Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 31, 2021 COUNCIL | FROM PAGE 1 Committee member from Ward 3. The three departing Councillors total 40 years of City Council service. With his 28 years, Anderson may be the longest serving Councillor in municipal history. On Dec. 21, Anderson, who served as City Council President for the fifth time in his lengthy tenure, was specially feted with appearances from his family members and others from the public who spoke before the meeting, and again at the conclusion of the meeting, by some of his colleagues. Councillors Camell and DeMaria also spoke briefly near the conclusion of the meeting, expressing their thanks to both their colleagues and constituents over the years. “I have taken a lot of inspiration from everyone on this Council; we have not always agreed on everything, but I’ve tried to listen to everybody whether we agree or not,” Camell said. Everyone’s heart is in the right place, trying to take care of the residents. It’s been both a pleasure and a challenge, having faced things I never would have thought of facing as a Councillor.” “For the last 10 years I woke up every day excited to represent Malden; not too many people can say that about their job,” Councillor DeMaria said. “Even in divisive times, working toward solutions is both exhausting, invigorating but always rewarding. There has been immense growth in Malden in the past 10 years, and I am happy I have [played] a role in helping shape Malden for the future. “Being a Councillor-at-Large has been the experience of a lifetime,” DeMaria added. Anderson said, “I really feel honored to have served on the City Council. I haven’t regretted a moment and have enjoyed working with all of the City Councillors I have served with through the years.” “I am grateful that the citizens of Ward 7 in Malden have continued to elect me. The employees of the City of Malden and the manager, the rank-andfile make this a great city and make our jobs so much easier to serve the city of Malden,” Anderson added. Anderson recalled the many events he had hosted through the years, such as Easter and Christmas parades through Neal Anderson City Council President Ward 7 as well as the Fourth of July events, and how his family members played intricate roles in making them a success. “Aren’t we all so fortunate to have such a caring community to serve with citizens who show so much compassion for each other,” Councillor Anderson said. Then he banged the gavel. “For the last time!” Anderson said, “Happy Holidays.” To recall and hear all of the comments at the Dec. 21 meeting visit the following link: https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCsBndjZYjyyWcmO5-yr3n0w **** Malden’s 2022 Inaugural Ceremonies set for Mon., Jan. 3 at Jenkins Auditorium, MHS The City of Malden has anThe Jenkins Auditorium at Malden High School will be the site for the 2022 City of Malden Inaugural Ceremonies where members of the Malden City Council and Malden School Committee – recently elected or reelected in November – will be sworn into office for two-year terms. nounced that the 2022 Inaugural Ceremonies will take place on Monday, January 3 at 6:00 p.m. at Malden High School’s Jenkins Auditorium (77 Salem St.). The event is open to members of the public: They are invited to attend and see members of the City Council and School Committee as they are sworn into office for two-year terms by Malden City Clerk Greg Lucey. There will also be the opportunity to recognize outgoing members who have served the community as well. The event is open to the public; however, it will be recorded for David Camell Ward 6 Councillor Debbie DeMaria Councillor-at-Large later viewing for those who are not comfortable attending. All in attendance are required to wear facemasks in accordance with COVID-19 protocols. **** Malden City Council will meet at Inauguration Ceremony to select a Council President The Malden City Council will formally meet on Monday evening, January 3, during a recess in the Inauguration Ceremony to select a City Council President for the 2022 year. Outgoing Ward 7 Councillor Neal Anderson served as City Council President this past year. Longtime Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora appears to be a candidate for the 2022 City Council leadership post. Another candidate could be Ward 4 Councillor Ryan O’Malley, who sought the position following the 2019 municipal election. Monday’s meeting will be held during a recess in the Inauguration Ceremony in Room J278 at Malden High School, which is adjacent to the Jenkins Auditorium. As in the Inauguration Ceremony, the meeting is open to the public and masks are mandatory. Members of the public and members of the Malden City Council who wish to attend the City Council Meeting remotely can do so using the following information: The webinar is available at https://cityofmalden.zoom.us/j/95888838678?pwd=OEZaZExlNU5iU0FzNWlxOXpERCtWZz09. Passcode: 529012. **** Malden School Committee will meet on Monday night to select a Vice-Chair The members of the Malden School Committee will meet to select a Vice-Chair for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024. The Chairperson of the School Committee, by municipal ordinance, is the Mayor of Malden (at this time Mayor Gary Christenson). The Vice-Chair is elected to a three-year term by the members. The meeting will be held on Monday, January 3, at a time to be determined – during a planned recess in the Inaugural Ceremony. It will be held in Room J280, which is adjacent to the Jenkins Auditorium at Malden High School, where the Inaugural is being held. The meeting is open to the public and masks are mandatory. ~ Letter to the Editor ~ Reader requests pause on Covid Memorial Dear Editor, The article published in last week's Malden Advocate referenced the "Covid memorial” sponsored by outgoing city councillor (Debra) DeMaria.I would like to set the record straight.I am not against any type of memorial.But using state or city funds from Artline is a poor choice in public funding.We never erected a memorial for ALS, cancer, or domestic violence deaths. COVID has taken its toll on all Americans these past two years - no question about it. But councillor DeMaria, this to me, as a taxpayer, looks likes grandstanding on your way out.At some point in time, this should be revisited, yes; but not now.Malden Art's vice-president Candace Julyan needs to put the brakes on this until such time a board of volunteers can convene and come up with another plan. Again, this is too soon to move forward, so I ask ARTLine, as a taxpayer of the city of Malden, to please hold off on this COVID memorial until a later time. Signed, Kevin Larson Malden resident
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