WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017 Boston Street hungers for Popeyes Markey By Thomas Grillo “We think all our issues are behind us.” proved construction of the 2,740-square- ITEM STAFF A sign on the restaurant’s window on foot Popeyes at the former Global gas sta- takes aim Tuesday said it will open in nine days, tion in early March, he said. LYNN — The wait is almost over for the on Thursday, Oct. 19. But Hymowitz said First, the restaurant needed a new elec- opening of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, the staff has been hired and four days are trical transformer which required instal- the latest fast-food restaurant to make its needed for training. lation of a new light pole. City Council ap- at guns in home on Boston Street. The precise opening date is an estimate proval came last month. But the job was “We are opening early next week, assum- because they still need nal building and delayed because National Grid diverted ing all permits are issued and we don’t see food permits from the city’s Inspectional its construction crews to Florida in the Peabody why they wouldn’t,” said Howard Hymow- Services Department. itz, the company’s director of operations. Several problems arose after the city ap- POPEYES, A3 forum By Bella diGrazia Revere MARBLEHEAD ROLLS OUT FOR THE ITEM PEABODY — With concerns growing every day on issues such dialed THE BLUE CARPET as opioid addiction, gun control, climate change, confrontations with North Korea, and the current state of the country, citizens from into all over the North Shore were able to get some of their questions ad- dressed late Tuesday evening. 311 Concerned citizens packed tight- ly into a room at Peabody City Hall, which didn’t even hold enough By Gayla Cawley seats for all who showed up, for ITEM STAFF the arrival of Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey. The excitement began REVERE — Mayor Brian Ar- even before the senator showed rigo and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito up, with petitioners outside ready teamed up on Tuesday to of - to jump at whoever walked toward cially launch Revere 311, a con- the city hall’s front doors. stituent services center which “Raise Up Massachusetts has enables residents to more been organizing across the state quickly report an issue with- and trying to get this petition on out having to navigate through the ballot for 2018 that would raise City Hall. the minimum wage to $15 an hour Arrigo and Polito announced and increase it a dollar a year un- the of cial launch of the “one til we get up to 2022,” said Renee call to City Hall” constituent Keaney, a Marblehead native and services system during a press retired social worker. “Our second conference, which was also at- petition is for paid family medical tended by several city of cials. leave, which would give workers Revere 311 allows any resi- an opportunity to have 16 weeks dent to report an issue, such as of pay in case they have an ill fam- potholes, missed trash pickups ily member or a baby they have to and faded street signs, or ask take care of.” a question by dialing 311 or by As the chaos of everyone arriv- using the Revere 311 app on ing nally settled, Peabody Mayor Apple or Android. Ted Bettencourt had the nal say “I’m excited about Revere By Bridget Turcotte Newburyport before Markey took the stage. 311 because it re ects two im- ITEM STAFF police of cers Me- “I’m very proud of the working portant pieces of my adminis- gan Tierney, left, PEABODY, A7 tration,” Arrigo said in a state- MARBLEHEAD — An 11-year-old battling a brain tumor and Tori Smith ment. “First, the importance of was escorted through town in a parade of lights and sirens give Sophia Smith making city government more past hundreds of spectators Tuesday morning. a bag with hon- friendly, responsive and cour- Sophia Smith was picked up at her home by Marblehead orary badges and teous for residents. I know for Police and followed by a procession of blue lights from cruis- other gifts during many residents, it can be frus- ers and motorcycles, said Marblehead Police Chief Robert Sophia’s fundrais- trating to try to get a question Picariello. Of cers from the town and surrounding commu- er at Seaside Park answered or report an issue. nities took part in the procession as friends, residents, and That’s what we’re hoping to ad- in Marblehead on business owners lined the streets to cheer her on. Tuesday. dress through the launch of a “It means a lot that so many people want to help me since dedicated constituent services it’s a lot of money to travel for treatments,” said Smith. ITEM PHOTO | system. SPENSER HASAK “The second priority re ect- MARBLEHEAD, A7 ed by 311 is my goal of making Revere’s city government more innovative. Our city has a tre- mendous opportunity to use MAYORAL DEBATE