Page 6 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2021 ~ GUEST COMMENTARY ~ The Experience to Change Things By Anthony D’Ambrosio T he Covid-19 pandemic disrupted our community in virtually every way imaginable. It laid bare all our society’s vulnerabilities and inequities, as well as the ways in which our leaders are failing in their obligations to Massachusetts residents. The pandemic also accelerated our country’s shift to online learning, remote work, and virtual healthcare and legal services. Many of these changes are never going away, and we need leaders who thoroughly understand them. I am the right person to lead this district forward as we begin to not only recover from the pandemic but also rebuild for the 21st century. At Yale and the University of Cambridge, I studied how periods of dramatic technological change altered America’s culture and economy. My classes often drew comparisons between the present day and the Gilded Age, with our technology CEOs acting as glorifi ed robber barons. Those comparisons are accurate but also inadequate; the rise of big data and mega-monopolies within the technology industry today poses a truly unprecedented threat to jobs, privacy, and economic development. We have never 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 HOURS: Open Daily at 4:00 PM Don’t Forget to Book your Holiday Party Early! Order your Holiday Party Platters Now! Join us begining at 4 PM for our NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION featuring Everett’s own... NEW MIKE MATARAZZO ~ www.eight10barandgrille.com ~ Cedar impression half rounds The Revere Police Department recently announced the addition of Offi cers Jeff Kingston and Taylor Belschner (center). They are shown with Executive Offi cer Lt. Sean Randall and Police Chief David Callahan. (Photo Courtesy of the Everett Police Department) seen anything like this before. In my private sector career, I have worked with some of the most innovative technology companies in the world. The integration of technology companies into our economy grows exponentially every day, which is why it is absolutely vital that we have representation that understands how these companies work and how their decisions impact our communities. I am the only person in this race with the experience to secure a real seat at the table with the CEOs, Boards of Directors, and key stakeholders of the organizations that are driving change within this state and country. I have sat across the table from technology executives before, and, if elected, I will do so again to fi ght for the interests of our residents. The power of workers will not be ignored. I also have a deep background in education. I have served as an elected member of the Revere School Committee, and I played a pivotal role in guiding the City through the COVID-19 pandemic. At the height of pandemic turmoil last spring, my colleagues and I posited a data-oriented approach for determining how and when to re-open schools. During the pandemic, I made it my mission to work directly with students and school administrators on developing new strategies to overcome the many psychological and physical challenges that children face today. I have observed many of these challenges fi rsthand while teaching public school classes on disability and mental health issues related to social media and academic performance. That is why I joined my School Committee colleagues in implementing enhanced districtwide mental health services for students. It is clear that many of our children are suff ering. On the School Committee, I also spearheaded the creation of a citywide Equity Advisory Board that brings together parents, teachers, students, and other community stakeholders to develop creative solutions to address educational inequities. In developing the Board, I drew on my previous experience as the leader of Dwight Hall, a 3,500-person nonprofi t organiPANDEMIC | SEE Page 19 RPD Welcomes Officers Kingston and Belschner Monogram D4 Double siding Harvey Vinyl 63 Replacement Windows Custom Aluminum Trim work Windows & Doors Top quality Vinyl Siding! •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Roofing •Free Estimates •Replacement Windows •Fully Licensed •Fully Insured
7 Publizr Home