented step, driven by an unprecedented set of circumstances.” “Regardless of where you stand on the override, the fact that our residents get to decide the future of our city is democracy at its best,” Mayor Christenson asserted. The entirety of the 2026 State of the City Address can It was a full house on Wednesday, March 18, for the 2026 State of the City Address. be viewed on the Malden Urban Media Arts (UMA) YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@_MATV In the course of the evening’s event, the Mayor and the evening’s MC, Mark Linehan, were ably assisted by “guest” speakers, a cadre of various city officials, which included Director of Public Facilities Eric Rubin, City Clerk Carol Ann Desiderio, City CounHome of the Week Welcome Home to 43 Taylor Street Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate Formerly Carpenito Real Estate SAUGUS - Perfectly located & maintained 8 rm Colonial boasting 3 bedrms, 2 full baths, spac living room w/stunning gas fireplace surrounded by custom built-ins, entertainment-size dining room w/custom woodworking, den with built-ins, gorgeous, custom kitchen addition Silestone countertops, 14' center island w/seating, gas cooktop, double oven,open to sitting area & atrium doors to stamped concrete patio. 2nd flr offers 3 bedrms, spacious, primary bedrm offers large walkin closet, large family rm, updated roof, gar, concrete driveway. Desirable Iron Works neighborhood, located just outside of Saugus Center. MINT! Offered at $825,000 (781) 233-7300 335 Central St. Saugus commonmoves.com ©2024 BHH Affiliates, LLC, An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity. cil President Amanda Linehan, Superintendent of Schools Timothy Sippel, Ed.L.D., Department of Strategic Planning and Community Development Director Alex Pratt and City Solicitor Alicia McNeil. Also checking in to promote and report on their places in the city’s landscape were Jodie Zalk (Malden Reads), Marcel Schwab (Farmers Market), Katie Dillon/Sarah McDonald (Malden Porch Fest) and Malden Arts (Sandy Felder). Some of the highlights and recent accomplishments in and around the city of Malden: • Malden secured about $15 million in new grants to fund projects in a tight fiscal world, over $37 million since establishing the municipal position of Grants Manager in 2021. • Over $10 million in park & recreational space improvements since 2020, in addition to $6 million now underway at Devir Park, coming soon at Maplewood Park and other sites, with 90% of all of these projects funded by grants from the state and federal level • The Mayor announced the receipt of a new, $10 million grant MAYOR | SEE PAGE 10 Malden City Council President Amanda Linehan (of Ward 3) addresses the audience. Malden Superintendent of Schools Dr. Timothy Sippel (right) greets Malden Teen Center Coordinator Cathy MacMullin. (All Photos Courtesy/City of Malden/Paul Hammersley) Four well-known Maldonians who were all members of the same Malden High School graduating Class of 1977: from left: Special Assistant to the Mayor Maria Luise, 44year local educator Mary Beth (Casey) Leon, who has been at Cheverus Catholic School since 2002, former Malden High School Principal and Ward 5 Councillor Dana Brown and Malden Teen Enrichment Center Coordinator Cathy MacMullin.
9 Publizr Home