— Eye on Everett —

“Carlo says this all the time to developers:
“’ You need to show me incentive for this project to fly,’” the Blue Suit recalled. “Not all developers take his bait. I know one that he’s hooked without Carlo having to be a fisherman.“

– The Mayor’s Blue Suit talking with Josh Resnek

By JOSH RESNEK

The Blue Suit and I sipped on Brazilian coffee and ate delicious pastries at Common Ground in the Pioneer apartment building on the Parkway. It was Monday afternoon, about 2:30 p.m. We sat at a table for two off to the side where no one could see us.

A steady stream of customers came and went as we talked.

“You know that article you wrote recently about a proposed 21 story apartment building with a penthouse level bar and restaurant on Spring Street?” the Blue Suit asked me.

“Yes. So?”

“If it is approved – permitted, that is – Carlo makes out like a bandit.”

“How do you figure?” I shot back to the Blue Suit.

“Come on, Josh. You’re supposed to be smart. I can give you $1 million worth of reasons that Carlo will make certain the site is permitted.”

MARCH 4: Spring Street proposed redevelopment site. (Photo by Jim Mahoney)

“You mean to say he will be paid to make sure the permitting takes place?” I asked.

“Yes,” the Blue Suit replied. “He won’t want to act too fast and make it look easy, that would cut down on his bouquet.”

“Is he getting a floral display or flowers if the site is permitted?” I joked.

‘What is this bouquet you are talking about?” I asked.

Continue reading “— Eye on Everett —” →

Stop wasting money on Norwood St. sidewalks

MARCH 19: A streetlight and the steeple of Immaculate Conception on Broadway. (Photo by Jim Mahoney)

The replacement of sidewalks on the right side of Norwood Street heading toward the square is a nice touch.

However, the redoing of sidewalks planned for the opposite side of Norwood Street is an incredible waste of money and symptomatic of the mayor’s mania to spend money when it is unnecessary to do so.

The mayor, we understand, cannot control himself when it comes to spending money, whether it is his own or the cities.

That’s a problem that needs looking into – not what he does with his own money – but rather, how he wastes the city’s money on projects like replacing sidewalks that are in perfect repair.

Who does such things when keeping cash on hand is so important to the city’s financial well-being?

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School is back April 5

School is opening for kids K-5 here in Everett after a year of being closed is cause for rejoicing.

Parents are rejoicing. Teachers are jubilant. Students are ecstatic.

How could it be otherwise?

Social distancing and restrictions notwithstanding, the reopening of public schools here is a sign that this spring will be a fun time to come alive again and to bloom — and we’re not talking about flowers.

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Thinking out loud

By STEPHEN PINTO

What does transitioning the Everett Fire Department mean? What is the mayor trying to do with the Fire Department? Why isn’t the Fire Chief resisting the change?
Reduction in staffing instead of hiring as promised? Closing stations?

Not purchasing or upgrading equipment or stations? Slower response time?
What effect if any would it have on mutual aid? Reduction or longer wait times for inspections? Putting lives at risk?

One slow year in fatal fires is great news but it should not automatically result in cutbacks or changes in operation.

If we turn our back on the fire department, there will be fatalities and injuries.

A city with a growing population and housing is not the time to take chances.

Too many Everett homes are built close together, easily allowing a fire to spread.

If we have firehouses responding to multiple injury or illness calls. what happens if a major fire were to then break out in the city? What if a second broke out at the same time? Ambulance calls can easily take up to twenty-thirty minutes while the patient is being assessed.

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Crimson Tide hoopster plays waiting game

Roger Vasquez puts up some shots prior to a Crimson Tide basketball game against Medford. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso)

Recovering from knee injury Vasquez waits for his turn

By LORENZO RECUPERO

Everett High School sophomore Roger Vasquez has learned so much in just one year.

As a freshman, almost a year ago to date, Vasquez tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the final boys’ basketball game of the year against Cambridge Ridge & Latin, a second-round, 65-52, playoff loss for the Crimson Tide.

Knee surgery, 9 months of therapy, training, and a pandemic later, Vazquez
is back on the basketball court as the Crimson Tide looks to capture the Greater Boston League championship.

Vazquez is dribbling and shooting and back to doing basketball activities with the team during practice but has yet to play in one of the seven games scheduled in the regular season.

The year-long grind to get back on the court was a short-term setback for what would be a long-term gain for the sophomore.

Continue reading “Crimson Tide hoopster plays waiting game” →