Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 10, 2021 ~ Letter to the Editor ~ Karen Colón Hayes expresses reasons for Councillor-at-Large candidacy Dear Editor: Most people run for offi ce because of a deep commitment to their community. Some people run because they are passionate about a single issue or problem. Some people always knew they wanted to be an elected offi cial. These are all valid reasons for running for offi ce and I commend anyone who puts themselves out there – it is not easy. I am running because I want a city that is forward thinking, inclusive and resilient. Forward thinking does not mean you forget about the past, it means tackling problems before they become a crisis. I am a collaborator who is willing to work with anyone to get things done. We will not always agree, but we should always talk things through so our city can rise together. I’ve worked with every single councillor and school committee member over the past 15 years so our city can rise. I have experience working inside city government and in the community with a proven track CANDIDACY | SEE PAGE 18 T It is Said in Malden hat a good turnout is expected for Tuesday's Ward 9 City Council preliminary election where the top two vote-getters will advance. Four-term Councillor Jadeane Sica faces two challengers, Amy Friedman and Nate Bae Kupel. **** That the Ward 8 preliminary election is the only one being held in this city Tuesday. **** That Council President Neal Anderson at Tuesday night's City Council meeting off ered that it might be time to resurrect the former EX-Alderman's Club. **** That Ward 2 City Councillor Paul Condon, suggested Anderson be fi rst president of that group. *** That on Saturday, September 19 Ward 4 Councillor Ryan O'Malley will host a Waitts Mount cleanup. **** That the Malden Police and Malden Fire will hold a solemn ceremony marking the 20th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at 9:00 a.m. at the Malden Central Fire Station on Salem Street. Register Online at: www.phunkphenomenon.com DEFUND | FROM PAGE 1 ful outcry against this abject injustice. The Malden community joined in grieving Floyd’s murder and calling for an end to the egregious criminal actions of police against persons of color and others. One slogan that emerged OPEN HOUSE Saturday, Sept. 11th 11:00 am - 1:00 pm CLASSES OFFERED FOR FALL SEASON HIP HOP | BREAKDANCING MUSIC & DANCE APPRECIATION | SALSA CONTEMPORARY | SOUTHERN SWAG | DANCEHALL TAP | BABY BALLET | LITE FEET 1886 Revere Beach Parkway (above Popeyes & Dunkin Donuts) in Everett 617-389-9111 / For more information, email LILPHUNK2@AOL.COM from this tragic event was “Defund the Police,” which supported the proposal to take funding away from traditional law enforcement providers like the police department and reallocate the funding to non-policing public safety and community support. This call to “Defund the Police” became a catchphrase for some during the summer of 2020 protest marches. In tandem, political activists closely aligned with the Progressive wing of the Democratic Party promoted a concept called the “People’s Budget,” which called on citizens to band together and demand their elected offi - cials make substantive cuts to the police budgets and reallocate funds to another service to residents. Some of the activists and groups in Malden have attempted to localize this slogan and bring it to our doorstep during this pandemic. However, the supporters of the “People’s Budget” never really saw it pick up much steam when they sent it out on social media for survey purposes back in March and April this year. Unfortunately, during the pandemic Malden – in similar fashion to other parts of Massachusetts – saw some violence and loss of life in isolated acts in various parts of the city. Fortunately, we in Malden have a well-equipped, welltrained and well-intentioned police force to both protect us and investigate and gather evidence in these cases, as a path toward justice is begun. In fact, the Malden Police Department, led by Chief Kevin Molis, Captain Glenn Cronin and others, is a regional and state leader in proactive initiatives which have put Malden well ahead of the curve when it comes to alternative ways and means of policing. The most recent example was the landmark announcement that Malden Police offi cers will soon be one of the fi rst departments in Eastern Massachusetts to be equipped with body cameras while on patrol. Under its present leadership, in conjunction with the strong support of Mayor Gary Christenson and the majority of the Malden City Council members, the Malden Police Department has become a model for transparent, equitable and compassionate policing and public safety, so to the “Defund the Police” slogan in Malden, we say, wholeheartedly, “NO THANKS!” With this being a municipal election year, including a slew of contested races for City Council seats, it would benefi t Malden voters to know where the candidates really stand on this slogan. It is one thing to talk about public safety on the campaign trail. It is another to acknowledge a strength that already exists in the Malden community – like the Malden Police Department – and pledge to support and endorse its policies and personnel. Voters should know who’s who and where they stand on this issue before they mark their ballots on Election Day, November 2. FROM MTVʼS AMERICAʼS BEST DANCE CREW
9 Publizr Home