Van Campen sworn in as Everett mayor as new City Council, School Committee take office

Smith elected Council President; Hurley returns as School Committee Chairperson

 

By Neil Zolot

 

Mayor Robert Van Campen, City Councillors and School Committee members were sworn into office in inauguration ceremonies in the High School auditorium Monday, January 5. “I am deeply honored to stand before you as Mayor,” Van Campen said in his speech. “I do so humbly and with understanding of the challenges ahead. Today, our city stands at an important crossroads. My actions will focus on keeping Everett safe and financially sound. We must guide development so growth serves the people and not special interests, but government alone cannot do this work. This moment doesn’t belong to just one person, but the entire community. I invite every resident to stay engaged and be part of shaping our future. I will listen to the people, learn and move forward with equity and fairness.”

To the City Council and School Committee he said, “I look forward to our working together for the people of Everett.”

Van Campen also thanked outgoing Mayor Carlo DeMaria. “On behalf of the people I thank him for his stewardship and wish him luck in the next chapter of his life,” he said.

At the beginning of the ceremony, City Clerk Sergio Cornelio called on former Mayor and Councillor John Hanlon, who finished sixth in a race for five at-large seats in November, to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Van Campen presented Hanlon a plaque commemorating his service since 1967. “It’s a pleasure to recognize someone who gave his lifetime to the city,” he said.

Before swearing in the Councillors and School Committee members, Cornelio noted “for the first time seven members of the Council and six members of the School Committee will be women.”

Guests at the ceremony included Governor Maura Healey, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, State Senator Sal DiDomenico and State Representative John McGonagle. “It was my joy and choice to be with you to celebrate this,” Healey said.” You have elected a man clearly committed to the city’s future.”

To Van Campen she added, “It’s been wonderful getting to know you, and I’m looking forward to a partnership with you. The people of the city have put their confidence in you. We know you are up to the task. You have a partner in us.”

“Can you feel a brand-new day?” Pressley asked, quoting a song from “The Wiz.” ”We’re on the precipice of one in Everett. Everett is a city that takes care of its own. Community is not just a word, but a practice and I look forward to working with you. Lasting change requires real partnership, and my team is prepared to work alongside Everett’s leadership.”

Reverend Myrlande DesRosiers of the Everett Haitian Community Center called Van Campen becoming Mayor “a new beginning in the right direction.”

An Inaugural Ball will be held Saturday, January 10, at the Connolly Center (90 Chelsea St.); reservations were due by December 30.

Unlike the 2024 Inauguration Ceremony, this was held in the city. In 2024 it was held at the Saugus-Everett Elks in Saugus.

In short meetings in the High School library by the City Council and School Committee to reorganize their officers, the City Council elected Councillor-at-Large Stephanie Smith as its president and the School Committee re-elected member at-Large Samantha Hurley as its chairperson and chose Ward 5 member Marcony Almeida Barros as vice chairperson. The City Council has no vice-president. In the absence of its president, the senior member, in this case Councillor-at-Large Wayne Matewsky, would preside.

“To my colleagues, thank you,” Smith said.” I am honored to serve alongside you and am ready to get to work. To now have the privilege of leading the historic Council, the first ever with a majority of women, is something I carry with enormous pride. We are not just making history; we are setting the standard for what leadership looks like in Everett.”

She continued, “I also look forward to working with our new Mayor and good friend as we begin this next chapter in Everett together. Collaboration between this Council and the Mayor’s Office is essential, and I am committed to building a respectful, productive partnership focused on the people of the city.”

“It is truly an honor to be selected to serve a second consecutive term as chairman,” Hurley said. “I look forward to continuing to support our members in their success as representatives by advocating for their interests, advancing shared goals and strengthening our collective support of the district.”

 

Mayor Robert Van Campen Inaugural Address

 

Good evening.

Governor Healy, Representative Pressley, District Attorney Ryan, Clerk of Courts Sullivan, members of the state delegation, members of the City Council, members of the School Committee, former Mayors, Reverend Clergy, Lisa, Lily and John, mom, to my sisters,
family and friends, my fellow citizens.

I am deeply honored to stand before you as Mayor of the City of Everett. I do so with a great sense of humility, a clear understanding of the challenges ahead, and a commitment to put every single person in this community at the center of each decision I will make during the next four years.

I am also honored to be Mayor of a community that boasts such incredibly talented young people. Would you please join me in recognizing our great student ambassadors who made sure we were where we needed to be tonight, and our incredible musicians in the band and choir whose talents are on full display tonight. Thank you.

I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude to Mayor Carlo DeMaria for his years of dedicated service to our community. His leadership and commitment have helped guide this city through challenges and opportunities – always with a clear focus on moving our city forward. On behalf of the people of Everett, I thank him for his stewardship these past 18 years and wish him continued success in the next chapter of his life.

I also want to thank my family for their constant support – particularly my wife Lisa – Everett’s new First Lady – for completing the person you see before you this evening. Like me, the people of Everett will fall in love with your combination of grace, spunk and an unassuming way.

To my children, Lily and John, I may hold a new title tonight, but being your father is the greatest title I will ever have. Thank you for the privilege of being your dad.

