Lynn councilor ‘tired of’ city labeled a dump

LYNN – Ward 7 Councilor Rick Ford came out swinging Friday morning, apologizing for his threats to bash WRKO radio talk show host Reese Hopkins for calling Lynn a “dump” Thursday, but not backing down for defending the city.Ford was interviewed by the radio station earlier today as a follow-up to a rash of blogs, news stories and public comments generated by his fighting words against Hopkins.The city councilor was angered by Hopkins’ description of Lynn as a rat-infested, crime-plagued urban zone where youth gangs rule the streets with machetes. He challenged Hopkins to a boxing match at the River Brothers Boxing Club on Columbia Avenue.”I was driving to work in my car, and this guy on the radio was going on and on, killing Lynn with all this talk about rats and swords and machetes, so I threatened to punch his lungs out, and I apologize for that,” Ford said this morning. “But I’m tired of it. I am tired of people calling (Lynn) a dump. I live this every day, and I say come to Lynn, we’ll golf a few rounds at Gannon, go for a bike ride in Lynn Woods and then head down to walk the beach. Thousands of families went to a carnival here last week without a single incident.”Ford said his mean-spirited words were a passionate response in defense of the city’s integrity. “I was frustrated, so I called and left a message on a machine,” he said. “I didn’t know it was going on the air. They must have played it 20 times, my comments about wanting to slap him for what he said about Lynn.”According to Ford, the radio station broadcast only the comments of listeners who had negative things to say about Lynn. “An ex-cop from Lynn called in to say he left the city because it is a dump. Well, I got 30 calls on my own voice mail from people who say they love the city,” he said. “I don’t know where Hopkins got this notion that Lynn is filled with prostitutes. That may have been, years ago, but not anymore. There are not as many street people either. When I was a kid, they were sleeping in the parks. That tells me Hopkins knows nothing about Lynn. I’ve lived here 52 years and nobody is chasing me down the street with a machete.”Although he has never boxed, Ford said he is still willing to meet Hopkins in the ring. “I do the speed bag and pads over at the Rivera Brothers and my trainers are Golden Gloves champs, so I think I’ll be OK,” he said.Ford stands six feet, 210 pounds. Hopkins is 6-5, 210.”From what I’m told, this guy used to dance professionally for LL Cool J so I presume he can move,” Ford said.The councilor and the talk radio host are planning the square off in the near future.”We’ll get in the boxing ring,” Hopkins said Friday morning after the pair discussed other possibilities like a softball game, wrestling and a golf match.Hopkins acknowledged his comments about Lynn were taken harshly, but in context were actually meant to call attention to state Lottery money channeled into the city with seemingly little positive impact.”That’s why I called it a dump,” he said.Ford countered with a feel-good list such as the recent cancer walk fund-raiser, burgeoning summer youth jobs, carnivals, block parties, park programs, athletic leagues, a rebuilt Manning Field and Fraser Field, cheerleading clinics, and a Brian Maes concert last night at Red Rock park on the waterfront.”What needs to be understood is that you were standing up for your city,” said Hopkins. “You’re passionate about it.”Nonetheless, Hopkins accused Lynn officials of hiding behind their desks and ignoring widespread problems like violence, youth gangs and unchecked immigration.”What’s good about that?” he said.