REVERE
Subscribe to The Advocate – See page 19
ADVOCATE Vol. 28, No. 33
-FREE-
www.advocatenews.net
Finding common ground under autism at Row Row Row In Revere
Free Every Friday
781-286-8500
Friday, August 17, 2018
Police drive-along focuses on public safety issues
Grant money will focus on interaction, education for safer driving
While sitting in on an interview with The Advocate, Peabody resident Pat Todisco called Olivia Freni, 16, of Revere, who sings the National Anthem at Boston Bruins games, an inspiration. Both participated in Saturday’s Row Row Row In Revere at the Marina at the Wharf Restaurant to benefit autism awareness.
By Tara Vocino
T
hose who either fall under the autistic spectrum disorder or have close family with autism commented during Saturday’s Row Row Row In Revere at the Marina at the Wharf Restaurant to benefit autism awareness. Olivia Freni, 16, of Revere, who is a stand-out for singing the National Anthem at the RHS sporting events and Boston Bruins’ games, and her brother, Ricky, Jr., both are high-functioning. She commented on their challenges. “He loves me, and I love him,” Olivia said. “We both can be temperamental at times. There’s stuff that I want to go away, like I’m sensitive to loud noises when sleeping. I’m in both special education and mainstream classes at Revere High School.” Olivia said she made friends, and although she’s not the most popular girl at school, even the jocks know her. “I love making friends and giving hugs,” Olivia said. She plans to major in professional songwriting at Berklee College of Music. Peabody resident Pat Todisco has a nonverbal grandson,
Bobby, 4, who said he makes new strides every day. Todisco sat in on the interview with Olivia, tearing up. He called Olivia “an inspiration and important person in the world,” who brings “new hope.” “This event means so much to families, not just mine,”Todisco said. “This event covers programs that aren’t covered by insurance. For instance, it pays $2,220 for six sessions of horseback riding for Bobby. The motion of Harry, the horse, causes him to do something verbally and to use sign-language.” Organizer Stacey Livote said 30 teams will raise money to go toward therapy that isn’t covered by insurance, and it will go directly to families. “It will also benefit building a sensory integration gym at Beachmont Elementary School, where half of the district students are diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder,” Livote said. Canoers paddled from the Point of Pines to the Pines River and back, about two and a half miles, to raise money for autism. Slugged Wild Irish Rowers, Rick Foley of Revere and Kev-
ROW ROW ROW | SEE PAGE 8
ON PATROL: Revere Police Sgt. Chris Giannino is shown observing traffic on Copeland Circle, one of the busiest roads in the city, which connects Rte. 60 with Route 1. (Advocate photo by Chris DeGusto)
By Christopher DeGusto
D
uring a 45-minute span on a summer afternoon, Revere Police Sargent Chris Giannino spots at least three egregious traffic violations. It’s a slow one this Wednesday, he says, and if it weren’t for The Advocate re-
porter sitting beside him, Giannino would have pulled over a speeding car trying to merge into a rotary, a cab that blew through a red light and a moped for illegally passing another vehicle, at the very least. His Ford F-250 Super Duty is all-black and coated with “ghost
lettering” – markings that are visible mostly during nighttime reflections. At a red light on Broadway in Revere, drivers in the adjacent lane don’t notice the officer on their right side, and roll up to a stop too pre-
POLICE | SEE PAGE 9
Councillors, mayor disagree on handling of missing meter money By Tara Vocino
A
n unspecified amount in missing meter money led to a heated City Council meeting on Monday night. Approximately two weeks ago, it was reported that about $90,000 in meter revenue may have been stolen, but the figure may be higher, according
to Mayor Brian Arrigo. “We need to make sure that when our residents pay cash, it’s going to where it’s supposed to go,” Arrigo said. “I became aware of these issues when I took office. Going back to the initial audit, it was clear that we had cash management policies that are nonexistent, and it’s my job to fix these
We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover
$$2.43
3.43 GALLON GALLON
100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602 Price Subject to Change without notice
problems.” Arrigo went on to say that it’s not a $90,000 problem, but rather hundreds of thousands that should have been collected over the last decade, and it’s difficult for independent auditors to determine exactly how much money is missing. Two parking department employees are on unpaid administrative leave as a result. City councillors suggested at the meeting’s outset for their names not to be released, pending the investigation. Councillor-at-Large Dan Rizzo, who lost to Arrigo in the last election and is expected to run again to gain back the corner office, got in a heated debate with the mayor about why there were three different parking clerks over three years,
DISAGREE | SEE PAGE 4