CORRECTION: Due to a reporter’s error, an earlier version of this article misstated Councilor-At-Large candidate Hong Net’s name. The Item regrets the error.
LYNN — Voters will decide on the future of the Councilor-at-Large race tomorrow.
Tuesday’s ballot will be the first in more than a decade not to feature the late Councilor-at-Large Gordon “Buzzy” Barton, who died in April.
The person who filled Barton’s seat was Nicole McClain, who is seeking her first full term as a Councilor-at-Large after being appointed to the role following Barton’s death.
McClain explained that education, affordable housing, racial inequity, and community safety matters are her priority and that they “need to be addressed through a partnership with the community and with unequivocal commitment.”
Another incumbent looking to stay on the council is Brian LaPierre, who touted constituent services and championing the Pickering Middle School as major accomplishments in his time on the council.
LaPierre said his priorities looking to the future were continuing to support the Pickering Project’s 2026 opening timeline, improving public safety and emergency services, and expanding the commercial tax base in the city, which he said will not only make residential and property taxes more affordable but also bring in more jobs.
Brian Field is another incumbent seeking to keep his seat.
Field said he was proud of the work he had done to bolster the city’s financial position, something he said would continue to be a goal in his next term by working with the state and federal government to get more money for projects and initiatives in Lynn.
Field said he would also continue to push for new and updated school-building projects like the Pickering project and that public health and safety was another one of his priorities.
Hong Net is also looking to hold onto his at-large seat.
Net has pointed to work he had done on affordable housing and transportation infrastructure among the major accomplishments in his past few years on the council.
“It has been a great honor to serve the city I love and its residents for the past twelve years,” Net said in the build-up to the September preliminary election. “I have seen so many amazing people from all walks of life come together to help make Lynn a safe and prosperous city for everyone.”
Net said going forward, he would continue the work he had done on the Ways and Means Committee to reduce inequity as well as “to advocate for every available dollar for the safety of our residents and the men and women of our police and fire departments.”
Don Castle, the former American Rescue Plan Act Compliance Officer for the city, is one of the four candidates not currently serving, running to be a Councilor-at-Large and outpaced McClain by more than 300 votes in September’s preliminary election.
Castle listed funding city departments, addressing neighborhood quality of life issues, and creating an open and honest dialog between government and residents as critical matters to him.
Jose Encarnacion is another of the candidates looking to join the council after votes are tallied on Tuesday.
Encarnacion said he is looking to be the bridge between the city’s Latino community and city hall, intending to address issues like affordable housing, economic development, the support of small businesses, and community-driven public safety.
“I’m running because I have a passion for public service, because I love the city of Lynn, and because I want to give back to the community,” Encarnacion said.
Another candidate looking to join the council is Roger Garcia, who said he was looking to bring his insight as a small business owner into city hall.
Garcia said some of his priorities were stable management of city finances, public safety, education, and economic development.
“Lynn is a great community that has been very good to me and my family. It is time for me to give back to this city, this community, that has done so much for me,” Garcia said.
Richard Felton is also running to be a Councilor-at-Large and said in a forum last month that economic development was among his top priorities.
Voting opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m., and an interactive map of polling locations is located on the city’s website.
