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2 WEEKLYNEWS.NET - 978-532-5880 MAY 13, 2021 Mike Schulze’s love for politics is a lasting legacy SCHULZE FROM PAGE 1 Peabody politics is not for the meek and mild, and Mike Schulze knew how to play the game. He also knew, as the late Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, said, that all politics is local. For all the time he spent on the national campaign trail in the 1980s, he also dug into local issues in Peabody, where he was co-founder of the Save Brooksby Farm Committee. A 1965 Lynn English High School graduate and Navy veteran, Schulze won the Peabody Democratic City Committee chairmanship in 1990. He mixed it up a year later with Republican City Committee Chairman Nick Nikitas who committed the cardinal sin of criticizing top local Democrats, including the late state Sen. Frederick Berry. A Daily Evening Item story quoted Nikitas as saying Berry has “long ridden the coattails” of former state Senate President William Bulger. Schulze doubled down and compared Nikitas’ criticism to former Massachusetts Republican Party Executive Director Alexander “Sandy” Tennant’s brawling style. His love for national politics also made Schulze, like Sam and Rick Vitali of Lynn, an early supporter of President Joseph R. Biden. In 1987, when then-U.S. senator Biden ended his presidential campaign, Schulze took a dim view of the media uproar over claims that a speech Biden delivered contained phrases used by British politician Neil Kinnock without attribution. Once again, Schulze took a shot at Republicans by pointing out former President Ronald Reagan’s penchant for quoting Democrats. “The average person couldn’t care less about this stuff,” he opined to a Daily Evening Item reporter. Schulze didn’t just campaign for candidates — he became one. He ran for the Ward 3 City Council seat and for library trustee, and he threw his hat in the ring in 1994 for the 12th Essex seat in the Massachusetts House. Like Lincoln, Schulze regarded losing an election not as an end point, but as a beginning of his next adventure into politics. He embraced political campaigns for their proverbial explosions and smoke, and he talked issues when he ran for office. He said, “I know what it takes to get the job done,” and he had the political knowledge to back up those words. In the true spirit of democracy, Schulze opposed term limits for politicians — a favorite campaign theme for people making their first, usually unsuccessful, bid for public office. “You get somebody in there who does a good job, and then take him out?” he said in his trademark direct fashion. Schulze simply loved politics. He understood that it is the process, not the personalities, that count. The person who stood up and publicly and passionately made a case for change counted for something in Mike Schulze’s book. We side with Peabody Ward 5 City Councilor Joel Saslaw’s request to allow residents in Huntingwood and other neighborhoods to comment on Northeast Arms’ plan to operate a mobile gun range. Northeast won city Zoning Board of Appeals approval last month to operate the range — a trailer that can be towed to police departments to use for target practice — with conditions including 50-foot and 100- foot buffer zones around the trailer when it is on Northeast’s property. Neighbors’ concerns, ranging from traffic to noise to property value depreciation, were not reviewed during the Northeast hearing because, as board Chair Fran Gallugi pointed out, board members were only responsible Pre-Schoolers Love Opinion A hair-trigger decision for reviewing Northeast’s request for a variance from buffer zone dimension requirements. That narrow jurisdictional focus left neighbors and Saslaw frustrated and wondering why they weren’t told well before the hearing that noise and other concerns about the Northeast proposal were not the board’s responsibility. Saslaw pointed out that Northeast’s proposal has been before the board for months, adding that “people asked for information a while ago.” Saslaw told board members there was no reason they could not delay their vote until neighbors had the opportunity to voice their complaints to other city officials, which would ensure that concerns beyond the zoning board’s jurisdiction received review. “There should be no rush here,” Saslaw told the board. But Gallugi and board member Barry Osborne made it clear during the hearing that their support for Northeast’s proposal went beyond buffer zone compliance. Gallugi called the mobile range “...something we could benefit from in the long run,” and Osborne warned that not approving the proposal was tantamount to discouraging business on Route 1. Peabody neighbors deserve better than a one-and-done hearing where their concerns are not taken into consideration. We urge the