Less than a week after they faced off, candidates for councilor-at-large were at it again on Monday as they debated the issues on cable television.
The eight candidates seeking four seats talked about their proudest accomplishments, public safety, diversity, a $7 million budget deficit, and dirty streets on Lynn Community Television moderated by former Mayor Albert V. DiVirgilio.
City Councilor-at-Large Buzzy Barton started the night off by telling viewers he is most proud of his 31 years of sobriety and the 30 years he gave as a firefighter.
Challenger Brian Field said he has had a few proud moments.
“When I became a parent for the first time and when my son received the best teammate award a few years ago,” he said.
Jaime Figueroa, another challenger, said his proudest moment came when he turned his life around from high school dropout to college graduate.
“I have really become a good example for my kids,” he said.
Former City Councilor Richard Ford said he is most proud of his family.
“I really enjoyed watching my kids play sports,” he said. “I hope I’ve shown them the right way. They are all doing well.”
Challenger John Ladd said he’s proud that he came from modest means and as a real estate agent has helped people realize the American Dream.
Incumbent Brian LaPierre said he is proud of the work he did to rebuild the Lynn Shore Little League.
“And I’m proud of the work I did as a teacher and it was where I met my wife,” he said.
City Council-at-Large Hong Net said his proudest moment was coming to America from the killing fields of Cambodia to build a life with his family.
“I’m also proud of the fact that I’ve helped thousands of people register to vote who have never voted before,” he said.
Taso Nikolakopoulos said he is proud every time he opens the door to his restaurant, John’s Roast Beef & Seafood, on Western Avenue.
“My parents came to this country with nothing and built a small business,” he said.
On the city’s finances, all the candidates agreed Lynn has to find a way out.
LaPierre, Barton and Net said they have avoided layoffs so far by adopting a meals tax, licensing two medical marijuana clinics, and introducing a trash fee.
Nikolakopoulos questioned whether the city has a master plan and he called on the city to hire a grant writer.
Figueroa called for a comprehensive audit and a full time chief financial officer.
Ford said the city needs to attract new businesses to the waterfront while Net said the council needs to figure out a way to avoid what he called “surprises” about the budget from the mayor’s office.
Ladd said it very difficult to attract new business to Lynn when the city has such a large deficit.
On cleaning up the downtown, the candidates agreed the city needs to do a better job educating the public on recycling and how a clean city will be more attractive to outsiders.
On public safety, there was consensus on keeping the city safe, but few suggestions on where to get the cash to hire more police officers and firefighters.
Nikolakopoulos, Net, and LaPierre agreed the city must adopt a planning department with a grant writer in a key role to bring in money from all sources.
But Figueroa said just hiring more police will not make Lynn safer.
“We need to educate our kids about the dangers of guns and drugs and show there are alternatives to the streets,” he said.
On celebrating the city’s diversity, Figueroa said flag raising and ethnic festivals are not enough.
“There are 36 languages spoken in this city,” he said. “City Hall should mirror the diversity in our community.”
He called for the hiring of a diversity director.
“Flag raising ceremonies can only do so much,” he said.
Lynn Community Television will host a debate among the School Committee candidates on Thursday, Oct. 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. On Monday, Oct. 23, Ward Councilors will face each other live from 7 to 9 p.m., and a taped segment on Monday, Oct. 30 will feature the two mayoral candidates from 8 to 9 p.m.
