By The Advocate
info@advocatenews.net

The board of aldermen this week let the public know – in no uncertain terms – that they strongly support having local students recite the pledge of allegiance in their schools each day.
At Monday night’s meeting, Ald.-at-Large Joseph McGonagle blasted a recent attempt in Brookline to ban the pledge of allegiance in that community’s schools.
“I find it sad and distasteful that a certain group wants to do away with it,” said McGonagle.
He sponsored a resolution at the meeting to make it perfectly clear how Everett feels about the issue.
It records the city council in favor of having Everett students continue to recite the pledge of allegiance at the start of each school day.
The resolution was unanimously passed by the aldermen. The common council will vote on it at its next session.
Ward Two Ald. Michael Mangan said he was “embarrassed” when he heard about the move to ban the pledge in Brookline.
Ward Five Ald. Robert Van Campen said the pledge of allegiance “is the blueprint of who we are as Americans”.
Ald. Millie Cardello minced no words about those who want to do away with the pledge in the schools.
“They have their choice where to live – there are countries where there is no pledge of allegiance. They don’t have to live here,” said the Ward One city legislator.
Ald. Pres. Michael Marchese agreed, but was quick to point out that when you voice your opinions in some other countries, “you may end up in jail”.
A copy of the resolution – once it gets its expected vote of approval from the common council next week – will be forwarded to the town officials in Brookline.