FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 Former LynnCAM president settles AG suit By Thomas Grillo Sewell, then LynnCAM’s pres- The AG also alleged Sewell is- ment does not require any re- mer LynnCAM of cials are still ITEM STAFF ident, and Almanzo Rodriguez, sued checks as payment for ser- payment of the stolen cash to pending. The cases include a Sewell’s brother-in-law, for al- vices that were never rendered the cable station. complaint against Karen Chap- BOSTON — A Superior Court legedly stealing tens of thou- and to payees that did not exist, Founded in 2005, LynnCAM man, LynnCAM’s former presi- judge has ruled that the former president of Lynn Community sands of dollars from the local and then cashed them and re- is a nonpro t organized in 2005 dent; her husband, John Chap- Access and Media (LynnCAM) cable channel. tained the proceeds for personal that operates a community tele- man; and Cynthia Demakes, can no longer work for nonprof- Healey alleged Sewell treated use. The complaint also alleged vision studio for providing pub- LynnCAM’s treasurer. its. LynnCAM’s funds as his own, Rodriguez bene ted from those lic, educational and municipal The complaint also alleges that The ruling, agreed upon by all used several thousand dollars checks. access. John Chapman, a plumber, used parties, settles a 2015 lawsuit to make purchases at retail Under the terms of the deal, Through a spokeswoman, LynnCAM funds to purchase brought by Attorney General and home improvement stores, Sewell and Rodriguez did not Healey declined comment be- Maura Healey against Robert restaurants and gas stations. admit wrongdoing. The agree- cause cases against other for- LYNNCAM, A3 Swampscott toasts to new liquor licenses By Gayla Cawley ITEM STAFF SWAMPSCOTT — The town’s request for eight additional all-liquor licenses was approved by the state Senate this week. The increase is meant to provide addi- A dump tional business opportunities in the town’s commercial districts, such as Humphrey truck struck Street, Vinnin Square and the train station a utility pole neighborhood, where restaurants would and knocked like to offer liquor, town of cials said. out power “I’m totally thrilled,” said Naomi Dree- in Little ben, chairwoman of the Board of Select- Nahant on men. “This means we can bring more won- Thursday. derful restaurants and establishments into town and that means bene ts for our ITEM PHOTO | residents both in terms of ne dining as SPENSER HASAK well as increased commercial properties. It’s a win-win.” The town’s 14 licenses have been issued. BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE NAHANT Full liquor licenses, which include alco- hol, mixed drinks, beer, wine and cordials, are distributed by the state based on the town’s population of about 14,000 resi- Power outage combined with cold causes concerns dents. The town issued its last all-liquor By Bridget Turcotte the Council on Aging, said she has a would visit each of their homes, she license last spring. ITEM STAFF list of elders who live in Little Nahant said. Last May, Town Meeting members autho- and began making calls right away. She “They didn’t want to leave at that rized the Board of Selectmen to ask the Leg- NAHANT — Residents say they’re reached about half her list before phone point but now we’re going to get into islature for legislation to allow the board to concerned about their elderly neighbors lines were cut. the night time and it’s going to be cold,” issue eight additional all-liquor licenses. after a dump truck struck a utility pole “Now I can’t reach them,” she said. said Peterson. “It’s dangerous.” Dreeben said the Board of Selectmen and knocked out power in the Little Na- plans to put out a Request for Information hant neighborhood on one of the coldest “There’s one woman we’re really con- A shelter has been established at the (RFI) to solicit ideas from entrepreneurs days of the year. cerned about who is in her 90s. We’ve Johnson Elementary School and an to see who might be interested in applying “We’re looking at an eight-hour time- called her caseworker at Greater Lynn emergency management trailer is in for those licenses. line, which is a concern to me,” said Senior Services to check on her. I was the parking lot with 80 cots and rst She said anyone considering opening an Dennis Ball, the Department of Public going to call a couple more people, but aid supplies, said Michael Halley, assis- establishment on the North Shore could Works director. “People with gas have the lines are down now.” tant emergency management director. see that the town has more liquor licenses heat, but it won’t circulate. We’re look- When she initially made