THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016 Admitted arsonist Swampscott seeks common ground ‘danger to society’ By Gayla Cawley respond strongly to let people know On Aug. 13, SURE will host the Di- ITEM STAFF this is not allowed in our communi- versity Festival on the Swampscott By Thomas Grillo ty,” said Carolina Velasquez, chair- Town Hall lawn, from 2-7 p.m. Vel- ITEM CITY EDITOR SWAMPSCOTT — Volunteers are woman. asquez said the event will feature on a mission to unite the town in re- The goal was to remove labels and music and dance performances from LYNN — A Swampscott man, who authori- sponse to hate speech that’s been humanize people again, she said. On a variety of different cultures and ties say confessed to setting his home on re heard from coast to coast. a national scale, she said the group countries. Tables will be set up with to keep it from his soon-to-be ex-wife, was or- Swampscott Unites, Respects, Em- was also in response to anti-Muslim various groups, including the town’s dered held without bail on Wednesday follow- braces (SURE) was formed recently in rhetoric. But now, the volunteers are Disability Commission, Senior Cen- ing a dangerousness hearing. response to the swastikas and racial focused on all aspects of diversity, ter and a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Timothy Brosnan, 57, a contractor who holds epithets that were found at Swamp- rather than one speci c issue. One of Transgender, Queer presence. Dif- scott Middle School and surrounding dual citizenship in the U.S. and Ireland, has its missions is for people to take own- ferent religions will also be repre- streets in April. been charged with arson. He set re to the ership of their actions, to avoid mak- sented. “What this group wants to do in the ing hateful comments and to be kind FIRE, A7 future is address it and immediately to one another, she added. SWAMPSCOTT, A7 Lynn BUBBLING UP loss is Medford IN SAUGUS gain By Thor Jourgensen ITEM NEWS EDITOR LYNN — Longtime city Health Director MaryAnn O’Connor is leaving her job to become Medford’s new health director. The Lynn native and St. Mary’s High School Class of 1979 graduate said the new gig offers a chance Bully pulpit to tackle health initia- tives she has worked on in Lynn, including teen smoking reduction, opiate in Peabody abuse intervention and exercise promotion. “I hope to do some good By Adam Swift Peabody’s things there,” she said. ITEM STAFF Jerry With a population of Halberstadt, PEABODY — A Peabody man’s ex- who authored roughly 57,000, Medford perience paved the way for a measure is about half Lynn’s size. legislation establishing a study commission on on bullying, Mayor Judith Flanagan bullying in public housing that was reviews his Kennedy has yet to select a passed by lawmakers Sunday. soon-to-be- replacement, said mayoral Five years ago, Jerry Halberstadt, published chief of staff Jamie Cerulli. 80, launched the Stop Bullying Coa- book on the “She wishes her well,” lition to help stem the tide of abuse she said. subject. against elderly and disabled public Since succeeding Ger- housing residents. ald Carpinella as health He knows rst hand what it’s like ITEM PHOTO | director O’Connor said to be bullied. When he moved into OWEN O’ROURKE her biggest accomplish- public housing in Peabody, Halber- ment has been to expand health services beyond stadt said a group of residents con- the Health Department’s trolled the building. City Hall of ce. “Their attitude was that if they did O’Connor said she not like you, they would get rid of you,” brought $10 million in BULLYING, A7 grants and other fund- ing into Lynn to fund health-related program- ming. She formed part- INSIDE nerships with local or- Lucky ganizations during her In Opinion 12-year career including It’s time to slow down Lynn Community Health charter school surge. A4 Center and Girls Inc. Strikes “You go to the experts in In Entertainment the eld to get the work Lynn guitar hero done,” she said. By Michele Durgin Mike the Bubble shares stage with out of O’Connor earned a bach- FOR THE ITEM Man ended his favorite band. A5 elor’s degree in biology show at the Saugus SAUGUS — Mike the Bubble Man combined sci- In Sports from Boston College and Public Library by Lynn studied graduate public ence and magic in a show at the Saugus Public Li- Locals fall at putting volunteers health courses for two brary on Wednesday. MGA Juniors. B1 years at the University of The 45-minute program was fast paced and full of from the audience By Steve Krause Massachusetts-Amherst. science lessons for a packed room lled with eager in a bubble, includ- ITEM SPORTS EDITOR Her last day will be Fri- youngsters and their parents. ing adults like Al Smith. LYNN — After 79 day, Aug. 12. Gabriella, a pre-teen audience member, was invited