Political newcomer makes candidacy official in Lynn

LYNN – Bill Cooksey has solidified his candidacy for Ward 2 City Councilor, gathering the requisite 100 certified voter signatures and adding another 400.Cooksey, 29, a former weekly newspaper reporter, announced his candidacy in March, pitting him against incumbent William Trahant, who ran unopposed in the last election.”People always talk about the need for change at City Hall, but they don’t do anything about it,” he said upon taking out nomination papers at the Election Office. “It’s time to step up. This may sound cliché, but if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” Cooksey said he has stayed with plans for an ambitious door-to-door campaign in Ward 2. “I started my campaign in the second week of March and the hard work so far has paid off,” he said in a written statement.Cooksey currently has 500 signatures, most of which have been submitted to the Election Office.”I’ve spent a lot of time in the Fay Estate portion of the ward, where a majority of my signatures have come from. I’m just now getting to the Highland section and the English High School section. I plan on getting 500 more,” he said.According to Cooksey, gathering signatures isn’t what the election bid is all about. The bigger picture involves meeting people and listening to their stories to get a feel for what they might need over the next two years in a ward known for its diversity, he said.”A lot of people are not only signing my nomination papers, but many are offering to hold signs, or hold campaign parties in their homes. I can feel that people want something different and I’m honored that they’re considering me with such enthusiasm,” he said. “I’m not satisfied with just 500, or even a thousand signatures. I plan on meeting every single person in this ward and I want to carry their experience and wisdom into office.”Trahant, a Lynn business owner, serves on several council committees, including Cable Access, Education, Housing, License, Oversight, Personnel, Public Property and Public Works.