THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023 Page 9 ~ LETTER TO THE EDITOR ~ A Lot of Talk, But Rizzo’s Record Reflects a Different Walk Dear Editor, With election season upon us, every candidate will be making promises to the voters. But we should also judge offi cials by their actions, not just their words. Dan Rizzo served as mayor from 2012-2016. But based on his campaign, he is running to be the opposite of the Mayor he was while actually serving in offi ce. As a candidate, Dan Rizzo has focused signifi cantly on opposing new development in Revere, attacking “out of town developers,” and pointing to recent development for related challenges such as traffi c and population growth. As Mayor, however, Dan Rizzo’s administration struck a different tune. Mayor Rizzo oversaw a planning process that called for 7,000+ units of new housing, and hosted a summit designed to “send a strong message to regional and national developers that Revere is open for business.” In his 2015 State of the City address, he called Revere “a city on the rise in steel and concrete,” trumpeting that “these developments will change the face of Revere for decades to come.” In his offi ce’s 2015 budget, under accomplishments, the Mayor’s offi ce pointed to 194 units under construction from Vanguard; 230 apartments under construction by TA Developers; and 39 units of housing at the former Reardon’s site. Then-Mayor Rizzo also supported a 300+ unit development that later became One Beachmont - a proposal that was fully residential when he initially supported it; then he changed his opinion during election season in 2015 and pivoted to calling for a full moratorium on residential construction. Following the demise of the City’s hopes of winning the casino license, then-Mayor Rizzo was quoted in the Revere Journal as having spoken with Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone about the development of the new Assembly Row project in Somerville, and said “there’s no reason we can’t’ do that at Suffolk Downs, and I have every expectation we will do something like that there.” For Advertising with Results, call The Advocat call The Advocate Newspapers Newspapers at 781-286-8500 or Info@advocatenews.net Then, as a City Councilor, he voted against the actual proposal to begin an Assembly Row-style development at Suffolk Downs - the same one he was hoping to deliver as Mayor. All that changed was who was in offi ce. When Dan Rizzo voted against building a new high school at Wonderland, he pointed to the site’s viability for development, and suggested it be a source of property tax revenue instead of a new school. But as the Boston Globe pointed out that same week, any development on that site would likely involve thousands of new housing units. People have many opinions about the changes in the city, and we are all entitled to those opinions. However, if you are voting for Dan Rizzo on the grounds of opposing the new development in the City, you should ask yourself which version of Dan you will get if actually elected. This isn’t the only example of an issue where Dan Rizzo’s positions have changed based on who’s in offi ce and whether he is seeking your vote. Mr. Rizzo points to the new Hill School and sports complexes in the City as accomplishments of his administration - and he should rightly be proud of them, as all three have been tremendous assets to the city. However, all of these projects involved cost overruns and long-term expenses to the city; at the time, he knew they were still worthwhile. But this year, he voted against building a much-needed state of the art new high school, in part on fi - nancial grounds - even though his vote and the delays in the process will likely make the project even more expensive. When residents vote in a few weeks, they should vote based on the candidates’ records in offi ce - not just what they say, but what they do. Mr. Rizzo’s record shows that there is a reason why voters chose to replace him in 2019. He cites his managerial experience, but oversaw a failed casino bid that resulted in Revere sticking itself to a deal that earned it $0 in mitigation funds, despite other surrounding communities like Malden, Medford, Somerville and Chelsea receiving $10$16 million each. He then continued to go “all in” on gambling for the future of Revere’s economy, saying the city would be “well served” by a shady slot parlor proposal that the voters ultimately shot down. Mr. Rizzo points to cost-of-living increases that rightly are a concern everywhere, but under his tenure, water and sewer rates rose by 8% in 2013 and by over 2% every year of his term, before fi nally decreasing under the following administration. In his time as a City Councilor and as Acting Mayor, Patrick Keefe has demonstrated that he’s someone whose word can be trusted, and who is willing to work collaboratively with people even when they disagree. This is why his former Mayoral rivals, Gerry Visconti and Steve Morabito, have endorsed his campaign, and it’s why he’s received the support from both long-time Revere residents and newer arrivals. You can trust that Patrick Keefe will always match his words with his actions, and will ~ Help Wanted ~ work with people of all stripes to make Revere a better place. Sincerely, Donald Boudreau ~ Help Wanted The City of Revere is accepting applications for Clerk II in the Treasurer/Collector’s Dept. 39hrs/wk., salary $22.56-24.99. Apply online https://www.revere.org/departments/humanresources#jobs. Please call 781-286-8202 for any questions or visit our website: www.revere.org for full job description. On Election Day, Tuesday, November 7 “Please consider me for one of your six votes” Re-Elect John Kingston Revere School Committee (Paid Pol. Adv.) ANGELA GUARINO-SAWAYA FOR COUNCILOR WARD 5 TEAMSTERS POLITICAL LEADERS ENDORSE ANGELA that Ward 5 have a new and independent voice to make sure that its concerns and its issue Guarino- Sawaya to be Ward 5’s new champion on the Revere City Council. State Representative Angela is a hard working and dedicated community leader that will take Ward 5 into the future. - Arthur Guinasso Former Ward 3 Councilor “I’ve been a Paid for and authorized by: Committee to Elect Angela Guarino-Sawaya THE PEOPLE OF WARD 5 Angela will bring her - much needed - “Rocky Balboa” attitude to the Ward 5 Council seat. WE STRONGLY ENDORSE ANGELA!!! - Hugo & Carol Rizzuto ENDORSE ANGELA THE PEOPLE OF WARD 5 “I’ve been a Ward 5 resident for over 40 years. So much has changed, Revere is no longer what it used to be. Our beautiful beach now has endless Angela will bring her - much needed - “Rocky Balboa” attitude to the Ward 5 Council seat. WE STRONGLY ENDORSE ANGELA!!! - Hugo & Carol Rizzuto and has an uptick in crime.” “I want a leader who is going to put us hand Angela’s leadership abilities.” Toni DePaolis Al Fiore Former Ward 5 Councilor Endorses Angela! I am excited to support Angela Guarino-Sawaya for Ward 5. for the Point of Pines and Ward 5 for quite some time. I look forward to her impact on the city as a whole. - Eric Lampedecchio Angela will be an honest, no-nonsense voice for the people of Ward 5. She will be a great asset to our community as a Councilor. - Anthony Cogliandro Angela puts the wants and responds, reacts, and gets the job done! - Anthony Parziale Councilor at Large Candidate Angela - totally committed to her community. - Kelly Lampedecchio AngeAngela es una inspiración para todas las mujeres trabajadoras, a demostrado un enorme compromiso, ser una defensora de la ciudad de Revere, estoy orgullosa de respaldarla para concejal del distrito 5, Como residente de Revere. - Lilian Vega “Knowing Angela for many years, we have marveled at her relentless persistence dedicated to making our Revere not just better place to live, but the best place to live !” - Kevin & Ester Angela is the change Ward 5 so desperately needs. - Roselee Vincent Former State Rep
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