Got a minute? These pols had to think quickly

LYNN – Ready? Set? Talk!In a political lightning round, City Council and School Committee candidates were given one minute each to say their piece during a “candidates appeal” this week at the Community Brotherhood, and they made the best of it.”I’m not going to waste your time. Vote for me,” said Ward 4 Councilor Richard Colucci, who arrived late, wearing a pair of denim shorts and a T-shirt.Sponsored by the African-American Leadership Council, the candidates appeal on Thursday night came prior to the mayoral forum and was emceed by Pamela Barton from Save our Souls, who called Colucci’s brief announcement the best speech of the night.Councilor at large candidate Daniel Cahill arrived late but said he had a good reason. He was stuck in traffic caused by people headed to Veterans Memorial Auditorium for the concert by Alice Cooper.”That’s a good problem to have,” he said.Cahill has one daughter and a son on the way, and said he is fully vested in the community and especially in building new schools that his kids will one day attend.”I’m number seven. You have to look all the way down the ballot but please find me,” he said.”African-American Leadership Council? Looks a lot like the NAACP to me,” said councilor at large candidate Buzzy Barton, drawing laughter from crowd.Barton is seeking a second term on the council and said he is running for one simple reason: to help people. He said he watched the example set by his mother and decided two years ago it was his turn to give back.”Who are you?” Pamela Barton asked councilor at large candidate Paul Crowley, who was sporting a large pin bearing his name. “Are you John Ford?”Crowley said he hoped he was better known than that in the city, and as he took the podium, the microphone died. Undeterred, Crowley said he grew up in the city, was invested and that there is “no way you will ever get me to not think about Lynn.”Councilor at large challenger Aikaterini Panagiotakis Koudanis said she was proud to have the longest name on the ballot but as an architect she also has a lot to offer.”I don’t want to take the lead, I don’t want to take the back seat. I want to walk side by side and move the city forward,” she said.Clay Walsh, in his second attempt at landing on the council, said he brings a fresh set of eyes, a new vision and part of the solution to moving the city forward.Ward 1 Councilor Wayne Lozzi has served for 10 years and touted his renovation of the parks as a high point. He said simply that he enjoys the job and would like to continue doing it.Ward 2 incumbent William Trahant said people have warned him not to tell folks that he’s served 14 years on City Council because it will spur them to look for a change.”But I wear it as a badge of honor,” he said.Trahant said he has returned thousands of phone calls, worked hard for the youth, is a lifelong Lynner and runs a family business that’s four generations deep into the neighborhood.”I’d like to continue what I’m doing because I’m proud of the things I’ve done,” he said.Ward 2 challenger Jessie Jaeger, however, is hoping people will be ready for a change and he’s it. Jaeger, who has also been involved in youth issues through the schools, said his goal if elected is to bring the ward together.Ron Mendes is also a challenger hoping to give Ward 3 incumbent Darren Cyr a run for his money.”I have a passion for the potential Lynn has,” he said. “There are so many things we could do to prosper and move Lynn forward but there is a little lack of leadership in City Hall.”Cyr said he didn’t think there was any lack of leadership and he could sum up the role of city councilor in two words.”To serve,” he said. “That’s it. Not only will I return your phone call, I’ll show up at your door for a face-to-face.”Ward 4 challenger Ariana Murell Rosario said she will bring accountability and transparency to the council, Ward 5 candidate Jake Keo said he is concerned about priorities, business development, public safety, public health and educati