Page 2 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 10, 2021 Mackey & Brown Attorneys at Law * PERSONAL INJURY * REAL ESTATE * FAMILY LAW * GENERAL PRACTICE * PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY * CIVIL LITIGATION 14 Norwood St., Everett, MA 02149 Phone: (617) 387-4900 Fax: (617) 381-1755 WWW.MACKEYBROWNLAW.COM John Mackey, Esq. * Katherine M. Brown, Esq. Patricia Ridge, Esq. Mystic Valley Elder Services CEO Daniel O'Leary to retire after over three decades A fter 35 years of service, Daniel O’Leary, chief executive offi cer of Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES), has announced that he plans to retire at the end of the year. “It has been a privilege and an honor to have worked at Mystic Valley Elder Services for the last 35 years,” says O’Leary. “I am thankful for the opportunities I have had to work with an extraordinary team of people who make such a diff erence in the lives of our consumers. We live our mission every day at Mystic Valley Elder Services, providing older adults, adults living with disabilities and caregivers with quality choices so they can live with dignity and independence.” O’Leary started with MVES as assistant director in 1980. When the director moved out of state in 1983, O’Leary was selected by the Board of Directors to lead MVES. In 1992, the Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts invited him to join them as their executive director. In January of 1998, the MVES board of directors invited O’Leary to return to his roots to take the helm once again as executive Photo by Matteo Catanese the board he led the establishment of the Gap Endowment Fund that now exceeds $6 million; he developed and expanded the range of home care and community-based program options to include a wide array of services that go above and beyond the basic State Home Care program; and he successfully merged two elder care agencies in 2015. “It has been a pleasure to Mystic Valley Elder Services CEO Daniel O’Leary recently announced his plans to retire at the end of the year. (Photo Courtesy of Mystic Valley Elder Services) director. While his title may have changed – executive director to chief executive offi cer as the organization grew under his leadership – his job has remained the same: stay mission-focused, provide person-centered care to consumers in the best possible ways, help recruit and retain the very best staff and volunteers, be forward-thinking and act honorably and intelligently in keeping with MVES’s culture and purpose. Among his many accomWe will never forget Today we remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001. We also want to honor the bravery of the first responders who risked their lives to save others. plishments, O’Leary steered the agency from a $12.6 million budget in FY1998 to an $80 million budget in FY22; with work with Dan and see the changes and growth he has brought to Mystic Valley Elder Services over the years, especially during times of enormous change and challenge,” said MVES Board of Directors President Janice Houghton. “His leadership championed the importance of elder care within our communities and with our staff .” O’Leary expressed his confi dence in the MVES board of directors and leadership team and their thoughtful succession planning, further noting that the agency, staff , volunteers and community are in excellent hands. “Mystic Valley Elder Services is now starting its next chapter as a vibrant and strong elder services agency delivering essential services to those in need within our communities,” said O’Leary. “It is time for new leadership and for me to pass the baton to a new, highly-qualifi ed chief executive offi cer.” ~ Op-Ed ~ Ward 5 Councillor candidate shares meaning of Labor Day By Ari Taylor L abor Day holds many different meanings for people 419 BROADWAY, EVERETT MA 02149 61 7-38 7 - 1 1 10 7 7 1 SALEM ST, LYNNFIELD, MA 01940 7 8 1 - 7 7 6 - 4444 WWW.EVERETTBANK .COM Member FDIC | Member DIF and it’s held diff erent meanings for me as I grew older. Thinking back to childhood, it meant the end of summer and a return to school. As a worker, it meant paid time off or overtime if I needed it. I took this Labor Day to join union workers in solidarity with Local 26, many of whom were fi red unfairly and unnecessarily. I heard our leaders speak about how essential workers are the backbone of our lives and how we are often taken for granted. I refl ected on the past and what made a strong economy and the result was always the same. Our economy thrives when we value people, working families, and pay a living wage. We have lost our way, no one should have to struggle for survival, not in 2021, not with the resources and knowledge available to us – one job is enough. Wealth may be a luxury, but basic human rights are not. Food on the table, a safe home, clean streets, and good schools. We can only begin to rebuild our community when we start to rebuild the foundation and give dignity back to our workers. We must insist that our workers are paid and treated fairly, and have the benefi t of a work life balance that allows for a decent quality of life. This Labor Day I am refl ecting on those who knew the status quo was not working and worked to change it. Let us not take for granted the protection we have gained by those willing to stand up and fi ght for a fair society and let us truly honor their fi ght by demanding and fighting for fair and living wages and a safe and clean working environment #ForAllofUs. Fill Up & Save! Fall is Coming!
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