LYNN ― The candidates for the city’s contested ward councilor seats all said they were concerned about making sure that constituents’ voices are heard and that they know how to reach their councilors whenever they need to at a forum hosted by Lynn Community Television on Wednesday night.
The forum was only open to ward candidates in contested races. In Ward 2, incumbent Richard Starbard faces a challenge from Elizabeth Figueroa. Ward 3 features two new candidates — Coco Alinsug and George Meimeteas — who are vying to fill the seat left vacant when City Council President Darren Cyr opted to run for mayor. In Ward 4, Natasha Megie-Maddrey is seeking to unseat longtime Councilor Richard Colucci.
Of these candidates, only Meimeteas was not present for the forum.
Candidates were asked questions ranging from what they would do for their ward with a $1 million grant to what they would do to help fix the water-quality issue at King’s Beach. Through all the answers, one thing was clear: The candidates want open communication with their potential constituents as much as possible.
Figueroa said that she wanted to see more official documents translated into different languages.
“We need to translate documentations and letters based on the populations we serve,” Figueroa said. “We need to build a bridge so we can advocate for our communities.”
Starbard said that being accessible to constituents is only half the battle. He said that it is just as important for councilors to communicate what is happening in the wards.
“When we did Marshall (Middle School), we ran a campaign,” Starbard said. “Because we were open and transparent, 80 percent voted in favor of it.”
Alinsug said that he wanted to help residents not only realize how they can get in contact with city officials but also organize how city officials can communicate with each other.
“We need to sit down and have a retreat where the mayor, School Committee, and City Council decide our priorities,” Alinsug said in response to a question about what he feels should be done about the current condition of schools in Lynn.
Megie-Maddrey advocated for meetings to be held across Ward 4 so that the citizens could freely voice their opinions directly to her.
“We don’t currently have ward meetings; I’d like to start with them at least one a month,” Megie-Maddrey said. “We need to be more responsive to our community.”
Colucci said that he wants to hear from people about what they want him to do. Colucci went as far as to provide his own phone number in his closing remarks.
“I won’t let you down,” Colucci said. “Call me if you need me.”
Starbard and Alinsug weighed in on how they would improve conditions at King’s Beach, which has been found to have the lowest water-quality purity in Massachusetts.
“We need to watch what goes down into storm drains because that’s what comes out at the end of the outfall pipe,” said Starbard.
Alinsug said that he would support the efforts that have already started to make improvements at the beach.
“We should not reinvent the wheel,” said Alinsug. “A task force is already provided.”
Figueroa, Colucci and Megie-Maddrey all pitched some ideas for how a $1 million grant could be best spent in the respective wards they’re seeking to represent.
“Our parks are in pieces,” Figueroa said. “I would invest that $1 million and utilize it for the parks and a family entertainment center.”
Colucci said he would utilize much of the funding to provide opportunities for the city’s youth.
“I’d like half for the youth program and youth jobs in the city,” Colucci said. “I have so many kids looking for summer jobs.”
Megie-Maddrey is in favor of the city reopening a senior center, which Lynn currently lacks after the last one closed in 2019.
“I would love to put some of the money to a senior center,” said Megie-Maddrey. “Our elders are being ignored. They should not be having to fight for a senior center.”
The city election is Nov. 2.
