Clean Up Violence Focusing on Domestic and Gang/Drug Related Violence

I have ten years experience working with high risk youth and law enforcement to reduce violence and crime and make our communities safer.  For the past five years we have been able to significantly decrease recidivism and violence among Lynn youth by providing them with healthy alternatives to crime and violence.   I will continue to work diligently with families and law enforcement to prevent violence and crime in our city. 

Clean up Lynn’s Perception Problem in order to Increase Property Values and Draw New Business

Lynn has a major perception problem.  I couldn’t disagree with people more who refer to Lynn as a bad place to live and work.  Lynn is an amazing community with many wonderful assets.  My educational training is in Urban Planning and Community development and I believe that Lynn’s economic vitality is directly linked to its public perception.  I believe that it is time to work together as a community to overhaul Lynn’s perception.  I know that as we come together to clean up all areas of Lynn, reduce crime, violence and address the drug crisis, we will be able to transform Lynn’s image to one where Lynn will be known as “a great place to live, work and raise a family”. 

Clean Up Our Parks and Streets and Create New After School Opportunities for Children

In partnership with many community groups and many concerned Lynn residents we have created a wide ranging group dedicated to cleaning up our parks and making our neighborhoods safe and clean places where families and children can play.    Researchers have proven that after school hours (3-6pm) are the highest risk for delinquent and unhealthy behaviors for youth, because youth are out of school often times unsupervised until their parents return from work.   I will work to come up with creative ways to increase the number of after school opportunities for Lynn children.  

Increase Non-conventional Level of Federal, Private Funding for Lynn

In these dire economic times, the city has been forced to make drastic cuts in services.  Therefore, it is more important than ever that Lynn’s elected officials work with community stake holders to generate new resources in the city by applying for and receiving an increased amount of Federal, and Private Funding for Lynn.  I have been working with Lynn non-profits and the faith community to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in new resources that previously haven’t been available.  I am currently exploring new ways that Lynn can tap into President Obama’s stimulus money to provide much needed services in Lynn, stimulate business and create new jobs.  In doing so property values will rise, new business will spring up, we’ll create new jobs, generate new revenues to improve our schools. 

Why is this Urgent? Why Now?

Far too many People are losing their jobs, their homes, schools and business are closing every day, there are major cuts at the State and City budget.   Now is the time to elect strong leadership who understand the real issues that people are facing and who can bring people together to have an impact.  It’s not good enough to just talk about the issues.  For years I have rolled up my sleeves and dedicated my life to bringing people together to make Lynn a cleaner, safer community.   That’s why I am asking you to join me as we work together to make Lynn a first class city.