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.

On the morning of May 17, residents of Lynn cooperated to beautify their city. With a helping hand from the DPW and the state's Community Service program, they swept, raked and shoveled an estimated 30 bags of trash. Everything from scratched lottery tickets to an abandoned car seat, fast food wrappers to rusted shopping carts. Residents can take pride in a much cleaner neighborhood.

The area of Lynn around the Ingalls school, from Fayette St. to Chatham, and from Essex St. to Timson is much improved. Volunteers included homeowners, renters, and youth from the Food Project, Girls Inc., Boys and Girls Club, and SCI Lynn. Afterwards, they celebrated their efforts with camaraderie and lunch donated by socially responsible businesses in Lynn.

Big Brothers Big Sisters was on site, recruiting Bigs for one-to-one mentoring relationships with at-risk youth. The DPW showed up to promote recycling. Thirty new trash barrels were distributed to residents who came with their old, deteriorating ones.

The clean-up was a success because of the many people it brought together, working toward a common purpose. Some of these people met for the first time and found they shared a common interest. Others have been friends for a while, and bonded further over the course of the day. The cynic might say that the impact was minimal, that we didn't make much of a difference in the long run. The idealist would say that all change must start somewhere. A first step has been taken.

Presidential election 2008 !!

Get out and vote !!

Click here for presidential info.

Click here for more info.  read more »

Wow, the future looks bright in Lynn...What incredible talent and energy among our young sisters at Girls Inc. We spoke about succeeding against all odds, and transforming our world one day at a time, starting with self growth...  read more »

Lynn City Hall will be open until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 16. Voter Registration in Rm 203.

Click here to find for more information on where do I vote, and what WARD am I in?

Election day, Tuesday, November 6, 2007 !!!  read more »