Councilor invites talk show host to Lynn

LYNN – After a heated spat between Ward 7 City Councilor Richard Ford and WRKO radio talk show host Reese Hopkins brewed earlier this month, Ford has extended an invitation to Hopkins to tour the city next week and see all that it has to offer.The argument started when Hopkins called Lynn a dump and described the city as a rat-infested, crime plagued, urban zone where youth gangs rule the streets with machetes.Fuming mad over the hurtful comments, Ford lashed out at Hopkins and challenged him to a boxing match at the Rivera Brothers Boxing Club on Columbia Avenue to “punch his lungs out” in retaliation.Although Ford later apologized for making threats to Hopkins, he has refused to back down in defense of his beloved city.”I was told he (Hopkins) has a heart condition, so we’re not really going to box,” he said. “He’s lightened up since then, but I got caught up in the moment when I heard what he was saying and I was really sad about it.”In an effort to prove a point to Hopkins, Ford said he wants him to come to Lynn so that he can see with his own eyes the good instead of the bad.”I want to show him the golf course, the beach, the woods, everything that we have here,” he said. “And I’ve never once been chased by someone with a machete?I’ve lived here all my life and it’s been awesome to be here.”Ford admitted that the whole argument spun out of control once he called the radio station, and said he wished he had handled Hopkins’ comments differently.”I really do love Lynn,” he said. “I’m a third generation Lynner and I took offense to what he said. I should have known better that when I called the radio station they would have put me on air, but I was so mad. The whole spin went my way.”Hopkins previously told the Item he understood why Ford reacted the way he did and that it was a passionate outburst. But he still accused city officials of hiding behind their desks and ignoring widespread violence, unchecked immigration, and youth gangs.Regardless, Ford said he hopes he can change Hopkins’ mind once he sets foot on Lynn soil.