THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2020 Page 7 The COVID-19 Priorities Rep. Wong already has agenda scoped out as he looks ahead to next year: the start of his sixth two-year term representing the 9th Essex House District By Mark E. Vogler I n a normal year, State Rep. Donald Wong would feel very relaxed and comfortable as he looks ahead to 2021 when he begins his sixth two-year term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. But the Saugus Republican is hardly relaxed, despite getting reelected last week without competition. Unlike in past elections – when he was busy setting specific legislative goals for his constituents in the three communities he represents, Wong said he has three top priorities that cover everyone – all of them about COVID-19. “My top priorities have already been set,” Wong said in an interview at Saugus Veterans Park on Wednesday (Nov. 11). “I’m going to work on the issues related to COVID-19. That’s my priority, maybe for the next two years. It all depends on the pandemic and the economy of the Commonwealth,” he said. “And there are three sections we have to bring together: local government, state government and the federal government. And we all have to be on the same page. We should first find out what we have in common within the three phases of government. We have to see what everyone brings to the table for our community. The Town of Saugus has to work with the state and federal governments closely. It has to be a collaborative effort – without thinking along political lines,” he said. The Ninth Essex House District includes eight of the 10 Saugus precincts (everything but Precincts 3 and 10) and parts of Lynn (two precincts) GBL | FROM PAGE 6 reestablished in 2019 as of the winter season. Lynn Classical Athletic Director Bill Devin strongly supported the so-called GBL team remaining in the NEC and was one of the votes in favor. “For the short time they were in the league, we had tremendous games and competition with the GBL,” Devin said in a published report. “I looked at all the sports and I thought they belonged in the league. I’ve been thinking about this ever since they left the league. The GBL is more of where we should be now.” the revenue circumstances and not knowing what the feds will be giving us,” he said. “A lot of things could be affected. I am primarily concerned about our senior citizens and veterans. With the pandemic, the suicide rate is going up. People are more unstable and suffering mental health issues, so I want to try to bring back as much financial support for Saugus and my district as I can,” he said. Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 PREPARING FOR HIS TOUGHEST TERM: State Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) at Veterans Park on Veterans Day (Wednesday, Nov. 11). Though elected without opposition to his sixth two year-term representing voters of the 9th Essex House District, Wong says the new term that begins in January will probably be his most challenging because of COVID-19. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) and Wakefield (four precincts). A lot of uncertainty looms with how much help Saugus should be expecting from the state and federal governments, largely because of how the Coronavirus has affected the country’s overall economy adversely, according to Wong. “Right now it’s very difficult to estimate how much help we’re going to get. The state revenue is not coming in as it has in previous years,” Wong said. “Right now we’re working on Fiscal 2021 [the year that began last July 1] in the Commonwealth. We really don’t know what we can do yet because of One reason is that officials and coaches from Classical and English were reportedly not happy when other schools in the NEC changed course and decided to go forward with their fall sports seasons after the NEC principals had voted to move the entire season to “Fall 2” due to the Coronavirus. The two Lynn teams could not compete since that community was designated in the “Red,” high-risk category and not allowed to compete according to state and Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association protocols – all GBL schools stood as one and canceled their fall seasons.
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