Page 8 Shining Lights of Everyday People THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTOBEr 10, 2025 LETTER | FROM PAGE 6 Eugene Decareau (Courtesy of “The Sketch Artist”) “Not all of us can do great things but we can do small things with great love.”—Mother Teresa By Joanie Allbee E ugene Decareau of the Saugus Class of 1948 exudes a lifelong warmth and charisma, embraced with character. As a man of many toppers, Gene just received another one at Founders Day. Mr. Eugene Decareau wears the crown of the 2025 Saugus Man of the Year. Congratulations. As Mr. Decareau sails into his 90s with his wife Arlene,he EIGHT CANDIDATES | FROM PAGE 7 Thank you for the question. Having already served for two years, I have a good understanding for what we need to accomplish versus what we can accomplish. I have learned that without persistence and doing your own research (which is a very important one) and having the confidence to stand up for what you think is the right thing to do is extremely important. I have spent countless hours on the phone, on the computer, but most of all out in the community. The soccer field, the school events where you see and hear has many hats to reflect upon: Saugus football player, Saugus YMCA Director, Town Meeting Member, Saugus Board of Appeals member, Saugus Food Pantry volunteer, 50-plus years active with the Lions Club, Little League Coach, father to three sons, grandfather and husband to the love of his life – Arlene, who was the girl next door, literally. Our reigning crowned leader switches to wearing the chef toque at whim, as he is a fine baker of pastries to the rivalry of any bakery. Gene bakes and donates to fundraisers and auctions. His banana cream pie is a Saugus legend. Decareau loves to hold classes, teaching his pastry secrets of success.His popover class is popular and samples of his accomplishments are delicious. His popovers resemble hot air balloons with baskets. All students leave with satisfied tummies and reassurance of no more deflated messes looking like pancakes. Gene interchanges chapeaus as eloquently as lyrics and bridge in a song. Our man of the year stands with extended arms, ready to serve the Town of Saugus through his memberships to a multitude of organizations. what goes on. I meet with the principles, and I tour the schools. I don’t rely on social media for my information. I’m all about facts and going right to the source. My son went through the Saugus school system from kindergarten to the eighth grade. I was heavily involved in the schools and got to see firsthand what the teachers and students had to deal with. Some was good and some not so much. Most of all what I will always pride myself on is, I ask questions, and I’m truly concerned. I have a complex job as a nurse which entails dealing with issues that require compassion, thought out thinking and figuring out the best way EIGHT CANDIDATES| SEE PAGE 9 for completing programs ranging from high school equivalency diplomas to college-level courses through Northern Essex Community College. One was even inducted into the Adult Education National Honor Society. Soon, we will add a plumbing certification program to the many other job training opportunities we offer, further expanding opportunities for meaningful employment after release. Headlines, particularly from outside of Essex County, focus on the notion of “half-empty” jails and sheriffs’ spending. But here is the reality: our facilities have become one of the state’s largest public health care providers. More than 70 percent of our population lives with a substance use disorder, a mental health diagnosis, or both. In Middleton alone, 818 individuals are housed in outdated facilities designed for 500, with an average of 40 percent of pre-trial detainees awaiting trial for violent crimes such as murder and rape. These numbers tell a very different story — one of daily challenges, rising needs, failing infrastructure, and an immense responsibility placed on sheriffs. And, yes, there are some sheriffs facing increased scruPETER MANOOGIAN | FROM PAGE 4 raise the meal tax. Peter will oppose this when it comes before Town Meeting. Peter usually supports the financial recommendations of the Finance Committee, especially on proposals that have resulted in Saugus being in the best fiscal condition in its history. He also supported Selectman Serino’s proposed zoning changes to restrict the height and density of Route 1 apartment buildings. These proposals were adopted. He was a vocal opponent of the Town Meeting allowing marijuana sales in Saugus after the voters opposed these sales. To date, Saugus has not received 1 cent in revenue and has expended tens of thousands of dollars TOWN ELECTION 2025 | FROM PAGE 3 candidates with the same last name running for Selectman. School Committee Chair Vincent Angelo Serino will be fourth on the ballot, followed by incumbent Selectman Michael James Serino in the fifth spot. Town Meeting Members Stacey Marie Herman-Dorant and Frank V. Federico will be placed eighth and ninth, respectively. In the three-candidate race for a four-year term on the Saugus Housing Authority, the placement of candidates’ names to fill the seat vacated by William Stewart will be Town Meeting Member John George Chipouras and Kristi A. Talagan, followed by candidate Darleen Marie L’Heureux. Town Meeting candidates’ name placements Here’s the order of placement for the candidates running for the 50 Town Meeting seats up for grabs in the 10 precincts: Precinct 1: *Assunta A. Palomba, *Stacey Marie Herman-Dorant, *John J. O’Brien, Thomas Edward Traverse, Ashley L. Nichols, Jillian R. Lauziere, *Mark John Bell and *Susan C. Dunn. Precinct 2: Joseph Stephen Malone, *Peter A. Rossetti Jr., *Jeanette Elizabeth Meredith, *Robert James Camuso Sr. and *Matthew David Parlante. Precinct 3: *Arthur David Connors Jr., *Daniel Ivan Schena, *Richard Edward Thompson, Amanda Kay Ostrow Mason, *Mark Sacco Jr., *Leonard Joseph Ferrari Jr. and Marissa Lee DeMonte. Precinct 4: *Glen R. Davis, *Maureen Whitcomb, *Robert J. Long, Robert Charles Northrup, *Stephen Doherty, Joseph Nicolas DiFilippo and *Stephanie Marie Shalkoski. Precinct 5: Joshua L. Dellheim, *Pamela J. Goodwin, *Ronald Mark Wallace, *Brenton H. Spencer, *Jaclyn Annette Hickman, *Mark Stephen Patiny on more personal matters. In the long term, we will see how those issues pan out. We invite you to investigate and discover the true mission of Sheriffs’ Departments. Today, that mission has expanded by addressing those root causes of crime — substance use disorder and mental illness, amongst others. Treatment, Rehabilitation, and Re-entry. These are the new benchmarks in corrections today. Finding new solutions to age-old problems to help reduce crime and increase public safety across the Commonwealth. Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger Essex County Sheriff’s Department on lawsuits brought forth by disgruntled applicants. If re-elected by the voters of Precinct 10, Peter will remain responsive to his constituents and God willing, will attend each Meeting and vote on every article. Peter often reminds his colleagues of the Athenian Oath to “transmit this town not only, not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.” netta, Lori Ann Fauci and Karli McConaghy Brazis. Precinct 6: Carla Jan Moschella, *Jean M. Bartolo, *Allen Victor Panico, Alicia Rita Bonito, *Kevin D. Currie, Elizabeth A. Marchese and *Karen Rakinic. Precinct 7: Phillip T. Gil, *Michael John Paolini, *Frank V. Federico, *John George Chipouras, Aja Marie Arsenault, Sandro Pansini Souza and *Stephen Francis McCarthy. Precinct 8: *Anthony Joseph LoPresti, *Arthur Grabowski, *Darren R. McCullough, Kristi A. Talagan and *William Edward Cross III. Precinct 9: *Judith A. Worthley, *John Steven Cottam, *Daniel Kelly, Jaime Leigh Lincoln, Nicole Ashley Parziale and *Katrina L. Berube. Precinct 10: *Carla Ann Scuzzarella, *Martin J. Costello, James A. Tozza, *Darren Steven Ring, *Peter Delios Jr., Jenna Rose Nuzzo and *Peter Z. Manoogian Sr. Editor’s Note: An asterisk (*) indicates an incumbent Town Meeting Member.
9 Publizr Home