People & Politics

Dan Rizzo’s St. Patrick’s Day Fundraiser

The second annual St. Patrick’s Day Fundraiser held by Dan Rizzo will take place Wednesday March 11 from 6 to 9p.m. at the VFW Mottolo Post, 10 Garofalo Street.

It will include a traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner and entertainment provided by The Black Velvet Band. A donation of $50 is required.

The next mayor

During a meeting last Saturday morning with the City Council, Mayor Thomas Ambrosino was talking about this and that, when he uttered the ultimate bit of information that indicates he is dead serious about leaving, not running again or being mayor for another term.

During a conversation about the city’s economic status and the year coming up, he said thoughtfully, “But this will be left to whomever is the mayor in 2010.”

It was the kind of remark that makes people like Dan Rizzo believe the die is cast, indeed.

Rizzo, the council president, is the early front runner and frankly, the only politician out there who is aiming straight ahead for the mayor’s office if and when Ambrosino finally leaves.

There is a short list of those who would like to be mayor – and this includes former Mayor Robert Haas, Councillor George Rotondo and School Committeewoman Carol Tye.

None of those mentioned above have made overt signs that they are heading that way, however, leading many to believe that Rizzo may well end up coasting into the mayor’s office when Ambrosino leaves.

A lot can happen between now and spring, when Ambrosino is believed to be heading out.

Who’s running?

As February prepares to morph into March, the local political scene is beginning to rumble slightly.

The at-large division seems to be where the action may occur if early entries have anything to do with it.

Former Beachmont Councilor Richard Penta is making the rounds and securing support for a an at-large run.

During a meeting at the Bagel Bin last week, Penta told the Journal, “I am running. I am serious. I am going to run hard.”

Indeed.

Penta has solid citywide name recognition, although he’s been out of the political game for a while.

Carol Sinclair, who has fought illness for the past few years, is also expected to place her name on the ballot. In her last time out, she did better than ever before.

Stacy Rizzo, a well-known Proctor Avenue real estate broker, has told her friends that she is considering a run for an at-large seat if an opening becomes available.

Revere Plumbing Inspector Bob Misiano apparently has some interest in possibly seeking an at-large seat, according to friends.

Auxiliary Police Officer Al Terminiello Jr. is also considering a run at-large.

If the mayor leaves, and Rizzo becomes acting mayor or runs for mayor in a special election or if he runs for mayor in the upcoming general election, then a vacancy will occur on the council.

If this happens, it could be a crowded field for those seeking the vacancy.

Currently in the wards, there are two races.

Newcomer Steve Morabito is running against incumbent Councilor Ira Novoselsky in a Ward 2 fight.

Morabito is a younger, tie and jacket type, who is out working hard in his first attempt at public office.

Novoselsky is popular in the ward, makes himself available and is visible.

He is a hard guy to beat.

However, Morabito appears to be more aware of what it takes to take down a veteran councilor and is working towards that end.

Councilor Arthur Guinasso, another longtime incumbent, will apparently be facing former Councilor Brian Vesce.

This is another example of incumbency being a high hurdle for hopefuls to overcome.

Over the years, Guinasso has shown an ability to win and get re-elected.

Vesce served one term.

Vesce has strong backing this time around, and what exactly that strong backing will translate into remains to be seen.

Gasoline tax

Revere residents aren’t delighted at the thought of a 19-cent rise in the state’s gasoline tax – a move being touted by Governor Deval Patrick in order to keep the tolls and tunnel fees from exploding.

However, it appears that it is either the gasoline tax going up or outrageous fees for the tunnels and the Mass Pike.

Senator Anthony Petruccelli has been exploring the gas tax option since the outrage erupted following the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority’s effort to double the tunnel fees.

Petruccelli’s reasoning mirrors the governor’s and just about everyone else’s – 19 cents more per gallon isn’t a big price to pay for meeting the state’s obligations.

And yet, many wonder why the state can’t renegotiate the outstanding debt or simply default on it and let the debt holders know that they will inherit tunnels and roadways, which the state ought to be happy to let them have.

Then what would they do?