Daylight Savings Time Begins - Spring clocks ahead 1 hour this weekend! Vol. 31, No.10 -FREEwww.advocatenewws.net ree Every Friday 781-286-8500 Friday, March 11, 2022 Thousands mourn State Police Trooper Tamar Bucci By Adam Swift A sea of blue surrounded St. Anthony’s Church on Wednesday morning as more than 2,000 police offi cers from Trooper Tamar Bucci’s mother and stepfather, Maral and Jim Burditt, and father Anthony Bucci (from left) watched as her coffi n was brought out of St. Anthony of Padua Church on Thursday. Her pallbearers – each a female trooper who graduated from the academy with her – carried her coffi n. (Advocate photo) across the state and beyond joined family and friends to help lay State Trooper Tamar Bucci to rest. Bucci, 34, was killed on Thursday, March 3, when a tanker truck collided with her cruiser on Interstate 93 in Stoneham. Six female State Troopers who TRUE HERO: State Trooper Tamar Bucci were in Bucci’s academy class served as pallbearers. Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Attorney General Maura Healey were among those standing near the entrance of the church as the procession made its way inside. Bucci’s stepfather, Jim Burditt, delivered one of the eulogies, remembering Bucci as a loving person who was both down to earth and in touch with a spiritual side. “She is now protecting all of us from above, and I am confi dent that we will continue to feel her presence here on earth,” Burditt said. Burditt also spoke of Bucci’s focus and commitment, which was evident even long before she became a State Trooper. “After listening to stories and laughing for hours, it is safe to say that if Tamar didn’t feel what was deep in her soul, she was not going to be 100 percent in; in fact, she was 100 percent out,” Burditt said. “What does that mean? Well, if her sister was drivMOURN | SEE Page 11 Mayor speaks of new growth in State of the City Address By Adam Swift I t was an impressive setting for Mayor Brian Arrigo’s fourth State of the City address on Thursday, March 3, symbolic of the new growth in the city. Arrigo gave his address at the new SpringhillSuites by Marriott on Revere Beach, the fi rst hotel built on the beach itself since the 1950s. Prior to and after the speech, the various offi cials, friends and family who attended could take in views of the ocean while grabbing a drink at the lounge next to the function room. While there was a festive mood in the air, Arrigo pointed to the challenges the city has faced during the past two years of the pandemic as it looks forward to continue to grow. “Today, we are emerging from some of the darkest times in our modern history poised to accomplish for our residents things we haven’t been able to do in decades,” said Arrigo. “We do not fi nd ourselves here by accident. For the past six years we have worked intentionally, collaboratively, diligently to achieve the strongest fi nancial position in our city’s history, to control our own destiny as we develop and to build a modern, effi cient and honest city government that, put simply, improves lives.” The mayor highlighted some of the major projects in the works that will help improve the lives of residents, including the plans for a new Revere High School at the former Wonderland dog track property and the Suffolk Downs development. “The redevelopment of Suff olk Downs will put Revere on the map as the region’s next frontier for the life sciences and biotech industries,” he said. “One hundred and thirty million dollars in private investment will be the catalyst for state and federal funding to transform underutilized riverfront land into open space, a community boating center and a revitalized Gibson Park – all designed in alignment with our climate resiliency work.” With the wife and daughter of the late mayor and City Council President Robert Haas sitting in the front row, Arrigo also announced plans for the new Robert J. Haas Health and Wellness Center at the former Greater Boston Fitness space. “With an anticipated spring opening, our fi rst-ever health and wellness center will support residents’ physical and mental health – with access to low-cost gym memberships, free recreational programming, nutritional counseling and more,” Arrigo said. Arrigo also touched on the construction of a new Point of Pines fire station, improveGROWTH | SEE Page 12 First Lady Daveen Arrigo is shown with family friends, Jennifer Haas, Juanita Haas, daughter and wife, respectively, of the late mayor and city councilor Bob Haas, with Mayor Brian Arrigo during last week’s State of the City Address. (Advocate photo by Adam Swift)
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