From city council seats to the mayor's office, Asian Americans are gaining influence and representation in Massachusetts politics across the board.

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Nina Liang was born and raised in Quincy and now serves as Quincy’s first Chinese-American city councilor.

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“When it came time for college, I wanted to hightail it out of there [Quincy]. I couldn't get away fast enough. And so, [I] went to school in New York," said Liang. After she graduated in 2010, she was unable to find a job and returned to Quincy to work at her family's business in restaurants. It was then she began cultivating a strong sense of community.

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“The success of the business really was because of the community, right? They literally came in and became patrons and kept our lights on," she said. "And so I dove into the philanthropic arm of the family business and loved every piece of it.”

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When Liang overheard talks of redevelopment happening in downtown Quincy without being included in the conversation, she became frustrated and could only imagine what others in her city felt. That was the pivotal moment when she decided to run for city council despite having zero political experience.

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“I was very lucky to be surrounded by very, very brilliant people in this space who took a risk on me," she said. "And here I am eight years later.”

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In 2021, Coco Alinsug, ran for a city council seat in Lynn and won. He was the first Filipino elected to a city council seat in New England.

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“I was 25-years-old when I came to America,” said Alinsug. “But I remember the time when I left the Philippines, my dad was very teary-eyed because I come from a family of politicians [in the Philippines]. My dad was vice-mayor, grandma was a city councilor, great grandfather [was] city councilor... and all of my dad's children migrated to the U.S., so none of his children will basically continue that tradition.”

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So when Alinsug ran and won the election in Lynn, the first thing he did was call his family.

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LYNN — Jubilant supporters applauded and cheered during the evening at Coco Alinsug’s Ward 3 re-election kickoff campaign. Precinct Captain Bonnie Carr reviewed Coco’s many accomplishments during his first term in office as she stated, “Coco is a highly engaged Councilor. Ward 3 residents are very fortunate to have him. This evening I want to share Coco’s accomplishment that made our ward a better place to live.”  

Bonnie explained to all in attendance Coco’s effort and hard work as a Councilor. She began by saying, “He secured improvement grants for Goldfish Pond and Kiley Park, oversaw road pavements, installed street ‘guardrails, and lamp post updates. He kept his constituents informed and involved with an online newsletter, conducted monthly meetings, created multiple task forces, appointed precinct captains, and created a ‘youth internship program.”  

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LYNN — Tuesday, Jan. 3, marked the end of Ward 3 City Councilor Coco Alinsug’s first year in office. In an interview with The Item, Alinsug reflected on a year of work in city government and his goals for 2023.

At almost any public event in Lynn — from the city’s gay pride festival to Lynn Police’s bike safety obstacle course — Alinsug can be seen chatting with the public, shaking hands and taking selfies. 

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Community engagement has been one of Alinsug’s leading principals in his first year in city council. Alinsug said that his Ward 3 team — a volunteer force of precinct captains, youth interns and Ward 3 residents — helps him identify the neighborhood’s needs.

“I am very proud and honored of my Ward 3 team. We have precinct captains, and I campaigned to have an internship program,” Alinsug said. “It’s all about empowering people. I am a strong believer in teamwork, and I can better serve if I’m with a team or a group of people. Our city has a lot of talented individuals that would love to serve our city, so that’s my way of empowering the residents of Lynn and making them part of our decisions and implementations.”

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Alinsug pointed to the Kiley Park restoration project as one of his proudest achievements in his first year as a first-term city councilor. 

This year, Alinsug formed the Kiley Park Task Force, a neighborhood-led committee tasked with deciding how to spend the park’s portion of the city’s approximate $18 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for parks and playgrounds. 

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“I advocated really hard for Kiley Park to be one of the parks in the city to receive part of the $18 million dollars in funding,” Alinsug said. “I made sure that there was input from all the residents, and that’s why we created the Kiley Park Task Force.”

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This Saturday, the Kiley Park Task Force will meet to discuss the possibility of building a dog park in Kiley Park, as suggested by task force members. Alinsug said that the park remains one of his top priorities going into the new year.