years, the Lucky Strike The search for O’Con- to join Mike on stage. Together, with the help of a kid- Lanes will close, leav- nor’s successor comes die pool lled with soapy water and a hula hoop, she ITEM PHOTO | OWEN O’ROURKE ing the city one step as Kennedy and the city and Bubbleman demonstrated how to make a bubble closer to losing the council remain at odds last longer. Loud oohs and aahs followed. sport entirely. over hiring a $73,000 a The Bubble Man uses music, choreography, com- Lynn once had 16 year deputy election com- edy and bubbles in all different shapes and siz- bowling centers city- missioner. es that come alive to create an entertaining and wide, according to O’CONNOR, A7 BUBBLES, A7 owner Jim Barber. To- day, there are just two: his and the Lynnway Sports Center, which is in talks to convert the Lynn bellies up building into a mari- juana dispensary. to the Barre Barber, who pur- chased the business Susanne Lannon, from Joseph and Emmy Maria Freni-Nigro, By Gayla Cawley ITEM STAFF O’Connor in 2000, but Alyssa VanVeghten had managed it since and Shelia Chan- LYNN — A former New England the 1990s, said it was dler work on the Patriots cheerleader is kicking the time to retire. The can- chair pose under city into shape. dlepin lanes will close the direction of Swampscott resident Michelle on Sunday, Aug. 14. Michelle Nigro, Nigro, 26, has expanded her tness “It can be a grind- second from left, business into Lynn and is offering ing job,” said Barber, a the owner of Town morning classes. She is leasing world-class bowler who Barre. gym space at Velocity Fitness and appeared on Candlepin ITEM PHOTO | OWEN O’ROURKE BARRE, A7 LYNN, A7 OBITUARIES ..............................A2 DIVERSIONS .............................A6 COMICS ....................................B4 HIGH 80° VOL. 138, ISSUE 205 OPINION ...................................A4 LOOK! .......................................A8 CLASSIFIED ........................... B5-7 LOW 63° ENTERTAINMENT .......................A5 SPORTS ................................ B1-3 POLICE/FIRE .............................B8 PAGE A8 ONE DOLLAR A2 THE DAILY ITEM THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016 OBITUARIES Boston mayor accused of Eileen M. Owens, 77 pressuring parade organizers 1939-2016 LONDONDERRY, N.H. — Ei- Owens, eight grandchildren, leen M. Owens, 77, of Lon- her sister, Sis McCaul, and BOSTON (AP) — The donderry, N.H., died peace- several nieces and nephews. mayor forced organizers of fully Friday, July 29, 2016, in She is predeceased by her the city’s St. Patrick’s Day her home surrounded by her brother, Danny. parade to invite an LGBT loving family. She was born Service information: Me- veterans group to march in Swampscott on May 17, morial services will be held two years ago, the parade 1939, a daughter of the late by the family at a later date. group’s lawyer said. Henry and Hannah (O’Brien) THE PEABODY FUNERAL The lawyer, Chester Barry. HOMES & CREMATORIUM is Darling, made the accu- She is survived by her hus- assisting the family with ar- sations in an amended band, Patrick Owens, three rangements. To send a con- complaint filed this week daughters, Kelly Owens Brod- dolence or for more infor- to an earlier civil lawsuit erick, Kerry Desrosiers and mation, please visit, www. accusing Mayor Martin Tara Owens, her son, Timmy peabodyfuneralhome.com. Walsh of strong-arming organizers in 2014 with thinly veiled threats to withhold permits. The parade has long Angelina M. Antonious, 78 been embroiled in legal 1938-2016 controversy, including a 1995 U.S. Supreme Court DANVILLE, N.H. — Angelina ews, relatives and friends. ruling allowing members M. (Digaetano) Antonious, Service information: A of the South Boston Al- of Danville, N.H., formerly celebration of Angelina’s lied War Veterans Council of Revere, passed away July life will be held on Sunday, to exclude gay groups on FILE PHOTO | ASSOCIATED PRESS 29, 2016, surrounded by her Aug. 7, from 2-6 p.m. in the free speech grounds. U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., center without hat, marches with mem- family. Beloved wife of the late FAGGAS FUNERAL HOME, The current lawsuit bers of OutVets, a group of gay military veterans, during the St. Patrick’s Walter P. Antonious. Loving 551 Mt. Auburn St., Water- claims that Walsh ignored Day parade in South Boston. mother of Karen Locke and town, MA. For online guest the court’s order and vio- her husband, John, Annette book and directions please lated the council’s civil Fiore and her husband, Mi- visit www.faggas.com. In rights. me if there’s an issue.” Walsh ended his person- the move was retaliatory chael, and Paul Antonious and lieu of flowers, donations in Walsh maintains that According to the com- al boycott of the parade on Walsh’s behalf.