THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, FEbrUAry 16, 2024 Page 13 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus! Best wishes for a very happy 100th birthday for Louis Fantasia, who became the town’s most recent Centenarian today. His name was on the agenda for last week’s Board of Selectmen’s meeting. The selectmen all signed a citation for Louis, congratulating him on achieving this impressive longevity milestone. I think it’s a big deal, as do a lot of people. During my soon-to-be eight years as editor of The Saugus Advocate, I’ve made it a point to seek an interview with every person in Saugus who lives to be 100 and we carry the story on the front page. Last week, I took the advice of Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta to just call the Saugus Rehabilitation & Nursing Center on Lincoln Avenue and see if he wanted to do an interview. So, I called the center this past Monday and waited a dozen minutes before I got to talk to Louis. Since I wasn’t put on hold, I figured the nursing home staff was doing its best to locate Louis. Then I got to talk to him and he agreed to meet me any time that afternoon. An extra bonus for me was getting to talk to a World War II veteran who actually saw combat duty at sea. Louis struck me as a soft-spoken, modest man who would be low key. I notice a woman taking an interest in the interview. It turned out to be Louis’ 93-year-old wife, Marilyn. Once I learned who she was, I invited her to sit with us and participate in the interview. She had a great sense of humor, was very articulate and encouraged Louis to be more talkative. So, I spent a delightful two-plus hours talking to Louis and Marilyn. They met at a roller-skating rink in Revere and began a roller-skating romance, which evolved into a long and happy marriage. So, please check out this week’s “The Advocate Asks” for our story. I have a small black wall plaque that my grandmother once owned that proclaims “Don’t Regret Growing Old. It’s a Privilege Denied to Many.” My grandmother wanted to make the Century mark. She had a great passion for living to a real old age. But she died 20 years ago this month at age 97. I live in the house she lived most of her life in – in Methuen. So, as a grizzled newspaper man, I love to sit down and talk to Centenarians. If you know somebody in Saugus who is nearing the Century mark, please let me know about it. We’ll do an interview and get that Saugonian to reminisce about the highlights of his or her life. Most of the folks I do this interview with enjoy the experience. Stay tuned. Happy Presidents’ Day Best wishes to everyone for a safe and prosperous Presidents’ Day weekend, particularly the school kids at all grade levels who will be enjoying their winter vacation. For those kids who feel like doing a little reading over the vacation week, pull out a book – any book that’s written by or written about one of the U.S. presidents. Go to the library and check out several books. Have a few meaningful study days while you relax. A few more words from Katelynn Lemieux After filing this week’s story on Katelynn Lemieux, the candidate who is looking to become the next executive director of the Saugus Housing Authority, I did receive an email with a few more answers to my questions. I asked Katelynn what drew her to Saugus. A: Saugus is a beautiful tight-knit community. Despite being surrounded by many cities and within minutes of Boston, it has still maintained its town charm. That’s what has drawn me to the community. In terms of the position, I wanted to take on an executive director position full-time, with the Housing Authority in Wilmington simply too small to support that. I have spent nearly thirteen of the fifteen years of my working career working two-three jobs to support my household. I want to have one “home” at an authority where I can settle in, grow in, and flourish in. After doing my due diligence and looking into the Saugus Housing Authority, I am impressed with the work that Laura Glynn has done. And because of that, I am hopeful that Saugus will be my “home.” Q: What do you envisage as some of the challenges that go with this job? While working in Public Housing for the last six years, I have studied under many seasoned housing professionals, consulted with seven agenJennifer D’Eon (right) received the oath of office from Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta after her reappointment to the Board of Assessors. (Courtesy Photo to the Saugus Advocate) cies, attended as many housing-related courses as I can, have obtained many certifications and received my Massachusetts Public Housing Administrator Certification. Despite all that on-the- job training and experience, I learned quickly that each housing authority has its own unique challenges and differences. Nothing can truly prepare you until you are sitting in that Executive Director’s seat. While in Saugus, I will lean on and work with my staff. I will rely upon the Maintenance Staff for their institutional knowledge of the buildings and infrastructures. I will need their input as we review our Capital Improvement Plan and ensure that we are providing the highest standard of quality to our residents. I will rely upon the Administrative Staff for their expertise with the Federal Public Housing units as I have limited experience with Federal Public Housing having worked with the Amesbury Housing Authority. Laura Glynn has graciously offered her support to me as I take on this role and I fully intend on taking her up on that offer. Q: How old are you and do you see yourself as making a career as a holding authority administrator? A: I am in my 30s. Being an individual who utilized various forms of subsidy throughout my life, I feel as though working in public housing is my way of showing gratitude and giving back. I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for the assistance of the local and state government. That having been said, I have a personal connection to my work and when the time comes, I intend to retire as a Massachusetts Public Housing Administrator. Q: How soon do you expect to begin after negotiating a contract? A: If negotiations are satisfactory and my contract is approved by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, we are looking at a Mid-Late March start date. This week’s “Shout Outs” We received three “shout outs” from readers this week. Saugus Housing Authority ExTHE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 14 Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta (right) swore in Maria Tamagna, who was recently reappointed to the Board of Health. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate)
14 Publizr Home