Revere council hopefuls stress need for safety, jobs

REVERE – Brian Arrigo wants people to stay in Revere.?I know a lot of my friends growing up have left Revere and that saddens me,” Arrigo said. “I want Revere to be a world-class city.”The lifelong Revere resident ran for city councilor at large straight from graduating from Suffolk University and lost.However, after more professional experience, he feels he is now ready for the job and is running again for city councilor at large.?I feel like I can be the change Revere is looking for,” he said. “I can be a breath of fresh air.”Eleven people, including three incumbents, are vying for the five open seats in today?s election.Candidates include incumbents John R. Correggio, Robert Haas, Anthony Zambuto and challengers Arrigo, Steven Morabito, Mike Carter, William Bell, Albert Terminello, Jessica Giannino, Cheryl Whittredge and Victoria Laws.Arrigo feels that Revere has an image problem because of the perception that the city is not safe.He would also like to see foot patrols on busy Revere streets.?I think there needs to be more visibility,”Arrigo said.Candidate Steve Morabito agrees.?We need to have foot patrols on Broadway,” Morabito said.He would also like to see officers assigned to part of the city where most of the crime happens, at times it happens most often.Candidate Mike Carter feels that people have become disheartened when it comes to public safety.?Everyday cars must be broken into and no one reports it anymore because they feel like nothing will be done,” Carter said.Road conditionsCarter is a cab driver and through his job has seen the deplorable conditions the roads are in.?The streets of Revere look like Baghdad,” he said.He also offers a solution to not having enough police officers on the street.?The city councilors should take a 50 percent pay cut to fund more police officers,” he said. “I am the only candidate in the race suggesting that.”Incumbent councilor John R. Correggio meanwhile would like to see the City Council hold bimonthly meetings with the police chief and his superior officers so that everyone can be on the same page.?I think face to face interaction is necessary,” he said.However, incumbent councilor Robert Haas has a different idea on how to get more police officers into Revere.?We need to search out grants ? as hard as we can,” Haas said.He would also like Revere to find grants to help with the DPW and paying for school repairs.Economic development is also a concern of many of the candidates.Candidate Victoria Laws wants to lower taxes by making Revere a business friendly city.?Taxes keep going up and with the economy the way it is, everyone is hurting for money,” Laws said. “I think if we get more businesses in here we won?t have to keep raising taxes.”Need for new businessesCandidate Cheryl Whittredge agrees.Whittredge would like to see more businesses coming to Revere as well. “The economy is on everyone?s minds,” she said. “I feel the way to boost the economy is bringing in business.”Laws feels her experience as a real estate broker makes her the perfect candidate.?I know what needs to be done and what has to be done and I can do it,” she said.Morabito also feels he has the right experience for the job. For the past 13 years, he has been the manager for Food Master in Revere. “I have dealt with expense control and dealing with a budget,” he said.Morabito is proposing a zero-based budgeting process, where every line item of the budget must be approved.He also wants Revere citizens to be more involved.?It?s their town dollars,” he said. “They should have the last word,” Morabito said.The youngest candidate in the race is 19-year-old Jessica Giannino, who believes if elected she can help come up with the perfect budget.?I want to get in there and see where we can save more money,” she said.She did not point to specific areas where she would like to see the budget cut.Candidate William Bell is worried for Revere?s future.?Revere is in trouble,” Bell said. “I have given the City Council sugges