Marchese’s motion to take Leader Herald off life support fails

City currently advertises in newspapers of general circulation

  The mayor’s chief of staff answered councillors’ questions about advertising in all three weekly newspapers during Monday’s Legislative Affairs Subcommittee meeting at City Hall.

  Chief of Staff Erin Deveney said the City of Everett has to advertise in publications that are in circulation in the district. “We’re mandated to advertise if newspapers are in circulation throughout the city,” Deveney said. “There isn’t a circulation requirement.”

  Councillor-at-Large Michael Marchese, who put forth the agenda item, asked about publications that require an internet subscription, such as The Everett Advocate, to view online content. “That’s a common industry practice,” Deveney said. “That’s not a trend particular to publications in Everett.”

  While residents may appreciate the convenience of online access, free in print newspapers are available in many locations around the city, according to Deveney.

  Marchese has been pushing for the city to advertise in the Everett Leader Herald, a newspaper whose publisher has admitted under oath to publishing lies and fabrications about Mayor Carlo DeMaria from 2017 to 2021. Marchese, along with his brother, Joseph Marchese, are hostile critics of the mayor and allegedly paid the newspaper’s corrupt Publisher & Editor, Joshua Resnek, cash, according to Resnek’s emails obtained by The Advocate, to pay for the newspaper’s printing during the 2021 election. The mayor is currently suing the newspaper, Resnek, owner Matthew Philbin, Andrew Philbin, Sr., and City Clerk Sergio Cornelio. Marchese has since been trying to help keep the Leader Herald alive since testimony by Resnek and former newspaper employees has been published in The Advocate.

  Ward 6 Councillor Al Lattanzi asked if they should stay away from litigation between a newspaper and administration. Deveney said she’s not aware of any litigation involving the City of Everett in any of the publications.

  The City of Everett provided the City Council with advertising rates dating back three fiscal years. The Mayor’s Office approves the invoices to pay for advertising while the City Council approves the general budget, including but not limited to advertising.

  Ward 3 Councillor Darren Costa asked if legal notices and other advertisements need to be circulated more than once. Deveney said there are certain instances where advertisements are circulated more than once, and advertisements must be posted before the event date.

  Costa asked if they can be posted on the website. Deveney replied that advertisements are posted on social media, the city website and on the community calendar. Costa said there may be a glitch with the community calendar automatic notifications, as it drops off within a month.