Kennedy builds bridge to council

LYNN – Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy scrapped prepared remarks and devoted her 27-minute-long inaugural speech Monday night to singling out city councilors and school committee members for praise in a symbolic show of unity to start the new year.”Sometimes we have to step back and think small,” she told 700 people gathered in Veterans Memorial Auditorium before treating them to a brief appreciation of her 17 fellow city elected officials.She called Councilor at large Daniel Cahill a “bridge builder” and councilors, following inaugural ceremonies, picked up on Kennedy’s theme and unanimously elected Cahill their new president after an initial vote gave Cahill seven votes, with councilors Darren Cyr, Wayne Lozzi and Rick Ford voting for Councilor William Trahant Jr. for president.Cahill succeeds former Council President Timothy Phelan, who waged an unsuccessful mayoral campaign last year against a backdrop of clashes between Kennedy and councilors over council initiatives and mayoral vetoes.During her speech, Kennedy called Trahant “one of the most generous people you will every know,” and called Cyr, who has been critical of Kennedy, a “neighborly, concerned” councilor.She praised new Ward 5 Councilor Dianna Chakoutis as “dogged” and saluted Councilor Brendan Crighton’s “devotion to doing good.” She labeled Ford the “hardest-working councilor” and praised Lozzi’s “concern for his constituents.”Kennedy served with most of the councilors prior to her election in 2009. She won that race by a narrow margin to become the city’s first female mayor. She scored a resounding victory over Phelan, setting the stage for her to extend a hand to the council and to Cahill – the two have met and talked several times, Kennedy said, since the Nov. 5 election.”Dan has come forward to say he sees this as an opportunity for a new beginning, as do I,” Kennedy said.Kennedy praised Ward 6 Councilor Peter Capano’s Army service and described Hong Net as a “trailblazer” for Asian American Lynn residents. She almost forgot to include Councilor at large Gordon “Buzzy” Barton in her praise list before describing the former firefighter as “a presence.”She described Ward 4 Councilor Richard Colucci as “genuine” and called School Committee member John Ford “a legend” before praising committee member Maria Carrasco’s involvement in community affairs and Rick Starbard’s common sense.Kennedy saluted committeewoman Patricia Capano for her thoroughness and Charlie Gallo for his fairness, and credited committeewoman Donna Coppola for her attention to the city’s female high school graduates.”She wants to see success in young women,” Kennedy said.Monday night’s inauguration included pomp and circumstance with an honor guard of police officers and firefighters leading Kennedy, dressed in her signature black and pink campaign colors, into the auditorium.Fire Chief James McDonald and Police Chief Kevin Coppinger escorted Kennedy to the auditorium stage with Barton and Crighton in tow.Kennedy described herself as “excited and energized” by the inauguration and, following her speech, called her elected colleagues “people (who) sometimes clash but come together as a unified force for the good of the city of Lynn.”As the council’s longest-serving member, Colucci served as inaugural master of ceremonies, singling out council newcomer Chakoutis for applause. He urged inaugural spectators to set aside complaints about the city and contribute to its improvement.Housing Court Associate Justice MaryLou Muirhead, a former law firm colleague of Kennedy’s, swore in the mayor as well as committee members and councilors.Local musicians rounded off the evening with Brian and MaryBeth Maes performing as well as student vocalist Brittany Jones. High School Saxophone Quartet members Salena Von, Brandon Von, Edward Senn and Victor Nwagou performed and English High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps members presented the colors and performed drills.Participating ROTC m