the calls, “The last time we used a shelter was and submit a proposal. Dreeben said ap- ing at 1,500 to 1,800 people without she was told the power would be out for in ’91 during the Perfect Storm,” he said. plicants would need to propose a restau- electricity and heat. That’s a dense- about three hours and everyone said “I’ve always said, when we have a ma- rant or bar and then the town would con- ly-populated neighborhood.” they would prefer to stay home. Now jor disaster over here, not if, because it’s sider it. The biggest concern is for seniors, he that the repair timeline was extended going to happen, it won’t be the Nahant said. to eight hours, she voiced concern. If SWAMPSCOTT, A7 Linda Peterson, executive director of power wasn’t on before dark, someone NAHANT, A7 A lotto Saugus woman money on hopes her dog the line has his day By Matt Demirs By Bella diGrazia FOR THE ITEM and Daniel Kane FOR THE ITEM SAUGUS — Izabelle Ohannessian was devastated when she discovered LYNN — These frigid win- her 7-year-old Labrador Retriever ter nights could get a lot was diagnosed with cancer days be- warmer on the North Shore fore Christmas. if residents share more than On Thursday, she brought JJ for $700 million across three lot- surgery and is asking friends, fam- tery jackpots. ily, and the community to help foot Scott Roberts made his the bill. The costs of the operation, way to 7-Eleven on Lynn eld including chemotherapy and radia- Street to purchase a chance tion, are expected to cost more than at winning the jackpot. $30,000. “I saw the total was pretty “It’s devastating,” she wrote on big this year,” he said. “I’ve the GoFundMe online page that has been playing for years, al- raised $655 from 11 donors by Thurs- ways hoping that someday day. “I never felt good about asking I’ll get lucky.” anyone for money or help, but we If he wins, the Lynn resi- will do anything and everything at dent would retire and focus this point as long as he’s comfortable, COURTESY PHOTO on living an enjoyable and to have him around for another ve relaxing life. years.” Izabelle Ohannessian has launched The Massachusetts State a GoFundMe page to help pay for Lottery Mega Millions jack- SAUGUS, A7 surgery for her dog JJ. pot for tonight’s drawing is $306 million, while the Pow- erball jackpot on Saturday is $384 million. The third INSIDE jackpot will be for Saturday’s in-state Megabucks Doubler ITEM PHOTO | OWEN O’ROURKE In Lynn In Sports Sam Youssef feels he has the winning ticket McGee maintains staffers as he Spartans hockey digs deep LOTTERY, A3 bought at Nina’s Market in Lynn. transitions to mayor’s of ce. A3 to beat Hingham. B1 OBITUARIES ..............................A2 HOME .......................................A5 SPORTS ................................ B1-3 HIGH 17° VOL. 140, ISSUE 18 LYNN .........................................A3 POLICE/FIRE .............................A6 COMICS/DIVERSIONS ........... B4-5 LOW 5° OPINION ...................................A4 LOOK! .......................................A8 CLASSIFIED ........................... B6-7 PAGE A8 ONE DOLLAR A2 THE DAILY ITEM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 OBITUARIES Robin J. Bucknam, 74 Clown candidate, skunk in bed: 1943-2017 LYNN — Robin riding his motorcycle New England’s 2017 oddities Jeffrey Bucknam, a when he had it and longtime resident of was an avid bowler. By William J. Kole after it flew into a truck, Lynn, passed away One of his favorite ASSOCIATED PRESS got stuck between the cab suddenly on Christ- past times was sitting and the trailer, and had to mas morning, Mon- around with his family BOSTON — New En- endure a harrowing jour- day, Dec. 25, 2017 in playing card games, gland craved a little com- ney from Massachusetts his home at the age most especially Crib- ic relief in 2017, and the to New Hampshire. Fish of 74. bage. A strong figure mirth gods came through and Game conservation Born in New Jersey in his family, Robin with all manner of wel- officers didn’t think the on June 12, 1943, he was the will be missed by all those come weirdness. male barred owl would A man dressed as — and son of the late Ralph and Mar- close to him. survive, but a rehabilita- named for — a clown ran ion (Kenyon) Bucknam. Robin In addition to his wife, Char- tion center in Epping, New for the Boston City Coun- was raised and educated in lene, of 50 years, Robin leaves Hampshire, nursed him to cil. An alien-like object Swampscott. He married his his children, Larry Bucknam health and released him with stainless steel legs sweetheart, Charlene M. Ander- of Lynn, Charles Bucknam of back into the wild. His rose from the sea near son, in April of 1967 in St.