Revere board OKs 2 residency waivers

REVERE – Residency waivers for John Festa and Miles Lang Kennedy were approved at Monday night?s City Council meeting for their new roles in Mayor Dan Rizzo?s administration.Festa is now the new Economic Development Director and Kennedy is now Administrative Assistant to the mayor. Both live outside Revere.Rizzo requested these waivers because he felt that the pair were the best for the job. The Economic Development Director is a new position all together.?The city will benefit with an aggressive economic development,” Rizzo said. “He will set an agenda and see it through.”Rizzo said he will not make it a common occurrence to hire outside the city. “I feel very strongly about these two. I ask that you look past their physical address and look at their talent,” Rizzo said.The mayor also said that Kennedy is currently looking to move to Revere in the near future. “He is light years ahead of me when it comes to technology,” Rizzo said about Kennedy. “He will be a great asset to the community.”Many of the councilors agreed with Rizzo?s decisions. “I have known John a long time and he couldn?t be a better person for the job,” Councilor at large Anthony T. Zambuto said. “I wouldn?t care if he lived on the moon, I would still support him.”Ward 4 Councilor Stephen Reardon agreed. “When it comes to those with unique talents, we have to be more tolerant. We have to expect that sometimes the best person for the job lives outside the city,” he said. “We are doing a disservice to the city if we don?t hire the best person.”New Councilor at large Jessica A. Giannino was hesitant about the waiver even though she voted in favor of it. “I know a big issue for Revere citizens is residency,” she said. “I just hope this doesn?t happen a lot in the future.”The council voted unanimously 11-0 in favor of the waivers.Sara Brown can be reached at [email protected].