Councilor invites talk show host to Lynn
By Robin Kaminski / The Daily Item
LYNN - After a heated spat between Ward 7 City Councilor Richard Ford and WRKO radio talk show host Reese Hopkins brewed earlier this month, Ford has extended an invitation to Hopkins to tour the city next week and see all that it has to offer.
The argument started when Hopkins called Lynn a dump and described the city as a rat-infested, crime plagued, urban zone where youth gangs rule the streets with machetes.
Fuming mad over the hurtful comments, Ford lashed out at Hopkins and challenged him to a boxing match at the Rivera Brothers Boxing Club on Columbia Avenue to "punch his lungs out" in retaliation.
Although Ford later apologized for making threats to Hopkins, he has refused to back down in defense of his beloved city.
"I was told he (Hopkins) has a heart condition, so we're not really going to box," he said. "He's lightened up since then, but I got caught up in the moment when I heard what he was saying and I was really sad about it."
In an effort to prove a point to Hopkins, Ford said he wants him to come to Lynn so that he can see with his own eyes the good instead of the bad.
"I want to show him the golf course, the beach, the woods, everything that we have here," he said. "And I've never once been chased by someone with a machete...I've lived here all my life and it's been awesome to be here."
Ford admitted that the whole argument spun out of control once he called the radio station, and said he wished he had handled Hopkins' comments differently.
"I really do love Lynn," he said. "I'm a third generation Lynner and I took offense to what he said. I should have known better that when I called the radio station they would have put me on air, but I was so mad. The whole spin went my way."
Hopkins previously told the Item he understood why Ford reacted the way he did and that it was a passionate outburst. But he still accused city officials of hiding behind their desks and ignoring widespread violence, unchecked immigration, and youth gangs.
Regardless, Ford said he hopes he can change Hopkins' mind once he sets foot on Lynn soil.
Comments (Top comments are the most recent)
Comments so far on this story:
phicrules wrote on Jul 30, 2008 9:55 AM:
" zok- You dopnt have great benefits??? you receive how many days off? how many vacation days? how many sick days? How many personal days? how about longevity? I challenge you right now to list each of those questions and let the readers decide if you have it made or not.... you don't live in the real world.
I guarantee that you wont answer those questions.... "
zok wrote on Jul 29, 2008 6:39 PM:
" (...continued) I won't be leaving anytime soon I'm guessing, so I guess my... is safe from being struck by any doors. Thanks for your concern though.
My comment earlier was just to enlighten others that not all city employees make a gazillion dollars and have the fabulous benefits that you suggest we do. "
zok wrote on Jul 29, 2008 6:38 PM:
" No, phicrules. Don't act like you know why I took this job. Great salary and benefits? Not so much. I never said I was miserable either. I love my job. I would just like to be able to make enough money to buy a place of my own. I don't foresee that happening for another 10 years here.
And maybe those 3000 residents should take the civil service exam and score well. That's what I did. I didn't even have to die! (continued...) "
mm.1928 wrote on Jul 29, 2008 2:34 PM:
" To aswirka ... You sound like a bleeding Liberal who belongs in Lynn. Keep on making excusses for the short falls of Lynn. Mr. Ford is PROUD of the Golf Course, Ocean Views, Walking Trails etc.! Don't shoot the messanger if you do not like the facts ! "
fun411bierallynn wrote on Jul 29, 2008 12:03 PM:
" The grand tour will, hopefully, also include a visit to our methadone clinic; conveniently located between the sewerage treatment plant and the site of the future luxury waterfront condominium/marina/shopping complex. "
phicrules wrote on Jul 29, 2008 11:05 AM:
" chipmunk... According to you there is nothing good about Lynn?? wow... you must be a pleasure to live with... keep focusing on the negatives.. what a lousy way of going through life... "
phicrules wrote on Jul 29, 2008 11:03 AM:
" Zok- And why did you come and work for the city? Because it offers a good salary and great benefits... and you're still miserable... you should quit and there would be 3,000 Lynn residents who would die for your job and be happy.... don't let the door hit you on the way out... "
tsheehan wrote on Jul 29, 2008 9:28 AM:
" Elroy, great suggestion. I took you up on it and emailed WRKO to let them know why Lynn IS a dump. The truth hurts, people. That's why Ford got so upset. I hope the tour includes the city hall parking lot where the murder took place. Demand accountability from your government--don't let them sugarcoat the truth. "
lynn12 wrote on Jul 28, 2008 6:23 PM:
" phicrules - once again you FAIL to see the difference between "sticking up for your city" and being a THUG.
Johnboy - yes, thats it - get all the people who complain and want the problems fixed to leave that way it will just be you, the rats and the criminals. Brilliant. Cause its MUCH better to pretend the problems dont exist than to ask our elected officials to get off their butts and fix em right? Idiot. "
chipmunk wrote on Jul 28, 2008 5:10 PM:
" 2% of all Lynn residents will ever set foot on Gannon Golf Course. 4% may ever walk in the woods (beware of the loose pitbulls) and 0% will ever swim in that swamp brown algae infested water you call Lynn beach. "
zok wrote on Jul 28, 2008 1:51 PM:
" phicrules: I was making more at the airport ten years ago than I am making after working for the city for seven years.
