Maldden alld a Vol. 32, No. 13 den AADD -FREEThe Kierstead Park Concept Plan Advocate Staff Report T he Malden City Council this week approved a $400,000 appropriation from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) to help subsidize the costs associated with a $2.2 million improvement project at KierSubscribe to Advocate Online: www.advocatenews.net CTE OCAT AT www.advocatenews.net Kierstead Park Published Every Friday 617-387-2200 to receive $2.2M facelift W ard 5 City Councillor Barbara Murphy announced she will not seek re-election this fall, after seven terms, at Tuesday night's Council meeting. Councillor Murphy provided the following statement to The Malden Advocate. Dear Ward 5 residents, After seven terms as the Ward 5 City Councillor, it is with bittersweet emotion that I announce I will not seek re-election. This diffi cult decision is the result of many conversations between my family, my friends and myself. During this time of refl ection, we took a look back from my fi rst election in 2009 over the path that brings us to today and this announcement. Ward 5 City Councillor Barbara Murphy What originally drove me to serve in the public arena was inspiration derived from outgoing Ward 5 Councillor John Furlong. Councillor Furlong was a passionate advocate that believed the greatest impacts on a community were made by those ELECTION | SEE PAGE 9 stead Park, which is located on Eastern Avenue in Ward 7. Originally envisioned as a multi-phased improvement program, the project was reimagined by Ward 7 Councillor Chris Simonelli to be an all-encompassing, single-phase initiative. According to Simonelli, “The focus of the site improvements is two-fold: to create a destination playground for children of all ages and abilities and to upgrade the existing Little League baseball fi eld.” PARK | SEE PAGE 7 MOA's 8th Annual Memorial Candlelight Vigil Solemn Reminder of Lost Loved Ones Special to Th e Advocate O n Sunday, March 26, Malden Overcoming Addiction (MOA) hosted their 8th annual Candlelight Vigil to memorialize those individuals taken from all of us by the insidious disease of substance use disorder. An estimated 150 people gathered as a community to remember and honor the lives lost. As has become custom, the night began with a somber and slow walk from the steps of the Jenkins Auditorium at Malden High School around the corner on Ferry Street into the Malden High School Gallery area. Before embarking on the journey, MOA Board Vice President Dana Brown spoke to the attendees about the “ministry of presence”; Mayor Gary Christenson, Fire Chief Bill Sullivan, Police Chief Glenn Cronin and Paul and Lisa Hammersley led the way to begin the march. that just being here tonight was a gift to families, friends, survivors and those continuing to do recovery work. Once the attendees were inside, Pastor Gerry Whetstone MEMORIAL | SEE PAGE 14 Pictured from left to right: Mayor Gary Christenson, Fire Chief Stephen Froio and Fire Commissioner Emery Haskell. Froio sworn in as new Fire Chief M ayor Gary Christenson and Fire Commissioner Emery Haskell announced that Deputy Chief Stephen J. Froio will serve as the new Chief of the Malden Fire Department. The appointment comes following recommendations made by an interview panel. FIRE CHIEF | SEE PAGE 4 E Friday, March 31, 2023 Ward 5 City Councillor Barbara Murphy will not seek re-election this fall
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