Van Campen to lead City Council in ’24 – Most diverse City Council in Everett history

By Neil Zolot

Newly elected Ward 5 Councilor Robert Van Campen was elected president of the City Council at their reorganizational meeting on Monday, January 8. “There are a number of challenges facing the city and I’m hoping to work collaboratively with the Council and Mayor to address them,” he said. “We’ve got to find a way to make development responsible and reasonable so it doesn’t add to overcrowding and congestion,” a reference to an issue he heard a lot about while campaigning.

He also mentioned making Everett more inclusive for all its residents and a review of the city charter “to make sure it’s a viable governing document” as other priorities.

Van Campen previously served as a Councilor from 2000-14. “It’s important for us to have some stability in debate,” he feels. “I hope to offer my experience in that regard.”

In addition, he called for civility in debate and public participation. “My commitment is to make sure our work is done in an orderly and civilized manner,” he said. “This will be a forum of discussion, not personal attacks. We need to turn a page on that. Our differences should never lead to animosity.”

Outgoing City Council president and Councilor-at-Large Michael Marchese was given a plaque and gavel in appreciation for his tenure. “It’s not easy being president,” Councilor-at-Large Stephanie Smith said to him. “Thank you for keeping us on track.”

Marchese thanked the members for “sharing their faith in me. I’m sure the new Council will do as well.”

Van Campen’s election as president was not unexpected and an open secret. No other names were placed in nomination. At the inauguration ceremony Friday, January 5 at the Saugus-Everett Elks in Saugus, a number of Councilors alluded to it. At the ceremony – attended by well over 100 people – City Clerk Sergio Cornelio administered the oath of office to City Councilors and School Committee members. He had sworn in the School Committee before their reorganizational meeting on Tuesday, January 2, but still repeated the task at the formal ceremony.

He noted that more women and people of color are on the City Council and School Committee than at any time in Everett’s 154-year history as a city, and comprise a majority of the School Committee. He called Everett “a city that was and still is a melting pot – a city rich in history and, truly, the greatest city in the Commonwealth.”

Van Campen noted that he will be president of a “historic group” on the Council.

“I’m looking forward to the new Council,” Ward 1 member Wayne Matewsky said. “So many new people were elected,” a reference to six new members.

“I’m looking forward to a fresh beginning and working with new members and am thankful to everyone who supported me,” Ward 2 Councilor Stephanie Martins added. “It took a lot of hard work to reach out to residents.”

“I learned a lot about what it takes to run for City Council and I’m fully committed to what it takes to be a Councilor,” newly elected Councilor-at-Large Katy Rogers said. “My intention is to have a unified team solving issues together. In running At-Large, my intention was not to have a direct opponent. I wanted to run independently and make it clear I was running on a platform and not against anyone.”

“I’m looking forward to starting the job and helping the community,” newly elected Ward 4 Councilor Holly Garcia added.

Guerline Alcy Jabouin is a new Councilor-at-Large, but has worked in the Mayor’s Office and had run for office before. “We have a great team,” she feels. “We’ll do a lot of good work for the community.”

State Representatives Judith Garcia and Joseph McGonagle also attended the ceremony. “I came to support the new wave of municipal leaders and am excited to work in collaboration to strengthen Everett,” Garcia said. “Tonight is a night of celebration for the leaders and their families and, mostly, for the residents of Everett. It takes tremendous effort to lead. The task of being a municipal leader is not just a job, but a calling.”

“Congratulations to all the newly elected City Councilors and School Committee members,” McGonagle said. “It’s a tremendous responsibility they’ll have. The decisions they make in the next two years will affect Everett for decades.”

School Superintendent William Hart called Inauguration night “a special night when we all gather together to celebrate the work we do. Bringing people to better heights is what we’re about in Everett. All of these things mean we’re a team. Together we are better and stronger. We are Everett.”