Sorry to keep you waiting so long. I just read this. Had to take a break from Lynn for a spell. "
aswirka wrote on Jul 28, 2008 11:04 AM:
" mm.1928, why on earth would you compare an urban city like Lynn (Pop. 89,505) to a suburb like Weston, (Pop. 10,875)? Compare Lynn to other cities of the same size and population/demographic, and do the same with Weston. No comparison, of course. Any large city, has good points and bad, good citizens, and bad, etc. Yes, Lynn is large, and has it's problems. So do the other large cities in the area. Why is Lynn always the target? "
chipmunk wrote on Jul 27, 2008 8:05 PM:
" Hey Johnboy
Lynn has nothing to offer and many people have already moved. As for your newspaper it was once called the Lynn Daily Item. Any guesses on why they took the word Lynn out of it????? Also if you could read, there are sections in the paper called city suburban which has numerous stories of other towns arond Lynn. In fact Saugus is covered just as much as Lynn. Enjoy your brown algae filled beach. "
elroy wrote on Jul 27, 2008 7:55 AM:
" Go to WRKO's website and find Hopkins e-mail address and send him suggestions on what to ask Ford to show him. Otherwise, he is going to get the sugar-coated tour and not see the real deal of what really Lynn is like - the good and the bad. "
wyoma wrote on Jul 25, 2008 8:21 PM:
" Take him down Essex St. at midnight on a hot summer night. Be sure to put a little "something" in your pocket just in case. "
mm.1928 wrote on Jul 25, 2008 3:00 PM:
" To aswirka ... Yes, Lynn does have all of those things to offer that you have mentioned, but it also hase High Crime, Shootuings, Drugs, Prostitutes, Rats. MURDERS etc. to its credit. Lets be honest, many Cities in the US have these problems, BUT please don't sugar coat everything. Lynn is NOT Dover, Weston, Westwood or any other community with a golf course. "
mm.1928 wrote on Jul 25, 2008 2:46 PM:
" To JOHNBOY ... Well said ... But POORLY WRITTEN ! I myself will take your advise and stay OUT of your beautiful city. Please have a nice life ! LOL "
Lynnitis wrote on Jul 25, 2008 2:03 PM:
" I agree, Lynn Woods, Golf course, Beaches are good amenities of Lynn but Rick you have to admit that many sections of Lynn are not in good shape.
To be fair your tour should also include some of the problem sections of Lynn and what the Mayor and Council plan to do about these problems. If not, once Reese goes on the air the calls about how lynn is a dump, will return "
meso wrote on Jul 25, 2008 12:57 PM:
" 2 articles down... "lynn neighborhood crawling with rats" "
phicrules wrote on Jul 25, 2008 12:10 PM:
" It is funny how Ford is being chastized for sticking up for a city he loves... this whole blog is full of negative city workers who are mad over the residency LAW that they agreed to abide by.... just quit and leave and don't let the door hit you on the way out... let me know if you can make your current salary anywhere else... I'm waiting.... I'm still waiting...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. "
lynn12 wrote on Jul 25, 2008 11:54 AM:
" how ironic that this story breaks the same day as the rat infestation story. FORD - WAKE UP - its a dump. Instead of showing him the nice areas - take him downtown - say Union Street at midnight? Followed by a lovely stroll around Curwin Circle, Kings Lynne, or the highlands? Dont vote for Ford! "
ljb33 wrote on Jul 25, 2008 9:14 AM:
" Hey Councilor Ford, can I get on the tour and see what this city has to offer besides the golf course, the woods and the beach? I hope you plan on taking him to all the Dollar Stores in the city! Maybe you were so upset because the truth hurts! "
mrjotnash wrote on Jul 25, 2008 8:53 AM:
" RATS/CRIME/YOUTH GANGS (CHECK)If you really want to prove Hopkins wrong then take him to city hall and show him that city officials are not hiding behind their desk. I have an easy Ward 7 challenge. KILL THE RATS. Lets have a local hardware store offer discounted trash barrels, Lets discount Rat Bait stations and lets educate the city. This task could take less work then training for a boxing match. THIS WOULD PROVE HOPKINS WRONG not taking a tour of Lynn Woods and all of the wonderful places Lynn has to offer. "
JOHNBOY wrote on Jul 25, 2008 8:38 AM:
" I lived in Lynn my whole life (40 years)and I agree with Mr Ford. To all you people who continue to talk down about the city and its policing, I have one word for you "LEAVE" No one is holding you captive. And all you out of towners who are always writing post, if the city of Lynn bothers you that much do not come here or read our papers. Have a great Friday "
aswirka wrote on Jul 25, 2008 8:16 AM:
" I am so glad that Ford has invited Hopkins for a visit to Lynn. This is a far better way to handle the problem. We have a beautiful waterfront, wonderful historic buildings and museums, a school system on the upswing, and two highly rated urban high-schools. Our parks and golf course are top notch, and Lynn Woods can't be beat for year-round activities for families and athletes alike. We are an easy commute to Boston, and offer rents far lower than the Cambridge/Boston area for young professionals and business alike. "
gearyc wrote on Jul 25, 2008 7:58 AM:
" Gee, I hope they have a police escort on the walking tour. They could get assaulted or even worse on Union Street or up in the Highlands. sane peolple don't walk the streets of Lynn any more. "
abdul wrote on Jul 25, 2008 4:57 AM:
" I hope he gets a walking tour of union street. "
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http://www.thedailyitemoflynn.com/articles/2008/07/25/news/news03.txtI believe you must register to get into the Lynn Item, which is why I posted the entire thing. God, I peed myself laughing over the comments.
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