THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUly 25, 2025 Page 9 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus “The Campaign is on,” as they say in politics. And it’s definitely on, as far as the Town of Saugus is concerned. In the first two days since nomination papers became available at the Town Clerk’s Office on Monday (July 21), four potential challengers emerged for the Board of Selectmen and two likely candidates made their intentions known for the School Committee. Those six candidates have already begun the process of going out into the neighborhoods to secure the 50 certified signatures of registered voters that will be required to get their name on the ballot for the Nov. 4 Town Election. The candidates have until Sept. 16 to file those nomination papers. Shortly after, the town’s registered voters will know what their choices will be on Election Day in Saugus. A minimum of two candidates makes for a competitive and spirited election. That’s always to the town’s benefit. And if four of the five incumbent selectmen run for reelection (Selectman Corinne Riley announced earlier in the year that she wouldn’t seek a fourth twoyear term), that will make for a competitive selectmen’s race. The School Committee could also become contested, based on some of the reports we are hearing. In-depth coverage of a local election is one of the most important functions of a community newspaper. And we will strive to do the best we can to provide thorough and insightful coverage of Town Election 2025 for our readers by explaining who the candidates are while illuminating the important issues of the campaign in the coming weeks. Stay tuned. Making the rail trail better I got to spend several hours last week hanging out on the rail trail, talking to walkers, kids and grownups on bikes and anyone on e-bikes who paused to talk to me. A few things are obvious from my time reporting. The 2.5-mile segment of the Northern Strand CommuA SUNDAY RAINBOW IN SAUGUS: Last Sunday evening (July 20) after a sprinkle, here’s how the sky looked from the Hamilton Street Plaza, looking east on Hamilton Street. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) nity Trail that runs through Saugus is a recreational asset to the town, and the people who use it love it. There are also a few things the town could do to make it better and safer. For starters, put some signs up with the 15 mph speed limit. If you can’t afford the signs, paint them on pavement. Also, it would be a good idea to assign the role of review and oversight of the rail trail to the Youth and Recreation Committee or create a new committee to focus exclusively on ways to maintain and improve this great recreational asset that Saugus residents seem to enjoy. And local officials should also talk to Rick Fail, a town resident who enjoys riding his e-bike up and down the trail. He’s also vocal about the safety hazards related to e-bike, especially when kids are riding them. Some adults need to smarten up, too, when it comes to their unsafe and reckless operation on the rail trail. A “Shout out” for Toni-ann Amy Melton, Head of Children’s Services at the Saugus Public Library, offered the following “Shout Out” to Toni-ann Merlina, a local educator hired by the library to lead summer reading programs in grades 1 through 4: “Many thanks to Toni-ann for her dedication to students and families!” Amy also offered a poem: Summer Slide is not much fun, But reading and writing get it done! At Saugus Library, we learn and grow, With Ms. Toni-ann, we’re on a roll! “The Summer Slide” refers to the learning loss that grade school students can experience when out of school for the summer. Amy stressed that Toni-ann has been instrumental in helping to combat the “Summer Slide” through her work with students in the Summer Reading Program at the Library. Want to “Shout Out” a fellow Saugonian? This is an opportunity for our paper’s readers to single out – in a brief mention – remarkable acts or achievements by Saugus residents or an act of kindness or a nice gesture. Just send an email (mvoge@comcast.net) with a mention in the subject Brianna Feldman (center) received a First Congregational Church Pumpkin Patch Scholarship. Pumpkin Patch Coordinator Carl Spencer (left) and Pastor Bill Ladd (right) made the presentation. Brianna is a Saugus resident who graduated from Saugus High School this past June. She will study science at Northeastern University in the fall. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) line of “An Extra Shout Out.” No more than a paragraph; anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or a photo. Saugus United Parish Food Pantry today The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry has returned to its normal schedule today (Friday, July 25), from 9:30-11 a.m., at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. The food pantry welcomes all neighbors facing food insecurity on Friday mornings. Volunteers are also welcome. Please call the Food Pantry Office (781-233-2663) or go to the website (cliftondalecc.org) for details. A conversation with candidate Stacey In our story last week on Stacey Herman-Dorant’s campaign for the Board of Selectmen, we mentioned an upcoming political time for her, mentioning the day of the week, but not the date. That apparently caused some residents to show up last Sunday (July 20) – two weeks ahead of the actual date. As a courtesy to the candidate and the voters who want to meet with Stacey, we are running the note again: Join Stacey for coffee and conversation at Panera Bread in the Community Room on Sunday, August 10 from 9 a.m.11 a.m. Can’t make that date? Reach out to Stacey at staceyhermandorant@gmail.com, she would love to meet you and answer any questions. Help plan the Second Annual Saugus Cultural Festival Join the Saugus Cultural Festival Subcommittee to help organize the 2nd Annual Saugus Cultural Festival! The Saugus Cultural Council is looking for Saugus resident volunteers to serve on a Subcommittee to help plan and organize the 2026 Saugus Cultural Festival, which is happening on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Saugus Middle High School! Help out with: · Coordinate diverse entertainers, food vendors and miscellaneous activities · Work with Saugus 411 Committee on community/information tables for community groups & local businesses/ THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 10
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