Mayor Dan Rizzo with the Class Officers. (Photo by Al Terminiello)

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, June 14 all day:

TWTH open for public viewing.

Throughout the day:

JROTC and school groups tour TWTH

Saturday, June 15 all day:

TWTH open for public viewing.

Sunday, June 16 thru mid-afternoon:

TWTH open for public viewing.

5:00 p.m.:

Closing ceremonies for TWTH in Revere

TBD:

Volunteers disassemble TWTH.

While visiting TWTH, please bring a photo of anyone you know remembered on The Wall, scanners are available to submit it for the Education Center at The Wall

VVMF and the Beachmont VFW Post 6712  would like to thank the sponsors for their support of this event, including: Beachmont VFW 6712-Beachmont Ladies Auxiliary; City of Revere; State House VVSO VVA908 Lynn, MA; Revere Point of Pines Yacht Club; Winthrop American Legion; The Revere Advocate; The Revere Journal; Moose Lodge ; MA Wounded Warriors; East Boston/Revere Rotary Club;  Comfort Inn.

Late communications that included a budget proposal at Monday night’s city council meeting sent the council into a fury. When a few councillors asked for a suspension of the orders, arguing ensued among the councillors and Mayor Dan Rizzo.

“These are late communications. Let’s just send these to subcommittee. Let’s not take it just because it’s a late communication. Late communications are for emergencies,” Councillor-at-Large Robert Haas said, even though he voted in favor of a suspension.

“For the last 12 years whenever Mayor [Thomas] Ambrosino came up with a late communication he was at least given the respect to be heard. This is embarrassing to go through a vote for a suspension of rules. Coming from a former mayor, that’s discouraging,” Rizzo responded.

“I voted ‘yes,’ Mr. Mayor if you listened. That’s the problem, you don’t listen. Transparency? Where is the transparency? There is no transparency?” Haas complained.

“You are playing games, councillor. This is not a place to play games,” Rizzo responded. He added, “If you don’t want to take the late communication, then don’t. I got other things to do, anyway.”

After some arguing, Council President Ira Novoselsky attempted to regain control over the proceedings. “We are in a suspension of rules with nothing on the podium,” he said.

“You just called me to the podium,” Rizzo answered.

“No, your friends called you. I didn’t,” Novoselsky responded.

Eventually, cooler heads prevailed.

“We suspended the order in the interest of time and we just spent ten minutes arguing… I think it’s very disrespectful not only to each other but to the mayor, and I apologize and I can tell you I am embarrassed to be sitting here right now,” Councillor-at-Large Jessica Giannino said.

The budget for this year is $154,060,170 which is a 5.5 percent increase from last year.

“The budget has increased, largely [due] to the typical budget busters like health insurance, pension obligation payments and union negotiations that resulted in salary increases,” Rizzo stated in a letter to the council.

“This is a work in progress,” he explained.

The budget must be passed by July 1.

By Sarah Brown

Councillor-at-Large Brian Arrigo said when he was elected onto the city council two years ago it was like “winning a championship.” However, that feeling soon subsided.

“I knew that the real work was just beginning,” Arrigo said.

Arrigo has lived in Revere his whole life, and his father was a former ward 5 councillor. He studied at Suffolk University. He has worked for the State House, the City of Somerville, and the city council of Washington, D.C. He now works for a private consulting firm.

Arrigo said his particular passion is in budgeting and saving the city money. He has helped bring new technologies into the city that use data to see what city services are used the most and where the city can save money.

“To be a part of a new idea in the city is something I can look back on and be proud of,” he said.

He is also looking forward to the budget process that is coming up soon. He said, “That’s something I’ve been waiting for. I think with my experience I can help out with that.”

Arrigo said if he is lucky enough to be re-elected, he would like to make the budget more transparent and understandable. “There are little pockets of money that people make that add up to salaries that I don’t think people know or understand. Also, I want a budget people can understand. In the past, it’s been difficult,” he said.

The councillor said he is proud that during heated debates he’s the one asking “difficult questions.”

“Sometimes you have to ask the tough questions to make sure what’s right for the city is being done,” he said.

He noted, “For instance, when we were discussing the bonding issue for the new McKinley School, I was asking a lot of questions to make sure we are paying for things we can afford.”

Arrigo said one of the bigger issues during this election will be the high water and sewer rates. He noted, “It’s a big burden for some people. We have to make sure people are paying their fair share. We have to get a handle on it.”

Another issue is if a casino is coming to Revere or not. “I think that’s the big elephant in the room. I think people want to know what’s going on,” he said.

Arrigo isn’t worried about a casino going to Everett. “I still think there is a lot of hurdles to get through for Everett. However, when someone like Wynn gets involved who has a lot of money, it makes people nervous … I still think the best site for it is Suffolk Downs,” he said.

Arrigo knows a lot of the economic growth the city is looking for might be hinging on whether a casino comes. “I just hope there is a Plan B if it doesn’t,” he said.

Arrigo believes he deserves to be re-elected. “I’ve done a good job on the city council. I’ve earned my keep. My vision for the city is progressing and we have started to see progress. I would like to keep the momentum going,” he said.

