McManus claims new Lynn police station plan began under his tenure in ’95

LYNN – Mayor Edward Clancy Jr. told an audience at the Porthole Pub Friday that the city’s new police department ranks among his major accomplishments.Patrick McManus, former Lynn mayor and current challenger, took issue with that claim, asserting that a needs assessment and plans for the new station were drafted under his tenure, as was the site selection process and acquisition of the 1995 bond to pay for the project.”I agree with some of the issues there. And I’d say, yes, gangs are a priority. I also know the police station is nice, but we started in 1995 with the bond issue and then acquiring the land when I was in office. So it’s something we both worked on and there was a transition,” said McManus, who was in the audience during Clancy’s State-of-the-City speech.McManus said he has no intention of criticizing Clancy. “Lynn is not big enough to be throwing rocks at people,” he said. “We all know each other.”Besides, he said, “I’ve got a 10-year track record of improving things and that’s what I’m about – improving things in the city. The mayor wanted to give his report and I appreciate that. I enjoyed the presentation.”