SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 2016 Sheriff hopefuls NEIGHBORS BRACE FOR dispute campaign HOSPITAL’S CLOSING donations By Adam Swift ITEM STAFF Campaign donations have become a hot-button issue in a crowded eld for the Democrat- ic nomination for Essex County Sheriff. “Since day one, I have not accepted donations from the police department or Sheriff’s Department,” said Lynn Police Chief Kevin Coppinger, one of six candidates on the Sept. 8 Democratic primary ballot. “I think it’s wrong. I do not owe anyone anything and would start with a clean slate, making decisions as a good administra- tor, not political decisions.” The disagreements over whether candidates should take donations from within the Essex County Sheriff’s De- partment date back to a pledge letter sent out by candidate Ed O’Reilly in June. O’Reilly, Coppinger and fellow candi- dates Paul Russell and William By Gayla Cawley An aerial view of tinue to evaluate the health care needs in Lynn, en- Castro agreed not to accept ITEM STAFF Union Hospital in sure that the hospital’s board be representative of nancial donations from the Lynn. the people they serve and provide progress reports LYNN — More than a month after the state ap- employees of the Essex County during and after construction. The state did not re- proved a plan that will shutter Union Hospital, res- Sheriff’s Department and their PHOTO | SCOTT EISEN quire that NSMC keep emergency services in Lynn. families. idents are still shell-shocked. But in an interview following the hearing, Robert But two candidates, Middle- “I think it’s a mistake and I think that the organi- Norton, NSMC president, told The Item they are ton House of Corrections Su- zation that runs the hospital, they’re not doing the exploring what kind of emergency service will be perintendent Michael Marks right thing,” said Joseph Ray, a Lynn resident. “The provided to the region when construction is complet- and Jerry Robito, who worked city needs a hospital.” ed. He said possibilities could be to continue what’s for the sheriff’s department for Last month, the Public Health Council of the state there today or a different model such as an urgent 34 years, did not agree to the Department of Public Health unanimously approved care center. pledge and have accepted some a $180 million expansion of North Shore Medical The medical facilities in Lynn and Salem are part donations from the department. Center (NSMC) that will close Union and move the of Partners HealthCare. beds to a new Salem campus in 2019. DONATIONS, A7 Conditions of the closure included that NSMC con- UNION, A7 Everybody Rede ning was Kung Fu playing ghting like a girl By Katie Morrison ITEM STAFF LYNN — If you can play, you’re wel- By Jessie come to try out for the Lynn Tech foot- Nocella ball team. FOR THE ITEM Even if you’re a girl. LYNN — If Bruce Lee could do Tech student-athletes Avi Fanini and it, these Lynn youth can do it too. Makayla Handley have worked hard to “Some kids were bullying me at school, earn spots on the football team this fall, so I like that I’m learning how to protect and they’re proving they’re more than myself,” Clefthon Verdieu, 9, said. capable of competing with the boys. Fanini, a junior, joined the junior var- Verdieu is one of 12 children who attend a free sity squad last season as head coach Wing Chun martial arts class put on by Centerboard James Runner’s rst ever female foot- Inc., a nonpro t organization that provides family hous- ball player. ing services, education and youth programs. Wing Chun is a “She plays against all varsity players,” Chinese-based form of self-defense for close range combat that has Runner said of Fanini. “When we call the been associated with Lee’s famous style of ghting. varsity team, she always comes over. She’s The class for children age 9 to 15 is held at Visionspace Gallery hitting with all of the starting guys.” every Wednesday from 5-6 p.m. It was initiated by Justice Born, Fanini’s always had a passion for foot- community engagement coordinator, to help teach kids self-defense. ball, one she shared with her brother, More than half the students live in family housing. Lynn resident Adhiel, who encouraged her to try out for Born has also created many other weekly events, including drum the team at Lynn Tech. Friday marked workshops, art classes, break dancing classes and a youth open mic the two-year anniversary of Adhiel’s night. passing, and Fanini says everything she Seven-year-old Keira McCall shows Joseph Castillo, Centerboard’s Wing Chun teacher, is the ideal does, she does with him in mind. off her punch in martial arts class. FIGHTING, A7 “(He’s) the main motivation for every- PHOTO | BOB ROCHE thing I do,” Fanini said. “When I wake FOOTBALL, B2 INSIDE Kayak tours