‘WHAT IS… A MEMORABLE MORNING?’ Mayor Christenson delivers lots of answers in ‘Jeopardy’-themed State of the City presentation

Lots of accomplishments from the past year and plenty of plans and challenges outlined for the future at well-attended breakfast meeting

By Steve Freker

At one point in one of the most memorable mayoral “State of the City” presentations to date, Malden City Clerk Carol Ann Desiderio quipped, “Sorry we only got an A- and not the highest grade.” She was referring to the Bilingual Voting Rights Report Card from the 2024 Presidential Election.

“We will bring back the A+ next election,” Desiderio pledged.

Maybe they will not have to wait so long, after all. The only grade that could be given to the latest iteration of Malden Mayor Gary Christenson’s State of the City presentation – delivered this week on Tuesday morning at Anthony’s on Canal Street – is exactly that, an A+.

Everyone knows that Mayor Christenson enjoys games, all kinds of games. Who has not seen him out there walking around Malden Square or some other part of the city with the intense, Pokémon Go! crowds. Who is the most prolific Bingo “Caller” perhaps in city of Malden history? That would be Mayor Christenson, who was doing that deed for as long as anyone can remember, back to the late 1990s when he was a Ward 1 School Committee member.

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On Tuesday morning, the “Games Mayor,” who has also overseen a transformation of one part of Malden Square into the Games Mecca of the region (Boda Borg, Rock Spot Climbing, et al), reconfigured the Anthony’s function hall into a strikingly accurate replica of the time-treasured game show “Jeopardy!” In doing so, along with the assistance of the jovial and witty Malden resident and professional actor Mark Linehan – who served as master of ceremonies (and roving Jeopardy assist man) – it proved to be a very memorable morning. The Jeopardy theme worked perfectly with Malden-based category boards and answers that led to mini-spots referring to events and achievements from the year 2024. Other answers led to descriptions of coming events, such as the re-do and future dedication of Pearl Street Park in the name of the late 60-year public servant Police Commissioner Salvatore “Butch” Gennetti.

The event was lively, interactive and informative and everyone in the room, from the Mayor himself to all those in attendance, including a slew of elected officials and Malden municipal “who’s who,” were continually engaged. Two of the top elected officials in attendance were state Sen. Jason Lewis (D-5th District) and state Rep. Steven Ultrino (D-Malden), along with Malden City Council President Ryan O’Malley (Ward 4). Several other Councillors were also present: Peg Crowe (Ward 1), Amanda Linehan (Ward 3), Ari Taylor (Ward 5), Steve Winslow (Ward 6), Chris Simonelli (Ward 7) and Carey McDonald (at-large). Also on hand were Malden Police Chief Glenn Cronin and Malden Fire Chief Steve Froio, among others.

The information had a wide range, including updates on major city projects, such as the construction of a new behavioral health facility at the former Malden Hospital site, to the announcement that the Malden Police Department is the only department in the area to receive formal, official accreditation.

The morning even had an MVP! It was municipal facilities director Eric Rubin, when Mayor Christenson revealed that through his year-long efforts, the city’s energy costs have been reduced 30% overall through the installation of solar energy panels at strategic places around the city, as well as other initiatives, saving several hundred thousand dollars annually. The Mayor formally announced the Most Valuable Player designation for Rubin, who was in attendance.

Mayor Christenson, in his “Final Jeopardy” answer, thanked his primary staff: Chief of Staff Maria Luise, top aide Kathleen Manning Hall, Chief Strategic Planner Ron Hogan, Communications Director Elaina Savino and all of his staff for all of their efforts throughout the year and acknowledged the challenges the city faces in 2025.

More details of the State of the City presentation will appear in next week’s Advocate.