DEALS OF THE $DAY$ PG. 3 DEALS OF THE $DAY$ PG. 3 SATURDAY JULY 10, 2021 DEALS Lynn OF THE Elsa floods the North Shore$DAY$ advances PG. 3 racial justice DEALS OF THE By Allysha $ $ Dunnigan DAY ITEM STAFF PG. 3 LYNN — In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, Breonna Tay- lor and countless other innocent Black Amer- DEALS icans, Mayor Thomas OF THE M. McGee and the Lynn OF THE Racial Justice Coalition $DAY$ (LRJC) have spent the PG. 3 past year working to- gether to pursue racial equity. McGee and his team recently reflected on the progress made through this partnership, cit- ing their commitment to addressing systemic racism and pursuing ITEM PHOTO | SPENSER HASAK equitable public safety A pickup truck causes a large wake as it makes its way around a stranded car on a flooded Boston Street in Lynn for all. Friday afternoon. In June of 2020, Nicole Mcclain, of Prevent the ITEM STAFF REPORT in the area. While flooding was cated late Friday morning that Street and Astor Street. Cycle and North Shore seen in multiple areas through- motorists in Saugus should have Lynn Fire Capt. Joseph Zukas Tropical Storm Elsa made its Juneteenth Association, out Lynn, surrounding com- expected delays due to heavy said these low-lying areas tend filed a citizen’s peti- way to Massachusetts on Friday, to flood, but the fire department bringing heavy rainfall which munities such as Nahant and flooding on Route 1 southbound. tion to request a pub- Swampscott escaped unscathed. In Lynn, flooding was seen in didn’t receive any reports of peo- lic hearing to discuss resulted in significant flooding ple needing to be rescued. in some areas throughout the Although not as significant multiple areas, including the a number of initiatives as the incidents reported in usual flooding spots on Boston “We always advise people to related to racial justice, North Shore. Lynn, flooding was also seen in Street, Bennett Street, the area not assume how deep the wa- including reactivat- By 3 p.m., about three inch- ter is and try to drive through Lynnfield, Peabody and Salem. around Market Basket, Com- ing the Human Rights es of rain had already fallen in something that you’re not sure Lynn, which appeared to have Although not confirmed by the mercial Street, Elmwood Ave- RACE, A7 borne the brunt of the storm town, scanner reports also indi- nue, Camden Street, South Elm ELSA, A6 Swampscott Police and Fire still seeking payment Peabody By Tréa Lavery (MOU) signed by the town and its police were promised a 3 percent wage increase ITEM STAFF and fire unions last year set out guide- on that date, with 1.5 percent reflecting a Council lines that, once Town Meeting approved cost-of-living adjustment and 1.5 percent SWAMPSCOTT — The town’s police and the plan to leave civil service, each union due to the civil service change. fire departments have not received the Swampscott Police Union President Kev- raise and bonus they were supposed to get member would receive one-time bonuses of loses $2,500 on July 1, 2021 (with another pay- in Reen confirmed Thursday that union on July 1 because the state legislature has members had not received their payments, ment of the same amount to follow the fol- not yet voted to approve the town’s deci- but was unsure why. sion to leave the civil service system. lowing year) as compensation for leaving connection A memorandum of understanding the system. In addition, union members PAYMENT, A6 By Anne Marie Tobin ITEM STAFF PEABODY — Members of A green the City Council expressed their dissatisfaction over the — Could you repeat that? We couldn’t hear you; you need to transaction speak up. Members of the City Council expressed their dissatisfaction in Lynn over the recent uptick in tech- nology glitches that have dis- By Allysha Dunnigan rupted their ability to ensure ITEM STAFF adequate public access during its meetings at the Wiggin Au- LYNN — Owners of RE/MAX360 ditorium. Al and Katie DiVirgilio purchased The latest incident came the former George’s Flower Shop at Thursday during a Commit- 471 Lynnfield St. to open another of- tee of the Whole meeting when fice for their real estate company. councilors were unable to hear The duo recently purchased the the state’s Re-Precincting Com- property and are renovating the in- munity Engagement Director terior and exterior in hopes of hav- Michael Owens as he began a ing agents in the office by August. presentation on the mandatory Al DiVirgilio started the company redistricting process. about five years ago, with his wife The presentation, which Katie, and it has since grown to hav- had already been delayed 40 ing seven offices across the North ITEM PHOTO | SPENSER HASAK minutes due to technical dif- Shore with about 100 agents. The ficulties, was suspended just Lynnfield