  The Revere Advocate will run a series of “Meet the Candidate” stories to better inform the voters for the upcoming citywide elections.

For the past 5 years the Revere Veteran’s Committee has given a $250 dollar scholarship to a Revere High School graduating student that is planning a military career or has a parent that is a veteran. This year’s scholarship recipient is Mikeyla Figueroa, she will be attending U MASS Boston. Shown with Mikeyla are the Co-Chairmen and founders of the Revere Veteran’s Committee, Al Terminiello Jr. (left) and Ira Novoselsky. The Revere Veteran’s Committee is proud to present a scholarship to a deserving graduate of RHS and thanks to the support from Revere’s citizens this is made possible. (Photo by Al Terminiello)

"One is easy, he's soaring over the Grand Canyon right now." says St. Peter.

"The other may be tough to locate though - he's on a snow tire somewhere in Alaska."...Got comments? News? Announcements? Jokes? Suggestions?  Want to congratulate someone on their anniversary, birthday, baby, divorce?  Is your group running a fundraiser, meeting or event? Are you having a yard sale? June 14 is the 238th birthday of the U.S. Army!  Attention!  In general, if you’ve got someone you’d like to salute, march on over to your keyboard, give us the details, and send us your BUZZ bits.  Email AndreaRevere@aol.com and read it in the REVERE ADVOCATE!

By The Advocate

Thanks to the Dept. of Justice (DOJ) Consent Decree when the city was determined to be in violation of the Clean Water Act (back in 2010), Revere’s water and sewer rates have jumped another 6.19 percent for the coming FY ’14 (beginning on July 1).

The city council on Monday approved a residential rate of $15.27 per 100 cubic feet and a commercial rate of $22.52 per 100 cubic feet, amounting to a 6.19 percent increase for residential and 9.85 percent increase for commercial

Residential sewer rates amounted to $11.59 of the total rate and the commercial sewer rate amounted to $17.01 of the total rate.

Currently, the City of Revere is operating under a signed consent decree negotiated with the DOJ in conjunction with the federal government’s Environmental Protection Agency (DEP) and Massachusetts’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). This consent decree was the end result of the city being sued by the DOJ for excessive Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs); untreated raw sewage backing up from aging sewer pipes into the neighborhoods, homes, and city streets.

In 2010, the City entered into an agreement with the federal government to pay fines for the Clean Water Act violations, but also bonded for some $50 million in infrastructure repairs over a 10-year period.

The City continues to seek funding for the projects from federal and state sources, including MassDEP’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) program and the MWRA’s Local Water System Assistance Program (LWSAP). It has been determined by CDM Smith, the consulting company for the city, that the Consent Decree projects could total as high as $100 million.

Last year, the city council approved $7.55 million in loans to pay for continued work to improve the city’s sewage and drainage systems; all to help pay for the continued replacement of the current sewer system—98 miles of sewer piping.

The mayor stated that he plans on speaking with the federal government with respect to spreading out the work, seeking a longer timeframe for project completion. “It’s too much of a burden in 10 years to do all the work they want us to do,” he said.

Municipalities in the MWRA water and sewer district carry the highest water and sewer rates in the world.

The latest episode of Legislative Update can be seen Tuesday at 7pm and Friday at 2:30 p.m.  Among the topics discussed by Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo and host Peter Tarsi are the FY14 State Budget, EBT Abuse and next month’s Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Festival.

  Revere Veterans’ Community (Tuesday at 6 p.m. and Friday at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.) focuses on two RevereTV interns.  First up, Gavin McAlinden who came here from Ireland to learn how we produce television.   Before returning home, he sat for an interesting one-on-one interview with Morris Morris.

On the second show, the spotlight shines on Alanna Pasco.  She began volunteering at RevereTV three years ago with the Sand Sculpting Festival on Revere Beach.  Now that she has graduated from Revere High School, she will be moving on to UMASS Amherst to study Communications.  RevereTV wishes both of them health and happiness in whatever they do.

June’s Conversations with the Mayor can be seen on the Revere CityChannel 9 on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6pm, Mondays at 8am and Saturdays at 11 a.m.  Host Ed Deveau and Mayor Dan Rizzo talk about last month’s Interfaith Vigil, the visit of Greg Bialecki, the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development and a segment of Today in America promoting the city is shown.

As always, you can visit www.reveretv.org to see the complete RevereTV schedule and to learn more about how you can become a part of RevereTV for FREE.

This past weekend the Revere community came together to celebrate the conclusion of the Fitness Challenge with the Revere Runs 5K run/walk, and Health and Wellness Fair at the Whelan School. More than 250 residents participated in the 5K. The Health and Wellness Fair was also a huge success due to the participation of over 20 businesses. The inclement weather did not discourage residents from coming out and participating in both of these events.

The second Annual City of Revere Fitness Challenge ran for six weeks and would not have been possible without the leadership, and coordination from Millions of Muscles Fitness and Revere on the Move. Revere Karate Academy, Tranquil Flame Yoga, Strength and Discovery, Boston Fight Center, Shelia Rosanio’s School of Dance, Dance Revolution, Studio Dance Complex, Revere on the Move, along with the Revere Senior Center, and Revere Parks and Recreation, all participated in the challenge by offering free weekly classes to the residents of Revere. This past Saturday multiple awards were given out to winners from the Challenge who successfully completed specific achievements.

