LYNN — Candidates vying for city office next week gathered at North Shore Community College Monday in one of the last chances to make pitches to voters.
Candidates for at-large and ward races made their pitches to an audience of around 30 community members, including veterans, during a forum, which was held by the Disabled American Veterans Lynn-Swampscott Chapter 64 and hosted by DAV Cmdr. Jeffrey Blonder.
Seven of the eight candidates contending for the four at-large races made their pitches, with incumbent Brian Field absent from the forum.
One incumbent in attendance was Nicole McClain, seeking her first full term on the council after filling the seat of late Councilor-at-Large Gordon “Buzzy” Barton after his death in April.
In Monday’s forum, McClain, who trailed newcomer Don Castle by around 300 votes in September’s preliminary election, pointed to the work the current council has done and why she should hold her seat.
“There is great work being done under our current administration,” McClain said. “Put me to work to add to that progress.”
McClain also pointed to her work with local community organizations, as well as her advocacy for the BIPOC community of Lynn, as her major strength.
“The commitment that I have to this city is shown in the many boards that I’ve served on and the many boards that I have volunteered to be a part of,” McClain said. “As residents, you need to know there is someone in office who is willing to represent you well.”
In his remarks, Castle pointed to his experience as an American Rescue Plan Act Compliance Officer for the City of Lynn as an asset to the council.
According to Castle, he was compelled to join the race after Barton’s death.
“When my good friend Buzzy Barton passed away on April 5th, I thought about running. I always wanted to be a councilor. I always wanted to give back to the city,” Castle said.
Castle also flexed his endorsement from the late Buzzy Barton’s sister, Patricia Barton, and others close to the late councilor.
“I find that to be an honor,” Castle said. “I’m humbled that they would endorse me.”
Another at-large hopeful is Jose Encarnacion, who trailed McClain by nearly 600 votes in the September preliminary race.
“I’m running because the city of Lynn is a very diverse city,” Encarnacion said. “We need to see that diversity at the city hall as well.”
Encarnacion said housing, economic development, and public safety were the major issues of his campaign, the latter being particularly important to him, as his nephew was one of two victims who were killed in a shooting on Essex Street in early September.
He said more investments are necessary to make the city a safer place.
“We need to invest in our neighborhoods…all neighborhoods,” Encarnacion said.
One of the most significant topics of the discussion in the forum was the strengthening of the city’s commercial tax base.
Castle said the city needs to do a better job attracting major industries and developments like other communities have in recent years.
“Huge companies employing hundreds, if not thousands, of new employees…But not in Lynn,” Castle said.
McClain added she would explore more ways to take full advantage of what is already in place in the city, especially in the downtown area, where several small businesses call home.
“There’re things that are empty in our city, plenty of buildings that are just not being used and are abandoned,” McClain said. “There’re things we can explore.”
On public safety, incumbent Councilor-at-Large Brian LaPierre called for the community to step up and be more active in their neighborhoods with things like neighborhood watches.
“The police are doing the best they can under the circumstances,” LaPierre said. “It’s going to take all of us as a community.”
Candidates for the contested races for Ward 1, Ward 2, and Ward 4 city councilor also gave their pitches.
Dentist Peter Meaney and St. Mary’s Director of Campus Operations and Athletic Director Jeff Newhall, a former School Committee member, presented their pitches to represent Ward 1.
As for Ward 2, LHAND Property Manager Elizabeth Figueroa and Full Color Signs and Graphics owner Obed Matul presented their pitches to represent the ward.
Longtime School Committee member and case manager Donna Coppola and lawyer Natasha Megie-Maddrey both made their pitches to represent Ward 4.
Election day, when voters will also elect the School Committee members, is Nov. 7.
The races for Wards 3, 4, 5, and 6 are uncontested.
