Darleen Marie L’Heureux seeks to get elected to the Saugus Housing Authority

Dear Saugus residents:

I am running for the Housing Authority seat once occupied by Mr. Bill Stewart. I was encouraged by him to enter for the nomination. My decision to run has come about because the residents of Laurel Towers and Laurel Gardens want someone who lives here and knows their issues to speak for them. The current Housing Authority members do not have a member from this locale. The residents here feel that it is necessary that there should be someone from here on the Housing Authority.

I have been a resident of Saugus for six years. I have spent these last six years living in the Laurel Towers portion of the Saugus Housing Authority. During this time I have occupied myself with the well-being of the other residents of both the Laurel Towers and Laurel Gardens. Upon first moving in I noticed that there was a great deal of depression among the residents. I decided that I would do something to bring about change.

I first began bringing knitting and crocheting classes to the residents. Then I was setting up a calendar of events for the residents to partake in, these included: exercise, learning English, Arts and Crafts, and learning sign language to name a few. I was then asked by Housing Authority Management to provide meals: Every other Friday morning Breakfast at the Tower, with the following Friday being Brunch at the Gardens. These meals with the help of some community members eventually turned into Holiday and anytime meals, amounting to eight per month. The people here at The Laurels know me and know that I am here to assist them with whatever they need. I have taken many to Dr. or other appointments, or shopping. I know many if not all of the residents by first name.

I am the eldest of six children, but unfortunately the last. I have been married, divorced and widowed. I have no children. I have been a caregiver for most of my life, caring for 65 people with a variety of medical issues at various stages of my life. I am retired. As a learned person I hold two (2) Master degrees: (1) Organization Development and (2) Entrepreneurship/Small Business Management from Cambridge College. I attended Capella University and have CAGS and ABD in Management. I owned my own Burglar and Fire Alarm Company for 25 years. I had a small business where I saved a lot of people, homes, and businesses. I was a licensed Electronics Technician and Electronics Contractor, licensed Real Estate Salesperson, CNA, PN, singer and caterer.

I served on the Lynnfield Art Guild committee, wearing numerous hats for six years before coming to Saugus. As a resident of The Laurels I have worked to save many with 911 or with CPR and unfortunately, have found a few beyond help.

Thank you for this opportunity to share something about my candidacy for Housing Authority.

Sincerely,

Darleen Marie L’Heureux