SAUGUS Your Local News, Sports and Information Online. Scan & Subscribe! Vol. 28, No.34 A SAUGUS FIRE DEPARTMENT LEGEND: The late Lt. Damian M. “Jug” Drella presided over a 20th anniversary 9/11 ceremony back in 2021 in the parking lot of the Central Fire Station. Lt. Drella served his hometown with the Saugus Fire Department for nearly four decades. He died last week after battling occupational cancer. Please see inside for more photos and coverage. (Saugus Advocate fi le photo by Mark E. Vogler) A -FREE- www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday 781-233-4446 Friday, August 28, 2026 A TRIBUTE TO LT. DRELLA State Primary Election Two Lynn City Hall Democrats face off Tuesday for the right to challenge State rep. Wong in November By Mark E. Vogler political debate that never materialized has become a late campaign bone of contention between the two Lynn Democratic candidates who are battling for the right to challenge state Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) in November. Lynn Inspectional Division Director Zosia VanMeter, 40, had planned to continue with her own public political forum earlier this week after Lynn City Councilor Pete Meaney ignored her invitation for a debate. “He ghosted me on my invitation. He never replied, which I found to be rude and unprofessional,” VanMeter said in an interview with The Saugus Advocate at bits&bites, a bakery and cafe in Cliftondale. Meaney, 41, accused VanHome of the Week 1 OPEN HOUSE - Sat. 8/29 & Sun. 8/30 - 11:00 – 1:00 st Offered at $869,900 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate Formerly Carpenito Real Estate SAUGUS – This Beautiful and spacious RANCH offers exceptional living. The heart of the home is the updated kitchen with granite countertops and built-in features, Step down to a formal dining room, oversized living room with Palladian windows. beamed ceiling. Large deck off the back overlooking the back yard. Finished lower level offers a fantastic possible 4 room ADU with 2-bedroom, full kitchen and full bath ideal for the extended family or guests. There is also a Dedicated laundry room and family room. Incredible backyard designed for entertaining features include a covered patio, above-ground pool, garden area and plenty of space to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Situated on a corner lot in the desirable Lynnhurst location. This home offers the perfect combination of comfort and versatility and convenience. Dir: Walnut Street to Elm Street to 1 Biscayne Avenue (781) 233-7300 335 Central St. Saugus commonmoves.com ©2024 BHH Affiliates, LLC, An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity. Meter of staging the forum late in the campaign because “she just wanted to attack me.” “A forum two weeks before the Primary Election is just a political stunt,” he said. VanMeter said the Demoto School! Back to School! Mid-grade Regular 3.89 4.47 5.29 $4.59 cratic Town Committees in Saugus and Wakefi eld each sought to set up a debate, but Meaney didn’t seem to be interested. Meaney offered a different version. “There was an honest effort in Wakefi eld. We tried to make it work, but the scheduling wasn’t there,” he said. VanMeter and Meaney are on the Democratic ballot for Precincts 1 and 2 and 4 through 9 in next Tuesday’s (Sept. 1) Primary Election. Rep. Wong, 74, who seeks his ninth two-year term representing voters in the Ninth Essex House District, has no Republican opposition. Wong has been reelected in three consecutive elections (2024, 2022 and 2020) without opposition. One of the two Lynn city offi cials who emerges the winner will have a tough task facing Wong, who is popular in Saugus, which accounts for about 60 percent of the district. His family’s business – the Kowloon restaurant – has been a major dining destination on Route 1 for 75 years. ELECTION | SEE PAGE 2 Established 1978 Full Service ULS $4.579 Order online at angelosoil.com Kerosene Now Available! FLEET CARD Check Out Our LOW PRICES!
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