to start owing in Saugus In Opinion By Bridget Turcotte Visitors will change direction in the turning Shribman: ITEM STAFF basin, an area of the river that was widened to The presidential allow boats to turn near the Iron Works docks paradox. A4 SAUGUS — Adventurers can soon set out on when the facility was in operation. a three-hour excursion on the Saugus River, Holmes said paddlers will explore the river’s LOOK! guided by Iron Works historians. place in nature, history and the community. Girls Inc. picks Rangers are teaming with the Saugus River “We’ll take a 20- to 30-minute break with folks a great spot Watershed Council to offer free kayak tours to talk about one of our biggest messages, which for a picnic. A8 with scenic and historic elements. is the place that this river has in the communi- Michael Holmes, a park ranger, put his rig in ty,” Holmes said. “It will be a good opportunity PHOTO | BOB ROCHE In Sports the water and mapped out the route himself. for many different people with different inter- St. Mary’s soccer to The tour will set off from Stocker Playground ests. There’s something for bird watchers and Makayla Handley and Avi Fanini rely on youth for off Winter Street and continue upstream to both play for the Lynn Tech foot- upcoming season. B1 Saugus Iron Works. TOURS, A7 ball team. OBITUARIES ..............................A2 LOOK! .......................................A8 DIVERSIONS .............................B5 HIGH 82° VOL. 138, ISSUE 225 OPINION ...................................A4 SPORTS ................................ B1-3 CLASSIFIED ........................... B6-7 LOW 64° POLICE/FIRE .............................A6 COMICS ....................................B4 REAL ESTATE .............................B8 PAGE A8 ONE DOLLAR A2 THE DAILY ITEM SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 2016 OBITUARIES Goodbye, herring? Biotech bait Juliette M. Peterson, 92 1924-2016 gives lobstermen alternative PEABODY — Juliette and Patricia Peter- M. (O’Brien) Peter- son of Lynnfield; five son, 92, a lifelong daughters and sons- By Patrick Whittle Peabody resident, in-law, Marie and ASSOCIATED PRESS died peacefully on Ralph Reid of Lynn- PORTLAND, Maine — Friday, Aug. 26, 2016 field, Marguerite and Lobster and crab fisher- at the Brudnick Cen- Richard Trufant, Con- men have baited traps ter for the Living in stance and James with dead herring for gen- Peabody with her Leaver and Catherine erations, but an effort to family at her side. and Dave Gravel, all find a synthetic substitute She was the wife of the late of Peabody, and Barbara and for forage fish is nearing Paul A. Peterson Jr. Paul Leaver of Stoughton; fruition just as the little She was born in Peabody 16 grandchildren, 16 great fish are in short supply, on May 22, 1924, the daugh- grandchildren, a sister-in-law, threatening livelihoods in ter of the late Leo J. and Mary Rosemary O’Brien of Peabody, a lucrative industry. E. (Cushing) O’Brien and was and many nieces and neph- a graduate of St. John High ews. She was predeceased With about $1 million in School. by her twin sister Marguerite funding from the Nation- Guided by her strong faith O’Brien and her brother Leo al Science Foundation, a and her Irish heritage, Juliette O’Brien. small company has de- was a homemaker raising her Service information: A vis- veloped “OrganoBait,” a family of six children, tending itation will be held on Sun- hockey puck-shaped prod- to all their needs and she was day from 3 until 7 p.m. at the uct packed with an artifi- also a Girl Scout leader. She CONWAY, CAHILL-BRODEUR cial attractant crabs and was an ardent sports fan and Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn lobsters love. PHOTO | ASSOCIATED PRESS especially enjoyed watching St., Peabody facility. Her fu- Commercial fishermen Commercial crabber Mal Luebkert pulls a crab pot out of the Great have long experimented the Red Sox and the Patriots. neral will be held on Monday Wicomico river in Heathsville, Va., Thursday, Aug. 18. She loved to bowl and was at 10 a.m. from the funeral with alternative baits. able to participate until she home followed by a funeral They have tried other fish used,” Bayer said. “If it’s ef- lonial era and plays a role protect fish species from was well into her 80s. Her Mass at St. Ann’s Church, species, processed slabs of fective and cost effective.” in some other commercial overexploitation. beautiful needlepoint and Lynn Street, Peabody, at 11 horseshoe crab, even cow The lobster catch has fisheries, as well as in food OrganoBait, developed knitting were cherished by a.m. Burial will be in St. hide and pigs feet. Some been booming, but the fleet products and nutritional by the Greensboro, North those lucky enough to receive Mary’s Cemetery, Salem.