TONIGHT fresh ideas and 21st century LYNN — The Item/Itemlive.com will host an hour-long technologies to make city gov- debate between Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy and ernment work better for you. challenger state Sen. Thomas M. McGee tonight at 7 p.m. And that’s what we’re doing in the Marshall Middle School gymnasium/auditorium today.” at 100 Brookline St. Revere 311 came out of Re- During the debate’s rst half, moderator and Item vere signing a community News Editor Thor Jourgensen will ask the candidates compact with the Baker-Polito four questions provided by Item/Itemlive.com readers. administration in 2015. Since The second half will be devoted to each candidate stak- then, the city has worked with ing out two issues of concern to them with time allowed the administration to imple- ITEM PHOTO | OWEN O’ROURKE for their opponent to offer rebuttal. ment data standards and cap- The evening is a chance for voters to size up the can- Sen. Edward Markey speaks ital planning best practices, as didates and start thinking about who should be Lynn’s from the stage at Peabody part of the compact agreement, next mayor. City Hall Tuesday. according to a press release from the Baker-Polito admin- istration. INSIDE REVERE, A7 Medford employees on Wegmans shopping list By Steve Freker revival on the former mall site FOR THE ITEM that includes local Kohl’s and Marshalls franchises. In the past MEDFORD — With its local month, Medford city of cials and store opening set for Nov. 5, Weg- residents welcomed two other mans Food Market is busy hiring well-known major national chain and training the more than 400 stores to the complex, Dick’s employees for full-time and part- Sporting Goods and Petco Animal time jobs. Supplies. The 120,000 square foot store Mayor Stephanie M. Burke pre- will open in the former Meadow sided over the Dick’s and Petco Glen Mall, 3920 Mystic Valley grand openings and urged Med- Parkway. ford residents to apply for jobs in The store will include a mar- those newly-opened stores as well ket café with indoor and outdoor as Wegmans. Local residents are seating for more than 200 peo- getting hiring preference for most ITEM PHOTO | SPENSER HASAK ple, as well as The Burger Bar, an open positions. ITEM PHOTO | KATIE MORRISON in-store restaurant counter that Those who are interested in Revere City Councilor Ira serves burgers, fresh salads, sand- working at the Medford Wegmans In Lynn In Opinion In Sports Novoselsky shows Lt. Gov. wiches, specialty milkshakes, soup location are encouraged to apply City council Not so consoled English, Karyn Polito how the new and sides. accepts Barry’s in Saugus. A4 Classical split Revere 311 app works. Wegmans is anchoring a retail WEGMANS, A7 resignation. A3 cross country. B1 OBITUARIES ..............................A2 POLICE/FIRE .............................A6 COMICS/DIVERSIONS ........... B4-5 HIGH 66° VOL. 139, ISSUE 260 LYNN .........................................A3 LOOK! .......................................A8 CLASSIFIED ........................... B6-7 LOW 51° OPINION ...................................A4 SPORTS ................................ B1-3 FOOD ........................................B8 PAGE A8 ONE DOLLAR A2 THE DAILY ITEM WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017 OBITUARIES Social workers set to ght opioids Edward Cronin By Steve Leblanc chusetts became the rst an awareness of how to ght against the drugs. 1948-2017 ASSOCIATED PRESS state to also require med- inform individuals about Public health of cials LYNN — Edward loyal member of the ical and dental schools the risks associated with said in August that the BOSTON — Gov. Char- train students in sub- substance misuse; elimi- number of opioid-related Cronin, of Lynn and Local 2222 of Bos- lie Baker has unveiled formerly of Revere, ton. stance misuse prevention. nating stigma; and recog- deaths fell about 5 percent what he’s calling a “ rst- The social work schools nizing substance use dis- in the rst six months passed away on Oct. Service informa- in-the-nation set of educa- 8, 2017. Cherished tion: A visitation include Boston College, orders as a chronic disease of 2017 compared to the tional core principles” for Boston University, Bridge- that affects individuals same period last year. brother of Helen will be held at the social workers on the front Lovell of Middleton PAUL BUONFIGLIO water State University, and families physically, The decline is modest lines of the battle against Salem State University, mentally, spiritually and — 978 estimated and con- and Mary Beth Lavin & SONS-BRUNO opioid abuse, which has and her husband Mi- Funeral Home, 128 Simmons College, Smith socially. rmed deaths in the rst claimed thousands of lives College, Spring eld Col- “Almost every front-line half of 2017 compared to chael of Lynn.