Lynn organization protests veto

LYNN – Lynn United for Change members had one important question for Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy during a protest Monday at City Hall to address her veto of the anti-foreclosure ordinance recently passed by City Council.”Are you for us, or are you for the banks?” asked Gabriel Emedosi. “It looks like the mayor decided to side with the banks, which is not what the people want.”Kennedy issued a letter stating she was vetoing the ordinance brought forth by the City Council aimed at reducing the number of foreclosures in the city. The ordinance would, among other things, require big banks to sit down with homeowners for a mediation session prior to filing a foreclosure with the Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds.Read the ordinanceEmedosi said the ordinance would have allowed him to sit down with his bank and try and work out a way to save his home; instead “I’m in court fighting eviction.”Don Greenleaf called himself lucky because he was able to buy his home back after a foreclosure. He said the ordinance would be good for everyone because it would offer some protection for homeowners and result in fewer empty homes in the city.”If the bank takes the house next door property values go down and suddenly you’re underwater on your mortgage,” he said. “The mayor needs to take another look at this.”Lynn United for Change organizer Isaac Hodes said the group is calling on Kennedy to rethink her decision and for the City Council to override her veto.”The mayor gave two reasons for the veto and both are invalid and inaccurate,” he said.Hodes said one of Kennedy’s arguments is that the city does not have the legal authority to take action regarding foreclosures.”But a federal court judge upheld a similar law in Springfield,” he said. “That’s the only time an ordinance like this has been in court.”In a letter to Kennedy, which the protesters lined up to sign, Hodes pointed out that the organization has been fighting foreclosures for several years and has had a number of successes. He said Lynn United for Change members would be willing to sit down and meet with Kennedy to share their knowledge and experience.Homeowner Efres Perez wants to see that happen.”It seems like she’s taking the side of the banks instead of the people,” Perez said. “I’ve been fighting Wells Fargo to keep my home and it’s impossible to talk to them. I work hard, I can make payments, and I just want to be treated fairly.”Chris Stevens can be reached at [email protected].