The heat of September
Just a bit of thought about the recent heat wave we have been enduring is worthy of discussion.
The summer was a rainy bust. Rain, rain and more rain for nearly all of the summer.
This has been followed by the end of summer and the beginning of an unusual post summer heat wave in September.
We are near to the middle of September and the heat hasn’t let up.
In fact, on some days, it was hotter than nearly all of the summer causing a serious disruption at the beginning of the new school year in those schools that are not air conditioned.
City hall, which is also not air conditioned, has been like a daily roast for the city employees stuck inside offices where the temperature soared.
Is this climate change? Is this just a nuance of the New England weather?
Frankly, it is just plain hot. In a month or two, we will barely recall much less remember this post summer heat wave with its thick humidity and the propensity to make all of us sweat and to wish for cooler times.
Because when the weather changes and it becomes cold, we wish again for the warmth. Such is life in New England where the weather tends to change by day and much of the time, by the hour!
Everett Little League Rocks!
Everett’s 12 year old Little League group raised slightly over $10,000 for the Jimmy Fund this year.
The 11-year-old group raised more than $8200 for the same charity.
Nicky Savi, a 12 year old raised $5500. He was the number one individual Little League fund raiser in Massachusetts.
James Striker a 11 year old was the eighth highest fundraiser in Massachusetts.
The Everett Little League consistently raises charitable contributions for the Jimmy Fund from season to season.
Money raised for the Jimmy Fund go to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
The Everett Little Leaguers should be very proud of this outstanding effort made from year to year.
Congrats to the Everett Little League for giving back in the fight to cure cancer.
Zoning Board of Appeals
The city of Everett Zoning Board of Appeals has published a legal notice about a public hearing that will be held on Monday September 18 at 6:00 pm on a petition by Anthony DiPierro and Ciriaco DiPierro owners of 533-535 Ferry and 9-11 Rich Street who want to build a new structure on the existing footprint with 30 units of apartment housing on three floors with the first floor to include 2,312 square feet of first floor commercial space.
Setback requirements are being questioned as well as site plan review for compliance with the Transportation Demand Management Ordinance.
Overdose Awareness Day
August 31 was Overdose Awareness Day in Everett and around the nation.
The scourge of drug use and abuse and the tragedy of addiction and the early deaths of so many people from all age groups due to overdoses is a national epidemic.
Outside Everett City hall, dozens of purple flags were planted as a memorial to those who died of overdoses. In the past seven years, 149 Everett residents have been lost to overdoses.
Overdose Awareness Day is just that – a moment to reflect and to work against substance abuse, addiction and overdosing.
Instead of vilifying those who have succumbed, the effort of the day is to honor those who fell to the cruel and tragic results of overdoing and dying.
It is also a way for families who have lost loved ones to substance abuse and overdosing to acknowledge their grief and to feel the support from others who have suffered the same tragedies.
Thy city’s new substance abuse services coordinator Chris Simonelli knows what he’s doing. He understands better than most the monster of addiction and overdosing.
Pattiann Scalesse, who is running for public office, is also a key player in this milieu. She led the Awareness Day activities at city hall.
She founded Everett Overcoming Addiction eight years ago.
Rogers endorsed
Katy Rogers, a lifetime Everett resident, an award-winning photographer, and a community activist, was endorsed by two local unions in her campaign for at-large City Council. Both the Local 2222 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Boston Carmen’s Union issued letters of support for her candidacy.
“We believe Katy is the best candidate for Everett City Council at-large and we know she will do her best for all those she represents,” wrote the IBEW Local 2222 in their endorsement letter.
“The Carmen’s Union feels very fortunate to have a friend of your stature and integrity running for election for Everett Council,” wrote the Boston Carmen’s Union. “You will continue to be a great asset to the working men and women in the City of Everett.”
“I am honored to receive these union endorsements,” said Katy, “I believe in advocating for the people of Everett, and as City Councilor, I will stand on the side of working families.”
Good luck to Katy next Tuesday.