I also want to particularly thank Father James Barry for opening our Inaugural Exercises with prayer this evening. You married Lisa and I, and baptized Lily and John. You have been there during some of the happiest and saddest moments for my family. Your presence means a great deal to us – and I wanted to publicly thank you for that.

While I assume office today, this moment belongs not to one person, but to an entire city – a city built by generations of hardworking families.

To the parents who emigrated here with nothing but hope for a better life for their children.

To the small business owners who unlock their doors before sunrise and close after sunset, humbly keeping our neighborhoods alive.

To the union workers who fight for fair wages and teach us what solidarity – something near and dear to me – really looks like.

To the fire fighters, police officers, teachers and city workers who show up on weekends, holidays, and in the hardest moments, never for recognition, but because this city depends on them. This is your moment too.

To our female elected officials, I am deeply proud to begin my tenure in office while working with a City Council and School Committee that will – for the first time in our City’s history – be represented by a majority of women. As the youngest of five children – three of whom are women – I have been made to master the art of navigating this dynamic effectively throughout my life, feel very much at home being outnumbered and look forward to our shared work on behalf of the people of Everett. Ladies, this is your moment too.

We are a city with an incredible history and unlimited potential. Tonight, the people of Everett – a community defined by a proud industrial past that shaped the United States of America in the 20th Century and gave thousands of Everett families for generations their chance at the American Dream– are ready to write a new chapter.

While I may hold the pen to write that new chapter, that story will be told by the people of Everett from our Woodlawn section to West Everett, from the Line to North Everett – and everywhere in between.

It will be told by every student – young and old – who dreams of greatness; and by every hardworking educator who helps those dreams come true. YOU will help write this next chapter.

To our incredible business community, our partners in creating a thriving local economy – YOU will help write this next chapter.

To all of our dedicated public servants who have devoted their professional lives to improving and protecting our community – YOU will help write this next chapter.

This chapter will be written within the walls of our houses of worship; by our many community volunteers and our network of incredible community organizations; by young parents taking their children to our parks and playgrounds; by our seniors and our cherished veterans; and by people new to Everett and those who have been here for generations.

All are respected, all are valued and all are welcomed to come together as one community to form an incredible tapestry in celebration of our rich diversity – our greatest strength. To the people of Everett – this is our time to write a new chapter.

But make no mistake, I will not stop honoring our history. I mean, where else can you get a papusa, pichana and homemade pasta all within a block?

Today, our city stands at an important crossroads. As we grow and change, we face both a profound responsibility and an historic opportunity to move Everett forward with integrity, fairness and accountability.

We must rebuild trust in government at a time when – at the federal, state and local level – trust is lacking; we must ensure that every tax dollar is spent with clear purpose, full transparency, and public oversight; we must tackle the crisis-level challenge of school overcrowding so our children have the classrooms they deserve and need in which to receive a world class education; we must guide smart, equitable development that benefits our neighborhoods, eases traffic and congestion, while preserving affordability for working families; and we must thoughtfully steward major initiatives like the proposed professional soccer stadium on lower Broadway so growth truly serves the people of Everett, and not just special interests.

As mayor, my commitment to each of you is grounded in three principles.

First, service to the people of Everett. City government must be accessible, responsive, and fair. Every resident—regardless of background, neighborhood, or length of time in Everett—deserves to be heard and respected.

Second, unity and collaboration. Our city has always been at its strongest when we work together. I will seek partnership with the City Council, School Committee, our federal and state delegations, city employees, community organizations, and residents. We may disagree at times – and I assure you we will – but we will always move forward with respect and a shared commitment to the common good. Tonight, I ask that you join me in ushering in a new era of civility here at home. While we may not be able to control what happens beyond our borders, let’s show our children that we can disagree without disparagement, name calling or personal attack. Let’s start that new era of civility tonight right here in Everett.

Third, responsible progress with accountability. We will pursue smart economic development that creates jobs, supports local businesses, and strengthens and grows our tax base—while also protecting our quality of life. We will invest in  public safety, infrastructure, schools, and city services, and we will be transparent and accountable in how decisions are made.

And I turn with all of the authority of my office to Superintendent Hart, and my colleagues on the City Council and School Committee, and every stakeholder in this community, and ask that you join me in finding the right solution to address our current school overcrowding crisis.

Together we can make a great school system into an urban model of excellence and success, where teachers aren’t overwhelmed by packed classrooms and children get the attention they deserve.

My administration will focus on keeping Everett safe, fiscally sound, and welcoming. We will work to ensure our streets are secure, our city services are responsive and reliable, our schools are supported, and our neighborhoods remain places where families can thrive.

But government alone cannot do this work. Everett’s strength has always come from its people—neighbors looking out for one another, volunteers giving their time, and residents who care deeply about this city. I invite every resident to stay engaged, speak up, and be part of shaping Everett’s future as we write this next chapter.

To those who supported me, thank you for your trust and confidence. To those who did not, I promise to be a mayor for all of Everett. To the people of Everett, I will listen to you, I will learn from you, and I will lead with fairness and integrity.

Let us move forward together—honoring Everett’s proud past, meeting today’s challenges head-on, and building a future that reflects the hopes of all who are privileged to call this city home. Let us begin tonight to write our next great chapter together.

Thank you. God bless you, and God bless the
City of Everett.