Candidates spar on sex offenders, party loyalty, work ethic

LYNN – Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy made quite an entrance at Lynn Cam’s mayoral debate when she swept in after cameras were already rolling.The debate, which pitted Kennedy against her challenger, City Council President Timothy Phelan, got off to a bit of a rocky start when Kennedy’s supporters had to scramble for seats after being told there was essentially no room at the inn. Jamie Cerulli, Kennedy’s chief of staff, stood her ground, however, and all 14 supporters were seated.?Mayor is largely considered a nonpartisan position, but that didn’t stop the candidates from naming party affiliations during a question that asked them to use one word to describe themselves. Kennedy called herself a Republican but said the word she would use is “driven.”Later, however, she said if you connect her with the basic tenets or the Republican party, smaller government, financially conservative and protective of the rights of businesses and individuals, “then yes, you can describe me as Republican.”Phelan said he believed the biggest difference is the fact that he is a Democrat and supports issue like the Homeowners Bill of Rights.”I don’t have a mayoral record because I haven’t been mayor, but I have a City Council record and my record on the City Council is to be a difference maker,” he said. “No one can say I sat on my dooper and did nothing.”?Kennedy drew snickers from the small crowd when asked how she feels about the city’s sex offender ordinance that states level three sex offenders can not live within a set distance from schools, parks or any place where children might congregate.”No one wants to live near a sex offender; the problem is a little document called the Constitution,” she said.Kennedy said if a sex offender has done his or her time and is in compliance with the sex offender registry, then they have a right to reside in the city. The issue really should be taken up with the state Legislature, she said. Kennedy said if the legislators really believed that sex offenders are so “odious” they should not be put back in society then they need to make the crime punishable by life in prison.Phelan defended the parameters of the ordinance by stating, “if an alcoholic has a problem he shouldn’t get a job in a liquor store, if you’re a gambler you don’t get a job at a racetrack. It’s like I said earlier, I don’t think we should not do something for fear that it’s not going to work.”?The pair also butted heads over purchasing snow removal equipment for the Department of Public Works versus renting it. Phelan said he believed spending $160,000 a year to rent snow removal equipment for five months was financially unwise and the city should just buy it.Kennedy said the equipment is costly, specialized and can only be used for snow removal; buying it would bring maintenance costs and storage concerns.?Phelan hit a nerve when asked how his administration would differ from Kennedys and he responded that he would work long hours all week.”Long hours? Are you kidding me?” Kennedy said. “Everyone knows I don’t go in at 9 a.m. but you tell me how many times have I taken a lunch? “Kennedy said she works into the evening, stays late nearly every Friday when City Hall closes at noon and often works weekends, attends events around the city and in general, “I put in many long hours.”?The pair almost agreed on residency in that Phelan agreed that Kennedy had the right to bargain it with the Police Department and she did. He stopped short however of saying if he agreed with the result that police officers can move out of the city after 10 years of service.?The great debate is not the only recent political event to take place in the city. The Daiily Item has learned that Ward 5 Councilor Brendan Crighton will have to change his social media status to “married.” The Councilor at large candidate wed girlfriend Andrea Maruzzi last weekend. The pair has made their home in Ward 4, which is what triggered Crighton’s run for Councilor at large. Politics hav