Have a Happy FaHave a Happy Father’s Day! ther’s Day! Vol.29, No.25 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Lt. David Callahan appointed Revere Chief of Police By Barbara Taormina T here was plenty of praise around the city this week for Mayor Brian Arrigo’s decision to appoint Lt. David Callahan as Revere’s new chief of police. Callahan will take over for outgoing Police Chief James Guido, Lieutenant David Callahan was recently selected as Revere’s new chief of police. He will replace outgoing Chief James Guido, who is retiring at the end of the month. (Photo Courtesy of the Revere Police Department) who will wrap up his 33-year career with the Revere Police Department on June 30. “I wish him great success during these diffi - cult times,” said Guido. Although these are difficult times for police departments across the country that are facing a national backlash to the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police offi cer, Callahan’s main focus is Revere and the needs of the community. “Every Revere neighborhood deserves to be a safe place where people want to live and raise their families,” he said. “I’m proud of the work our department has done to serve our community and grateful for the opportunity to lead the organization into the future.” Arrigo said Callahan’s priorities include community engagement, continued education and training for police offi cers and strategies to increase the department’s diversity. “Lieutenant Callahan’s commitment to fairness, compassion for people and ingrained respect for our CHIEF | SEE PAGE 12 2020 International Sand Sculpting Festival Cancelled REVERE, MA – The Revere Beach Partnership (RBP) and its co-hosts, the City of Revere and Commonwealth’s Department of Conservation and Recreation, looked forward to hosting their marque event this year, the 17th annual International Sand Sculpting Festival (ISSF). With great disappointment, we have made the diffi - cult decision to cancel the festival for this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We understand the impact that not having this event will have on the community; however, we did not feel that any modifi - FESTIVAL | SEE PAGE 4 Free Every Friday 781-286-8500 Friday, June 19, 2020 Community rallies behind Whelan teachers By Barbara Taormina T eachers, school families and the Revere Teachers Association (RTA) organized a caravan through the city this week to protest the district’s decision not to renew the contracts of two teachers and a school adjustment counselor at A. C. Whelan Elementary School. The teachers and the RTA have said the decision not to renew the contracts of fi fth grade teacher Katie Cochrane, fourth grade teacher Victoria DeVincent and school adjustment counselor Heather Kantrowitz was made in retaliation for their union activity. Cochrane and DeVincent were part of a group of 17 teachers who protested the district’s requirement to record student participation in the school breakfast program. According to the teachers, recording the daily breakfast program count was not part of their contract. And they have said the breakfast was just a small part of a list of more serious problems, including class size, school safety and adequate support and respect for educators. For participating in the breakfast count protest, Cochrane and DeVincent received verbal reprimands from the administration and the disciplinary measure was noted on their professional records. They fi led grievances but Whelan Principal Jamie Flynn, Superintendent Dr. Dianne Kelly and the School Committee all declined to rescind the reprimands. Kantrowitz said her contract was not renewed because she questioned administrators and supported teachers who protested the breakfast count. “This is happening to me because I stood up and said things aren’t right,” said Kantrowitz, who had asked for a transfer to another school before learning that her contract was not renewed. RTA President Gina Garro said the Revere union is working with lawyers from the Massachusetts Teachers Association to investigate concerns that that the district is retaliating against Cochrane, DeVincent and Kantrowitz because of their union activities. However, Kelly said that an individual’s union activity and use TEACHERS | SEE PAGE 13 DRIVER EDUCATION Our 81st Year Next Classes $1.55 GALLON We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover Price Subject to Change without notice 100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602 ~NOW OFFERING~ 30 HOUR ONLINE CLASS INSTRUCTION STARTING JULY 6 REGISTER ONLINE HENRYSAUTOSCHOOL.COM or call 617-387-9121 AUTO SCHOOL E EVERETT A “Successful Key To Driving” Since 1938 Gift Certificates Available Revere celebrates Gay Pride City Councillor-at-Large Steven Morabito addressed the attendees of the fi rst annual Gay Pride fl ag raising at City Hall last week as Mayor Brian Arrigo looks on. See page 8 for photo highlights. (Advocate photo by Tara Vocino)
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