Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 31, 2025 Town Election 2025 Three Candidates, One Seat: Saugus Housing Authority Choice Heads to Voters By Nivia Wilson S augus voters will go to the polls Tuesday to choose a new Housing Authority member to fi ll a seat on a fi ve-person board that oversees public housing for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and low-income families. The race took shape more than a month ago when longtime Housing Authority member William “Bill” Stewart – a fi xture in town government for more than 50 years – pulled nomination papers but ultimately did not fi le them. His surprise move left three candidates vying for the position: John George Chipouras, a veteran town meeting member from precinct 7; Kristi A. Talagan, a If We Happen To Meet By Accident ... You’ll Be Glad You Found Us! There is a difference between the rest and the BEST! Celebrating 46 Years In Business! TONY’S AUTO BODY Call or Visit 781-321-0032 34 Sharon Street Malden, MA 02148 TONYSAUTOBODYLLC.COM COME VISIT OUR STATE OF THE ART BODY SHOP • Computerized Paint Matching (State of the Art Spray Booth) • Computerized Frame Machines • P.P.G. Refinishing System • R134 + 1234yf A/C Machines Fully Insured -RS2415 Insurance Company Approval ALL OUR WORK IS GUARANTEED! TONY BARTOLO Owner 46 Years Let Us Handle Your Next Insurance Claim. Go With the BEST It Doesn’t Get BETTER! RENTAL CARS Available town meeting member from precinct 8; and Darleen Marie L’Heureux, a six-year resident of Laurel Towers. Chipouras, a former Blue Cross Blue Shield systems manager, says his penchant for transparency and history of following through on issues qualifi es him for a seat on the Housing Authority. “I’m not afraid to talk to people,” he said, “and I’m not afraid for them to come to me and ask me things.” Chipouras said he’d like to demystify the waitlist system for potential tenants. “If I do something, I’m going to go all in,” he said, describing himself as personable but persistent. “People come to me and automatically feel like I’m easy to talk to, and I’m going to dig in.” Chipouras said resident concerns should be handled fairly and without favoritism. He seeks a sixth two-year term to his Precinct 7 Town Meeting seat. He served previously as a member of the Saugus Playground Commission and the Saugus Retirement Board. Talagan described herself as someone who understands the inner workings of government agencies, including proper organizational oversight and the establishment of a mediation process to resolve disputes. “As an administrator, I worked with policies and procedures that are similar to the Housing Authority’s rules and regulations,” she said. “I’ve done compliance curricula for the state of Massachusetts.” She noted that her 25 years in Chelsea included work with homeless and disabled populations. She is also certifi ed to teach special education classes. Talagan favors tracking maintenance response times, reinforcing safety measures, and providing clearer tenant updates. “There is defi nitely a need for increased, consistent communication with tenants,” Talagan said. She has also expressed ONE SEAT | SEE PAGE 9 John Chipouras: a veteran Town Meeting Member from Precinct 7 who has been active in local government on volunteer boards for many years. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) Darleen Marie L’Heureux: a Housing Authority tenant who said she was encouraged to run by William Stewart, a longtime authority member who decided to not run again at age 90. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) Kristi Talagan: a Town Meeting member from Precinct 8 who finished runner-up to William Stewart four years ago. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate)
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