ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Lynn Classical High School student Ali Jallow asks State Sen. Thomas McGee, left, and State Rep. Brendan Crighton a question during a town hall style meeting on government.
By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
LYNN — Local government officials answered to Lynn Classical High School advanced government students on Tuesday.
Each student prepared a question for State Sen. Thomas McGee (D-Lynn), State Rep. Dan Cahill (D-Lynn) and State Rep. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) and led a discussion on local and state politics.
They debated everything from the legal age to purchase tobacco to the rights of undocumented immigrants to a woman’s right to choose. One student questioned whether the locations proposed for two new middle schools are the best options.
“This is reflective of the great things going on in the Lynn schools,” said McGee, who was impressed by the nature of the students’ questions.
The students were equally impressed.
“I felt like I could trust them,” said Eric Macorri, a senior. “There’s a personal connection with them being so close to the community.”
Macorri said because of the event, he felt like he could reach out to his community leaders when there is a problem.
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“We got a lot of information about what goes on and how the (political) process works,” said Matt Lauria, a senior. “It’s really cool to see as long as you’re motivated you can always go out and do it. It doesn’t matter where you came from.”
Cahill and Crighton said they started out in the same place as the room full of teenagers. Both came from the Lynn Public School system; neither came from a political family.
Crighton’s political experience stems from an internship at City Hall. Cahill ran for office for the first time as part of a project for his master’s’ program at Northeastern University, securing a seat on the Lynn School Committee.
Anyone older than 18 who wants to get involved with local politics can run for office, they told the students.
Ali Jallow, a senior, said he was open to a career in politics.
“It’s kind of refreshing to hear from them,” he said. “They’re really about our problems. I know I have a voice and changes can be made. It makes me more conscious that I could do it.”
Cahill stressed the importance of voting.
“It’s your right,” said Cahill. “You can sit down and do nothing, hang out on social media and complain. But 100 million people didn’t vote. It’s your most important civic duty, aside from paying taxes.”
McGee encouraged students to do the work and research election candidates rather than believing rumors.
“We always like to meet and chat with young folks,” said Cahill. “It’s a good way to reassure the future generation that they can run for office, regardless of their background and that it’s important that good people run for office to make sure our community is well served.”