THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 7, 2021 Page 9 MALDEN: TODAY | FROM PAGE 6 a concert by the Marine Corp Brass Quintet are circulating around Malden. Nothing confi rmed. Stay tuned. When Butchie Russell heard news of the rumor, his fi rst word was “psyched!” True story. If you have ever dined or partook in fruit of the vine at the old Bambino’s Restaurant (formerly the Stadium Café and currently the site of John Brewers Tavern), you know Butchie. If you have ever been a member of the Irish American Club, you know Butch. If you have participated in any veteran’s event in the city in the past 50 years or so, you know Butch. In the fi rst installment of “Famous Quotes Uttered by Famous Maldonians” segment, I bring to you this instant classic from restaurateur, raconteur and righteous cat Richie Cremone: “I enjoyed being 20 in the 1970s but not 70 on the 2020s.” If you have ever dined on roasted potatoes and steak tips at the old Brandano’s Restaurant bar, you know Richie. (He may not have talked to you, but you knew who he was). If you ever entered Cremone’s Restaurant (formerly Tricca’s & Cai’s Playoff Pub) and stood in fear for your life while you watched Richie’s face contort in anger as he walked out of the kitchen and saw his bar full of gangsters, lowlifes and ruffi ans, you know Richie. If you have ever had the pleasure of tasting Richie’s famous chicken soup or skiff tskaf, you know Richie. Sincerest condolences go out to “Big John Jr.” from East Boston (and the whole DiMille family) on the loss of his father, “Big John Sr.” from East Boston. ORDINANCE | FROM PAGE 1 of the Malden Housing Needs Assessment of 2019, the Inclusionary Zoning Feasibility Study of 2021, the Aff ordable Housing Trust Fund Action Plan of 2021 and the Malden Master Plan of 2010. Inclusionary zoning will require a percentage of housing units in new residential developments to be set aside as below-market aff ordable housing. The proposal was drafted with Malden’s housing market and housing needs in mind. An advisory group made up of City of Malden and Malden Redevelopment Authority (MRA) staff , City Councillors and the Aff ordable Housing Trust Fund Board members met regularly to work on the draft that is proposed. Levine Planning Strategies and Colliers International served as consultants in the process and conducted a feasibility study, which was funded by contributions from the City, MRA and Malden Housing Authority and If you got your bounce on at the old Palace on 99 back in the day, you were probably dancing to “DJ Johnny D” (straight outta Orient Heights) and his boogie down beats. Brother Joe and I send our love out to your whole family, “Big John.” Go Spartans! “This is the end, beautiful friend, this is the end, my only friend, the end” – Mario Pallotta has, sadly, left the building. Bigger than life, Mario Pallotta joins his son Kenny (“The Bear”) in that great big produce market in the sky. Every single person who knew Mario mourns. That ain’t hyperbole. We all loved Mario. He came into most of our Malden lives a total stranger but left us a beloved, cherished member of our community. The YMCA was his stampin’ ground, the friendships he made there, legendary – his storytelling just as legendary – his smile, his laugh, his passion endearing him to one and all. We will never forget you, Mario. My sincerest condolences to his wife of 60 years, Claire, and to his entire family. Postscript 1: Us old Y guys were hit hardest by the news of Mario’s passing. That is where we fell in love with the big guy – back row of the Health Club where, for a short period of time, we shared an aisle with (the late) Joe Croken. Listening to Joe and Mario ramble on about this or that was what made the Y experience in those days something really special. Frankie Russell from the Malden Historical Society was another of those Y guys hit in the gut by Mario’s passing: “Did you see a week or two ago Mario Pallotta passed away? You remember him from the old men’s health club at the a grant from East Boston Savings Bank. The feasibility study included a thorough review of Malden’s housing needs, a market analysis, interviews with market-rate and aff ordable housing developers and owners, and a fi nancial model to test the impacts of inclusionary requirements on prototypical developments. The goal was to develop a policy that would maximize the potential for new aff ordable units without preventing new construction altogether. Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora, who is Chair of the Ordinance Committee, was a member of the advisory group – as well as Councillor-at-Large Steve Winslow. The draft ordinance will be referred to the Ordinance Committee, which will allow the City Council to have a comprehensive discussion on the details of the proposal, review the feasibility study and meet with Levine Planning Strategies. Y! He always brought the clementine’s to “The Chowhounds” dinners at the East Side AA. First time I had a clementine was when I got to take a box home from a Chowhounds Christmas party at the East Side, must have been in like 1991 or 1992. I always remember him for doing that. And what the hell do you think I was peeling as I turned the page in the Advocate and saw his obit, yup, a clementine! No lie! Isn’t that a coincidence!? He’s up there with Joe Croken right now after a ‘Steve Caiazzo Executive Workout’ setting up a heavenly Chowhound’s Feast. I miss the ‘Steve Caiazzo Businessman’s Workout’ with all the regulars like Mario, Joe C, Ralph K, Mario Cantone, Frank L, Billy Coleman. Gab about nothing, watch some TV, take a steam, take more steam, hang out some more, then get dressed and have a beer. Those were the days my friend. Miss ya Mario.” Postscript 2: This from his obituary had me emotional from the get-go. Mario in a nutshell: “A kind man with an easy smile, his blue eyes lit up every room he entered. Never one to shy away from off ering his opinion when asked, his friendships spanned seven decades. A devout family man, always spending time with his children and grandchildren. His devotion to his best friend, his wife Claire, was evident as they were always together, seven days a week for more than 60 years. A tireless, old fashioned work ethic that had him up at 2:30 am, six days a week, right up until his untimely passing, to his second home the ‘Produce Market’ in Chelsea, where he owned and operated M.A. Pallotta Brokerage Co. for over 50 years. An honest man that believed his word and last name were his bond.” You created a business. And a community. HAPPY SMALL BUSINESS WEEK TO ALL OUR OWNERS WHO GIVE OUR COMMUNITY ITS SPECIAL IDENTITY AND CULTURE. WE’RE PROUD TO CALL YOU OUR NEIGHBORS. IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO JOIN THE EVERETT BANK SMALL BUSINESS FAMILY, CALL OR VISIT US TODAY. 419 BROADWAY, EVERETT MA 02149 7 7 1 SALEM ST, LYNNFIELD, MA 01940 Right by you. 61 7-38 7 - 1 1 10 781-7 76- 4444 WWW.EVERETTBANK .COM/MYSMALLBUSINESS Member FDIC Member DIF
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