Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 17, 2023 MESSAGES| FROM PAGE 1 tained screenshots of Cogliano’s comments from his Facebook page. “I would hope that he realizes that an apology is the right thing to do,” Serino said. “I will not be apologizing” But Cogliano responded with a short email of his own to everyone who received the Demore email, which declared, “I will not be apologizing to anyone as I was referring to a crucifix and not a penis.” “At some point, this nonsense better end....because I’ve simply had enough now. I’m the last person to be anti anyone based on race or sexual orientation,” Cogliano wrote in a statement to The Saugus Advocate. “I don’t care if a person is $3.48 GALLON We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover Price Subject to Change without notice 100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602 black, brown, yellow, red, or white. If they’re straight, gay, Bi, Trans, lesbian, queer or whatever they identify as. That’s their business and everyone deserves the right to be happy in their own skin and have a partner to share themselves with,” he said. “I have many friends and relatives in the LGBTQ family and to me they are simply just friends and relatives.... just like everyone else.” Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Debra Panetta suggested that Cogliano’s alleged conduct didn’t epitomize what is expected of a selectman. “As elected officials in Saugus, we should hold ourselves to a higher standard and be an example for those in the community,” Panetta said. “With that said, the words and actions of the Chairman do not represent the Board of Selectmen. We must move our Town forHere are the screenshots of social media exchanges between Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano and Eliot Evan Smith, a Lynn man who has been critical of Cogliano’s involvement with WIN Waste Innovations. (Courtesy photos to The Saugus Advocate) ward in a positive manner, always in the best interest of our residents.” In an interview this week, Cogliano defended himself and said his controversial texting was in response to a social media sparring session with a man he believes was using a fake name. “I’ve never turned my back on anyone and have a track record to prove it. I respond to everyone on social media and try to take care of everyone’s problems,” Cogliano said. “Those that disagree with my political views take advantage and think they can say anything they want to me and about me....well I wasn’t put on this earth to take b.s from anyone, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen or not and I’m not starting today,” Cogliano said. “I treat everyone with kindness and the utmost respect and feel as though I deserve that in return. I believe Evan Smith is a fictitious person so for anyone to think I’d apologize to someone I don’t believe exists [it] is never going to happen,” he said. “The things he sends to me on Facebook messenger are deserving of a good solid backhander as my father would say..fortunately those days are long gone. When pushed to the limit, I responded back so he threatened to go to the press. Well here you go Mr whoever the hell you are. Here are you five minutes of fame...soak em up.” Smith says he’s for real Eliot Evan Smith insisted in an interview yesterday that he is a real person and that he was critical of Cogliano’s conduct when the board chair was accused of allegedly fabricating signatures for documents to defend WIN Waste Innovations in a lawsuit. “My full name is Eliot Evan Smith, but I’ve gone by Evan my whole life. My Facebook profile is legitimate. I’ve had it since 2005 or 2006,” Smith said. “Furthermore, even though multiple people confirmed to him that I am a real person, Cogliano has repeatedly claimed that my profile is fake or that I am (name deleted) or other critics of his. He went so far as to make a series of homophobic comments since (name deleted) is openly gay,” he said. But some of Cogliano’s colleagues on the board said his actions in his dealings with Smith do not reflect the character of the person they know. “I read the email and reviewed the attachments. I hear and fully understand the concerns raised by the author and empathize with him. I do not condone this type of behavior,” Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini said. “I have known Anthony for a long time, and I do not believe he had any malicious intent towards the GLBTQ community when he wrote the comments. I believe he felt provoked by the many critical comments made about him, and he responded in haste,” Cicolini said. “I learned a few years back about the impact words can have on others, even when not directed at someone in particular. These comments were out of character for Anthony. I am sure if he had the option to do it over, he would choose his words more wisely. I have asked that he refrain from any further posts with this individual for the betterment of the town, the board and our residents,” he said. Riley defends Cogliano Selectman Corinne Riley – Cogliano’s closest ally on the board – said she’s hesitant to make a judgment, noting that the letter received by selectmen presents just one side of a story. People need to get Cogliano’s side of the story, too, before passing judgment. If they have concerns, they should contact him directly, either at a public meeting or on social media. “Unfortunately, social media often becomes a place for airing of personal and political grievances, where people routinely use false names and spread false and derogatory information behind private pages. While posts like these may be satisfying in the short term, they just build resentment and ill will, and do nothing to help Saugus move forward,” Riley said. MESSAGES | SEE PAGE 8
3 Publizr Home