Page 22 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, NOVEmbEr 3, 2023 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus! We are only four days away from the biennial town election (Tuesday, Nov. 7), and I couldn’t be happier, as I am winding down a most grueling stretch of local journalism. Hopefully, from reading through today’s edition and all of the issues last month, our loyal readers have enough information on the 100-plus candidates running so they can make an informed decision when they go to the polls and vote on Tuesday, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The main event in this year’s election, overshadowing everything else, is Question #1: Shall a commission be elected to revise the Charter of the Town of Saugus? Along with that question, voters will be asked to choose nine of the 27 candidates who are running for Charter Commission. For those folks who want to know more about the candidates, please punch into Vimeo SaugusTV on your computer and look for the Charter Commission forums cosponsored by The Saugus Advocate and SaugusTV that were broadcast Oct. 16-18. I moderated the forums and interviewed the 23 candidates who turned out. One of the forums was a little over an hour, and the other two lasted less than an hour – everything you need to know on each of those 23 candidates, from why they are running, whether they want to see specific changes in Saugus government and what they would do if elected to the commission. If you haven’t viewed them yet, spread them out: Watch one tomorrow, Sunday and Monday, and you will be in a better position to make your nine choices. As for the Board of Selectmen and School Committee races, we have published political announcements for all seven candidates in each race. We covered the only political forum attended by all seven selectman candidates in last week’s paper. We also published the statements the candidates made to Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE), which sponsored the forum. This week, I had plans to moderate a forum for the seven candidates running for the School Committee. But that forum got canceled because of the School Committee meeting that was scheduled for Wednesday (Nov. 1) night. However, the same questions that I had given to the School Committee candidates in advance and their responses are published in today’s “The Advocate Asks.” If you are interested in knowing more about the School Committee candidates, take a look at the questions and answers in today’s paper. As for the respective Town Meeting races, I have been doing my best since January moderating the “Saugus Over Coffee” forums – cosponsored by the Saugus Public Library and The Saugus Advocate. If you missed it, tune into Vimeo on SaugusTV and look for your own precinct, see what your Town Meeting members who attended had to say and take the time to talk to the candidates if you encounter them this weekend. They should be visible in your neighborhood. Fortunately, this year, nobody gets elected to the 50 Town Meeting seats without election competition. Two years ago, Town Meeting candidates in half of the precincts got elected without opposition. If you consider yourself a civic-minded Saugus resident, show it on Tuesday by going to the polls and voting. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. It looks like the end for Superintendent McMahon Schools Superintendent Erin McMahon has been on paid administrative leave since January, when the School Committee launched an investigation into alleged misconduct. The School Committee has been mum on the issue for nine months, refusing to answer any questions. Meanwhile, the superintendent has steadfastly insisted she’s innocent of any wrongdoing and has been mistreated by the committee and has been kept in the dark on the nature of the charges against her. It appears that McMahon’s firing was a possible outcome as we went to press yesterday. But members would have to take a vote to make it official, of course. There was an executive session posted for the School Committee yesterday (Thursday, Nov. 2), set to begin at 4:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room at 25 Dow St., “to discuss the discipline or dismissal of Superintendent Erin McMahon. Returning to open session.” Unfortunately, it was past our publication deadline. But it sure looks like the superintendent, who was hired on a five-year, $200,000-a-year conDON’T FORGET TO VOTE: The Saugus biennial town election is set for next Tuesday (Nov. 7) from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Saugus Advocate file photo by Mark E. Vogler) tract that would have paid her more than a million dollars, has worn out her welcome in Saugus – if the School Committee takes that decisive vote. There was another executive session held Wednesday (Nov. 1) to discuss the status of Acting Superintendent Michael Hashem and to discuss administrative planning. Stay tuned for more details in next week’s issue. Hammersmith Quilters Show – Nov. 4-5 If you want a break from local politics this weekend, check out the Hammersmith Quilters Show: Around the Block. It is set for tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 4) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday (Nov. 5) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Saugus Senior Center at 466 Central St. Admission is $6; age 12 and under free. There will be quilts on display, a boutique with quilts and homemade items for sale, vendors, penny sale baskets and more! The show will feature a featherweight sewing machine raffle as well. Handicap accessible and plenty of parking. Food Pantry notes The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today (Friday, Nov. 3) from 9:30-11 a.m. Legion Breakfast today There’s a good breakfast deal for Saugus veterans and other folks who enjoy a hearty breakfast on Friday mornings. The American Legion Post 210 at 44 Taylor St. in Saugus offers Friday morning breakfasts for the 2023-24 season. Doors open at 7:30, with breakfast served from 8-9:00 a.m. for an $8 donation. Veterans who cannot afford the donation may be served for free. Board of Selectmen Food Drive – Nov. 4 The Board of Selectmen will hold a food drive tomorrow (Saturday, Nov.4), from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Elementary School. The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry needs donations, especially with Thanksgiving and other holidays coming soon, as well as people who need help during the year. Saugus has always been extremely giving, and we are asking for you to drive up to the Veterans School (39 Hurd Ave.) and drop off any food item you would like to donate. Nonperishable items, such as canned vegetables, stuffing mix, canned gravy, cranberry sauce, canned soups, cereal and pasta, or any other food item to help people in need, would be appreciated. Please check the expiration dates on your donations to be sure they haven’t passed the use-by date. Thank you for always being there in time of need! “The Old Sachem” to address Saugus Historical Society on Nov. 8 On Wednesday, November 8, at 7 p.m., “The Nation’s First Subway System” will be the topic of the Saugus Historical Society meeting at 30 Main St. Bill Stewart, “The Old Sachem,” who writes a weekly column in The Saugus Advocate, will speak about the beginning of the subway system in Boston – the first such transportation in the country. Light refreshments will be available, and this event will be recorded by Saugus TV. As always, this meeting is free and open to the general public. We are hoping to reschedule the Appleton’s Pulpit lecture, which was canceled due to illness. Special “Shout Outs” We didn’t receive any nominations for Shout Outs. So, let’s give a big collective “Shout Out” to everyone involved in helping to make the Thanksgiving meal (Nov. 23) more enjoyable to less fortunate people in the community. All those people down at the Food PanTHE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 24
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