Page 8 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2020 ~ OP-ED ~ To Thwart Polluters, We Need Better Policies By Joe Gravellese Candidate for State Representative T he hazards of living near heavy polluters in our district – from Logan Airport to our south, to the Wheelabrator incinerator in Saugus, to the emissions from trucks and tailpipes that impact Chelsea each day – are usually invisible. We can’t immediately see the results, but they’re there – increasing rates of asthma, cancer, and COVID-19, in communities like Revere, Chelsea, and Saugus. Sometimes, the invisible becomes visible. Last Sunday, when smoke billowed out of the Wheelabrator facility in Saugus, it was a visible reminder of the consequences of decades of failed environmental policies – and a clear example of the need for change. But just asking for change isn’t enough – we need to look at the big picture, and HELPS | FROM Page 6 “This year’s staffers have exceeded expectations as enthusiastic educators and hard workers,” said Youth Program Director Kristen Barry. “Despite unusual and challenging circumstances, their dedication to share Boston Harbor with the public, this time virtually, has not wavered.” Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s Executive Director, Chris Mancini, says that even during a pandemic, Russo and the rest of the youth staff have shown true dedication to their work. “Our summer staff of 34 has risen to the challenge, and helped Save Everett Aluminum 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Owned & operated by the Conti family since 1958 • 57 Years! “Same name, phone number & address for family since 1958 • 62 over half a century. We must be doing something right!” •Vinyl Siding •Free Estimates •Carpentry Work •Fully Licensed •Decks •Roofing • Fully Insured • Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! put in place the structures that will create change. The first step is making sure Massachusetts is putting appropriate resources into environmental enforcement. In July, the Boston Globe reported that enforcement actions and fines against polluters – such as landfills and gas facilities – dipped nearly 75 percent since 2006, as the number of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection employees fell off by nearly 25 percent. When we don’t have the people in place to do air quality observations, safety inspections, and other needed checks, the result is going to be weaker enforcement. This is a bipartisan mistake, as every year our supermajority Democratic legislature continues to pass budgets that dedicate less than one OP-ED | SEE Page 13 the Harbor/Save the Bay save the summer for kids from more than 100 youth development and community organizations who can’t be with us in person this year,” he said. To learn more about what Save the Harbor is doing to virtually connect kids and families to Boston Harbor this summer, check out the blog http:// blog.savetheharbor.org/ and the website https://www.savetheharbor.org/. You can see more of Dello Russo, his team and the rest of Save the Harbor’s summer staff ers on social media, where you can fi nd them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @savetheharbor. Summer is Here!
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