THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 31, 2024 Page 13 GUEST | FROM PAGE 1 example of genocide and man’s inhumanity to man was taking place before their eyes.” Dempsey and his fellow soldiers rammed their tanks through the gates of Dachau, where German soldiers were executing helpless mostly Jewish victims, who looked like walking skeletons. Dempsey’s soldiers fought off the guards, killing most of them, and provided weapons to some of the detainees, who also fought the rest of the Germans in the camp. There were still 30,000 poor souls in Dachau awaiting execution to include 1,000 anti-Nazi Catholic priests when Dempsey and the Rainbow Division liberated them. Dempsey came back to Malden and graduated from Boston College. He and his wife were both educators and Dempsey was the principal at Linden School for 26 years. Dempsey has helped many students over the years and many still visit him at Forestdale Park Assisted Living, where he currently resides. Last Veterans Day, the City of Malden dedicated a Memorial Square to Bill Dempsey in Linden Square, and they plan to paint photos of Dempsey over the years on the switchbox there to honor his service to Malden and America. In three months at the end of August, the City of Malden will celebrate Dempsey’s 100th birthday to honor his selfless service and dedication to his family, friends, country, the Malden community BUILDING | FROM PAGE 12 prioritize improvements in Malden Center.This could be extended to include Maplewood Square as well. The plan itself says that the “[b]iggest challenge to this plan is identifying a funding source.” “The purpose of the Maplewood Square Committee is to work with [students’ ideas and presentations] to make a great Maplewood Square,” said Winslow. The Committee’s current focus is on seven of the points that the BU students identified: make Maplewood Square more welcoming; create an organization to promote Maplewood Square; promote Maplewood Square through events; support business with incentives and incubator businesses; simplify parking; include Maplewood in Malden’s Complete Streets and bus plans; and support zoning changes for housing. The present businesses in Maplewood Square include but are not limited to:a cold-pressed juicery, a custom-made curtain/blinds’ manufacturer, a fresh meat/groceries/vegetable market, a fresh fish market, a physical therapy store, a funerCity Council President/Ward 6 Councillor Stephen Winslow’s nephew, Geoff Winslow is serving in the United States Army. Winslow introduced elected officials present during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Forestdale Cemetery. and thousands of students and many others over the years. Also recognized during the ceremony was Gilberto Tercetti, known as Junior, who recently joined the Malden Chamber of Commerce. He was born in Italy and raised in Brazil and served for a year and a half in the Brazilian Army before transferring to the Military Police, where he served for an additional two and a half years. He then worked as a Police Detective for some years, gaining significant experience in one of the world’s most dangerous countries. Tercetti moved to the United States 31 years ago and adapted to life in his new home, starting a car repair business in Somerville 26 years ago. Despite his new caal home, a flower shop, an optometrist, a women’s boutique, a shoe store, a high-end sneaker store, a service station, churches, convenience store, and pizza parlors.The Committee’s improvements aim to give Maldonians and beyond additional reasons to discover and explore Maplewood Square. The Maplewood Square Committee has begun cosmetic and functional changes. The Fortune Corner floor-to-ceiling storefront windows now have seasonal artwork. A recent circular walkability sign graces the Square near Salem and Maplewood Streets. A ‘Welcome to Maplewood’ mural is suggested for the blank brick wall of the Converse Building that faces Dunkin’ Donuts. Plans are to have a Maplewood Square logo. Also, large moveable planters will brighten up the Square and be seasonably changed.Banners and flags can enhance the appeal of Maplewood Square. Blue Bikes, a public bike-sharing program, will be made available. Businesses will be encouraged to include games and puzzles for the public to enjoy.The Mayplewood Fest will continue each year. Other festivals will be added. The Fire Department Honor Guard stood at attention. (Courtesy photo, Chris Rosa) reer, Junior never forgot his time in the military and as a law enforcement officer in Brazil, which instilled in him a deep appreciation for veterans, military personnel, police officers, firefighters and EMTs. Recently, Tercetti moved his However, there is tangible tension between Ward 5 and 6 residents and the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School (MVRCS) that has occupied part of Ward 6 for years. The real estate arm of MVRCS recently bought land in the middle of Maplewood Square, displacing three restaurants, a barbershop, a bank and two apartments and parking behind all of them. MVRCS students come to Ward 6 daily from seven or eight other cities and towns, which causes a lot of traffic congestion.Most MVRCS students live outside Ward 5 and 6.MVRCS does not actively participate in activities in Ward 6 or in Maplewood Square although its students frequent some of the Square’s business establishments. Most residents want Maplewood Square to be primarily a business area. Kevin Duffy of the City of Malden Office of Strategic Planning and Redevelopment says, “Businesses are looking at Malden right now.”But he says that money is tight and interest rates are high.He goes on to say that the dimensions that businesses may need for their businesses may not be available in Malden right now. Nevertheless, the students’ business to Malden, remodeling Junior Auto Body on Whitman Street to reflect his values. Upon joining the Chamber, he shared his desire to give back to the community. In partnership with AutoZone, Tercetti has committed to offering 30 free oil changes to projects will continue to be an excellent point of reference for the Maplewood Square Committee. The students’ work will fashion a lot of what the Committee does. “We hope that you choose to move forward with [some of students’ ideas] as you go,” Innes said. “I am hoping the community sees these projects from the students and the genuine care and effort put into them as a strong starting point to take interactive and positive steps towards making a good impact for the community,” said Alejandro Lopez, Master of Urban Affairs student. “I hope this serves as a path towards consensus.” “The Maplewood Square Committee has reviewed the students’ presentation and ideas and thanks them for outreach efforts to the residents and businesses in and around Maplewood Square, the studious research that went into the presentations and creative ideas they presented,” said Winslow. In a subsequent forum on April 4, 2024, the Maplewood Square Committee presented details of the seven earlier-mentioned vision statements for the first time to the public. Dempsey’s daughter Mary Ann Boari and her husband, Doug with World War II veteran Bill Dempsey, 99 and 3/4. Dempsey is celebrating his 100th birthday this August. each of the following groups at Junior’s Autobody in Malden: 30 to veterans, 30 to police officers, 30 to firefighters and 30 to EMTs. Tercetti looks forward to the year ahead and hopes to continue giving back to the Malden community in meaningful ways. Besides looking for new ideas, they also want to bring out the best of what used to be. Since there is hunger for participatory government, the committee included sign-up sheets for audience members who would like to work on subcommittees for each vision. These subcommittees will be the additional arms and legs of the Maplewood Square Committee, reaching out to officials and non-officials and coming back to the committee with findings and fresh ideas. Anyone who is interested in being on one of these subcommittees can contact the Maplewood Square Committee through Ward 6 Councilor Steve Winslow or Ward 5 Councilor Ari Taylor It is said that what makes a great community is the people.It’s the people who want it to thrive. All in all, Maplewood Square is looking to be a vibrant part of the entire city of Malden and beyond. Joy Pearson is a citizen journalist for Neighborhood View (neighborhoodview.org) where this article originally appeared.. She resides in the Maplewood area of Malden. Shown from left to right: Veterans Service Officer Kevin Jarvis, World War II veteran William Dempsey, Chamber of Commerce Outreach Coordinator Mary Ellen O’Meara and Mayor Gary Christenson thanked Dempsey for his service – at the Dachau Concentration Camp fighting off guards who were executing helpless Jewish victims. Vietnam Era veteran Kevin Jarvis, who served in the United States Marine Corps, said Mayor Gary Christenson fulfilled his campaign promise to fully fund the Veterans’ Services Department.
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