To the editor:
I am supporting Michael Satterwhite for mayor of Lynn.
I was introduced to Michael by Donna Coppola in 2013 when Donna recommended Michael to join the board of Lynn Community Connections Coalition (LCCC). I asked Donna why hadn’t I heard of Michael before and Donna simply said that Michael didn’t do work in the community for recognition.
LCCC serves families, individuals and senior citizens throughout the city of Lynn and connects them to various resources. The Board grew to include Harry MacCabe, Brian Castellanos, Brenda Womack, Lisa Connolly, Kim Hudson and Daniel Richards. Michael became the chairperson of LCCC, which was a difficult job, and Michael did a very good job in a hard situation. Michael served as a chairperson while also working on the boards for Good Hope (which we collaborated with and brought a food bank to Lynn in 2018); the Lupus Foundation of America Boston Walk and the North Shore Latino Business Association.
Let me be clear, Michael is asked to serve on boards because of his lived experiences, but also for his knowledge, which is the very reason we need him as our mayor.
What I am trying to get across is that Michael is more than a personal story, just like Lynn is more than a slogan (Lynn, Lynn the City of Sin, you never come out the way you went in).
Lynn just welcomed home Olympic boxer Rashida Ellis. It was amazing to watch the coverage, but we should never forget how Ms. Ellis got to the Olympics. It was based on her hard work and record. We have to treat this important position of mayor in a similar fashion, based on the candidate’s work and record.
Michael has a successful record of managing people, organizations and money. Michael is the only candidate who is a small business owner in our city. Having served on the School Committee myself, I know the work that is required on the negotiating subcommittee, and Michael chaired this subcommittee all four years.
Michael had a hand in the city’s health insurance negotiations which, without the approval of the unions on the school side, would not have happened. During the last 17 months there were almost constant negotiations to assure our educators and students were safe and education continued in Lynn Public Schools.
Lynn now has more funeral homes than hospitals. Lynn now has more funeral homes than libraries. Lynn now has more funeral homes than fully-active firehouses. This is not how it should be and Michael is the only candidate talking about it and proposing solutions.
We can’t wait any longer doing business as usual; otherwise, we will never live to experience a Lynn we all know can exist.
I admire Michael not only because he is intelligent, but because he is compassionate, patient and understanding.
He knows about Lynn not because he learned about it, but because he has lived it. He is a mediator and a conciliator and knows how to deal with difficult situations and he listens.
Michael has a pulse of our city and is the only candidate with a plan that encompasses accessibility, affordability, activities and public safety for all residents and businesses. Michael’s tenure on the Lynn School Committee has been exemplary. Michael is knowledgeable about the many needs we have in Lynn and he has the capacity to work through our challenges. One does not meet too many people in life who can compare to Michael and I am happy to support his candidacy for mayor of Lynn.
Loretta Cuffe-O’Donnell
Lynn
