LYNN ― Candidate for Ward 4 city councilor Natasha Megie-Maddrey is the daughter of Haitian and Dominican immigrants, and was the first in her family to obtain a four-year college degree, graduating Regis College with a bachelor’s degree in 1998.
Megie-Maddrey then went on to receive her juris doctor degree from New England School of Law.
She grew up in Dorchester, went to Boston Public schools, then moved to Lynn after graduating.
She has lived in Lynn for 23 years with her husband, Tarik, and has raised her five children, ages 14 to 25, there.
Megie-Maddrey works for the National Parents Union, and is also a local attorney, which she said makes her uniquely qualified to be a city councilor.
Her three favorite things about Ward 4 are Red Rock Park, High Rock Tower, and the food ― she named Estefani’s, Sunset Caribbean, and the Thai Cafe being some of her favorite restaurants.
Megie-Maddrey said she decided to run for ward councilor because she doesn’t think that all residents of Ward 4 are being represented.
“I have talked to countless residents who have lived in the ward for a long time and don’t know who their councilor is, or how to contact him,” she said. “Walking around Ward 4, I have seen the differences in the different parts of the Ward. I believe that the entire Ward should be beautiful and not just part of it.”
Megie-Maddrey said that residents do not currently have ward meetings and added that they need more opportunities for neighbors to get to know each other better.
If elected, she plans to have meetings at least once a month and will have monthly newsletters, both with translations available so that everyone feels included and welcome.
Since pulling her papers for Ward 4 councilor in March, Megie-Maddrey said she has been out every day engaging with voters by knocking on numerous doors and having conversations with people.
“People have concerns about the violence in the neighborhood, the drugs, the speeding, the
trash, and the rising cost of taxes, to name a few,” she said.
To address the trash in the neighborhood, Megie-Maddrey said there needs to be regular street sweeping and neighborhood cleanups, as well as trash cans placed throughout the city, especially around stores.
“This is our city and we all need to do more to take care of the city we love,” she said.
If elected, her top priorities include affordable housing, safe neighborhoods, elder services, and improving youth programs.
“The housing issue in Lynn is a crisis that needs to be addressed,” she said.
To address this, she plans to advocate for the Steering Committee’s housing plan and to make sure that those currently living in Lynn are not being forced to leave.
“The pandemic continues to show us that we have a lot of inequalities in our city. There are so many people who are living in overcrowded apartments as a result of the increasing cost of rent,” she said. “We have gorgeous new developments being built, but these apartments do not have any affordable units, and most of our residents can’t afford to live in them.”
Megie-Maddrey said all new developments that come into the city should have at least 20 percent designated as affordable units, and there should be more programs for young adults to be able to purchase homes.
“My daughter is currently 23 and looking for her own apartment, but the apartments in Lynn are just too expensive,” she said. “We need to make Lynn a place where we can all thrive and live a prosperous life.”
Megie-Maddrey wants to see the city invest in community mapping, where the city’s 300-plus nonprofits will be able to connect on a virtual map, making it easier for individuals to find whatever services they need.
Another issue she plans to address is low voter turnout.
In Ward 4 in 2019, she said, only 12 percent of those who were registered to vote actually voted; Megie-Maddrey identified this as a huge problem.
“All of Lynn is currently being underserved,” she said. “Our city is full of diversity, and when you look at our elected officials, the diversity is clearly lacking.”
In Ward 4, there is only one polling location. This location, Megie-Maddrey said, isn’t convenient for everyone, so she said there needs to be more than one polling location in every ward.
“We need to make it easier for people in Lynn to vote,” she said. “We need to elect new people that have new ideas and would bring better representation to City Hall.”
If elected, Megie-Maddrey said she is committed to making sure seniors have the financial and medical resources they need to enjoy their golden years.
She also plans to advocate for a community center for teens, expand the summer job program to include younger kids, and use schools more for afterschool programming.
“I care deeply for this city and all the people who live here. I want to see our city continue to
thrive and prosper and be the best it can be,” she said. “We can do better if we all work together.”
Megie-Maddrey is running against incumbent Richard Colucci.
To learn more about Megie-Maddrey, visit www.natashaforlynn.com, or contact her at 617-755-3853 or on her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TeamMegieMaddrey.
The city election is on Nov. 2 and polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
