Mayor Keefe touts unity, growth in upbeat State of the City Address

By Barbara Taormina

Like a lot of people, Ward 6 Councillor Chris Giannino dreads formal, often tedious, events like state of the city addresses. And, like a lot of people, Giannino felt Mayor Patrick Keefe hit it out of the park last week with his State of the City Address delivered at Susan B. Anthony School. Emceed by former city solicitor Robert Marra, the State of the City Address was part speech and part rally with an enthusiastic audience punctuating each line with applause.

“It was excellent,” said Giannino. “It was positive, and I like positive.”

Ward 4 Councillor Paul Argenzio agreed. “I thought it was a very good, very positive, very upbeat speech,” said Argenzio, adding that there was, in fact, a lot of good to talk about. Argenzio was pleased to hear Keefe shine a light on the rehabilitation of McMackin Field and, of course, the progress of the new high school. Argenzio credited the sound financial management of the city as a key factor in Keefe’s insistence that good government is guiding the city.

Before Keefe took the stage to announce the state of Revere is “stable, flourishing, thriving,” Marra ran through a long list of state, local and neighboring elected officials and dignitaries who were in the audience in support of Keefe. The junior ROTC color guard, the Fire Department color guard and the Police Department color guard marched in and added some military flash and swagger to the auditorium. Izabelly Alvez Dos Santos, Hadassa Negrini, Dina Oufessa and Emily Ardon sang a lush and elegant rendition of the national anthem. And a high-energy video montage of Revere faces and achievements was presented by the Mayor’s Office and Revere TV.

It was rousing, but not too hard an act for Keefe to follow. He began by acknowledging we are in difficult times. “Events beyond our control gave us reason to be concerned,” said Keefe, referring to the economy and the heated divide over immigration. But Keefe added that a general sense of unease and a lack of faith in government was not entirely applicable to Revere because of the idea and ideal of good government that provides the resources people need to follow their aspirations. But, according to Mayor Keefe, in addition to good government, what also makes Revere stand out is the unity and compassion of the community.

“We are Revere,” Keefe told the audience repeatedly. “We are Revere, then, now and for the future. We stand together, all of us. In Revere, we take care of one another. We take care of our businesses. This is who we are.”

“It was heartwarming,” said Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya, adding that Keefe’s speech was amazing. “It was a celebration of the people who make Revere a special place. The true strength of Revere is within our people. We’ve always been defined as being a strong and passionate community.”

Keefe listed major accomplishments of the past year starting with the 270 students employed through the city’s YouthWorks program and the 400 early college credits students earned. Keefe said the city was ensuring that Revere will have an educated workforce to help continue to spur economic growth. He said the city has prioritized housing affordability and highlighted the first-time home buyer program, which has provided $50,000 in downpayment assistance to residents and the development of 19 affordable condos on Salem Street. He also touted the 56-unit development on Ocean Avenue, Revere’s first 100 percent affordable housing development in a decade. Keefe also highlighted the senior home repair program, which provides $5,000 grants for essential home repairs, and Revere Senior Connect, which assists seniors with finding contractors for repairs. And he reminded the audience of Revere Power Choice, a municipal electricity aggregation program that saved residents more than $600,000 in electricity costs in 2025.

“Creating affordable housing for Revere’s current and future residents is one more example of good government,” he said.

The Mayor also focused on local businesses that create a vibrant community. He gave a shout out to some of the city’s longtime favorite businesses, and the audience cheered. Keefe mentioned DeMaino’s Restaurant, Manny’s Bakery, New Deal Fruit & Deli and Sabella’s Ravioli — “Businesses that prove tireless effort is the primary ingredient of success.” Revere has welcomed 68 new businesses and celebrated significant local investments.

The city has also awarded more than $120,000 in grants to local business to improve technology and curb appeal. “Support for our businesses to achieve lofty goals is another example of good government,” said Keefe.

Throughout his speech, Keefe stressed the city workers who contributed to Revere’s good Government. He pointed to the appointments of Police Chief Maria LaVita, the first woman to hold the title in Suffolk County, and Fire Chief James Cullen, praising their work to modernize both departments.

The Revere police adopted body-worn camera technology and a new officer wellness program; the Revere Fire Department opened the Alden A. Mills Point of Pines Fire Station, reactivating Engine 2. And the state-of-the-art regional 911 call center at the McKinley School, Keefe said, will be “one of the finest emergency call centers in the state.”

And Keefe named the first responders who, working together, saved the life of a nine-year-old girl who had gone into cardiac arrest.

“He acknowledged a lot of people and businesses, and it meant a lot to people,” said Guarino-Sawaya.

The Mayor told the audience, “We live in an age torn by antagonism. When we are divided, we are not looking forward,” adding that he chose to bring the city closer together. He reminded listeners that Beachmont farmers and merchants stood together to face external threats and fight the first naval battle of the American Revolution.

“We take our lead from them,” said Keefe. “The best example of good government is one that marches in step with its people. We act with compassion and fellowship, and we protect our values fiercely. Whatever headwinds, challenges, complications and plot twists come up, I know we will continue on a path of prosperity, optimism and unity. We are Revere.”