LYNN – The latest iterations of the City Council and School Committee were sworn into office in a ceremony at Lynn Memorial Auditorium Tuesday night.
In his address, Mayor Jared Nicholson pointed out that this inauguration marked a number of firsts for the city.
Ward 2 Councilor Obed Matul is the first Latino councilor.
Ward 4 Councilor Natasha Megie-Maddrey is the first Afro-Latina councilor.
Councilor-at-Large Nicole McClain is the first Black American woman councilor.
School Committee Member Andrea Satterwhite is the first woman of African-American descent on the School Committee.
“I think this is a great opportunity for fresh perspectives and new dynamics,” Nicholson said.
Nicholson also acknowledged the other newcomers: Ward 1 Councilor Peter Meaney and School Committee member Sean Reid.
He said that the inaugural celebration comes on the heels of recent violence in the city.
“It coincides with a sad and difficult moment as we face the challenge of community violence that claimed the lives of two of our students just a few days ago,” Nicholson said. “It’s a challenge that we must all be united and confront. I know that we will join together to stand against this violence and strive for a world that allows all of our young people to safely live their best lives.”
Nicholson said that the city is facing challenges, including a deep mistrust of government being sown and exploited around the country and the world.
“Free and fair elections, like the ones that put you all here this evening, help replenish that trust,” he said. “But as we’ve seen nationally, that, in itself, is not enough. One reason for that is the pervasive insecurity that people feel in today’s world from having changed so rapidly while leaving too many people behind.”
He said that people wonder where they fit in and that the feeling they could be left behind creates anxiety.
He said people ask, “What if I don’t get on the right track? What if my kids don’t get on the right track? What if there’s no track even open for me?”
Nicholson said that those questions are evidence of deep societal inequality.
“Others prey on the anxiety those questions provoke in order to advance their own agendas,” he said. “They’re still real questions, and one of the things I love most about Lynn is that more than most places in the entire world, we can say that we’re really capable of making sure everyone, no matter their circumstances, has a track available to them that will take them somewhere promising.”
He noted the progress the city is making in education, housing opportunities, job training opportunities, street improvements, and public safety.
“Together, we can show everyone – and most importantly our constituency – that government can be good by holding strong values, communicating transparently and delivering results,” Nicholson said.
Following the ceremony, the City Council convened to elect its president and vice president.
Current Council President Jay Walsh and Vice President Dianna Chakoutis were both unanimously elected to continue their respective roles.
