LYNN – By most accounts, the final mayoral debate Friday morning between incumbent Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. and challenger Judith Flanagan Kennedy was a sleeper in a race that has had its contentious moments.
Both candidates methodically answered nine questions, which they had been provided days in advance. The questions were about jobs, parking, public safety, permits and licensing, communication between City Hall and the business community, property taxes, fostering a relationship between city agencies and the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce, library funding, and the city’s image.
Each candidate was allowed three minutes per question as well as a five-minute closing statement at the end of the debate. As expected, Clancy emphasized his Democratic Party affiliation, enforcement of the city’s residency requirement for municipal employees, roll back of bar hours, regulation of the downtown homeless shelter and soup kitchen, and creation of the Inspectional Services Department to streamline permits. He also took credit for bringing National Grid to the negotiating table, resulting in an agreement to relocate Lynnway power lines.
Clancy said extending the Blue Line rapid transit rail from Revere to Lynn will make Lynn a destination city while redevelopment of the waterfront is key to its economic future.
Kennedy stayed true to her belief that workers should not be told where to live. Unlike Clancy, Kennedy said Lynn residents should not wait for the Blue Line to bring prosperity because that might not become a reality for many years. She urged residents to take action now on feasible projects that can be more easily accomplished.
Although Clancy cited crime reduction based on his roll back of bar hours, Kennedy said the city needs more police officers. She also criticized the decision to eliminate the Police Department’s bicycle patrol, which at one time brought officers into the downtown, the Commons and the Highlands where they became familiar with area residents.
Clancy vowed not to increase property taxes, saying they are regressive. Kennedy, too, said now is not the time to place additional financial burden on residential property owners.
For complete story see Saturday’s Item
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