FOR US, IT’S GO TIME ALL THE TIME. Banking • Investments • Insurance • Mortgage Mortgage Products provided by Salem Five Mortgage Company, LLC, NMLS ID 4662 Salem Five Bank products are insured through FDIC and DIF. Wealth, Trust, Investment and Insurance Products are not FDIC insured, not bank guaranteed, not a deposit, not insured by any federal government agency and may lose value. Member FDIC | Member DIF TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 Peabody mayor By Tréa Lavery lifetime, it’s amazing,” she ITEM STAFF said. “You would think it’s Meet the women ancient history, but it’s not.” When going through old Cameron, along with Lynn called for personnel les, Peabody Public Health Director Mi- Health Director Sharon Cam- treating COVID chele Desmarais, are two of eron discovered something the only female health direc- ‘favoritism’ surprising: a 1965 letter from tors in the area. Both said the board to the Massachu- that even though they may setts Commission Against on the North Shore be unique, they have never Discrimination regarding the By Anne Marie Tobin felt like their gender affects ITEM STAFF open position of public health their position. director. “I don’t think it makes a PEABODY — The Massachusetts “Gentlemen,” the letter difference, Desmarais said. “I Civil Service Commission has ruled read, “the position requires just think it’s based on your against the city of Peabody on an the services of a male appli- knowledge and your experi- appeal led by Andrew Nardone, cant. The position has always ence in the healthcare indus- who was bypassed for an appoint- been lled by a male for the try.” ment to a full-time re ghter posi- reason the duties and ser- Lynn native Desmarais tion in December 2018. vices require the inspection has been in her current po- The decision, issued by Commis- of drinking establishments, sition since 2016, but worked sioner Cynthia Ittleman on March eld work pertaining to cess- in other healthcare-related 25, found that, “due to the clear pools and septic systems as roles before that. bias/favoritism of the mayor (Ted well as being on call twen- “I’ve always been interest- Bettencourt), the bypass reasons ty-four hours a day.” ed in health and trying to are fatally awed.” Cameron held onto the let- take care of people,” she said. “I have received the decision and ter, feeling like it was a piece ITEM PHOTOS | JULIA HOPKINS “Being able to give back to strongly disagree with the conclu- of the history of the position the city where I grew up was sion and will be appealing the de- that she now holds. Sharon Cameron, left, is the director of health for the very rewarding to me.” cision and will be utilizing every “When I remember that city of Peabody and Michele Desmarais is the public opportunity available to the city in that happened during my health director for the city of Lynn. COVID, A3 order to appeal the decision,” said Bettencourt. “In my 10 years as mayor, I have hired dozens and dozens of police Swampscott of cers and re ghters through civil service, and we have always done our due diligence and research on every candidate. In fact, I would police say that in this case, we did more research than we ever have. “I take these positions extremely statements seriously as I know how import- ant they are in our community. We want to make sure we have the very ordered best we can and this is the best one for our community,” he said. According to the ruling, the deci- sion to bypass Nardone and offer released positions to two lower-ranked can- By Tréa Lavery didates was the result of “patron- ITEM STAFF age involving long-lasting personal relationships,” the use of “unduly LYNN — A Lynn District Court subjective” methods in candidates’ judge has ordered the release of assessments, and a “lack of a level statements and recorded interviews playing eld due to preferences giv- by Swampscott police of cers in the en to longtime personal friends” of case against a Black Lives Matter ac- the mayor. tivist arrested at a December protest Furthermore, the Civil Service in that town. Commission found that the hiring A pre-trial hearing for Ernst Jean- Jacques, also known as “Shimmy,” was held Monday morning in Lynn FAVORITISM, A2 District Court, where Judge Mat- thew Nestor made the decision about the interviews, which were conduct- ed during an independent investiga- tion into the arrest. “I’m going to speci cally decline to ITEM PHOTO | JULIA HOPKINS impound anything or keep anything U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, left, and Kim Eng, COO of Lynn Communi- under wraps,” Nestor said in the ty Health Center, tour the mass vaccination site at the Lynn Tech Field hearing. “It strikes me that the pub- lic is better served by having all of House and speak with healthcare providers. this aired.” Jean-Jacques was arrested and charged with felony assault on Dec. Warren makes the rounds in Lynn 12 at a pro-Trump rally in Monu- ment Square. He was participating By Guthrie Scrimgeour from the community health center, from in a counter-protest when Donald ITEM STAFF the city, from the National Guard, to make Trump supporter Linda Greenberg, a vaccination site that works.” 