LYNN — Mayor Thomas M. McGee has been recognized by the U.S. Conference of Mayors for his leadership in developing and implementing programs to improve the quality of life in Lynn and make it one of the “most livable” cities in the country, according to his office.
McGee was honored in the 2019 City Livability Awards Program at the 87th annual meeting in Hawaii from June 28 to July 1.
“This program is such a great resource for the residents of Lynn and all who have a chance to use it,” McGee said in a statement. “It is an honor to see the city recognized on a national level by the U.S. Conference of Mayors as one of the ‘most livable’ cities in America.”
McGee credited the city’s community development director, James Marsh, for working with a number of mayoral administrations to carry out the restoration and transformation of High Rock Observatory into a “tremendous asset.”
A popular free program at High Rock Tower, which sits atop the city of Lynn seal in the heart of the downtown and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, is “Starry Starry Night.” The program is designed to promote tourism and education, while giving inner-city, low-income children and residents an opportunity to enjoy a publicly-owned and run observatory. It is meant to introduce people to basic astronomy while introducing them to the city of Lynn, according to the mayor’s office.
McGee said the restoration and reuse of High Rock Tower and the observatory has spanned four mayoral administrations, which, in addition to himself, has included the efforts of Mayors Pat McManus, Edward Clancy and Judith Flanagan-Kennedy.
“Our City Livability Awards Program gives us the chance to celebrate the extraordinary role mayors across the country play in making urban areas cleaner, safer and more livable,” said Thomas Cochran, CEO and executive director of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, in a statement, which credited Waste Management for its years of support for the awards program.
