THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 Page 3 ~ THE ADVOCATE ASKS ~ Reflections of 2020 in Saugus and looking ahead Selectmen and School Committee members pick their top stories for 2020 and share their New Year’s resolutions Editor’s Note: For this week’s column, we reached out to each of the members of the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee and asked them to pick what they thought was the top story of 2020. We also invited them to share their New Year’s resolutions. All five selectmen and three School Committee members responded. Their comments to each of the questions follow. Q: Besides the pandemic, what would you consider the top story of 2020? Give me one and a runner-up, if you like. Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano: Besides the pandemic, the Country’s biggest story was the election. Whether you supported President Trump or President-Elect Joe Biden, the election process in this Country is long overdue for some fine tuning. Any American citizen that votes should do so at the polls, on Election Day with a picture ID. Sure, there are exceptions to every rule... Those that require a mail-in ballot or absentee ballot because of health reasons should be allowed to mail their vote in with proof of signature. Those in the military should also be given special treatment in regards to voting. This Country is supposed to be a world leader. But when it comes time to cast a vote, we are no better than anyone else. Locally, aside from the pandemic, equality was a huge issue. Black Lives Matter held three protests in town and there were two back the police rallies as well. We should all be supportive of Black Lives and equality and smart enough to realize we need our Police at the same time. Board of Selectmen Vice SAUGUS BOARD OF SELECTMEN: Left to right, Chair Anthony Cogliano, Jeffrey Cicolini, Michael Serino, Vice Chair Corinne Riley and Debra Panetta being sworn in following their election last year in the second floor auditorium of Town Hall. (Saugus Advocate file photos by Mark E. Vogler) Chair Corinne Riley: One of the biggest stories of 2020 was how national political and social issues showed themselves at the local level. Whether the presidential election, left vs right, Black Lives Matter, or Back the Blue, the hostility that was felt by family members, friends, individual groups on social media proved that much needs to be done in the way we address these important topics when they arise. The hate and disrespect with which we, as a people, expressed ourselves regarding these issues, even during a pandemic, was disappointing. While there were many instances where we took opportunities to uplift one another, like supporting our graduating seniors, birthday drive-bys, helping those with food insecurity, toy drives, and supporting local businesses, the polarization of America, to some degree, showed itself in the polarization of Saugus. At a time when we should have come together more as a nation and a town, the nearly constant battling showed that we all have more work to do. Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini: The top story of 2020 in Saugus besides the pandemic would be the significant losses we experienced this past year. ASKS | SEE PAGE 4 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 Best wishes for a new year filled with health and happiness.
4 Publizr Home