Peter Jordan portrait unveiled at Council Chamber

A new picture hangs in the Council Chamber in City Hall.

Mayor Dan Rizzo and John Jordan, former city councillor, unveiled a portrait of Peter Jordan before the city council meeting Monday night. The black-and-white framed portrait hangs beside the picture of William Reinstein, which was unveiled a few weeks ago.

Peter Jordan, a graduate of Revere High School, served as a two-time mayor of the city. He died in September 1994 at the age of 84.

Offering a tribute Monday night, Council President Richard Penta recalled that Senator John Kerry once said of Jordan, “They don’t make them like him anymore.”

Penta added: “Those were the old days when people gave their word and kept it.”

“This is a very, very big honor for what’s left of my family,” John Jordan said following the unveiling. “He was my hero.”

While he was growing up, it was common to see major political figures like John F. Kennedy in his father’s company, Jordan said.

He went on to say: “[In] the government we had then, you kept your word.”

From his father, Jordan said that he learned important lessons of public service: loyalty, honesty, and, above all to always take care of your own—the people who put you in office.

 

Council awards Certificates of Appreciation to champion White Sox

In honor of their undefeated championship season in the Revere Little League, the White Sox received Certificates of Appreciation from the Revere City Council Monday night.

The White Sox ended the regular season with a 15–0 record. The team capped its playoff run with a 5–0 record, sending them all the way to the championship.

“One of the most rewarding functions I have as a city councillor is recognizing an individual, or in this case a group of individuals, who make significant contributions to the city of Revere,” said Ward 5 Councillor John Powers, who recommended the award for the team. “It’s all due to the effort and energy they put into this,” he said of the team’s successful season.

After each player received a certificate, Manager Charles “Chucky” Braid said, “These boys and girls in the league do a tremendous job.”

 

Council approves expansion for Lighthouse of Revere and Everett St. Garage

  In a unanimous vote Monday night the city council approved a special permit to the nursing home Lighthouse of Revere for the construction of a two-story addition to their Proctor Avenue property.

The construction will add 12,000 square feet to the footprint of the existing building for a second floor care facility, adding over 120 beds and rooms for dining and community activities, according to the architectural plans.

“Our biggest problem is space,” Lighthouse of Revere Representative Bill Rich said to members of the zoning committee at a meeting earlier that evening. The addition will bring the center up to standards, he added. He does not think the addition will result in the loss of street parking in the area

In other business, the council, also through a unanimous vote, approved a permit to Johny Saroufim for a 40 foot square addition for parking use at his garage at 212 Everett Street.

The applicant will use the parking spaces to operate a used car dealership allowed by a Class 2 license. The Site Plan Review Committee limited the lot to 18 spaces, 15 of which can only be used under such a Class 2 license.

But Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novoselsky, who expressed concern that there would not be enough parking, recommended that several spaces be set aside for special use: one for handicapped parking, two for guests, and two additional spaces for employees. In addition, the parking spaces should be marked with white striping, Novoselsky said. The councillor’s request allows for a total of 21 parking spaces but maintains the original 15 for Class 2, as outlined in the Site Plan Review.

As an additional condition of the approval, the applicant must erect a five foot buffer along Everett Street.

 

Councillor raises issue at Wonderland dog track parking lot

  “Over the past several days, it looks like there are storage units down there,” Councillor Powers said Monday night about alleged parking of vehicles at Wonderland dog track.

During the council meeting Powers presented a motion requesting the building inspector to investigate and determine whether or not the alleged parking and storage of vehicles at the site is legal.

Wonderland, the council understands, no longer holds a license to park and store vehicles in the area, Powers noted in the motion. He suggested that the owners be contacted to rectify the situation, he said to the council members.

A call to the License Commission Tuesday revealed that Wonderland’s parking permit expired on June 30. There has been no attempt by Wonderland representatives to seek permission from the city council for an extension since then.