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Darren Cyr says that he is grateful to have the support of Calvin Anderson.
By THOMAS GRILLO
There’s one fewer candidate seeking to replace Ward 3 City Councilor Darren Cyr.
Calvin Anderson, a member of the Lynn Historical Commission who had pulled papers to run for the seat, will not oppose the City Council President after all. Instead, the former challenger has endorsed the incumbent’s re-election bid.
“In recent months, Council President Cyr and I have found we agree on and share in most missions for our ward and city,” Anderson said in a statement. “While I pulled papers and had an exploratory committee for a possible Ward 3 council race this fall, I decided to endorse Councilor Cyr for re-election.”
Cyr said he’s grateful for Anderson’s support.
“He called me a week or two before nomination papers were due and realized we had the same goals,” he said. “It made more sense for us to work together than to butt heads.”
Cyr is not sure if Anderson’s support will make the difference to win a sixth term.
“Honestly, I work hard and if people realize that and see it, I’ll win, if they don’t feel that way, my opponent will win.”
That leaves the five-term councilor with just one opponent, real estate agent George Meimeteas.
Meimeteas, who ran unsuccessfully for an at-large seat in 2009 and 2010, said Anderson’s dropping out and supporting Cyr won’t matter.
“Lots of people in Ward 3 are concerned about what’s going on in the city,” he said. “We’ve had someone in office for a long time who has not been addressing the people’s concerns. As a businessman, I think I can make a difference.”
Thomas Grillo can be reached at [email protected].