Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021 Rep Giannino assigned legislative committees B OSTON – On Friday, February 12, 2021, Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives Ronald Mariano (D-Quincy) appointed legislators to various legislative committees for the 2021-2022 Session of the General Court. Newly elected State Representative Jessica Ann Giannino (D-Revere) was appointed to serve on four committees: • The Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture • The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies • The Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity • The Joint Committee on Election Laws “I want to express my gratitude to Speaker Mariano for appointing me to these four committees, and I am excited to get to work on the business at hand for the upcoming session,” said Representative Giannino. “In their own ways, each committee will allow me to advocate for various needs of the Sixteenth Suffolk District in unique ways.” The Joint Committee on En$2.19 vironment, Natural Resources and Agriculture is charged with considering matters concerning the Department of Conservation & Recreation, natural resources and the environment, air, water and noise pollution, as well as hunting and fishing, conservation, solid waste disposal and sewerage. “Representing a coastal district that is home to not only America’s First Public Beach, but key regional rivers, and one of the most significant saltwater marshes north of Boston, as well as host to the nation’s oldest solid waste incinerator and an unlined ash landfill that is in the midst of an Area of Critical Environmental Concern, I am excited to serve on the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture,” said Representative Giannino. “I believe that I will be able to use my voice on the Jessica A. Giannino State Representative ENRA Committee to advocate for a cleaner, healthier environment for communities like Revere, Chelsea, and Saugus which have been plagued with a myriad of environmental issues. I look forward to working with Chairwoman Dykema and the other members of the committee to advance legislation that will help to improve our Commonwealth’s environment.” The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies is responsible for considering legislation relative to commercial and industrial establishments, casino gambling and gaming, industrial development, the racing industry, science and technology, economic development, retention of science or technology-intensive industries, innovation systems from research to development, medical technology, medical devices, environmental technologies, classroom applications, and workforce technology training and development. “As the State Representative who represents three communities which have economic development on the forefront of their municipal agendas, I am beyond excited to serve on the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies,” said Representative Giannino. “Serving on this committee will give me good insight into the overarching picture that Revere, Chelsea and Saugus have been painting in recent years to attract development that creates jobs and spurs the regional economy. I am thrilled to get to work with Chairman Parisella and the members of the committee to support policies which will make our Commonwealth’s economy stronger.” The Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity is a newly created legislative committee this year that is tasked with considering issues relating to advanced information technology, cybersecurity and cyber threats, as well as advanced public telecommunications networks, the internet, broadband access, and fifth-generation telecommunications. “Since the onset of the COVID pandemic and remote learning, I have become increasingly concerned for the urgent need for widespread broadband access, especially in Gateway Cities like Revere and Chelsea. The pandemic, which has changed our lives in so many ways, has shown just how much of a necessity internet access is in the twenty-first century,” said Representative Giannino. “Additionally, as the internet continues to evolve, and more of our daily activities become virtual, cybersecurity must be at the forefront of issues to consider. I look forward to working with Chairwoman Campbell, and am hopeful the work of this committee creates policy to help make our information technology more secure.” The role of the Joint Committee on Election Laws is to consider bills in the Legislature that concern elections. “Elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, and ensuring that our elections – from local to state to federal – are safe, fair and equitable is something all representatives in a democratic government should seek to preserve,” said Representative Giannino. “I look forward to working alongside Chairman Ryan this session on this committee.” Former Saugus postal worker charged with stealing gift cards last year from residents on his mail route A former letter carrier who worked for nearly 20 years in Saugus has been fired following his arrest for stealing gift cards from customers on his mail route. Brian Thibodeau, 48, of Danvers, was indicted on one count of theft of mail by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service, according to a recent press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston. Thibodeau, who had delivered mail for the Saugus Post Office beginning in 2001, allegedly stole customers’ gift cards sent in the mail and spent them for his personal use, according to federal prosecutors. They said he admitted to stealing about $2,000 worth of gift cards from postal customers on his route last year. Federal agents arrested Thibodeau at his home last week. He was released on conditions following an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marianne B. Bowler. If convicted, Thibodeau faces a possible prison sentence of up to five years. He also could receive three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater; and restitution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and the Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Office, Matthew Modafferi, made the announcement last week. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit, is prosecuting the case. Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma
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