Revere’s highest officials are irate at Everett State Rep. Steve ‘Stat’ Smith for dragging his feet in fixing code violations fire safety violations at a Revere property that contained some 12 illegal apartments.
Revere Mayor Dan Rizzo said this week Smith has been dragging his feet in fully satisfying city investigators over the past month since the situation was uncovered, and so Rizzo has ordered all city officials to hold Smith to a higher standard.
“Smith should be held to a higher standard,” said Rizzo. “I am outraged that someone from Everett, where there is a campaign to rid that city of illegal apartments, came to Revere and filled a building with illegal apartments. I have instructed everyone in city government having something to do with this to hold Smith accountable and to fine him if necessary. Revere will not tolerate this type of behavior, from a representative no less. I cannot believe he has yet to do anything meaningful to correct the situation he finds himself in. I am bothered by this. If anyone in Revere city government having something to do with enforcing the laws with Smith is not doing so, there will be severe repercussions.”
Revere Fire Chief Gene Doherty said they have had similar problems with getting him to replace his fire alarm system. In fact, he said that they plan to take him to Chelsea District Court next week if the matter isn’t rectified.
“I don’t want to say he’s playing a game, but he’s playing a game with us,” said Doherty. “He knows how the system works and how to delay things.”
Smith did not respond to a phone call from the Independent.