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Page 18 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, NOVEmbEr 3, 2023 ASKS | FROM PAGE 15 but not getting the proper support. I do know that Saugus is not the only district facing teacher shortages, but we have to listen to them and not turn a blind eye. I do realize at the end of the day there is only so much we can do. I also believe in my heart they know that as well. But when we don’t address any of the issues then we are not only letting them down, but our children get hurt as well. I have learned through speaking with a lot of my son’s friends and him as well that they realize so much more than we even know. Engage the students more and convince them to speak at a school committee meeting. Let them know we want to know what’s on their mind. Fisher: Retention. We need to retain and recruit qualified educators and support a growing student population that enriches our district. I negotiated contracts that raised teacher pay, including for new teachers, and offered incentives for teachers to remain in the district. We need safe schools that include a school resource officer. New high-quality curriculum and better educator collaboration will keep building improvements year after year, grade to grade. I’ve voted to support high academic standards for all students, without exception. We need to encourage and challenge students, recognize and support them, be role models, and recognize that every student that remains in Saugus adds to the fabric of the school community. Whittredge: The obvious answer is the lack of longevity at the Superintendents position. We have had 8 superintendents since 2013. We need to change the way we hire the district leader and not rely on 2 interviews to make that decision. Question Five: Where do you stand on the Nov. 7 ballot question: Shall a commission be elected to revise the Charter of the Town of Saugus? Do you see a change that is needed that is directly related to the operation of the School Department? Serino: I would like to remain a town. My issue right now with this ballot question is how it is dividing this town. As a school committee member, what are we showing our youth about civics and politics? We need to work together and we have to have what is in the best interest of the residents and students of town in mind. I don’t want to assume anything and I would rather wait until I have the facts on any charter changes or not. Gerow: (Editor’s Note: The candidate declined to answer this question.) Hatch: Where do I stand on the town charter ballot question? Up front, I will never be in favor of a city form of government. I, like everyone else, for or against this question loves our town. Our town, and that love, and passion is why we do what we do, and care so much. I also know that most issues for or against, can be addressed by our current charter, as it is. Our town form of government has many checks and balances, and if you look you can see them in action, and the proof is in our new schools, and playgrounds, and financial stability, with our bond rating, and stabilization fund. Having said that, I do believe there should be a committee established to review and make updates to the charter as necessary through the town meeting process. Gould: I had no problem signing the petition for a Charter Commission because there are many areas that could be looked at to make the operation of the town better and I know regardless of who the 9 elected members would be, their recommendations at the conclusion of the Commission must be reviewed and accepted by the Town. An example to change would be going to staggered elections for both School Committee and Selectmen and having four year terms so two elected in one election and two years later, three elected. I will vote yes on forming commission and I trust my fellow Saugonians to vote in nine members that will take this commission seriously and go into research with open minds. Mastrocola: I am all for looking into making things better for the Town of Saugus. Anyone who knows me knows how much I care about this town. I have a sign right on my lawn that states YES. What I am saying YES to is to open conversation on how things could be better. Again, conversation is how things get accomplished. In the future I do think having the Town Manager sit on the School Committee Board would be helpful. ASKS | SEE PAGE 24 Campaign Finance Reports ballot question committee spent more than $10,000 on campaign for Charter Commission By Mark E. Vogler T he Moving Saugus Forward Committee raised $13,002 last month while spending $10,367.53 on its campaign to support a ballot question for forming a Charter Commission, according to documents filed this week at the Town Clerk’s Office. The campaign finance report covers the period of Oct. 4-30 and was among the documents filed to disclose the amount of money raised and spent up to eight days before the Nov. 7 town election set for next Tuesday. Globe Cup LLC of Melrose contributed $5,000 to the Charter Commission campaign. The campaign expenditures reported by Moving Saugus Forward covered newspaper ads, printing services and postage. First-time Saugus political candidate Matthew D. Parlante, who is running for the nine-member Charter Commission and a Town Meeting seat in Precinct 2, raised $3,765 and spent $1,959.77 related to his campaigns in both political races. Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano, who has been the driving force behind the Charter Commission campaign, raised $2,600 and spent $2,444 on his campaign for re-election to a third consecutive two-year term, according to the documents filed this week. Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Debra Panetta raised $950 and spent $1,136.91 on her reelection campaign for a seventh consecutive two-year term. Panetta also raised $1,100 and spent $1,036.91 on her campaign for a Charter Commission seat. First-time candidate Sebastian DiModica spent $2,210 on his campaign to get elected to the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini spent $740.50 on his reelection campaign. Jeanette Meredith raised and spent $707.28 on her campaign for a seat on the Charter Commission. Frank V. Federico, a candidate for Charter Commission, spent $639.82 on his campaign. Peter A. Rossetti, Jr. spent $464 on his Charter Commission campaign. A Halloween Encore The Theatre Company of Saugus concludes final weekend performances of “Little Shop of Horrors” tonight (Editor’s Note the following content is excerpted from a story posted on the Theatre Company of Saugus website.) H alloween is over. But The Theatre Company of Saugus will go on with the show with the final of its back-to-back weekend performances of “Little Shop of Horrors” concluding seven performances over the past two weekends. The opening show is set for 8 o’clock tonight (Friday, Nov. 3) upstairs at the American Legion Post 210, at 44 Taylor St. in Saugus. Other performances include tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 4) at 8 p.m. and Sunday (Nov. 5) with a 2 p.m. matinee closing. The play is based on the film by Roger Corman with a screenplay by Charles Griffith. It was originally produced at the Orpheum Theatre in New York City by the WPA Theatre and Kyle Renick, David Geffen, Cameron Mackintosh and the Shubert Organization. “Little Shop of Horrors” was originally directed by Howard Ashman with musical staging by Edie Cowan. A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, “Little Shop of Horrors” has devoured the hearts of theatergoers for more than 30 years. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin”) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world. Plot: The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” – after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down-and-out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and intent towards global domination! One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows, the charmingly tongue-incheek comedy “Little Shop of Horrors” has been produced worldwide to incredible success. The TCS production is directed and choreographed by Jason Hair-Wynn, stage managed by Katharine Edel and musically directed by Shawn Gelzleichter. We are pleased to announce the cast – comprised of new and returning actors to our stage. Thank you to everyone who came out to audition! The cast includes Michael Silva as Seymour, Tessa Newell as Audrey, Arthur Comer as Mr. Mushnik and Mark Damon as Orin. It also features Melissa Reda, Layo Ojo, Dana Murray and Hannah Clifford. Lauren Thompson is the voice of Audrey II and Lauren Donahue is the Puppeteer for Audrey II. Seating is Reserved. When selecting your seats from the seating chart, you should avoid leaving an odd number of seats between your party and others. Row B is on the floor. Rows C, D and E are on risers, each elevated above the row in front. No seat is more than 15 feet from the action. The performance hall is upstairs and is not wheelchair-accessible. Ticket Prices: • $30 for adults when paid at the door • $28 for youth, seniors or veterans when paid at the door • $27 for adults when purchased in advance online • $25 for youth, seniors or veterans when purchased in advance online • $30 for all patrons, purchased in advance or at the door, for the evening show on Saturday, October 28. The pice includes food and a ticket for one free drink at the party before the show.

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