we speak sabatino • español • portuguêse Happy Father’s Day insurance agency • italiano Rocco Longo all types of insurance! • auto • home • rental • flood • business • commercial 617-387-7466 | 564 Broadway, Everett | sabatino-ins.com Everett IndependentPublished by the Independent Newspaper Co. Wednesday, June 16, 2021 Parker will not run for re-election By Seth Daniel term, they reminded me of that promise. After much After more than 30 deliberation with my fam- years in elected office, ily and the fact that I just School Committee Chair lost my mother this year Frank Parker shocked the to COVID-19, I decided Everett political circles on that after 30 years of ser- Monday by announcing vice, it was time to focus he was withdrawing from on family. the race for re-election to “Also, last August, the Ward 3 School Com- my best friend since fifth mittee seat. grade, Kenny Upton, Parker told the Inde- passed away,” he contin- pendent on Monday after- ued. “Kenny was always noon that it was a personal my unofficial campaign decision to withdraw and manager and I couldn’t spend more time with imagine knocking on family – something that doors and campaigning has come into focus for without him.” him this year after losing Parker, 61, has served his mother to COVID-19 on the School Commit- The caps fly as the Class of Everett High School 2021 officially graduates. The day was hot and humid as graduates and in January and having re- tee for most of his years faculty of Everett High School with their friends family filled Everett Memorial Stadium to conduct the Graduation Cer- covered from cancer him- in elected office, but also emonies for the class of 2021. A common theme in the speeches given was the adversity this class endured throughout self just two years ago. served a 10-year stint on the COVID Pandemic and the pride of the city in surmounting that challenge. See pages 5-13 for more photos. “I withdrew and I will the old Common Council not seek re-election,” said as well. On the Common Parker. “I had told my Council, he was key in family that this was going helping others like John to be my last term. When I Burley to push the en- The Class of 2021 rolled pulled my Nomination Pa- hanced recycling efforts – out the Red Carpet on pers recently for another Friday, June 4, for the See PARKER Page 2 culmination of Senior Week ahead of the June 9 in-person Commence- Council passes City Budget ment Exercises. One of the more inven- By Seth Daniel DeMaria. tive gifts was a T-shirt Capone said he could proclaiming victory over By a vote of 7-2, the not vote for the operating the pandemic for the Everett City Council vot- budget this year because Class of 2021. Here, Alexa Stevens, Joana Bonilla, ed in the $218.96 million none of his cuts were ap- Kaleigh Snook and Haley City Budget that will take proved. Oteri display their memo- effect starting on July 1, “As the case has been rable shirt. the beginning of the new every other year, many of fiscal year. my proposed budget cuts The City Budget, in- failed to pass,” said Ca- cluding the Everett Public pone after the meeting. “I Schools budget, has been couldn’t vote for the op- debated and reviewed in erational budget in good Class of 2021 will be known for extreme pandemic perseverance three public meetings over conscience for that reason. the last week, but did not Councilor Gerly Adrien By Seth Daniel but by and large it was a they thought of being able will stretch years into the get unanimous support said she held several in- class that spent one-third to have a commencement future. from the entire Council. formation sessions with The senior class of of their high school ca- ceremony that was very “I think it’s definitely Councilors Jimmy Tri Le residents about the City 2021 had any number of reers at home in their bed- much in question until changed our perspective and Stephanie Martins Budget, and felt it didn’t reactions to being able to rooms, at the kitchen ta- only about three weeks in life on everything,” she were not present for the have the proper priorities walk across the stage for a ble, glued to a laptop and ago. said. “I think it will help Budget votes. for the residents of Everett traditional graduation last missing some of the most “It’s been very diffi- people appreciate the op- Both Councilors Fred and was not equitable. week, on June 9, as it has important memory-mak- cult,” said Senior Mela- portunities that are offered Capone and Gerly Adrien “After much engage- been one of the most dis- ers of high school – like ny Fagundes. “I lost my in school. Some school ac- voted against the City ment and discussions with rupted senior years on re- the Senior Prom. grandmother in the pan- tivities might have seemed Budget, and both gave Everett residents, I will be cord for any class in more One thing they were af- demic and my boyfriend’s boring or not worth the their reasoning that the voting ‘no’ on Mayor De- than a generation. forded, however, was the relative too. It was tough time before the pandem- Budget was not complete Maria’s proposed budget The Class of 2021 left ability to stage a fun Se- to focus day in and day out ic, but I think we will be and didn’t focus on the for the city because it is school their junior year in nior Week and a tradition- at home. I stayed strong up for anything now and right priorities. Both are not equitable,” she said. March, and for the most al graduation in person at with my faith in God and willing to participate in also running for mayor part, more than 70 per- the Stadium. that’s really the only thing any opportunity because against incumbent Carlo See BUDGET Page 2 cent never returned to the The Independent caught that pulled me through.” we know we could lose all building until graduation. up to several members Senior Raquel DaSilva opportunities overnight.” About 30 percent chose of the senior class before said the pandemic, like McKenzie Bova said McLaughlin announces for to come back in person graduation to find out how it or not, will shape her for a few short weeks, they made it and what generation in ways that See GRADUATION Page 6 Ward Six School Committee Michael J. McLaughlin ly through the pandemic, announced his candida- and we must not forget Council President Matewsky makes grand re-entrance back cy for Ward Six Everett that just because they will School Committee. The back in the classroom. By Seth Daniel Lauderdale at a motel he door and told the manager has stayed at for the past at the pool to call 9-1-1, following is his statement: Kids need to be integrated Council President four years, going there for that fire department was I am excited and hum- with a plan, and their emo- Wayne Matewsky visited some rest and relaxation there in a minute, and they bled to announce my can- tional wellness will be my death’s door for certain af- from the COVID pandem- rushed me to Holy Cross didacy for Everett School top priority. ter having a critical heart ic and ended up having a Hospital. They saved my Committee. It has been I have a deep under- attack three months ago major heart attack. life. For two weeks I was my deep desire to give standing of budgeting and while on vacation in Flori- “I went to Florida for a in an induced coma from back to a school system have experienced the fran- da, but it was a door he did rest and I was there eight what I’m told.” that taught and buoyed my tic and often disconnect- Council President siblings and me. ed budget process. I will not pass through and now Wayne Matewsky. days and the heart attack Matewsky, 62, has spent has recovered and was on hit me,” he said. “It was the last month or more As a student growing prioritize working with hand to re-assume his post sudden. I had no chest recovering at Spaulding up with an IEP, I under- the other stakeholders and and tell the tale. – where the long-time pains but just couldn’t Hospital in Cambridge, stand the worry and frus- committees to harmonize On Monday night be- councilor relayed the har- breathe. Thank God there and had spent some time tration of parents who our efforts to improve fore the early City Budget rowing tale of how he sur- is a fire station right be- in Florida recovering and want the best services for Everett Schools, as well special meeting, Council vived a major heart attack, hind the motel. I actually gathering strength for the their children and smaller as work with faculty and Interim President Antho- recovered in Florida and at went there to get away trip back to Everett. class sizes. staff. ny DiPierro introduced home, and discovered just from sirens and trains, but Once he got back to I am calling on the Dis- I will ensure that we Matewksy back to the how much he is appreciat- thank God for that fire sta- Everett, Matewsky said trict to make mental health build momentum towards body, and relinquished ed in Everett.