SCI Lynn is looking for translators to volunteer editing a Multilingual Publication for residents of Lynn. This publication will include listings of basic services and resources available to the Lynn community at large. The goal of this publication is to increase accessibility to resources, increase the usage of those services, and promote civic engagement. SCI Lynn hopes to have the publication finished by fall 2008 in the five following languages Haitian Creole, Khmer, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian. Voluteers may possibly recieve a small honorarium. For more information please contact Amanda Richardson at arichardson@socialcapitalinc.org or call 781-599-1269.

Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development (LHAND) is hosting a FREE Foreclosure Seminar on Tuesday, September 9th, from 6:00PM to 9:00PM. The seminar will be held in the LHAND Community Room located at 10 Church Street. The LHAND encourages each participant to bring a copy of their last mortgage statement. For further questions please contact Daisy Reyes via email at dreyes@lhand.org or by phone at 781-581-8652

Civic engagement requires an informed citizenry. Don't rely on the Lynn Item for all your news! Please feel free to open and print out the attached petition to the Lynn City Council to act to cablecast Council meetings with all deliberate speed. Circulate it among your friends, family and neighbors. More details to follow.

Civic engagement requires an informed citizenry. That's why I nearly gagged on my morning coffee when I saw the headline in the Lynn Item: "Lynners Kept in Dark by Stubborn Councilors"  The councilors in question are Darren Cyr of Ward 3, William Trahant  of Ward 2 and the pugilistic Richard Ford of Ward 7. I'm dissapointed that Mr. Cyr, my own councilor who I have a lot of respect for, is one of the council members resisting progress televising city council meetings.

My respect went down a notch as I readCyr's comment that "we should do it right by spotlighting a different city councilor each week, or show them driving around in a city vehicle talking to constituents. It would cost more, but it would be better. And a kill switch should also be available like they have at the state house." This isn't a re-election tool or a reality TV show. It's a step toward a more open, accountable and accessible city government. I find it deploreable that Lynn is one of the only communities in the state that does not televise these public meetings.

Comcast and Verizon are contractually obligated to earmark funds for goverment access. The Massachusetts Open Meeting Law allows anyone who attends a public meeting to make an audio or videotape of that meeting.

We shoudn't stop at televising council meetings though. Take a look at Common Cause's Campaign for Open Government website and you will see that Lynn is not one of their "superstars" when it comes to open government. Our council's meeting agendas, minutes and the budget are all absent from the city's website. These documents should be public record.

While you're at the Common Cause website, click the Take Action link and see what you can do to help remedy this.

LYNN, 31 Elvir Street 01902 --Huge yard sale Sunday 8/24, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Furniture,electronics, gourmet kitchen tools, sporting goods, athletic wear, funky jew elry, dressy and casual clothes men`s and women`s (6-12), shoes and much more! Cash only. Light refreshments while they last!

The Meet Me Downtown Festival is right around the corner on September 20th from 11-4pm.  We are looking for volunteers for set up (8:30-10:30) and break down (4pm-5pm) with tables and chairs and things. If you would like to volunteer for either, please email events@cityoflynn.net.  We appreciate your help! 

For more information on the upcoming festival - visit www.lynnarts.net , call 781-598-5244 or http://www.myspace.com/meetmedowntown_lynn