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Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 State Senate passes Saugus Emergency Relief Fund during fi nal hours of Legislative session By Mark E. Vogler A bill that would establish a Saugus Emergency Relief Fund – to help town residents in need of immediate assistance during a state of emergency – is headed to Gov. Charlie Baker’s offi ce to be signed into law. “I was thrilled that the Emergency Fund Bill got out of the Senate [Tuesday, Jan. 5] at literally the 12th hour,” Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Corinne Riley told The Saugus Advocate. “I thought it was going to need to be resubmitted when nothing had happened. Yet at 11:30 p.m., Donald texted me early to say it passed,” she said, referring to state Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus). Riley authored an article (passed unanimously at a Special Town Meeting last July) which would establish an Emergency Relief Fund that would help Saugus residents during desperate times, like the COVID-19 pandemic. The relief fund, according to the approved article, could be used to cover rent, food, prescriptions, utilities, transportation, heating and oil assistance. But it needed the Board of Selectmen to petition the state Legislature to set up a checkoff spot on municipal tax bills where taxpayers could donate to a Saugus Emergency Relief Fund for town residents in need of immediate assistance during a state of emergency. That happened, but passage of the bill seemed endangered until late on the last night of the 191st legislative session. “I am looking forward to discussing with the board and town manager to reestablish the Welfare Board to get this in place, so if we ever face a crisis of any kind in the future, there will be another resource available to help the people of our town,” Riley wrote in an email to the newspaper Wednesday night (Jan. 6). “Seeing that the article was submitted to Town Meeting by the BoS [Board of Selectmen], then Town Meeting passed it, then having it enacted by the State last evening was educational, and a bit nerve wracking – following the entire process from beginning to the successful end becoming law,” she said. “I can’t thank Representative Wong enough on how hard he worked to get this done, as well Little in name and stature, large in accomplishments F By Th e Old Sachem loyd Douglas Little was seen in this area when he played for Syracuse University, and later for the Denver Broncos. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut, on July 4, 1942, and died on January 1, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a professional football player in the American Football League and later in the National Football League when the leagues merged, he was a halfback with the nickname of “the Franchise.” He attended Hillhouse High School in New Haven and then the Bordentown Military Institute in Bordentown, New Jersey, before attending Syracuse. He was recruited by General Douglas MacArthur to play football at the United States Military Academy, who told him he would ascend to the rank of General if he enrolled at West Point. Notre Dame also recruited Little, but he was persuaded by Ernie Davis, the first African-American Heisman winner, to attend Syracuse University, and the Davis invite cinched the choice. He was a halfback for AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE CA$H FOR YOUR CAR! DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! 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His totals then for Syracuse were 2,740 yards on 512 rushes with 35 touchdowns and 5 catches for 591 yards and 4 touchdowns, remarkable accomplishments for any running back. Floyd was a three-time selection of All-American at Syracuse, and in 1967 was the sixth selection in the NFL/ AFL draft, which was the fi rst common draft between the rival football leagues. Little became the fi rst fi rst-round draft pick to sign up with the Denver Broncos. He was a charter member of the Broncos “Ring of Fame” along with Rich Jackson, Lionel Taylor and “Goose” Gonsoulin, in 1984, and the fi rst Bronco to win a rushing title in leading the AFL in 1970 with 901 yards. The following year he became the fi rst Bronco to exceed 1,000 yards, rushing for 1,133 yards. In the 1968 season against the Buffalo Bills, Little grabbed four passes out of the backfi eld for 165 yards, which included a 66yard touchdown. That earned him a franchise record of 41.25 yards per reception, which is still a Bronco record. He was selected as a first team All-League running back in 1969 and made the AFL/NFL Pro Bowl in 1970, 1971 and 1973. He was the first back to score punt return touchdowns in consecutive seasons. During his six-year career, he rushed for more yards and more yards from scrimmage, rushing and receiving, than any other NFL player. He retired as the NFL’s seventh-time all-time leading rusher with 6,323 yards rushing and 54 total touchdowns. Little also tossed a touchdown pass to Jerry Simmons to upset the Oakland Raiders in 1972. The Broncos retired Little’s jersey number, 44, in 1975. Among his honors was the College Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Floyd Little was a Pro-Bowler six times and a fi rst-team AllPro in 1969. He was the NFL rushing leader in 1971 and the rushing touchdown leader in 1973. In 1975 Little graduated from the University of Denver Law School, receiving a masters in legal administration degree. Little joined the Syracuse University Athletic Department in 2011 and served to 2016 as the Special Assistant to the Athletic Director. He was portrayed by actor Chadwick Boseman in the 2008 Universal Pictures film “The Express: The Ernie Davis Story.” We saw him play against the Patriots as an outstanding running back and a natural gentleman. Thank you, Floyd Little, for providing great experiences for fans and encouragement for youngsters during your lifetime. We will miss you. as Senator [Brendan] Crighton [D-Lynn] helping in the Senate.” The two area politicians sponsored the legislation. Personal and business donations – not town money – will support the fund, according to Riley, who noted it would be similar to the Veterans Relief Fund. “This pandemic has created both a public health and an economic crisis,” Sen. Crighton said. “Through this home rule petition the Town of Saugus has stepped up to help those in need during these unprecedented and diffi cult times.” St. Mary’s High School Term 1 Honors List of Saugus students S t. Mary’s High School announced its Honor Roll and Principal’s List for the fi rst quarter of the 2020-21 academic year. Honor Roll students must achieve an 85 or above in all their classes. Students earning Principal’s List status must achieve 90 or above in all their classes. The following students from Saugus have achieved these honors: Honor Roll Sophia Cruz ’27 Daniella Leo ’27 David Saxton ’24 Julie Liuzza ’24 Thomas Mandracchia ’24 Rowan Sharwood ’23 Vittoria Moretti ’23 Kevin Huere Prado ’22 Iava Hohmann ’21 Madelyn Rice ’21 Mellanie Lucero ’21 Zachary Cummings ’21 Principal’s List Dominic Coco ’24 Nadia Del Sonno ’24 Adrianna Bowker ’23 Jason Monahan ’22 Kiara LoNigro ’22 Sebastian Prado ’22 Catherine Nguyen ’21 Jared Abkarian ’21 Kellie O’Donnell ’21 Kiara Wynder ’21 Marina DiBiasio ’21

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