YOUR LOCAL NEWS & SPORTS ONLINE. SCAN HERE! Vol. 34, No.43 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Free Every Friday State Rep. Jeffrey Turco Hosts Packed Fall Fundraiser 781-286-8500 Friday, October 25, 2024 Councillor Guarino-Sawaya named World Ambassador of Mirabella Eclano, Italy Special to Th e Advocate D WELCOME: State Rep. Jeff rey Rosario Turco, shown with his wife, Melissa, welcomed guests to his Fall fundraiser at the Beachmont VFW Post last Friday evening. Shown with the popular state representative, standing from left, Charlie Russo, Geri Damiano, Melissa and Rep. Turco, Patricia Manzo and Irma Accettullo. Shown seated, Ann Eagan and Jackie Bossi. See page 8 for photo highlights. (Advocate photo) Zoning subcommittee debate abutter notification, buffer zones for pot shops By Barbara Taormina T he City Council Zoning Subcommittee met for a confusing and contentious meeting on zoning requirements for marijuana establishments this week. Councillor-At-Large Michelle Kelley proposed a list of amendments that would regulate both the permitting process and the operation of any marijuana business should the City Council move forward and repeal Revere’s ban on adult use recreational marijuana. Kelley’s fi rst amendment involved excluding the southern side of Squire Road, or the beginning of Squire Road, from permissible locations for marijuana establishments. Kelley argued that the location included a densely populated residential neighborhood. The committee voted unanimously to approve the amendment. Kelley also proposed increasing the notifi cation zone from 300 feet to a 600-foot radius from any proposed marijuana establishment. The amendment calls for notifying residents by certifi ed mail. “The amendment speaks to notifi cation and transparency,” said Kelley. “It gives residents the opportunity to oppose any marijuana establishments during the special permit hearing.” Other members of the subcommittee initially opposed increasing the notifi cation requirement. Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya said sending certifi ed letters to abutters within 600 feet would be cost prohibitive. But Kelley said the cost would be borne by the applicants. “This is an important change in zoning and I think more people should be made aware of it,” said Kelley who added residents often say they were not aware of ordinance changes. City Council President Anthony Cogliandro said he supported increasing the notifi cation zone. “The more notifi cation we can give, the better,” he said. DEBATE | SEE Page 2 Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya is shown being presented a plaque commemorating her Ambassadorship by Mayor Giancarlo Ruggiero of the city of Mirabella Eclano in the province of Avellino, Campania, during her recent trip to her parents’ homeland. (Courtesy photo) uring a recent trip to Naples, Italy, Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya was honored by Mayor Giancarlo Ruggiero of the city of Mirabella Eclano in the province of Avellino, Campania, with an Ambassadorship. At the 2024 Festival of Immigrants, Guarino-Sawaya was given the title of World Ambassador of Mirabella Eclano, a city where both her parents were born and where she spent all her childhood summers. This prestigious honor has been bestowed upon her until 2028. The plaque reads: “2nd Mirabella Eclano Ambassadors Award in The World ‘Feast of The Emigrant 2024’ “On behalf of the Mayor of Mirabella Eclano Giancarlo Ruggiero and the President of the Destination South Network Michelangelo Lurgi, as part of the 2024 Year of Return Tourism project, we are pleased to confer to Angela Guarino Sawaya the title of Ambassador of Mirabella Eclano in The World. Mirabella Eclano September 11/12, 2024 Giancarlo Ruggiero, Mayor of Mirabella Eclano, “Michelangelo Lurgi, President.” Guarino-Sawaya had the privilege of touring the City Council Chambers, Mayor’s Offi ce and Mirabella Eclano’s very historic City Hall full of ancient artiCOUNCILLOR | SEE Page 7
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