BELSON AND SACCO FORCED OUT BY MAYOR?
TWO DOWN, MANY MORE TO GO, STEPHANIE!!!!
In this new year, we will experience the retirement of two key figures in our City Government -- Our Esteemed (doesn't she mean the "allegedly crooked") Superintendent of Schools, Roy Belson and our respected (again, "allegedly crooked") Chief of Police, Leo “Buddy” Sacco.
http://medford.wickedlocal.com/news/20180103/read-full-text-of-mayor-stephanie-m-burkes-inaugural-speech
Leo, a compliment from Muccini-Burke is like getting praise from Kim Jong-un AND Trump!
FROM THE MEDFORD TRANSCRIPT
FAIR USE AS IT IS MUCCINI-BURKE'S STUPID SPEECH
http://medford.wickedlocal.com/news/20180103/read-full-text-of-mayor-stephanie-m-burkes-inaugural-speech
Burke, City Councilors and School Committee members were inaugurated on Dec. 31.
At the inauguration ceremony, Burke gave a speech about her past work and future endeavors in her next term, reprinted in full below.
“Happy New Year and welcome to Governor Baker, Senator Markey, elected officials, clergy, family and friends.
Also, congratulations to those elected officials taking their oath of office this morning -- especially to those newly elected officials. May our oaths be indicative of a common commitment to present our varied viewpoints with civility and a willingness to listen. That is the hallmark of democratic discourse.
Two years ago, in this same auditorium I began my administration with a call to service by saying “it starts today.” Certainly, within this call was a recognition of past accomplishments but it was also a reminder to our residents that we were embarking on a fresh start, a new vision and an invitation to creativity as we work together for the good of our precious city.
Much has been done: the building blocks of a better tomorrow have been put in place. We stand on a firm foundation of open government and a willingness to work cooperatively so that change is made where change is needed and we can foster a future that is both fluid and deliberate.
It is a firm foundation centered on planning, such as the master plan for Medford Square. This plan was crafted with the input of many. It will showcase and embrace the historic Mystic River and is aimed at enhancing and refreshing our downtown area in many ways -- including taking steps to address traffic flow so that High Street, Riverside Avenue and Salem Street will no longer “slingshot” drivers away from the center of the city, but rather will be re-purposed to serve the businesses and residences of the square.
The plan is challenging, but my administration is prepared to execute this plan and will work in full collaboration with the City Council, stakeholders and developers to create a dynamic mixed-use area. It is a firm foundation characterized by prioritized investment.
We continue to progress through the city’s five-year capital plan. Working with the City Council, my administration has systematically invested in the city’s infrastructure and equipment needs. At the center of this investment is a new police headquarters.
Governor Baker initiated an office called “Open for Business.” With the assistance of this office, a parcel of state land along Mystic Avenue has been made available for development. Assistance of this type will greatly aid the City of Medford to create a “Mystic Avenue Corridor” that we can rightly call the “Gateway to our City.”
Consistent with this effort, the City of Medford has received a grant from the MAPC and Mass Housing to assist in drafting a zoning amendment that will take into consideration the current businesses along this “corridor” and make recommendations to “reshape” zoning regulations to allow for development that fosters responsible growth and – at the same time – acknowledges and preserves the residential character of our city. Of course, the City Council will play a pivotal role in this action. I look forward to this collaboration.
In the same way, I have committed, along with the metropolitan mayors and our governor, to embrace housing initiatives and significantly increase the residential housing stock in our city. Medford is the place to live. It is a firm foundation that is based on results.
But change requires more than words. It requires work that bears results. This very day, the Chevalier Auditorium will host its first performance under the stewardship of “Bill Blumenreich Presents.” This is the result on months of collaboration between the administration, the City Council, the Chevalier Auditorium Commission, Licensing Commission, our State Delegation and so many others, all working toward the goal of utilizing our beautiful theater to raise the profile of the arts and benefit the life of our downtown businesses. It is a firm foundation that is comprehensive.
I am very proud of our “Complete Streets Program.” With the assistance of the Governor’s Office, this emphasis on “multi-model” transportation has been implemented.
To date we have completed four projects from the priority list. The most visible are on Winthrop Street near the Brooks School and Winthrop Circle. Through this program pedestrian and bicycle access has been and will continue to be addressed in every municipal road project and also private sector projects that come before us as well.
Bricks, mortar, infrastructure and the needs of public safety will always be central municipal concerns. But these concerns are addressed by real people. They are people who serve day in and day out. Many are with us today and I thank you for your dedication.
In this new year, we will experience the retirement of two key figures in our City Government -- Our Esteemed Superintendent of Schools, Roy Belson and our respected Chief of Police, Leo “Buddy” Sacco.
Both of these individuals have devoted their entire professional careers to serving the Citizens of Medford, and they have both set and met extraordinary high standards. They are leaders of vision and mentors to their departments. To them we say with all our hearts, thank you.
I also want to say a word about the women and men who participate in our senior tax abatement program. The benefit that they derive from this program is much less than the benefit that the various departments receive from their years of experience, their pleasant demeanor and obvious love of their city. We are blessed by their contribution of time and talent. It is a foundation so firm that it will not suffer hate or judgment but will embrace understanding and justice.
At the start of my comments today I said that civility and listening are the cornerstones of democratic discourse. This is true for many reasons but the primary reason is that civility and listening have the effect of erasing fear; they erase the fears that feed bigotry and racism. They level all playing fields to ensure that inequality and entitlement will not prevail.
Medford embraces the ideals of equality in so many ways. Through “The Big Table,” “Community Coalition” and Medford Health Matters’ conversations, we endeavor by actions to continually make Medford a better welcoming community. As I look today I see advisors and students from our CCSR -Center for Citizenship and Social Responsibility-- who have committed their time and talents to form themselves as “global citizens” and thus make Medford a place of responsibility, invitation and inclusivity. The students are our future leaders and I could not be prouder of them!
So, this day I say again “Happy New Year.” Let us begin anew, filled with optimism, hope and a sense of pride in our community, our city, our Medford -- to plan its future and to bring that plan into reality.
It starts today. May God bless you and your families and our precious City of Medford!”
