City sued for discrimination

Former acting EPS superintendent Gauthier claims age, race bias conspiracy prevented her from interviewing

By JOSH RESNEK

Former acting superintendent Janice Gauthier has filed suit in Middlesex Superior Court against the city and the school committee alleging she was overlooked deliberately and eliminated from the competition to ascend to the superintendent’s position because of her age, and because she is a Caucasian.

In the lawsuit, she alleges a conspiracy based on her age and her color – she was 70 when she resigned in disgust in 2019 after not being allowed to interview for the job now held by Superintendent Priya Tahiliani, and for not being allowed to resume employment in her former position, Director of Curriculum.

Gauthier is white.

The new superintendent is a woman of color. She is asking for judgments on a number of items in the lawsuit.

However, no one in a position of responsibility knows how much she is asking for, which is the chief question being asked around the city among those who are discussing the matter.

No one in a position of responsibility in Everett was willing to speak on the record about the lawsuit or its iterations.

Several who spoke to the Leader Herald on the condition of anonymity said that the mayor very likely put Gauthier up to the lawsuit and that the mayor released news of it privately, before Gauthier’s attorney had the chance to make it public.

No one in the mayor’s office would comment on the matter.

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COVID-19 numbers rise, ‘impending doom’ warned

A vial of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at a local clinic. (Photo by Jim Mahoney)


By JOSH RESNEK

The CDC is warning of “impending doom” if Americans think the virus is over.

Some states have relaxed all their restrictions and that policy is coming back to haunt them.

In Everett, more than 100 new cases were reported last week.

Social distancing and higher health standards augmented by continuing restrictions seem to be taming the monster virus.

Nationally and locally, vaccinations have soared. More than 1/3 of the American population has been vaccinated.

Many millions of people think the danger is over because the worst has passed.

Think again.

Airplane travel is up. It is almost back to half of what it was one year ago meaning about 1.5 million people took air flights daily here and there across the nation during the past week.

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Mayoral battle brewing

Everett City Hall on Broadway. (Photo by Jim Mahoney)

Capone, Adrien look ready to announce candidacies

By JOSH RESNEK

What a difference a week makes in the political life and times of the city of Everett.

Councilor Fred Capone is apparently nearly set planning out a mayoral campaign and has moved a dozen steps forward in what many believe will lead to an announcement in or within two weeks.

Several of his close supporters told the Leader Herald he is set to launch a social media platform, a money-raising instrument, and that he is putting together his entire media package.

In addition, Councilor Gerly Adrien has been wading into the mayoral battle slowly but surely.

An intriguing full-page advertisement on her Facebook page says this only: “Things are about to change.”

Also, she has apparently been mass texting city employees asking if they would support her candidacy – a move, supporters claim – designed to lay the possibility of a run for mayor at the mayor’s doorstep.

Adrien’s bold and out front behavior at the recent city council meeting indicated to her closest supporters that she is unafraid to run against the mayor.

Sources familiar with the mayor’s thinking have been saying for several months that he does not fear Capone, rather, he fears Adrien.

The mayor does, however, understand the numbers.

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Reputation is Everything

Everett City Hall. (Photo by Jim Mahoney)

Spotlight to shine brightly on mayoral candidates

By JOSH RESNEK

We are all responsible for our own actions in this life. What we do, how we act, how we think, what becomes of us during a long life follows us and sticks to us like glue.

Assuming Everett is going to have possibly three mayoral candidates, the spot lite will be on more than what the candidates bring to the table as financial experts, leaders of people, creators of municipal policy, and protectors of the public trust.

A major spotlight, a much harsher and glaring light, will be to determine the reputations of those running.

Who is the better person?

Who is most honest?

Who carries less baggage?

Who carries baggage at all and what kind of baggage is it?

Who lives by a higher code that deserves to sit in the corner office at city hall?

The upcoming campaign will include all of this…and much more.

In the end, when all the votes are counted, the mayoral race will be the peoples’ verdict – kind of like a jury verdict in court after the presentation of evidence.

The evidence will ultimately reveal nearly everything about those who run.

It is impossible to keep secrets these days about who we are, or who we were, or who we pretend to be.

If you are the mayor, this is especially true.

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— 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.

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