Phelan announces bid for Lynn mayor

LYNN – The campaign for mayor of Lynn is in full swing, as more than 100 supporters attended the weekend grand opening of City Council President Tim Phelan’s campaign headquarters in West Lynn.Phelan, who announced his candidacy in May, said on Saturday he has spent his summer knocking on city residents’ doors to introduce himself and hear what issues they’d like solved.What he’s finding is that residents “are tired of hearing about the past.””The future is now,” he said. “People are frustrated. They want the city to move forward faster.”Phelan’s campaign for mayor pits him against incumbent Judith Flanagan Kennedy, with whom he has had his differences, including on a Phelan-supported anti-foreclosure ordinance and medical marijuana proposal.But Phelan said he’s keeping his campaign for mayor focused on issues such as waterfront and downtown development, uniting Lynn’s diverse residents and investing in new public schools.”One of the things key to building a city is education,” he said. “It’s why people want to move into the city and stay in the city.”Lynn native and supporter Colt Mallett, who is getting married next year, said he thinks Phelan is the person who can help Lynn become a destination for young families like his own.”He’s a great guy,” he said. “He’s been good to the city.”In May when Phelan announced his candidacy, he pointed to some of his accomplishments, including helping to open a downtown dental clinic, removing power lines on the waterfront and banning teen smoking and strip clubs.Supporter Denny McManus, whose brother served as mayor for a decade, said on Saturday Phelan’s almost two-decades of public service is why he’s the best fit for mayor.”I think he will do a much better job than Judy,” he said. ” I think he’s more intelligent; I think he’s got a better feel for the city.”Phelan said he is excited for the campaign, which is in full gear during the July heat wave even though election day is more than four months away.Win or lose, he said, he’s not going anywhere.”This is my city. I love Lynn,” he said.Tim Phelan campaign headquarters is 47 Myrtle St. in Lynn. You can contact the campaign at [email protected] or www.facebook.com/TimPhelanforMayor