Rizzo and Keefe jostle in back-and-forth Mayoral debate

By Barbara Taormina

REVERE – Bonnie Curran turned out a couple hours early for this week’s mayoral debate to wave a sign for Acting Mayor Patrick Keefe, who is in what appears to be a tight race with former mayor and current Councillor-at-Large Dan Rizzo. “We need people out there to make the hard decisions. He took the bull by the horns when it came to the high school,” said Curran, adding that Keefe’s support for a school at Wonderland was what decided her vote.

But there was actually more. Curran said she’s watched Keefe’s work in the community and his involvement with Revere schools and youth sports for years. °And he’s still doing it today with the young ones. I just know he gave back to the community and he continues to give back every day,” she said.

A couple of hundred feet away, Bob Anderson was holding a sign for Rizzo, whom he said he supports for a number of reasons. “We want to stop development, for one thing,” said Anderson. “And we want to know beforehand what’s happening – no hints – just let us know what’s happening.”

Anderson also said Rizzo is the candidate who can control Revere’s growth and who will listen to what residents want and need. “Dan’s the guy – always was – why would he change now?” asked Anderson.

There was plenty of horn honking, waving and thumbs up during the two-hour sign-holding event prior to the debate. A few players from the Revere High football team, reportedly led by Keefe’s son, a senior player on the team, made their way through the clusters of Rizzo supporters chanting “Keefe, Keefe, Keefe.”

The Keefe and Rizzo camps remained divided during the 90-minute debate sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the Revere Journal. Keefe supporters filled the first 20 or so rows of the left section of the Revere High auditorium and cheered and applauded with abandon after Keefe’s every comment or response to a question. The Rizzo contingent took the seats on the right side of the hall and cheered just as loud for their candidate.

There wasn’t much news or new ground covered during the debate. What was different was the way both candidates jabbed and insulted each other.

Keefe repeatedly said Rizzo failed to attend any meetings about the high school building project or mitigation for the Suffix Downs project. After he lost the election to former Mayor Brian Arrigo, he left and went to Florida. “He took his ball and went home,” said Keefe, predicting that Rizzo will lose and disappear again.

Rizzo repeatedly coupled Keefe with former Mayor Arrigo, saying they were responsible for a residential building boom that has compromised the quality of life in Revere with overcrowding of neighborhoods, roads and schools.

On the new high school, Keefe once again said he supports a school on the Wonderland site. He said it is now clear that building on the existing site would cost millions more than anticipated; athletic fields would be lost until 2030; and the massive construction site would be a problem for students and the neighborhood. He also raised the specter of eminent domain, saying if he lived in that neighborhood, he would want the city to take his house rather than living through years of construction.

Rizzo criticized Keefe for trying to scare residents about eminent domain takings when the project’s senior manager has said there would be no eminent domain takings in the neighborhood. Rizzo has usually focused his opposition to the Wonderland plan on finances, saying the city needs a financially responsible plan for the school. However, during the debate he also stressed that a school at Wonderland would mean channeling thousands of students and parents into that section of the city during the morning commute. “It would be a public safety nightmare for kids,” he said. He also insisted that the high school was built where it is because it’s centrally located and Revere should keep it that way.

During part of the debate involving questions from members of the community, Keefe and Rizzo were asked what would be their first priority as mayor. “I would make sure the police and fire departments have the resources needed to do their jobs,” said Rizzo, adding that public works and ambulance services also need upgrades.

“The new Point of Pines fire station is a necessity because of the development Keefe and the former administration allowed to happen. They were happy to sit back and watch the city grow but they could care less about the services provided to those of us who have lived here for a long time,” said Rizzo.

Keefe said his first priority would be moving forward with a decision on the high school. However, he agreed with Rizzo that something needs to be done about ambulance service. Keefe then asked Rizzo if he had received any donations from Cataldo, the ambulance company that services Revere.

When Rizzo answered that he had, Keefe and his supporters responded as if it were a direct hit. But Rizzo quickly shot back, telling Keefe, “You’re too busy taking [donations] from developers.”

The Revere High Speech and Debate Team questioned the candidates about their plans to foster free speech and expression in Revere. Keefe said he intends to embrace the city’s entire population and have their collective voice heard. “My opponent wishes you would shut up,” added Keefe.

Rizzo said he wasn’t sure what Keefe was talking about. “I’m confused and obviously he’s confused,” said Rizzo, who went on to explain that he values free speech. He spoke about how he developed a program for residents new to Revere during his administration because he recognized the city was growing more diverse. He added that Arrigo shut down the program when he won the 2015 election.

Keefe and Rizzo were also asked about their hiring process and if it would be open and transparent. Keefe said his approach to hiring – he recently added five employees to the public works department – already demonstrated those qualities. He added that Rizzo tried to stop him from hiring anyone while he was the acting mayor. “He was afraid I would appoint all my buddies because that’s what he does; that’s what he did and that’s what he’ll continue to do for the next four years,” said Keefe.

But Rizzo responded that Keefe was trying to distract and distort his record. “We built a new stadium, a new school, new Little League fields. The only thing he and his predecessor have done is build new apartments,” said Rizzo, adding that he has a record of accomplishments while Keefe has a record of accepting donations from developers.

The candidates were also asked for the one word that best describes Revere. Rizzo, who answered first, said “special.” He said the strength of the city is in its people, who are from all different social, cultural and economic backgrounds. “I believe in Revere, unlike my opponent, who says he believes in Revere. He believes in what’s good for him not what is good for the people. I’ve always been on the side of the people.”

Keefe’s one word to describe Revere was “beautiful.” He listed some of the city’s natural resources and stressed the diverse population. “Revere is beautiful and we should welcome everybody in with a big hug. I love Revere, I believe in Revere and thank you, Mr. Rizzo, for believing in Revere as well,” said Keefe.