Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, October 18, 2019 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS By Mark Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. Meet your selectmen candidates Two weeks and three days remain before the Nov. 5 Town Elections when Saugus voters go to the polls to elect a new Board of Selectmen, a new School Committee, a new Town Meeting and two positions on the Saugus Housing Authority. If you are a political junkie or a conscientious voter who wants to know more about the men and women running for the five-member Board of Selectmen, you have a good opportunity this week. On Monday (Oct. 21) night, the Saugus Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a candidates forum for the Board of Selectmen race. It is set for 6 p.m. on the secondfloor auditorium at Town Hall. I understand it’s unlikely that all 12 candidates will show up, which is a shame. Then again, it’s not a true debate as many folks in town would like to see. The candidates who plan to attend have already received a list of potential questions they could be asked. I understand there will be mandatory questions for all candidates and some other questions picked from a fishbowl. If you have nothing better to do on a Monday night, head down to Town Hall and listen to aspiring members of your next Board of Selectmen. Another forum for candidates for the Board of Selectmen – this one sponsored by Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) – is set for Wednesday, Oct. 23, starting at 7 p.m. at the Saugus Town Hall Auditorium (298 Central St.). NOW HIRING The doors will be open to the public at 6:30 p.m. for this free event. As in the past, SAVE provides this public service forum so that the candidates can share their views of the critical environmental issues facing the town. The event will be televised in order to reach as many residents as possible. Sorry, no endorsement letters For some elections in past years, The Saugus Advocate has run endorsement letters sent in by readers – especially in the legislative races. But, with so many candidates in this year’s elections – 12 running for the Board of Selectmen and 10 running for the School Committee – getting an avalanche of letters can eat up the news hole in a hurry. Space is already at a premium, with the Town Elections taking a priority for the final two issues before the election. If somebody wants to get an endorsement letter in the paper, that person can place a political advertisement for the candidate. Since the election season began, The Advocate has provided ample opportunity for candidates to introduce themselves through the “political announcements” we have been running. With no candidate forums for the School Committee and with so many candidates running for the five seats, we decided to dedicate “The Advocate Asks” to weekly questions to the School Committee during the weeks leading up to the Nov. 5 Town Elections. Happy to say that this week we received a 100 percent response from the 10 candidates running. We hope town voters will be better informed when they go to the polls and vote for the five candidates they want to be members of the next School Committee. Gordie at the Garden Club The Saugus Garden Club plans to meet Wednesday night, Oct. 23, at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 256 Central St. Refreshments and the business meeting will get underway at 6:30 p.m., and the program will begin at 7 p.m. A special guest for the evening will be Gordon “Gordie” Shepard, a Saugus native and Vietnam War Vet. He will be speaking on the Riverside Cemetery’s Civil War Restoration Project which he undertook. Randy-Sue Abber will speak on “Garden Hacks: Money savings Hints, Tips and Tricks.” Nancy Sayles and Kathleen Nadeau will update club members and visitors on the relocating and refurbishing of the Saugus Garden Club Butterfly Garden at Breakheart Reservation on Forest Street in Saugus. For more information, call Donna at 781-233-5640 or Lorraine at 781-233-7541. A “Shout Out” for … It looked like we were headed for another week without “An Extra Shout-Out” from our readers. But, Jeanie Bartolo – who originally suggested this feature earlier in the year – saved the day. And Jeanie offered a few this week. “I am on a roll with Shout Outs!! Here goes: “I know you recently did a great story on Olivia Riley, an inIn a professional newly remodeled elegant salon close to NEW Encore Casino. The elegant salon is located in a high traffic area across from Dunkin’ Donuts on Broadway in Everett, MA. 3 Chairs for Rent. 2 Private Rooms with space available for an esthetician and spray tan technician!!! Perfect for a Lash Specialist, Masseuse, or Waxing Specialist! Mega Hair Elite 517 Broadway (Suite 5) Everett, MA 02149 617-389-1900 credible young woman who founded Saugus Blessings Bags. Olivia and Christopher Silva organized a donation drop off of items for Veterans at the American Legion Post 210 on Saturday. So this HUGE “Shout Out” goes not only to Olivia and Chris but to ALL the people who took the time this morning to stop by and remember our Veterans in need by donating personal care essentials for the Veterans at the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea.” “A ‘Shout Out’ to Bill Stewart for his Old Sachem weekly column in the Saugus Advocate. He does in-depth research on each athlete he highlights. I enjoy reading every one of them. You don’t have to be a sports lover to enjoy his column. Keep them coming Bill! “A ‘Shout Out’ to ALL the candidates running for office. It’s wonderful to see so many people care about our town. Good Luck to everyone!” 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. Just send an email (mvoge@ comcast.net) with the mention in the subject line of “An Extra Shout Out.” No more than a paragraph. Anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or photo. Families and fire prevention The Saugus Fire Department invites local families to a free Open House tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 19) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families will learn about fire prevention and participate in fire safety activities. The program will highlight the National Fire Protection Association’s theme “Protect Your Family From Fire.” It’s a great way for families to familiarize themselves with fire safety, household fire hazards and things they can do to make their homes safer. It’s also a great way to teach kids about fire safety. Papa Gino’s will provide free pizza and children’s fire safety coloring sheets at the Open House. The first 100 children will receive a child’s Fire Hat! Kids will also get to meet a special guest, Sparky the Fire Dog. For more information about the Saugus Fire Department Open House, call Captain James Hughes or Captain Scott Phelan at 781-941-1170. What about Bruins’ Memorial? We’ve gotten a few calls from Saugus readers who want to know what’s become of the special memorial that was supposed to be held for K9 Bruin – the Police Department’s beloved nine-yearold German shepherd, who had been on the Police Department since February of 2011. Bruin was diagnosed with untreatable cancer. As we reported in a front-page story in our March 15 edition (“R.I.P K9 Bruin”), Bruin got an escort from about 30 cruisers from Saugus and area communities during his final ride through the streets of Saugus before he was taken to the VCA Wakefield Animal Hospital, where he was put to sleep. “He touched many lives,” Interim Saugus Police Chief Ron Giorgetti told me in an interview before a Finance Committee meeting. “Bruin was a great K9 and served the department well. … He will be missed greatly by the Saugus Police Department and all members of the SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 17
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