Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, November 15, 2019 “I’m very happy for my mom” One-vote loser won’t seek recount in Precinct 4 Town Meeting race By Mark E. Vogler A ndrew James Whitcomb says he didn’t mind settling for a one-vote loss in last week’s race for the fifth and final seat for Town Meeting in Precinct 4. “I’m very happy for my mom,” Whitcomb, 19, said of Maureen E. Whitcomb – who despite being listed last of the eight candidates on the election ballot finished third with 98 votes – six more than her son. “I don’t want to push out anybody in Precinct 4, so I can live with losing by one vote,” said Andrew, who was listed second on the ballot. In between the mom and son candidates were veteran Our 80th Year EDUCATION Next Classes DRIVER 2 Week Night Class Nov. 18 1 Week Day Class Dec. 23 (school vacation week) CALL - ENROLL or Register Online 617-387-9121 HENRYSAUTOSCHOOL.COM EVERETT AUTO SCHOOL “Successful Key To Driving” Since 1938 Gift Certificates Available Town Meeting Member William L. Leuci (93 votes – one more than Andrew) and Town Moderator Stephen N. Doherty (96 votes). Newcomer Glen R. Davis topped the field with 131 votes, and longtime veteran Town Meeting Member Albert J. DiNardo finished second with 113 votes. Andrew, who was hoping to become the youngest member elected to the 50-member body this year, finished ahead of Keith Allen McCabe (79) and George E. Falardeau III (51). “I’m not going to go for a recount because recounts cost the town money and time. I am not going to put the town I love through that,” Andrew said. “It will be easier just to wait another two years and run again. Sure, I’m disappointed I didn’t win. But I’m happy for my mom and very proud of her.” Andrew, a graduate of Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School in Wakefield with a diploma in Business Technology, is currently studying Business at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. He lives on campus and comes home every weekend. He said he’s thinking about going for a five-year master’s degree program. Andrew says he wants to NO NEED FOR BITTERNESS: Andrew James Whitcomb says seeing his mom hold onto her Town Meeting seat in Precinct 4 made it a lot easier to accept his one-vote defeat. In the picture the mother and son candidates were campaigning in tandem outside the Precinct 4 polling location at the Belmonte Middle School on Election Night last week. (Saugus Advocate Photo by Mark E. Vogler) get a job as a marketing executive “and work someplace fun.” “Maybe I can get a job in Boston and buy my mother a nice house,” he said. “I’ll still be at Town Meeting. I’ll be sitting behind the press observing the process,” he said. People who lost by much larger margins than Andrew have requested recounts in the past. But Andrew claims he’s not bitter and doesn’t want to contribute to an already divisive political climate – which was reflected by the large number of incumbent candidates who were swept from office last week. “Let’s hope that Saugus can forgive and forget,” Andrew said. “The people spoke, and I think they had their best interests of the town, though I may not agree with all of their choices. But, in time, I hope people will come together.” (Editor’s Note: The following info is from a press release issued this week by Bob Davis, a Saugus resident who has launched a campaign to honor the late Joseph Attubato, a longtime Saugus town employee and Town Meeting member. Attubato developed a reputation as the iron man of Saugus municipal government, serving more years than anyone during his lifetime.) It’s time for a memorial to Joe Attubato A group of Saugus citizens is proposing naming the Saugus Public Works building after longtime Public Works Director Joe Attubato, who passed away last August. The group feels it would be appropriate to name the building in which Joe served as director after him. The group stated, “Joe loved the Town of Saugus and was honored to work for the town for over 50 years and serve as the DPW director for 28 of those years.” Joe grew up in Saugus and attended Saugus schools. He was a Korean War veteran and was one of the longest serving Town Meeting members and served on various Saugus boards. He will be remembered for helping lots of people and always trying to make Saugus a better place to live. An article in the 2020 Annual Town Meeting warrant will be petitioned and have to be voted on in order to name the DPW building after Joe. More information will be available as the process for doing this develops. For more information contact Bob Davis at 781233-4555. NAME THE DPW BUILDING AFTER JOE: A group of Saugus citizens are organizing a campaign for a special memorial for the late Joseph Attubato, who worked more than 50 years for the town, many of them as DPW director. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) First Congregational Church hosts organ concert on Nov. 24 T he First Congregational Church UCC on Central Street in Saugus presents “Not Your Average Organ Concert” on Sunday, November 24, at 4:00 p.m. Admission is free (donations accepted). The event will host the unveiling of the church’s newly refurbished organ that was saved from the fire of 2017. All are welcome.
3 Publizr Home