THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 29, 2020 Page 3 Malden remembers its heroes By Barbara Taormina T here were no parades, no waving fl ags and no bands playing patriotic music at the city’s brief Memorial Day service at Devir Park on Monday. Instead, Mayor Gary Christenson and Veterans Service Offi cer Kevin Jarvis held a simple and solemn Memorial Day ceremony that was streamed live on the city’s website “This year, the COVID-19 pandemic prevents us from coming together as a community to observe this important day with the respect it deserves,” said Christenson. “While we are all paying the price to keep one another safe, we cannot forget those who paid the ultimate price so we could live safely.” Christenson recalled that former President Barack Obama once said that the nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that it can never repay. “We can, however, make a down payment by doing our part to help get past this pandemic and back to a time when we can have our traditional parade and ceremony to honor this sacred day.” Jarvis said that despite the cancellation of the traditional parade and ceremony, the city is still honoring generations of Malden residents who fought and died while serving in the military. “We still remember their service and sacrifi ce to our great nation,” he said. Jarvis urged residents to go back and watch videos of the World War I Memorial rededication and last year’s Memorial Day Service. “Since World War I more than 350 Malden residents were killed while serving and many more injured,” said Jarvis. “Today we honor those who fought, those who gave their lives, and those who stand by willingly to do the same today,” he said. Over on the east side of Malden, City Councillors David Camell and Stephen Winslow and School Committee Member Joseph Gray rode through the neighborhood, stopping at diff erent squares and sites dedicated to Malden vets. They stopped at Cipriano Memorial Square to honor Private George Cipriano, who was killed in action in North Korea on Sept. 30, 1951. They went on to Rumson Memorial Square to memorialize Samuel Rumson, who was killed by a sniper on March 8, 1968, in Phu Pen, Vietnam. Their next stop was Wright Memorial Square, where they honored Nathaniel Wright, who served in the Marine Corps during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service during the Battle of Okinawa. It was then on to Trafton Park, to pay tribute to Corporal William Trafton, who was killed in action on May 31, 1918, in Richecourt, France, and Lance CorpoHERO | SEE PAGE 5 Finance Committee considers new approaches to city budget By Barbara Taormina T he Finance Committee has started reviewing Mayor Gary Christenson’s $184.3 budget proposal for 2021 against a backdrop of questions and uncertainties. Like other communities, Malden is facing a cut in local aid, but no one knows how deep it will go. City revenues are expected to dip, but no one knows how big the loss will be. Federal aid will be available for COVID-19 related costs, but guidelines and restrictions for that funding aren’t clear. City Treasurer Dan Grover, Controller Chuck Ranaghan and Parking Department Director Ron Hogan off ered members of the Finance Committee an overview of some of the factors at play that could have a signifi cant impact on Malden’s fi nancial future. “The scale of what’s coming from the state is enormous,” Hogan told the committee this week. The state is bracing for a $4 to $6 billion shortfall in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hogan said the Commonwealth’s $3 billion rainy day fund won’t cover the gap. According to Hogan the anticipated cuts in local aid won’t be a one-year fi x. It took years for local aid to inch back to where it was before a series of cuts made during the last recession. Hogan said responsible planning was behind this 2021 budget proposal, which includes $180.2 million in spending and $4.1 million set aside to cover an anticipated 15 percent cut in general local aid and a decrease in Chapter 70 state funding for public schools. The plan also includes wage freezes for employees throughout the city with the exception of the police and fi re departments. Although there is no offi cial hiring freeze, Hogan said the plan is to look at each job opening as it comes up and see if the city can live without it. Finance Committee members HERO | SEE PAGE 5 505 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 Tel: 617-387-1120 www.gkdental.com • Family Dentistry • Crowns • Bridges • Veneers/Lumineers • Dental Implants • All on 4 Dental Implants • Emergency Dentist • Kid Friendly Dentist • Root Canals • Dentures • Invisalign Braces • Snap On Smile • Teeth Whitening We are the smile care experts for your entire family AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE Is your vehicle ready for the Spring Season?!! AC SPECIAL Recharge your vehicle's AC for the warm weather! Includes up to 1 LB. of Refrigerant* (*Most Vehicles/Some Restrictions May Apply) Only $69.95 DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! 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