LYNN — The two mayoral candidates Darren Cyr and Jared Nicholson faced off again on Wednesday morning during a breakfast debate organized by the Greater Lynn Chamber of Commerce and held at the Knights of Columbus.
The event was moderated by Colin Codner, executive director of the chamber, who started the debate by asking the candidates about how they were planning to engage with the businesses in the city.
Cyr, the president of the City Council, said a mayor should have monthly meetings with the city’s businesses. Nicholson, a member of the School Committee, said that small businesses are important not just on the waterfront and downtown but also in the neighborhoods, adding that the city needs to find creative ways to communicate with the busy business owners, using technology.
Discussion of the Lynn Housing Production Plan, approved by the City Council in September and the Planning Board on Tuesday, spurred a discourse.
Nicholson said that as mayor, he would start with a full evaluation of recommendations given in the plan.
“It is imperative to act on this,” he said.
Cyr said that he did not vote for the housing plan and that the approved plan puts restrictions on any future development in the city.
People shouldn’t confuse low-income housing with affordable housing, Cyr said. He would like to see more housing for people, whose income is $40,000-50,000 a year and who do not qualify for low-income housing.
“If people can’t afford where they live, why are we creating more and more housing for low-income people?” Cyr said.
Instead, he suggested the city establish programs for people who make $40-50 an hour and don’t qualify for subsidized housing so they could buy a home.
“We are always taking care of people in the city of Lynn,” Cyr said.
Talking about his vision of Lynn as a regional leader, Cyr said that the city needs to have meetings and officially join forces with the neighboring cities and towns, adding that Lynn Police and Fire already go to the neighboring towns to help out.
Nicholson focused on transportation and switching to an electrified Commuter Rail. Although the local government does not make decisions regarding state-funded public transportation, he said, the mayor can work with a state delegation and push for infrastructure projects.
Nicholson added that he would like to see Lynn attract life-sciences businesses that are booming in the Greater Boston Area, but noted that he would like to continue working with GE on workforce development and would support Lynn Tech programs.
Cyr pointed out that bringing development into the city would help to fund the city’s tax base. Development generates jobs, brings people with disposable income into the city, and brings revenue to downtown businesses, said Cyr.
The next question was about the new planning department at City Hall and how the new mayor would utilize it. Cyr said he would like the department to come up with a master plan for Lynn for the next 20 years; he would also like to see a separate planner to oversee the harbor.
Cyr said that he would expect the department to give regular updates for the City Council and contribute to discussions of ongoing issues.
Nicholson responded that, with federal infrastructure funding coming, the Planning Department will be crucial in recognizing what the community needs and making sure that the growth benefits the city.
“I believe we have a tremendous opportunity for growth and the key to make the most out of this opportunity is to make sure that the growth happens in the right way,” said Nicholson.
To improve public safety and policing, Nicholson said the mayor should continue to work closely with the Police Department, Lynn Racial Justice Coalition and the community. He said his campaign has a vision for better mental-health services and he is a strong supporter of the All-Lynn Emergency Response Team (ALERT).
“I am not about defunding the police,” said Cyr, adding that he has questions about unarmed crisis response.
He said that the city needs to work better with people who provide mental-health services but it also needs to hire more police officers.
The Chamber wanted to know about technological changes a new mayor would bring to City Hall and the community. Cyr said that he, too, believes that bringing the life sciences to Lynn would be beneficial for the city.
Nicholson expressed his commitment to creating a digital infrastructure within the city, adding that creating access to WiFi would benefit both local students and businesses. The city could also be helpful in facilitating businesses in creating an online presence, he said.
In terms of future business growth, Nicholson said he would look into creating a pipeline for preparing qualified workers to attract businesses. Building on the Lynn Tech experience, he would like to see public schools getting involved with Salem State University and North Shore Community College in this process.
Cyr said he would like to build more schools like the new Thurgood Marshall Middle School and said he would like to give students who don’t go to college an opportunity to learn other professions.
In closing, both candidates got to speak about their visions of future Lynn.
“I am running for mayor to provide leadership for inclusive growth,” Nicholson said. “I am so excited about this city.” He said he would like his son and other children to love their city but be able to go anywhere in the world.
In 20 years, Cyr would like to see at least half a dozen new schools, hotels on the Lynnway, and a ferry service. He would like to make Lynn the best possible place for all.
“I want my kids to stay in the city,” Cyr said. “I just want to see it thrive and I want to see it be the best it possibly can be.”