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“Whether we like it or not, people are bringing their dogs there even though they’re not allowed. But there’s only one dog park in the whole city of Lynn. And it’s located in the Western part of the city,” Alinsug said. “It’s the big ticket item basically. I want people to really pay attention to the progress of Kiley Park because it’s a big investment from the city, it needs an overhaul, and it will be a park that will cater to everybody. When I say everybody, I mean everybody will enjoy that park.”

LYNN — It took a community effort Friday afternoon to clean up Clark Park after its East Lynn Little League mural was vandalized in February. 

Friday’s effort, which involved repainting the graffiti-covered mural and cleaning up the area, was made possible after a fundraising effort spearheaded by Ward 3 Councilor Coco Alinsug.  

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Community members raised $800 to restore the mural, which was repainted by three Raw Art Works (RAW) members, the organization’s art therapist, Bruce Orr, and two program alumni, Elijah Fernandes and John Plinkett. RAW is a youth-arts organization based in Lynn. 

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The restoration took two hours to complete. 

Alinsug said the painters only needed $400 to complete the project, but after he posted about the vandalism online, several Ward 3 residents immediately donated for the mural’s refurbishment. 

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“There were 26 contributions ranging from $10 to $100,” Alinsug said. “We had to pause donations because there were so many coming in at a fast rate.”

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Alinsug said he doesn’t know exactly when the vandalism took place. Police are investigating the incident, he said.

However, he said it’s been discovered that the vandalism took place at night. Because of this, Alinsug said he wants to install lights to ensure these types of crimes aren’t able to go unnoticed in the dark. 

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Alinsug said his request for funding directed towards lights and park security on Clark Street is part of an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) wishlist that he drafted in January.

“These are the things I think need funding,” Alinsug said. “We want to make sure that our parks are safe. If we love our parks, then we need to take care of them.”

LYNN — The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to issue a resolution supporting independence in Ukraine and calling upon the federal government to increase humanitarian support to millions of refugees affected by the Russian Federation’s invasion of the country.

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Ward 3 Councilor Coco Alinsug, who proposed the resolution, said that Lynn is home to many Ukrainian families and individuals. He said the council should do what he described as the morally right thing, which is to stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

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“This also affects us in so many ways, Mr. President,” Alinsug said, addressing Council President Jay Walsh. “As a city of immigrants, we need to show our residents that we care about what’s happening around the world and we care about the welfare of everybody’s loved ones.”

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Alinsug’s resolution was met with applause from members of the audience and his fellow councilors.

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Walsh said he agreed with Alinsug’s resolution. He said the city must do whatever it can to show that it stands with Ukrainians, both in and out of the city.

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“I don’t think anyone misses going home and turning on the television to see what’s going on in Ukraine,” Walsh said. “It’s horrible.”

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Coco Alinsug is a community leader, the Ward 3 city councilor – and now the creator of the new Coco Alinsug Ward 3 newsletter.

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Alinsug’s monthly newsletter debuted this week and it’s become an instant hit, drawing more than 500 subscribers, and growing. It’s a newsy, informative, and uplifting edition that shines the spotlight on issues in Ward 3 and features stories about Ward 3 residents.

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In the first edition, Alinsug writes about Precinct Captains, Sue Walker, John Hogan, Lisa Prak, Sandra Corneau, and Bonnie Carr, and Ward 3 Youth Intern Abigail Rosario. Also featured in the newsletter is Ward 3 representative on the Citizens Advisory Board, Sandy Anshewitz.

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There are plenty of photos and important information such as how to report a pothole in the ward.

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Alinsug said he is one of two Lynn city councilors who publish newsletters. “The first one was done by Rick Starbard of Ward 2,” he said.

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The Ward 3 councillor explained his reasons for launching the newsletter. “When I was running for office, the clamor of the people was that they want to be updated on things happening in the ward in a newsletter,” he said. “Some residents don’t have Facebook and wanted a newsletter available through email.”

LYNN — Ward 3 City Councilor Coco Alinsug has appointed five precinct captains to assist him with conversations and decisions about the ward.

Alinsug met with these captains last week and plans to continue meeting once a month to hear from them about neighbors’ concerns, requests, and what they are hoping to see happen in Ward 3.

