Protest – Everett Leader Herald

There Is a Lack of Political Leadership

Comments by Fred Capone at City Hall Protest

What you have seen here and heard here today is the real Everett, a diverse but united community – not the Everett that you are reading about in the papers, watching on TV and following via social media. The negative reflections are the actions of a few. Sadly, they originate from our elected officials – those whose primary function is to make our city a safer and better place for all of us. The recent disclosure of the disturbing city video demonstrates that racism has been rampant throughout the current administration. The fact that racism and corruption have not even been mentioned let alone go unpunished by the majority of our elected officials, underscores the lack of political leadership that has been allowed to continue for far too long.

Everett High School students marched today in solidarity, they were amazing, and the Everett High School Class of 2022 has taken a bold stand and they have done us proud. I commend them for using their collective voice in a mature, responsible, and thoughtful manner to say what our elected officials will not – “Racism in any form is wrong and will not be tolerated.” Their action shows me that the future of our city is in good hands, but we must address the current void in leadership.

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$40,000 a year mayor’s bonus on chopping block or not?

December 13 council meeting moment of truth

By Josh Resnek

The mayor’s $40,000 yearly longevity bonus payment will be taken up by the Everett City Council December 13.

It is an end of the year measure which is arguably among the most significant issues the council has faced in several years.

It pits the mayor against the council for the $40,000 a year longevity payment, which many in government who believe it should not be paid, and many others who just don’t care enough to take a stand.

Councilors Fred Capone and Mike Marchese will be leading the way with John Hanlon.

Capone is said to be certain that several members cannot vote on the matter because of a conflict of interest.

Councilor Anthony DiPierro is the mayor’s cousin.

Several councilors believe he should recuse himself.

Councillor Richard Dell Isola has three family members who work for the city.

Those members say the same about Dell Isola, who tends to obediently support the mayor no matter what the question is.

Marchese calls the bonus illegal, unethical and “just plain wrong.”

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Protest must be allowed

Legal, public protest is a protected right in the United States.

You can be arrested for protesting on a public sidewalk, but such arrests are rare and frankly, they are not allowed by the law, in this case, by the US Constitution and Bill of Rights.

The arrest last week of a man protesting corruption at Everett City Hall in front of city hall on a public sidewalk was a travesty.

Curiously, we do not fault the Everett Police for arresting the protester, as he allegedly “assaulted” a DPW employee “trying to do his job” removing the protester’s signs from the sidewalk.

What was unjust about the arrest is that we believe it was ordered by either the mayor or his paid errand boys and girls at city hall trying to show they are protective of the mayor’s sanctity.

By stifling public dissent about complaints alleging corruption at Everett City Hall, the city government is taking Draconian measures to keep city hall clean of corruption charges made on its sidewalk.

The only problem with such a policy?

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Arrest sparks reader outrage

Lone protester cuffed in front of City Hall

By JOSH RESNEK

Everett Leader’s Facebook site was inundated with visitors over the weekend responding to the news that a protester minding his own business was arrested in front of city hall for calling attention to corruption at city hall with handmade placards he placed on the wall abutting the city walk.

At the Everett Leader Facebook page, Everett residents expressed a wide variety of thoughts about the arrest, about what instigated the arrest, and what it says about the rights of Everett citizens to protest in front of city hall.

The Everett Police Department alleges that the man arrested lunged at or attacked the DPW employee “just trying to do his job” removing the man’s posters from the sidewalk.

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CHA nurses protest unfair treatment

APRIL 27: Nurses stage an informational picket in front of CHA Everett demanding a better contract. (Photo by Jim Mahoney)

Picket CHA hospitals in contract dispute centered on patient safety, cuts in sick time

By JOSH RESNEK

Cambridge Health Alliance, the owner of the former Whidden Hospital, is refusing to agree to patient safety improvements and is cutting sick time benefits in a general devaluation of nursing efforts according to the Massachusetts Nurses Association.

Protests were held out front of three Cambridge Alliance Hospital this week, including the former Whidden Hospital, where nurses and healthcare professionals held informational picketing.

Attention was called to CHA executives allegedly turning their backs on front line healthcare workers.

APRIL 27: Nurses in front of CHA Everettt protesting. (Photo by Jim Mahoney)

Instead of honoring the dedication and sacrifices made by nurses and health professionals during the pandemic, the CHA is opting to drag out lengthy and unfair contract negotiations that ignore needed improvements to staffing, pay, and benefits, the MNA claims.

“Despite our critical contributions to our patients and community during the pandemic and beyond, CHA management refuses to treat Everett Hospital healthcare professionals equally,” said Sharen Froilan RN, and Co-chair of the MNA Bargaining Committee at Everett Hospital. “Reaching a fair contract with CHA will mean Everett Hospital nurses and healthcare professionals receive the support we need and deserve as we care for our community.”

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