Lynn’s Lozzi pays most for re-election effort

LYNN – Recently re-elected Ward 1 Councilor Wayne Lozzi’s hard work paid off with a win against challenger Arthur Fiste, but he also had to pay dearly for it, as the candidate who spent the most, according to campaign finance reports.Lozzi started off with the second highest reserve of cash with an initial balance of $11,576. After receiving $4,163.74 in donations, Lozzi’s total escalated to $15,740.However, after $8,626 in expenditures, Lozzi’s ending balance was tallied at $7,113.Among Lozzi’s donations was $100 from local attorney Samuel Vitali, who often represents business owners before the Council.Fiste, who began his campaign with a zero balance, but received $3,565 in donations, spent a total $7,970 and ended up with a $4,405.59 deficit.His donations included $100 from restaurant owner Thomas Dill, $100 from Lynn English High School Principal Andrew Fila and $100 from funeral home director David J. Solimine.City Council President Timothy Phelan had the largest war chest among his colleagues, with a starting balance of $22,835.He received $6,049 in donations and spent $64.26 and ended up with a total of $24,590.58 with $4,229.27 in outstanding liabilities.Donations to Phelan included $100 from Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development Charlie Gaeta and two donations of $250 from restaurant owner Rich Conigliaro and Old Neighborhood Foods owner Tom Demakes.Councilor at Large Paul Crowley started off the campaign with $9,866 in his bank account and accepted $3,190 in donations. After $7,057 in expenses, the balance totaled $5,999.A balance of $16,501 remains as outstanding liabilities, which include loans and credit card debt.”I basically loaned $15,000 to the campaign and the rest of the amount is credit card debt,” Crowley said. “At some point I hope to collect more money than I spent in the campaign.”Crowley’s donations included $500 from Christopher Gabrielli, former candidate for governor of Massachusetts, $100 from former mayor Thomas Costin and $100 from the Committee to Elect Richard Colucci.In reference to the Colucci donation, Crowley said he donated funds to Colucci’s last campaign and simply returned the gesture.”I guess he likes me – what can I say,” he quipped.Ward 7 Councilor Richard Ford started the campaign with $4,571 in his war chest. With $1,575 in donations and $2,037 in expenditures, Ford was left with $4,109 in the bank.Ford’s donations included $100 from former mayor Thomas Costin, $100 from James Cowdell, executive director of the Economic Development & Industrial Corporation, $100 from IUPAT, District 35 International Union of Painters & Allied Trades in Roslindale and $500 from Mayo Group President John McGrail, a major developer in the city.Ford said he is an acquaintance of a person associated with IUPAT who is from Lynn and is on the union’s mailing list.Councilor at Large-elect Daniel Cahill began the campaign with $2,973 in reserves and received $4,007 in donations, bringing the grand total to $6,980.After spending $6,419, Cahill was left with $560.62. In addition, Cahill has a balance of $4,685 in outstanding liabilities.Cahill’s donations included $100 from former Lynn Water Sewer Commission Executive Director Stephen Smith and $60 from former Lynn Fire Chief Joseph Scanlon.Councilor at Large-elect Judith Flanagan Kennedy started out with $290 in her war chest and received $2,575 in donations. Having spent $1,511, Kennedy was left with $1,354 and a total of $1,750 in outstanding liabilities.Kennedy received donations that included $200 from the Lynn Firefighters Labor Union, $100 from the Lynn Police Association labor union, $100 from former Ward 1 Councilor Jane Teal and $100 from Lynn Water Sewer Commission Treasurer David Travers.Ward 5 Councilor Paula Mackin started out with $1,804 and received a $200 donation from developer Jonathan Bedard, bringing the total to $2,004. After $150 in expenditures, Mackin was left with $1,854.Unsuccessful Ward 7 candidate Harry Coppola start