THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2022 Page 17 RUNNER | FROM Page 1 remains involved with a number of running groups, such as the Pioneers and the Trailblazers that have social outreach and community engagement components. “All of these running groups share one goal, which is using running as a vehicle and mechanism for uplifting people,” he said. It’s those bonds and community feeling that make marathon RAILLINE | FROM Page 1 duction goals as outlined in the Next Generation Roadmap legislation signed into law in March 2021,” the resolution continued. “And Whereas: The Town of Saugus has long missed out on rapid transit and is in dire need of affordable, reliable public transportation to alleviate traffi c and congestion; and Whereas: The way to solve the Commuter Rail’s existential crisis is to embrace the vision of a 21st century regional rail system that will make it more relevant for residents and riders to utilize while making their trips.” The resolution passed by Saugus selectmen requests the MBTA Board of Directors to include funding for the following projects in its Fiscal Year 2023– 2027 CIP: • Electrifi cation of the of the Newburyport-Rockport Line • The design and construction of high train platforms for step-free access onto commuter rail trains • The construction of infi ll stations in Everett, Revere, and Salem • Bus rapid transit from downtown Peabody to Salem Depot to integrate commuter rail ridership With passage of the resolution, Saugus joins the City of Lynn, which already passed an electrifi cation resolution. Similar resolutions are pending before the running something special for Osueke. This year’s race wasn’t without its struggles for the Revere runner, who ran the race alongside his friend, Kristopher Tong. Looking to approach his time from last year, Osueke noted that it is harder to train for a marathon in the winter months compared to last year, when the marathon was held in the fall and he was able to ramp up training in the summer. “I didn’t run as well as last year, Revere City Council and Chelsea City Council. Selec tmen considered the resolution after receiving correspondence from state Rep. Jessica A. Giannino (D-Revere), whose district includes Precincts 3 and 10 in Saugus. Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Debra Panetta said that Rep. Giannino reached out to her for support, and that state Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) also supports the resolution. “If electrifi ed, the price drops drastically to take the commuter rail which would increase the number of people who ride, decreasing our traffi c and congestion,” Panetta wrote in an email to The Saugus Advocate on Wednesday. “As you know, Saugus is a cut through from the North Shore to Boston. The current line runs from Gloucester to Boston. The federal government (Rep. Clark and Sen. Markey) just got funding to add a stop in Revere at Wonderland (existing stop),” Panetta said. “The electrification in addition to the new stop (2 separate projects) will be transformative for Revere but will impact traffi c in Saugus by taking cars off the road. This is also a big environmental impact because it would convert from fossil fuels to electric,” she said. Giannino seeks “a priority investment” in EJC and by mile 20, I had some trouble at Heartbreak Hill and my pace fell off significantly,” Osueke said. He added that the last miles of the race can often seem as long, if not longer, than the fi rst 20. Osueke said he was helped across the fi nish line. And while there were no personal records for this race, he said he still cherishes the race because of the support from the community and the greater meaning of what the Boston Marathon repRep. Giannino provided selectmen with a copy of a letter she wrote last month to the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board. That letter informed the control board that she was writing to testify in favor of “a priority investment in the Environmental Justice Corridor (EJC) of our regional rail system.” “This specifically includes the electrification of this element of the regional rail system and the introduction of Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) vehicles between Boston and Beverly, which would allow for transit frequency and transit fares on this segment of the Boston to Newburyport Line,” Giannino said. “This project would prove to be both economically and environmentally benefi cial for the residents of the Sixteenth Suffolk District as well as the surrounding districts. Firstly, upgrading the now obsolete train equipment to a cleaner and more reliable structure would significantly minimize equipment breakdowns, toxic emissions, and noise pollution; all of which are factors in the quality of life for the residents and frontline workers from the Greater Boston Area,” she said. “In addition, as climate change continues, it is common for fl ooding to occur on the tracks, under train bridges, and on land along the EJC. As changVENDING MACHINE MOVER $500.00 Signing Bonus for All New Hires Driver with clean driving record for the greater Boston area to move and service vending equipment. Any Electronics experience is helpful but not necessary. Salary commensurate with job experience. Our company was established in 1961. We offer competitive wages, a 401k and profit-sharing plan, health & dental benefits, paid holidays and paid vacations and many other benefits. Full time, plus OT available. Random drug testing and background checks are performed. Must be able to speak English fluently. Apply in person Monday thru Friday, 9am to 4pm @ 83 Broadway, Malden, MA – Or send your resume to jmagee@actionjacksonusa.com. No phone calls please. resents for the city and the state. Osueke has an impressive resume outside of his marathon accomplishments, and currently works as a quantitative analyst and AVP at State Street in Boston. A graduate of Morehouse College and Johns Hopkins University, Osueke has also worked for the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Washington, D.C. Closer to home, Osueke, who bought a home in Revere in es to the Newburyport/Rockport Line begin to take place, resilient infrastructure planning along the line will help to alleviate the consequences of changing climate,” she said. “As for the economic factors, current commuter rail fares are unaffordable for the residents of working-class communities like Revere, Lynn, Chelsea and Everett; and even with no capacity problems, that eff ectively eliminates the commuter rail as a practical transportation option. Equally important, if it were aff ordable, a regional rail system with transit frequency and transit fares would link both Boston and the North Shore to residential and job opportunities in each of the communities on the line. That in turn would support economic development, workforce development and aff ordable housing strategies in Revere certainly, but also in Chelsea, Everett, Lynn and beyond, where such opportunities are increasingly viable especially with a supportive transportation network.” In her letter, Giannino also called connections to Wonderland and Encore Boston Harbor “invaluable aspects of the EJC proposal that will reinforce and multiply access to opportunity.” “The casino has already proven to be a major driver of economic development in the region. This will be enhanced by increasing access to the com2020, was one of the initial appointments to serve on Revere’s Aff ordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees, with Mayor Brian Arrigo praising his wealth of expertise and experience in fi nancial modeling and macroeconomic policy. “I really enjoy this whole community thing and I try to get involved in as many community causes as I can,” said Osueke. Next up on the marathon list for Osueke is the New York City Marathon in November. munities of the EJC,” she said. She continued, “Creating a transfer station for the Blue Line and the Newburyport/Rockport Line will open the door to numerous new economic and commuting opportunities for residents of the EJC. Lastly, in the case of Revere in particular, my community has none of the benefi ts of a regional rail since we do not have a regional rail station. More frequent rail service will also add capacity on a rail line that is frequently unavailable to inner belt communities at peak-periods since trains often arrive in Lynn already fully occupied. To a large extent, this investment would also serve the transportation purposes that would have been provided by the proposed extension of the Blue Line to Lynn at far less cost and for a far greater distance. “In conclusion, the investment in electrifi cation of the Boston to Newburyport rail line will both reduce the burdens and increase the benefi ts of the rail system for the urban communities through which it passes. That is the essence of the environmental justice that has long been denied to Revere and other urban communities, which are among the most economically challenged communities in the Boston Metropolitan Area. These are cities and towns that are still aff ordable and are remarkably diverse.” Hall Rentals Available Excellent rates Call 781-324-9570
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