“We are so thankful to everyone that participated in the Challenge this year. Revere has so much to offer in terms of health, and wellness. We really feel that this event will continue to showcase all that Revere has to offer,” commented Jodi Reath, owner of Millions of Muscles Fitness.

The Revere Runs 5K Run/Walk was a collaborative effort between the City of Revere, Revere Public Schools, Millions of Muscles, Revere Recreation Department, & Revere on the Move who are working together to create a healthier Revere.  The Revere Runs 5K Run/Walk & Health Fair’s was supported by the generous donations from; MGH Revere Health Center, Revere Cares, & MassPort as well as donations from other community businesses; A&K Automotive, Action Emergency Services,  Beacon Hill Wine and Spirits, Beat Connections,  CDM Smith, Demiche Beaute,  East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, East Boston Savings Bank, J&B Restaurant Equipment & Supply Co., Kinship Floral, Margartia’s Mexican Restaurant, MZ Dental, North Shore Flag Football, Palmer & Levin, Pesce Pazzo, Playworks, Raina’s Hair Studio, Revere Karate Academy, SR Fitness, St. Jean’s Credit Union, Stop & Shop, Sunshine Landscaping, The Barber Shop, Vamped & Volare’s.

Thanks to the huge participation, and collaboration, between businesses and community stakeholders over one thousand dollars will be donated to the One Fund to assist those impacted by the Boston Marathon Bombings.

“The first Revere Runs 5K Run/Walk was a huge success! Going forward we will be able to continue to make this event an important part of the community. We really appreciate the help from all of the volunteers, businesses, and community organizations that came together to make the race, and wellness fair possible,” stated Co-Race Chairs Ann Marie Costa and Julie DeMauro-Doucette.

If you would like to learn more, or get involved in the Fitness Challenge, or 5K in the future, please reach out to the Mayor’s Office by calling 781-286-811 or sending an email to revere_mayor@revere.org.

Once again the OHLV Memorial Fund will be awarding 6 scholarships to deserving high school students. The 2013 recipients are;

Jessica Bates, Methuen, Nashoba Valley Technical High School

Shayne Cambria, Revere, Revere High School

Alana Chankhour, Wakefield, Wakefield High School

Timothy Donovan, Lynn, St. Mary’s High School

Anthony LoPresti, Saugus, Saugus High School

Alassandra Scorzella, Revere, Winthrop High School

  "We never tire of giving scholarships to the kids” said Les Vitale, President of the Memorial Fund. “June 18th marks the 28th Anniversary of Harold’s death and it’s the 20th consecutive year we’ve granted the scholarships. With Father’s day just around the corner and June 14 being Harold’s birthday this is a special time of the year for us. We enjoy carrying on the spirit of giving.”

  Bob Vitale brother of Officer Vitale said, “Tuition costs keep rising and the economy is still hurting so families struggle to find ways to pay for college. We’re happy to play a small part in easing that burden and at the same time celebrate his life.”

  Said Eileen Vitale, wife of the late officer, “20 years have passed from the time we formed the Foundation, we never dreamed it would be possible to continue this scholarship program for this long and for the amount of money we’ve been able to give. The first 2 scholarships we ever made were for $250. This year there will be 6 for $1,000 each. It’s amazing. As you know, it’s been 28 years since Harold was killed. We’re proud to keep his memory alive and honor him this way."

  Dick Vitale, another brother of the late officer continued, "We’re proud of our success. We work hard at it. We’ll continue making grants like this as long as we can. Despite a tough economy and other challenges we’ve been able to support organizations like the National C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) ($25,000 grant) and N.E. Chapter C.O.P.S. ($5,000 grant). They continue to do great things for kids and families of law enforcement deaths. All of this is possible due to the continued support of our friends, sponsors and donors. We don’t exist without them. I’d like to thank all of them for sticking with us, trusting and believing in us.”

  The Officer Vitale Memorial Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization and was created in 1992 some 7 years after Officer Vitale's death. Officer Vitale was killed in the line of duty in the early

morning hours of June 18, 1985 while attempting to make an arrest when he was dragged over 1000 feet to his death. Officer Vitale was 42 at the time and married to his wife Eileen where he lived in Ipswich with 3 children, Paul, Michelle and JacLyn. Officer Vitale's badge # 17 was

retired upon his death. The Officer Vitale Memorial Park was constructed by the Town of Saugus in 1992 in his honor.

  The Memorial Fund will be hosting its annual Golf Tournament on Monday August 5, 2013 at Ipswich Country Club at noon. In the fall the Fund participates in an Annual Friends of Breakhart Reservation Road Race. Watch for details in the local news about this fun event.

Information submitted by Les Vitale, President Officer Harold L. Vitale Memorial Fund, Inc. c/o Caputo & Co, CPA's 153 Andover St., Suite 201 Danvers, MA 01923.