Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 29, 2023 ‘Your generosity made magic this year’ A message from Housing Families Inc. T his week, Housing Families Inc. (HFI) CEO Laura Rosi and Board President Ann Wu, MD, MPH shared, “Wow, 2023 has flown by! This year we served 5,104 adults and children, providing more services than ever before. We would love for you to take a moment to reflect on your generosity and read ADIEU | FROM PAGE 1 age in parts of Malden; Ward 5 was especially hard hit. One of the biggest concerns was the senior living Salem Towers apartments, which was totally knocked out. “Barbara was there, right there with the first responders, making sure everyone was taken about how your support has created lifechanging moments for our community.” They further stated, “In our GREAT Youth and Families Program (GYFP), children and teens have been busy making memories this year. They did everything from painting/carving pumpkins, docare of,” Macdonald said. “She made sure they were fed, that they were kept warm and that there was emergency power for their oxygen tanks.” “It was emblematic of the care she has for her neighborhood and that she is always making sure people feel safe and have a place in our community,” Councillor Macdonald added. “As a colleague and a constituent, I 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 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 Open Daily 4:00 PM Closed Sunday Announcing our Classic Specials Dine In Only: * FREE Salad with purchase of Entree, Monday & Tuesdays * Cheese Pizza - Only $10 Catch ALL The Live Sports Action On Our Large Screen TV’s HOLIDAY SHOP LOCAL & DROP BY FOR DINNER! www.eight10barandgrille.com ing arts & crafts, making flower bouquets, learning to play music, camping and making smores, hanging with goats, playing volleyball, enjoying Canobie Lake Park, learning with Professor Bugman, and seeing the Urban Nutcracker. This year we also launched enrichment clubs with themes of have really appreciated our partnership.” Councillor Murphy, first elected in 2009, is essentially “retiring” to spend more time with her family, after deciding not to run for an eighth term this past fall. Ari Taylor prevailed in November’s election and Ward 5 will have a new Councillor for the first time in nearly a decade and a half. Murphy thanked all of her fellow Councillors and expressed her gratitude with being elected to serve Ward 5 for seven consecutive terms. “Being a Councillor has been the experience of a lifetime,” Councillor Murphy said at the meeting. “It is truly something I would not ever change.” “The people that you meet, the problems you get to solve – it definitely broadens your horizon on what it takes to run a city and all of its moving parts,” Murphy added. Some of the most senior Councillors had plenty to say on Murphy’s years on the Council. “Barbara’s done an incredible job,” said Ward 2’s Paul Condon. “She has set objectives and though it is sometimes a bumpy road on the Council, she has been fair to everyone and developed a sense of trust.” “I am grateful of all of the many events and activities she runs in the community and I don’t think I have seen one Councillor do so much in all my years here,” Condon added. “Your impact here will be everlasting,” Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora, who has served for 20 consecutive years on the Council, said to Murphy. “It is said the closer you are to problems the more of an impact you can have. You have certainly shown that. You have set the new standard for the Council and you will be missed.” Ward 1 Councillor Peg Crowe, science, art, volleyball, and real-life skills… “This year GYFP served 77 children and 101 adults in its afterschool, summer camp, and school break programs, as well as its counseling and peer-to-peer groups for caregivers. Of the 77 children, 53% were English-language learnwho succeeded Mayor Gary Christenson in her post in 2011, said, “Thank you for your friendship and leadership on the Council. We did not always agree, but I value hearing different perspectives and I think I’m a better Councillor because of you.” Ward 6 Councillor Stephen Winslow said, “I have truly appreciated working with you these past six years. What you always bring is that you speak your mind, then listen to other perspectives to try and guide us to a consensus. Your leadership on the Council has been great, and the events and celebrations you have guided in the community have been popular and family-friendly, and I have taken notice and tried to bring that to my ward.” Ward 4 Councillor Ryan O’Malley, starting his fifth term in January, echoed that sentiment. “I would not be the Councillor I am without your guidance,” he said. “It has been the experience of a lifetime working with you. I remember my first term I was freaking about the Independence Day planning, and you set me straight and laid out everything I needed to do.” “We’ve worked together in community events for many years, and I am glad in my first years at this level I was able to work with you,” first-term Councillor-at-Large Karen Colón Hayes said. “I’ve relied on you a lot and you have always been there.” “I want to thank you for supporting me and being a friend for these many years,” Ward 8 Councillor Jadeane Sica said. “We didn’t always agree, but if you liked my idea or didn’t, you always had a calm, level head and helped me think it through. It’s been amazing to work with you.” “Thank you for all the coners and 18% were students with a disability. “Our Homelessness Prevention and Legal Services program has prevented over 740 evictions this year.” HFI contact info: info@housingfamilies.org; 781-322-9119; 919 Eastern Ave., Malden, MA 02148. versations we have had in my time on the Council,” said Ward 3 Councillor Amanda Linehan. “One of the very first events I ever took my young daughter to was something you had sponsored,” Linehan added. “That really made an impression on me.” Murphy said she hopes the Councillors and those they deal with can embrace the concepts “It’s OK to not agree, it’s OK to discuss differing opinions. The goal is find a consensus somewhere. I hope you [Councillors] continue to work together and work for the citizens of Malden – the reason we all sitting here.” Murphy thanked City Clerk Carol Ann Desiderio for her service and support, noting she was her first campaign manager in 2009. She also thanked Clerk of Committees Lisa Cagno, who was reappointed in an earlier vote that night. The Ward 5 Councillor listed some memorable highlights of her years, including: — “To see the Malden Community Gardens come into being and then flourishing as they have, with people learning how to grow their own food and put food on the table for their families – simply amazing.” — “Getting City Hall out of Pleasant Street and creating this beautiful facility where we now sit. We did it!” — “Eighty percent of the roads or more in Ward 5 … now newly paved in past couple of years.” — “We closed McFadden Manor, but we now have a fabulous assisted-living facility there in Forestdale. We kept our commitment.” Councillor Murphy also put to rest a big rumor in the community. “I’m not moving to Florida! I’m staying in Ward 5!” “For the last time,” she said, just before banging the gavel in the final City Council meeting of her career. 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