Street office will act as the RE/MAX360 real estate agent Al DiVirgilio makes his way through the green- house of the former George’s Flower Shop on Lynnfield Street in Lynn. He hopes three minutes in and eventu- GREENHOUSE, A7 to use the greenhouse for community events in the future. ally abandoned completely 15 minutes later when efforts to restore the sound system were unsuccessful. INSIDE “We do people a disservice Seen at PEM: A vaccine with a view when we can’t hear what Opinion they’re saying,” said City Clerk Dex Lindgren of By Tréa Lavery Shribman: Beware Allyson Danforth. “It’s not just Salem receives a ITEM STAFF the premature the acoustics but the speakers. Pfizer COVID-19 victory lap. A4 Zoom sound comes not to our vaccine from SALEM — The Peabody desks but through boxes which Betsy Zorrilla, Essex Museum is offering Swampscott bounce off the walls. Due to the free admission to any- LPN, during the Swampscott man fact that I’m running the meet- one who gets vaccinated Curative vaccine held without bail for ing, I can’t help people with against COVID-19 at the clinic held in domestic assault. A8 technical issues at home. We museum on Friday nights. the H.A. Crosby need technical help to do that.” The museum has part- Sports Forbes Gallery Most of the council agreed nered with healthcare Local players set to with Danforth, including Coun- at the Peabody company Curative to offer compete in MBCA Essex Museum cil President Mark J. O’Neill, the Pfizer and Johnson & state all-star games who said it was “somewhat on Friday. Johnson vaccines from 4 Saturday. B1 ironic” that the second item on to 7 p.m. Fridays. Those • the agenda was a discussion of who get the vaccine will Lynnfield’s how future meetings should be gain entry to the muse- Jonathan Luders conducted. um, which is open until 8 continues to grow “With the governor’s suspension with North Shore ITEM PHOTO | SPENSER HASAK PEM, A7 Navigators. B1 ZOOM, A6 OBITUARIES ..............................A2 LOOK! .......................................A8 DIVERSIONS .............................B5 HIGH 73° VOL. 142, ISSUE 182 OPINION ...................................A4 SPORTS ................................ B1-2 CLASSIFIED ........................... B6-7 LOW 61° POLICE/FIRE .............................A5 COMICS ....................................B4 REAL ESTATE .............................B8 PAGE A8 $1.50 A2 THE DAILY ITEM SATURDAY JULY 10, 2021 OBITUARIES Ex-professor alleges retaliation IN MEMORIAM Mary Josephine White, 83 MAUREEN ERIN FOLEY in lawsuit against URI 1937 - 2021 1997 ~ JULY 11 ~ 2021 IN LOVING MEMORY ON HER 24TH ANNIVERSARY LYNN - LYNN—Mary Jose- ASSOCIATED PRESS The university violated can exercise your First phine “Jo” (Dolan) White, age Fosu’s free-speech rights Amendment rights, espe- SOUTH KINGSTOWN, 83, passed away unexpectedly by retaliating against him cially as a Black man, an R.I. — A former Univer- in her home on July 7, 2021. for advocating for “diver- African American man, sity of Rhode Island pro- She was the beloved wife of sity, justice and inclusion and not lose your job,” said fessor has sued the school, the late William E. White, with at URI,” according to the his attorney, Jessica Sand- whom she had shared over 39 alleging he was fired as suit. retaliation for challenging erson. wonderful years of marriage. Fosu, who is Black, also While not addressing the Born in Watertown, MA on the lack of diversity in the alleges the university vi- school’s leadership and specific allegations, a uni- July 23, 1937, she was a olated his due process versity spokesperson said encouraging students to rights by placing him on daughter of the late Patrick they “lack merit.” speak out against system- administrative leave and J. and Annie (Green) Dolan. “The University of Rhode She attended St. Mary’s Girl’s ic racism. ultimately firing him and Island has reviewed the School, and Lynn Classical The federal suit filed by depriving him of equal High School. Josephine and former political science protection under the law lawsuit filed by Professor her husband settled down, and professor Louis Kwame by disciplining him differ- Fosu and is prepared to raised their family in Lynn, while DAUGHTER Fosu names the school, the ently and more harshly defend itself and its offi- she worked for Union Hospital, board of trustees, outgoing than his white colleagues. cials vigorously against If tears could build a stairway and President David Dooley his allegations,” Linda as well as Lynn Hospital. memories a lane. He is asking for his job In her free time, Josephine and Meghan; her great-grand- I'd walk right up to heaven and and several other admin- back. Acciardo said in an email. loved spending time meticu- children, Kayla, Marissa, and bring you home again.