Page 4 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 22, 2020 Sica apologizes for parking lot party By Barbara Taormina F or nearly a week, Malden argued over whether Jadeane Sica should resign as City Council President. Last Wednesday, May 13, Sica held a party in the parking lot of Townline Luxury Lanes with a cake, DJ and 50 or so guests who were invited to celebrate her daughter’s 21st birthday. Police responded to reports of a crowd that exceeded the state’s restriction on gatherings of more than 10 people and guests who were mingling and failing to follow social distancing guidelines. After reminding people about the importance of social distancing, police broke up the party. No tickets or fi nes were issued. The party made headlines CURBSIDE TAKEOUT Call In Your Order: 781-629-3798 Hours: Thursday 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Friday 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Saturday 2:00 p.m. - 8;00 p.m. Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The Marina Clambake Available to Go! The Clambake includes Lobster, Steamers, Potatoes, Corn on the Cob, Chowder & Salad Call Your Order In Advance: 781-629-3798 BOOK YOUR NEXT FUNCTION WITH US * GIFT CARDS AMPLE FREE www.marinaatthewharf.com 543 North Shore Rd. Revere 781-629-3798 PARKING around Boston and pro- and anti-Sica factions almost immediately began forming on Facebook. On Friday, Sica posted an apology and an explanation. “Certainly, it wasn’t my intent to send a bad message,” she wrote. “I take this pandemic seriously and like all of you can’t wait for us to be past it. But fi rst and foremost, I’m a mother – a mother who is trying her best to fi nd the right balance during a diffi cult time. If I got it wrong, I’ll own it. Like anyone with kids, I’d move mountains for them, and I was simply trying to fi nd some semi normalcy for my 21-yearold daughter.” This past Monday, MaldenArts Vice President Candace Julyan launched an online petition calling on Sica to resign as City Council president. It was delivered to the City Council with 101 signatures. MaldenArts President Naomi Brave wrote an open letter to DEVIR PARK | FROM PAGE 1 AMAZING WATER VIEWS Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lein * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 Lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net J& $45 yd. S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. MULCH SALE! Discount Spring Special PICK-UP or DELIVERY AVAILABLE 617-389-1490 Premium Hemlock or Pitch Black BELOW WHOLESALE COSTS LANDSCAPERS WELCOME $4 yd. $40 yd. $3 yd. provements. Project organizers will prioritize parts of the plan that will make the project eligible for a grant from the state’s Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) program, which supports the renovation of municipal parks. Future work may include reconfi guring the Larson baseball diamond and other playing fi elds so that there is one full-size adult soccer fi eld and a smaller youth soccer fi eld. The Larson fi eld or a smaller softball diamond may be retained as a multipurpose fi eld. Other design ideas call for fi eld improvements, including replanted grass and benches for spectators, a dog park the City Council urging that Sica step down as City Council president. “I am outraged that Ms. Sica took this action, and thereby showed no regard to Malden’s citizens’ safety, to my personal safety!” wrote Brave. “We should demand that our elected representatives uphold the laws and hold our safety as their highest responsibility.” Our Revolution Malden started another petition on change. org that also calls for Sica to resign “to demonstrate that she understands and accepts the consequences of her actions.” As of midweek, 185 people had signed on. Sica’s supporters acknowledged that hosting the party was a poor and irresponsible decision but cited her years of service to Ward 8 and her commitment to the city. Her critics called her apology insincere and said her past work for the Malden is irrelevant. What matters is that she put people at risk of becoming infected with the coronavirus. along the Fellsway corridor, and resurfaced basketball courts with updated lighting, backboards and nets, as well as resurfaced tennis courts. There is also a proposal to remove the tennis court closest to the playground to make way for a toddler splash pad surrounded by picnic tables and benches. A small adult fitness area with outdoor equipment has also been proposed for the grassy area behind Bruce Field outfi eld. Solar lighting for the middle walkway corridor, the planting and maintenance of shade trees, and plaques and signs that celebrate the park’s history, and particularly its history of semipro baseball, are also included in future design plans. Councillors said the DeSeveral people who weighed into the debate suggested calls for Sica’s resignation were politically motivated by some who would prefer to see a more progressive member of the council serve as president. Other people posted genuine concerns about potential health risks to the community. Over time, the lengthy thread on the Malden MA politics Facebook page became repetitive and shrill and was fi nally cut off . None of the other city councillors have commented on Sica’s story, and Sica, who typically confronts controversies head on, made no mention of it at this week’s council meeting. However, she did off er her overall perspective of the past week as part of her apology. “While it’s disappointing to see someone motivated to embarrass me over this, I guess if I can fi nish my political career with this being the worst someone can say about me, I’ve probably done ok,” she wrote. vir Park Revitalization Project is exactly the type of project the CPA is meant to support. And they also had kind words for DeVits, who was dubbed Citizen Devits by Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora because she stepped up to plan and promote the project as individual citizen. “She did a fantastic job,” said Spadafora. “She really ran with the project.” Although residents and city councillors can be ward-centric, particularly when it comes to parks and playing fields, Ward 6 Councillor David Camell suggested Devir Park is a place for all of Malden. “Everyone across the city enjoys Devir Park as a place we all prize and come together as a community,” he said.
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