Politics – Everett Leader Herald

Outrage growing as Mayor collects $40K longevity bonus

Everett City Hall. (Photo By Jim Mahoney)

Concern voiced over yearly payroll bonanza calculations

By JOSH RESNEK

The mayor’s $40,000 a year longevity bonus is a made-up bonus placed in the city budget by CEO Eric Demas and approved by the city council.

The payment at most should be at maximum, $10,000 a year, not the $40,000 a year the mayor has been receiving, according to city hall higher-ups who spoke with the Leader Herald on the condition of confidentiality.

“If the city council challenged this payment to the mayor and the state attorney general approved of the action, the mayor would have to pay back everything he has received as a longevity payment except what he was by law supposed to receive for the past 14 years.

Vivian Nguyen hoping second time Running for Ward 5 is the charm

Rosa DiFlorio facing stiff opposition

By JOSH RESNEK

Two years ago, Vivian Nguyen, a 19 year old Linden Street resident at the time, ran against Councilor Rosa DiFlorio.

Nguyen lost by 29 votes.

This time around, Nguyen, now 21, and a senior at Babson College, is working hard to bring home the bacon to her ward.

During a recent kick-off event that drew more than 100 ward residents

Nguyen says the ward is a changed place since the last election.

“Many people have moved out or are being pushed out by rising rental prices, and many newcomers have moved in,” Nguyen told the Leader Herald during an interview at Common Ground Café Saturday morning.

Nguyen described what most residents are feeling and seeing – a new Everett forming out of the changing times.

Although she didn’t say it, she believes the ward has changed enough that Councilor Rosa DiFlorio’s re-election could be in serious question.

Primary candidates ready to go

High level of excitement for local pols

By JOSH RESNEK

A total of 43 candidates for public office are now certified by the Election Department and are ready to go.

With a major mayoral race between Gerly Adrien, Fred Capone and the mayor, the primary on September 21 will prove to be exciting, and in large part, with an outcome right now in question and unknown.

Early intensity has marked many races, and especially the mayor’s race.

The mayor has not been challenged with two candidates in a primary in 14 years of political life as mayor.

Former Councilor Robert Van Campen was the last to challenge the mayor some years back.

Van Campen ran a tepid campaign.

The mayor beat him convincingly.

Adrien and Capone present a different scenario for the mayor this time around.

All three candidates have been campaigning hard throughout June and July.

Political signs should be banned

Political signs stand tall on Everett homefronts. (Photo by Jim Mahoney)

Many communities who regard political signage with disdain have banned outdoor political signage.

Everett ought to seriously think about doing the same.

The city is coming to take on the look and feel of a political sign receptacle.

The mayor’s over-the-top outdoor signage is typical of his arrogant and outlandish behavior. He’d like to see a DeMaria sign on every home and apartment house in the city.

Capone and Adrien have intensified their outdoor signage efforts, so they don’t appear outdistanced by the mayor.

The sign wars are a waste of time and energy.

Primary Day ballot takes shape

JULY 10: Mayoral candidate Fred Capone makes a stop at a house that supports Ross Pietrantonio’s Ward 6 city council bid. (Photo by Jim Mahoney)

Deadline for signature certification closing in

By JOSH RESNEK

In the first wave, candidates tossed their hats into the ring. In the second wave, some have made final decisions to withdraw or to change their venue.

The councilor at-large race now has 11 candidates, nine of whom have been certified. Only Guerline Alcy and James Mastrocola have yet to submit their signatures. Incumbent Samantha Lambert, candidate Robert Santacroce, and Jenny Montresor have yet to have their signatures certified.

Catherine Hicks has stepped away from the at-large contest. She has withdrawn from this race, choosing to be on the ballot for School Committee Ward 6.

Councilor Wayne Matewsky, president of the city council, is one of the two candidates getting a free ride this time around.

No one has chosen to run against the longtime councilor, and one of the most popular political figures in the city.

Councilor Stephanie Martins is the other.

Longtime former councilor Jason Marcus has withdrawn from the Ward 2 race.

He is running for the school committee in Ward 2.