THE MALDEN ADVOCATE - Friday, June 30, 2017

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Vol. 20, No. 26

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Friday, June 30, 2017

ADVOCATE EXCLUSIVE

Residents help shape a vision for Malden River

Kinnon resigns council seat Wants to focus more time on family

By James Mitchell n stunning political news, longtime ward six Councillor Neil Kinnon has submitted his resignation. In a letter sent to the residents of ward six, Kinnon states, “It is with mixed emotions that I have determined to resign my position as the Ward Six City Councilor of Malden. Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the city council and believe that we, the residents of ward six, have accomplished a tremendous amount together over the last 10 years, given family constraints and some other personal considerations, I will resign effective at the end of the day, June 29, 2017. Kinnon, a fiscally-conservative city councillor whose “no-nonsense approach� to city business ruffled feathers amongst the liberal elite in Malden, successfully fought along-

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Ward 7 Councillor Neal Anderson looks over some of the plans for the Malden River Greenway.

By Barbara Taormina t was standing-room-only Monday night at the library as residents from Malden, Everett and Medford gathered to share their ideas for a greenway along the Malden River. The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) has launched a new study that will provide a blueprint for a seamless green corridor along the waterfront of

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both sides of the Malden River. MyRWA is working with all three cities and local groups, such as the Friends of the Malden River and Bike to the Sea, on a plan that will restore access to the river with connected parklands and paths. The Boston-based design firm Utile will develop a master plan and recommendations for the greenway, and Utile planner and proj-

RIVER | SEE PAGE 3

Neil Kinnon side his constituents with the Maplewood Highlands Neighborhood Association to curb unwanted neighborhood development, particularly in the High Rock area. “We were able to purchase the property by introducing the local “meals tax� bonding that was approved by the council and mayor in 2011, the largest conservation land set aside in the City of Malden in over 100 years,� stated

Kinnon in his letter. Kinnon, a lifelong resident, is a Malden High School graduate in the Class of 1980, a standout swimmer – a sport his sons all excelled in as well – having held numerous records. He was also the former MHS swimming asst. coach from 1982-1986. With a growing family residing in Maplewood, the same neighborhood he grew up in, Kinnon jumped into politics as former Mayor Richard Howard’s Campaign Coordinator in 1995. Earning his BSBA in Accounting from the University of Lowell in 1986 and a Master’s of Science in Finance from Bentley University in 1994, Kinnon was instrumental in the cofounding of the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School in Malden. K innon stated he is proud of his determined

RESIGNS | SEE PAGE 12

Council calls for a non-binding vote on where to put pot shops By Barbara Taormina s state lawmakers try forge a compromise on a handful of key provisions in the state’s recreational marijuana law, the City Council has stepped in with a plan for a new ballot question for Malden. Ward 6 Councillor Neil Kinnon has proposed asking voters if they

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wish to allow marijuana retail sales and operations in their wards. “This question is non-binding; it is to get a sense and a feel for each neighborhood,� said Kinnon. Although 51.6 percent of city voters approved the legalization of marijuana, Kinnon said the vote was tight in several wards, and in a couple of precincts, a small majority of residents voted against the new law. Kinnon said the proposed ballot question is informational and would help councillors

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as they develop local rules on where retail marijuana businesses can open shop. The state Senate’s version of the marijuana bill, now under debate, requires a referendum for a city or town to ban pot shops, but the House has proposed giving that authority to municipal officials. Marijuana advocates and opponents have been watching and waiting to see how that difference is resolved. But Ward 4 Councillor Ryan O’Malley suggested moving ahead with a binding ballot

ASKING | SEE PAGE 14

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question that asks if voters want to ban retail marijuana shops in the city. “That’s the question we should be asking,� said O’Malley, who supports retail marijuana shops for the new revenue they will bring to the city. But other councillors jumped on board with Kinnon’s proposal, praising ballot questions that give the public a voice and claiming that the vote would provide valuable information. Ward 5 Councillor Barba-

See Page 5 2

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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE - Friday, June 30, 2017 by Mike Kurov - Issuu