board to reconsider its vote and delay it until residents’ concerns are addressed and questions answered. Fun, Games, Adventure and the first steps toward: CONFIDENCE SELF -ESTEEM AND DISCIPLINE FREE INTRODUCTORY COURSE FREE UNIFORM with enrollment Arts Martial y , By Anne Marie Tobin PEABODY — The Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce and the city’s Health Department teamed up for a webinar last Wednesday to update local businesses on issues they are facing as the state continues to relax its COVID-19 guidelines. “Throughout the pandemic, the Peabody Health Department has worked closely with businesses to help them implement the statewide COVID protocols necessary for them to operate safely,” said Health Director Sharon Cameron. “As the public health data improves, many of the restrictions are being modified. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the PACC and its members to answer any questions businesses owners have about the upcoming phases of reopening.” The event was free of charge. We Specialize in AFTER SCHOOL MARTIAL ARTS IT’S FUN! • IT’S EDUCATIONAL! • IT’S AFFORDABLE Our unique program will help your child: Build confidence • Learn self-defense Improve grades • Increase self-discipline WE TRANSPORT City and Chamber team up for businesses Cameron and Public Health Nurse Chassea Robinson, RN, MPH, provided updates on the COVID vaccine, recently-announced modifications to the state’s COVID guidelines and provided information about the vaccination options available for businesses to help get their employees vaccinated. Health Department partners Christian Hassel and Dan Hoffenberg of Atlantic Ambulance also spoke about vaccination and testing efforts. In addition, Citizens Inn/ Haven from Hunger Executive Director Corey Jackson spoke about the increase in food insecurity during the pandemic. Other topics discussed during the webinar included the “who, what, and where” of vaccination opportunities, how local businesses can help their employees navigate through the vaccination process, the vaccination ambassador program, and side effects associated with COVID-19, including compromised mental health and food insecurity. The program featured a question-and-answer session. For questions on future webinars or additional information, contact PACC Programs Director Maria Terris at maria@ peabodychamber.com. Before Get your car looking great this spring After Don Winslow’s AUTO B O D Y Celebrating 49 Years BRUCE MCCORRY’S MARTIAL ARTS Est. 1978 Route 1 South, Newbur Street, Peabody MA 01960 978-535-7878 Visit our website for more about us! www.brucemccorry.com MON-FRI 8-5 • SAT. 9-12 166 Holten Street • Danvers (corner of Center & Collins) 978-762-6366 • 978-535-2474 www.DonWinslowAutoBody.com
MAY 13, 2021 WEEKLYNEWS.NET - 978-532-5880 3 City wants to lure families back to fishing FISHING FROM PAGE 1 “Years ago, our adventure series included fishing, but it was discontinued for unknown reasons.” Davis credited Bob Langley, the city’s director of engineering and an avid fisherman, for coordinating the dredging of Crystal Lake and restoration of the area. She also acknowledged the Recreation Department’s outdoor education oordinator, Maureen Sammon, for coming up with the idea. “Bob came to Maureen and together they floated the idea, and we all thought, ‘why not bring that back to Peabody?’” Davis said. “Fishing is a great activity for not only kids, but families, so we are excited to bring it back.” Instruction will be provided by Langley’s son, Andrew Langley, MassWildlife’s 2020 Freshwater Catch-and-Release Angler of the Year and professional bass angler Gene Ellison, who has been dubbed “The Fishing Machine.” “Kids love to catch big fish, but the reality is fishing is an PHOTO | SPENSER HASAK Professional bass angler Gene “The Fishing Machine” Ellison of Lynnfield will co-teach “Let’s Go Fishing at Crystal Lake” in Peabody on Saturday, which aims to introduce families to the basics of fishing in the area. activity for everyone in all walks of life,” Ellison said. “It’s not expensive so lower-income families, single-mom families, (and) men and women of all ages can fish. With these programs, not only do people learn how to fish, it looks to connect people with their kids. It’s quality time for families even if it’s only 20 to 30 minutes.” Langley, a sophomore studying biomedical engineering at Tufts University, agreed. “My father taught me how to fish when I was really young and we go fishing together all the time, at least twice a week, and we also go to tournaments together,” said Langley. “It’s an activity that’s perfect for families and gets kids away from their computer screens.” The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) will provide 50 rods and reels on loan for the day, while Danvers-based Big Daddy’s Bait ‘N’ Tackle will donate bait. Bass Pro Shops, Mercury Engines and the Berkley Company will donate hats, lures and fishing rods. Jim Lagacy, an aquatic biologist at MassWildlife, said adult involvement is critical when it comes to kids and fishing. “We do about 100 of these (events) a year and have learned that you need a parent or adult to help make fishing a lifelong activity,” he said. “Kids don’t become hockey players or anglers on their own as an individual. You need a parent.” “This is such an exciting program,” said Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt Jr. “It’s great knowing that we may be developing a whole new group of people who (will) discover how much fun it is to come out as a family and do some fishing right in their own backyard.” The program is limited to 25 residents. Parents are asked to limit their child’s registration to one session. The recommended age is 9 to 14. To register, or for additional information about the program or other events, go to https://peabodyma.myrec.com/. Session 1 will be held from 9-10:15 a.m., while Session 2 follows at 10:30-11:45 a.m. Peaking power plant plan put on hold POWER FROM PAGE 1 The project has been under development and public review for more than three years and has secured state permits. Its proposed location is on the site of PMLP’s Waters River Station on Pulaski Street. As proposed, Project 2015A is a 55-megawatt capacity plant to provide necessary capacity for 14 nearby cities and towns - including Peabody, parts of Lynnfield and Marblehead, during periods of peak electricity demand. Because it will be among the newest and most efficient resources, it will produce fewer emissions than 94 percent of the fossil fuel plants in New England. Without this resource, local utilities that are required to have capacity will continue to rely on older, less efficient energy power plants through the ISO-New England markets. It will displace carbon that would otherwise be produced by higher-polluting plants, resulting in a net reduction in carbon emissions. “MMWEC is a proven leader in carbon-free technology, and we are proud that our members’ power portfolios have some of the highest percentages of renewable energy and the lowest carbon emissions in the Commonwealth,” said DeCurzio, “In fact, most of the Project 2015A participating municipal light plants have already exceeded the Baker Administration’s 2030 carbon reduction targets. We plan to continue that leadership in the next phase of energy development. “Can we find a way to develop a needed capacity resource that isn’t fossil fuel-fired but still reliable in times of need? It is worth taking another look at whether advancements in technology make a different approach possible today.” Orphanos said PMLP has already exceeded the state’s 2030 Roadmap goals and currently is working on meeting 2040 goals. Since 2008, PMLP has added only carbon-free resources to its energy portfolio. Within the last eight months alone, PMLP, through MMWEC, joined Hydro Québec, a large public utility using hydropower. PMLP is also one of six municipal light plants (MLPs) to participate in Project 2020, a seven megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic project to be built on the MMWEC campus in Ludlow. “We are continuing to build our energy portfolio to meet state goals and are constantly looking for projects with zero net emissions and the fact that we’ve added these last two speaks to that,” Orphanos said. Over the course of the next 30 days, MMWEC will meet with and seek input from stakeholders, including regulators, other Commonwealth officials, the participating communities and the larger community to Spring Cleanups and Tree Removal and Dog Waste Removal consider alternatives and assess their feasibility. The board will regroup to discuss findings at the end of the review period. DeCurzio said that that while MMWEC has fulfilled all the required public notices and applications for the project and followed the same procedure it did for advancing other developments, including Project 2020A - a proposed seven-megawatt solar farm to be built on MMWEC’s site in Ludlow - the board determined it would be prudent to evaluate all of the concerns recently expressed about the project. Orphanos said the temporary halt will allow PMLP and the other communities committed to Project 2015A to create opportunities to educate the public about the project and dismiss mistruths that are being spread by opponents. “The opponents’ voice needs to be truthful, so now it’s our turn to set the facts and the record straight so the public knows this project is necessary,” Orphanos said. “We have always been above board and will continue to be.” Information about Project 2015A can be found at www. project2015A.org. 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