Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 28, 2026 ELECTION | FROM PAGE 1 Both Democratic challengers are relative newcomers to public service. VanMeter has worked for the last five years in Lynn city government – including the last three years as acting and later permanent director of the Inspectional Division. Meaney won his second two-year term last November. This week, The Saugus Advocate asked similar questions of the two candidates. Their Personal Backgrounds Meaney: Born in Lynn. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy and served during Iraqi Freedom. He returned to Lynn to pursue a college education, enrolling in classes at North Shore Community College. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a Doctorate in Dental Medicine from Boston University. Dr. Meaney has been a dentist since 2013, and three years later he became a Lynn small business owner, opening Broadway Family Dental at Wyoma Square. He met his wife, Tara, while studying at UConn. The couple has three“WE’RE STILL HERE!” Since 1947 MALDEN AUTO BODY Book online: Maldenauto.com 49 Robin St., Everett, MA 617-389-3030 * Maldenab@yahoo.com Over 79 years of exceptional service! Massone Family Owned & Operated year-old twin girls, Maya and Madeline, and a one-year-old son, Matthew. VanMeter: She was born in the Philippines in 1986. She was adopted and later moved to the U.S. when she was about two years old. “I settled down in Lynn and consider it my hometown,” said VanMeter, a 2004 graduate of Lynn English High School. VanMeter graduated from North Shore Community College in August 2022 with an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts. She has been working on her bachelor’s degree at Salem State University: in Political Science with a concentration in American Government, Law and Policy. Q: What are the key things that distinguish you from your opponent? Meaney: I have a proven track record. And I have specific priority goals that are in our message. We’re not ambiguous. We have three priorities. We want to expand the Pre-K Universal Program to all working families across the state. We want to remove nefarious practices in the housing market. And we want to put a freeze on the construction of AI Data Centers that are driving up your utility costs. Your rates are subsidizing AI. I don’t think the taxpayers of Massachusetts should be subsidizing bilREADY FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION: Lynn Inspectional Division Director Zosia VanMeter displays her campaign sign as she prepares for next Tuesday’s (Sept. 1) Primary Election. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) lion-dollar tech corporations. VanMeter: It comes down to how we show up in the community. I engage. I build relationships. I’m fully present. Something else that sets us apart is not how we show up in the community, but how we respond and how accountable we are. Q: What about the enormous amount of money you have spent on your campaign? You’ve already spent $157,000 and have more than $110,000 in cash on hand? Meaney: We’re in this to win it. Fund-raising is part of politics. I’ve been very successful with it. Our goal was always to spend $200,000. That’s what we anticipate having to spend to beat the incumbent. I think the number of what we have spent is a little misleading because we transferred the money left over from the City Council race. We’ve probably spent $80,000. VanMeter: I was shocked. That was an insane number. The fact that he spent 10 times more than me or Wong. At the end of the day, though, what he spends his money on and how he runs his campaign is just not my business. I’m just going to continue running a grassroots campaign that I can be proud of. Q: What makes you a better ELECTION | SEE PAGE 4
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