Vol. 34, No.21 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Have a Safe & Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Free Every Friday 781-286-8500 City Council approves $500M bond authorization for new Revere High School By Barbara Taormina I t’s done. Revere will move forward and build the new high school on the former Wonderland Dog Track site. City councillors voted 9-2 this week to authorize a $493,217,901 bond to pay for the new school along with approximately $238 million supported by Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Grant funding. Mayor Patrick Keefe, who has pushed hard to get the school built at Wonderland, spoke briefl y to the council before their vote. “This is the city’s largest bond authorization ever,” Keefe told the council. “ For the last four years, we have worked relentlessly to make sure we make the best choice. The council has asked every question, turned over every stone. Whatever your decision is, I respect it.” Unlike prior council meetings and presentations regarding the high school, there were no emotional speeches or contentious exchanges. City CounAPPROVES | SEE Page 2 Patrick Keefe, Jr. Mayor Dr. Janis Cotter and PJ Cotter retire after over 50 years in Revere Special to Th e Advocate “I will truly miss my visits to Dr. Cotter’s offi ce. Since I was S tate Representative Jessica Giannino (D-Revere) and her grandmother Joann, both longtime patients of Dr. Janis Cotter, presented citations to her and her brother Philip “PJ” Cotter on Monday in recognition of their retirement and service to the city of Revere. Parkway Optical has been a staple in the community for over 67 years. a young girl, her and PJ have been an integral part of my life and so many in our community,” said Rep. Giannino. “They treated their patients and customers like family and for that, I will be forever thankful. I wish Dr. Cotter and PJ all the best in their retirement. I hope that they can enjoy these years to come together with their family and friends, taking well deserved time to enjoy what they love. Parkway Optical will leave a vacancy on Broadway that cannot be fi lled.” “Parkway Optical has been a part of the fabric of Revere for nearly seventy years. It is truly a loss to Revere to lose this family run business but certainly a well-deserved retirement for Dr. Cotter and her brother, PJ. I joined their customers and all RETIRE | SEE Page 5 Friday, May 24, 2024 School Committee focuses on cell phones and attendance By Barbara Taormina T he school committee tackled two issues this week that raised the question of whether Revere was returning to the old days of education. Committee member Anthony Caggiano opened a discussion on cell phones. “Cell phones have to leave the classroom, period, end of conversation,” said Caggiano adding it’s impossible not to see how disruptive they are. The committee approved a cell phone policy last year that does not allow cell phone use in class. High school students can carry their phones and use them during their lunch period. Students who do use a phone in class can have their phone confiscated and returned at the end of the period. Repeated off enses would mean a confiscated phone could only be returned to parents. Anthony Caggiano School Committee Member “Too many teachers won’t take phones away,” said Caggiano who added a ban on cell phones in schools is being considered at the state level. He suggested Revere be ahead of the curve and ban them now. “Do the teachers a favor and throw them out of the classroom,” he said. PHONES | SEE Page 5 Remember and Honor City to Host Annual Memorial Day Services May 27 O n Monday, May 27, 2024, the city will hold observance as well as an event following the observance at the American Legion Hall. This year’s keynote speaker will be Commander BJ Farrell, 77th the US Constitution. The program begins at 12:30 pm at McMackin Veterans Memorial Park, 249 Broadway, Revere, adjacent to Revere City Hall. Following the program, a Commanding Offi cer of Meet and Greet with combat veterans will take place at 1:30 pm at the American Legion Post 61, which will include a barbecue and live music by Ryan and Tommy Flynn. All residents are invited to attend. Shown from left to right: State Representatives Jessica Giannino and Jeff rey Turco with Dr. Janis Cotter (in white) and “PJ” Cotter (in blue).
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