80, threw water at him from a plas- LYNN — U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren Warren spoke with Mayor Thomas M. (D-MA) visited the Lynn Vocational Tech- tic bottle. In video taken at the scene, McGee, state Sen. Brendan Crighton ITEM FILE PHOTO Jean-Jacques reaches toward Green- nical Institute vaccination clinic Monday (D-Lynn), and state Reps. Peter Capano berg, prompting police to allege that afternoon to discuss the ongoing efforts to and Daniel Cahill (D-Lynn), along with Peabody Mayor Ted Betten- he punched her. Jean-Jacques main- distribute the COVID-19 vaccine locally Lynn Community Health Center CEO Dr. court said he will appeal a tains that he simply moved to take and across the country. Kiame Mahaniah and his staff, who have state civil service ruling that “I’m here to celebrate successes,” said his hiring of two re ghters Warren. “I’ve seen people come together POLICE, A3 WARREN, A3 was “fatally awed.” New candidates emerge INSIDE Transitioning back to work Opinion for election in Lynn Lynn eld Historical Society offers commuting challenges denounces attacks. A4 By Allysha Dunnigan remained the same, incumbent By Allysha Dunnigan portation again. ITEM STAFF members of the City Council and LOOK! ITEM STAFF McGee, former state Senate School Committee will be bat- Ineffective Salem Transportation Committee co- LYNN — Lynn City Hall has tling against an ever-expanding intersections gain fame, Lynn Mayor Thomas M. McGee seen a number of new faces pull- chair, was joined in the transpor- eld of new candidates as they create mayhem. A8 joined a virtual forum Monday tation webinar by former state ing papers over the past week for try to hold onto their seats. afternoon to discuss the state’s positions in city government. Sen. Steven Baddour and state New candidates Nicole Mc- Sports current challenges, as people Rep. William Straus, who have While the mayoral candidates clain, Marven Hyppolite and Tech boys soccer gets big transition from staying home to — Darren Cyr, Jared Nicholson, win over KIPP. B1 utilizing public and private trans- and Michael Satterwhite — have CANDIDATES, A3 COMMUTE, A2 OBITUARIES ..............................A2 LOOK! .......................................A8 DIVERSIONS .............................B5 HIGH 58° VOL. 142, ISSUE 95 OPINION ...................................A4 SPORTS ................................ B1-2 CLASSIFIED ........................... B6-7 LOW 45° POLICE/FIRE .............................A5 COMICS ....................................B4 BUSINESS ................................B8 PAGE A8 $1.50 A2 THE DAILY ITEM TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 OBITUARIES Peabody mayor Eugenia (Gina) Markos, 68 Raymundo Emeterio Henriquez , 37 May 25, 1983 - March 21, 2021 LYNN - Eugenia (Gina) Mar- kos, 68, of Lynn, Massachu- called for setts, passed away unexpect- edly on Friday, March 26th, 2021. Born October 21, 1952, in ‘favoritism’ Kastori, Greece, she was the eldest daughter of the late FAVORITISM of the PPD (Peabody Po- Haralambos and Katerina From A1 lice Department) and Lampes. When Gina was four- PFD (Peabody Fire De- process was improperly partment) with rsthand teen her family moved to the conducted. As part of the United States and eventually knowledge told (Nardone) ruling, the city was or- that the mayor would do settled in Lynn. Gina graduat- dered to place Nardone at ed from Lynn Classical, Class anything he needed to get the top of the list for its down to his friend’s name of 1973. On May 2, 1976 next full-time re ghter she married Yianni Markos (Mr. P) on the certi cation position. because Mr. P had not tak- and they soon moved back “He is a longtime, per- to Greece, settling in Tripoli in BEVERLY - God called Ray- and Jaxson Nieves; his sisters, en the civil service exam- mundo home way too soon. You Mercedes Minaya, Rachel Val- sonal friend of two select- ination again and would 1980 to raise their growing ed candidates (identi ed andria Markos, Haritina (Tina) were denitely one of a kind. entin, and Giselle Saillant; his not be eligible for the next family. Gina was known and as Mr. P and Mr. O) whose Markos and Vasilios (Billy) Everyone close to you knows brothers, Arodi Canela, Carlos certi cation.” loved by so many both here names appeared below Markos his wife Courtney, and that you have a heart made of Henriquez, Kenny Henriquez, The decision placed great in the United States as well as (Nardone’s) on the certi- Greece. Known for her love of her beloved grandson Yianni.