Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 ASKS | FROM PAGE 3 There were too many amazing Saugonians to try to list them all, but Dick Barry, Arthur Gustafson, Joe Gillis, Mark Bertrand, Ann Serino, Danny Colanton, Michelle (Picardi) Schepis, Fred Varone, Steve Horlick and my cousins Joe Favuzza and Jim Sartori are ones that had a signifi cant impact on me and my family. 2020 has been a very diffi cult year for so many, I for one am looking forward to turning the page. Selectman Debra Panetta: #1 – The new Middle/High School coupled with our Town Finances. Besides the pandemic, I would consider the opening of the new Middle/High School to be the top story for Saugus in 2020. This was the largest capital project that Saugus has ever seen, where over 70 percent of the voters supported an override for a new Middle/High School. We now have a beautiful, state-of-theart school for our Saugus students as well as our teachers and staff to enjoy for future generations. Saugus was also able to maintain its AA+ rating with Standard & Poor’s, which is exceptional news considering the COVID pandemic. By maintaining this high rating, Saugus can borrow at lower interest rates, thus saving Saugus residents signifi cant tax dollars. Standard & Poor’s noted the Town’s “very strong economy, strong management, strong budgetary fl exibility, and very strong liquidity” in its report. #2 – Saugus: A Caring Community. During this difficult year, Saugus residents went over and above trying to take care of their neighbors. Whether it be food drives, toy drives, delivering food or just being there to lend a helping hand, Saugus truly stepped up in every way. Saugus residents also came out to support our Police, Fire, and fi rst responders throughout the year. Even where other cities and towns gave up on their Christmas/holiday parades, Saugus held the best Christmas Eve parade that I’ve ever seen. I want to thank everyone involved, especially Ken Enos, Chris Taylor, Brian Cross and Scott Elias along with our Police and Fire Departments. The parade brought some much-needed joy to Saugus residents. Saugus mourned the loss of several wonderful men who gave so much to our Town. Dick Barry, Steve Horlick, Fred Varone, Arthur Gustafson and 36-year-old. My youngest sibling, Stacy, was only 17 at that time. I instantly assumed the responsibility of watching over her and my mother. Later on in life when my mother was fi rst diagnosed with Alzheimer disease, we were fortunate enough that my sister was living with her in the family home. As time went on, I would go over there every morning to make sure she took her medication and had her breakfast. Moreover, I would head back SAUGUS SCHOOL COMMITTEE: Left to right, Joseph “Dennis” Gould, Chair Thomas Whittredge, Arthur Grabowski, Vice Chair Ryan Fisher and John Hatch being sworn in following their election last year in the second fl oor auditorium of Town Hall. Mark Bertrand were all beloved throughout our community and gave back so much of their time through volunteer and charity work. There were also the passing of Miquel Viveiros and Jim Sartori, who were honored (along with Mark Bertrand) at the Christmas Eve parade. It was fitting to see the DPW building dedicated to Joe Attubato in 2020 where Joe (who passed in 2019) dedicated his life to Saugus. These men will surely be missed. Selectman Mike Serino: The top story for me in 2020 was the passing of my mother Ann, who was 90 years old. She had outlived my father by some 31 years. My mother was a great lady and an awesome mother. She loved to cook. My father worked for the Saugus DPW. Many times during a snowstorm, it would not be unusual for him to bring his fellow workers back to the house during a break, where my mother would cook for all of them. She would expect my brother and I to come by for dinner every night. If my brother Paul did not show up, she would fi rst call the I.T.A.M. Club looking for him. If he was not at the club, she would then call his house. Later on in life when my father had a stroke, she would feed and bathe him until his passing at home in 1989. At that time I was a “young” at lunchtime where we would often go out to eat. My brother Paul would stop by every afternoon around three o’clock until my sister Stacy came home from her full-time job as an accountant. Consequently, in the late stage of my mother’s disease she could no longer be by herself. However, a nursing home was out of the question for me. I remembered how she took care of my father at home and felt she deserved the same care. Therefore, since I was fortunate enough to have been retired from the General Electric Company, I decided to move her and my sister into my house for the remainder of her life. With the help of my sister, brother and homecare providers, they would help me take care of her. This routine lasted for four years until her passing at home. She is now with my dad and other family members in heaven, cooking up a storm. Sorry, there is no runner-up ASKS | SEE PAGE 14 AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE CA$H FOR YOUR CAR! DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! Cold Hard Cash For Your Car, Truck or SUV! 2013 KIA SORRENTO 4X4 Remote Start, Third Row Seating, Premium Sound System, One Owner, Only 73K Miles, One Owner, Warranty! TRADES WELCOME $10,900 Easy Financing Available! 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Sport Package, 4X4, Leather Interior, Loaded, One Owner, 105K Miles, Excellent Condition, Warranty! TRADES WELCOME $10,900 781-321-8841 1236 EasternAve • Malden EddiesAutotech.com We Pay Cash For Your Vehicle!
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