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National Night Out builds trust in community By Christopher DeGusto
Friday, August 10, 2018
New leadership at RHS starts new school year
Perella new principal; Garcia takes new role
By Christopher DeGusto
D
esigned as a country-wide celebration and gathering between communities and city, state, and federal law enforcement officers, National Night Out in Revere boasted a myriad of professionals, citizens, and even animals. Hosted at two locations, Whelan School Park and Curtis Park at the Garfield School, members of the Revere community were able to enjoy a barbeque and refreshments; children played in inflatable bounce houses, and at the adjoining playground and basketball courts. With many law enforce ment officers on hand, there was ample opportunity for members of the community to meet local members of the fire department, speak with state sanctioned dive team members, and witness specially trained police canines in simulated action. “Folks can see a little bit of the equipment that gets used in our [Police Department]. And at its very basic level, it’s
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DCR Ranger Kristen Mincey introduces her horse, Cowboy, to some of the young participants in this year’s National Night Out in Revere.
about building trust in the day. “Our police department community,” said Mayor Brian has done an incredible job Arrigo in an interview at Curtis Park with Advocate on Tues-
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT | SEE PAGE 6
ersonnel changes at Revere High School (RHS) have shifted top office positions. John Perella will be entering the role of RHS Principal, as his predecessor Dr. Lourenco Garcia will now be working alongside School Superintendent Dianne Kelly in a role newly created for the city. Perella will be a familiar face at RHS when students return in late August, and Kelly, in an interview Wednesday with the Advocate, said that Perella’s name stood out when applications were taken for the open vacancy in the top office. Having spent 14 years as a teacher and vice principal at RHS, Perella’s most recent role was as principal at Medford High School. In an interview with the Advocate Thursday morning, Perella said he was very excited when this opportunity presented itself, and spoke on what his goals are going forward. “For me it’s about running
John Perella
New RHS Principal
a High School that is a flagship of the district,” said Perella. “It’s one of the most important positions in the community. There’s a lot resting on it. It’s a position that can galvanize the community.” His understanding of students and their needs, as well as the city, are highlights Kelly said set him apart from other candidates. “We live in a society that
LEADERSHIP | SEE PAGE 5
City updates ongoing rodent infestation efforts By Christopher DeGusto
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evere’s rat infestation problem has prompted Mayor Brian Arrigo to budget $150,000 for the 2019 fiscal year toward remedies and solutions, with $40,000 having been allocated for “phase 1” of a larger rodent control
plan, according to the mayor’s office. Matt Shepard of MD Weaver Corporation, one of the four exterminator companies hired as part of phase 1, said in an interview with the Advocate on Wednesday afternoon that the rat population has “exploded,” not just in Revere but region-
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ally. While the rodent problem itself is not uncommon in a city such as Revere, according to Shepard, the solution procedure is. “It’s actually pretty surprising. I’ve been doing this for 20 years and I’ve never seen a city pay to treat private property,” said Shepard. According to the city’s Director of Innovation and Data Management Reuben Kantor, 822 property owners have responded to the efforts. Over the course of about a month, roughly 500 of these properties were inspected and surveyed. Homeowners who responded had to give permission and sign waivers in order for the exterminator companies to survey and assess
UPDATES | SEE PAGE 2