THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 16, 2024 Page 9 ASKS | FROM PAGE 3 Saugus seat and Wong has the money. Q: So, Wong will have the seat for as long as he wants? A: I don’t want to say that publicly, because we might have a Democratic candidate running against him the next time. We’d love to have a candidate running against him so we could knock him out. But, really, it’s tough to beat Wong. But we could do it in 2026, because the Democrats are strong. Q: What’s the state of the Democratic Party in Massachusetts? A: Oh, it’s incredibly strong. It’s probably one of the most Democratic states in the nation. There are 133 Democrats and 25 Republicans in the House and 36 Democrats and four Republicans in the Senate. The Republican Party in the state is very weak. I think we can beat Wong next time with a strong candidate. I think Debbie Panetta [Saugus Board of Selectmen chair] would make a strong candidate if she chose to run. I don’t think Wong is unbeatable. I think Panetta could do it. I don’t believe we have anybody else in Saugus right now. Panetta would be a strong candidate. Q: Is Trump going to take Saugus this time? A: I don’t think so. Not this time. I think Kamala Harris will take Saugus. Q: You can see a lot of A NEW LAW | FROM PAGE 8 forts of Rep. Giannino. “The Massachusetts Coalition of Police started working on the Violent Crimes Disability Pension Bill with its original sponsor, the late Senator Ken Donnelly. There has been a lot of hard work put in by many people to get this important piece of legislation to the finish line,” Nelson said. “None of it would have been possible if not for the incredible work of Representative Jessica Giannino. Her efforts in championing this bill through the legislature have been nothing short of amazing. Her compassion and understanding for law enforcement and our mission is unwavering. Our entire membership is grateful for Representative Giannino’s work on this and so many other bills. While we hope this new law does not have to be used often, it will help those who have sacrificed more than anyone will Trump signs on Route 1 in Saugus lately, on the overpasses. A: Yes, you do. But signs don’t vote. In a city council race, signs may get you some votes, but not in a presidential race. Q: Let’s look ahead to November – the race for president – are you optimistic? A: I think Kamala Harris will win. I have no doubt in my mind. As I said before, she may do better than Biden did last time. Q: If Biden had remained, what would be your prognosis? A: I think Joe Biden would have won. If you look at Fox News – it’s like a cheer station for Trump – there’s not much journalism going on. I think we’d still beat him [Trump] with Biden in there. Q: Do you think it’s going to be close in November? A: I think it will be close. But Harris will still win. I think we’re just so strong. There will be some tight races in the industrial belt we may lose. We could lose Ohio and still win the election. I’m not so sure about the House and the Senate. We could lose those. But I have a lot of confidence in Harris’ ability. Q: What about the House and the Senate races? A: I’m really concerned about the Senate because I think that we have 23 Senate seats up for election. And ASKS | SEE PAGE 11 know,” Nelson said “Our first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve our communities,” said Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn). “These brave individuals should not have to worry about their financial stability if they suffer a permanent injury due to an attack.” When a police officer is involved in an incident where they have been injured so violently that they are no longer able to work, this law is in place to protect them and their family from financial hardship. Numerous communities in the Commonwealth have officers who have been very seriously injured during shootouts. The officers involved had to suffer financially and toil for years in order to get their 100 percent pensions via special legislation, and some are still in the process. With this law, it will now be automatic for officers and their families instead of having to go through the home rule process. Saugus Masons support Police Department with Project Delta T he William Sutton Lodge recently donated Project Delta bags to the Saugus Police Department. Project Delta is a Masonic Outreach Program that donates stuffed animals and reflective backpacks to police departments across the Commonwealth to give to young children should they encounter them in traumatic situations. The program started in Delta Lodge in Braintree and has quickly spread throughout the Commonwealth. The bags are used to store the stuffed animals in cruisers and can be used for a child’s personal belongings. When a police department needs more bags or stuffed animals, the Lodge will replace them at no cost. A MASONIC OUTREACH PROGRAM: Right Worshipful Alan Welch of William Sutton Lodge presents Officer Alison Cooper of the Saugus Police Department a Project Delta bag. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate)
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