“When I decided to run, my goal was really to empower my neighbors and my ward,” Alinsug said. “I promised everybody that I will be a city councilor with a team. I’m not a one-man ward councilor.”

Alinsug said that, when there is a major vote on something in the council that concerns the ward, he and the precinct captains will vote as a team and whatever the result of that vote is will be his vote in the council.

“They give me input and ideas and we will work on that,” Alinsug said. “We’re all transparent and they will be my voice to the council. If they are aware of an issue in their precinct, they will report to me and I’ll bring that message to the City Council.”

Alinsug said he wanted to try this new approach because the majority of people who know him in his ward are those who live in his precinct, Precinct 4.

“A lot of people don’t know me in Precinct 1 and 2, but they know John Hogan in that area, and they know Sue Walker,” Alinsug said. “The idea is for the people to know that there is somebody that they can put a face to who they can reach out to directly.”

Walker, a lifelong Lynn resident who has owned a home in Ward 3 for 20 years, is the Ward 3 – Precinct 1 captain.

She raised five children in Lynn, two graduating from Lynn Classical High School, one from Lynn English High School, one from St. Mary’s, and her last child is now attending Lynn Vocational Technical Institute (LVTI).

Walker is a graduate of Classical and Salem State University who now works at the Lynn Museum as a historical and genealogical researcher

“She loves the history and culture of Lynn,” Alinsug said.

Hogan, who has worked and coached at LVTI for 31 years, is the Ward 3 – Precinct 2 captain.

“John loves being within a 10-minute walk to the beach and many parks close by,” Alinsug said. “He also loves living around people in his ward who are hard-working with a lot of the same values and love for the city.”

Lisa Prak is the Ward 3 Precinct – 3 Captain and has lived in Ward 3 for 31 years.

Prak is an account manager in the commercial-printing trade; she is fluent in Khmer and speaks English as her second language.

Community leader Constantino “Coco” Alinsug has made history by becoming the first Filipino to be elected to a city council seat in New England.

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The Philippine Consulate General in New York reported that Alinsug was named to the post in the City Council of Lynn, Massachusetts, USA, after winning the elections held in November.

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Alinsug was sworn in on January 3, 2022. He represents Ward 3 in the city of Lynn which is located 15 minutes north of Boston.

Aside from being the first city councilor of Filipino descent in New England, Alinsug is also the first openly gay political candidate to make it to the city council.

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Originally from Cebu City in the Philippines, Alinsug immigrated to the United States in 1996. Alinsug is a community leader and volunteer worker in Lynn who devotes himself to causes such as social justice, HIV/AIDS prevention, LGBT youth, and culture and the arts.

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Alinsug serves in various groups, boards, and community organizations and is an organizer of various events for the Filipino and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) communities in Massachusetts.

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He has received recognition locally and internationally for his work, having been named one of Cebu’s Outstanding Youth Leaders and winning awards such as the HVTN’s Octavio Valente, Jr. Volunteer Service Award, among others.

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A former youth leader in the Philippines has earned for himself the distinction of being the first Filipino to be elected to a city council seat in New England, the Philippine Consulate General in New York reported.

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Constantino “Coco” Alinsug, 50, was sworn in on Monday after winning his bid for a seat in the City Council of Lynn, Massachusetts, in elections held in November. He represents Ward 3 in the city, located 15 minute north of Boston.

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Alinsug, who is a community worker and LGBT rights advocate, is also the first openly gay political candidate to make it to the city council. He previously served as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth.

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“Your feat is worthy of commendation as you are one of a few Filipinos who have been successful in their political aspirations here in the United States,” Consul General Elmer G. Cato said in a letter of congratulations sent to Alinsug on Wednesday.

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LYNN — Surrounded by members of the City Council, School Committee, state officials, friends, family and residents, Jared Nicholson took the oath as the city’s 59th mayor on Monday night.

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Addressing the crowd in both English and Spanish, Nicholson affirmed his goals for Lynn, saying, “We’re committed to working together to build an administration that leads for all of us.”

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The audience in the City Hall Auditorium applauded as Nicholson was escorted by Police Chief Christopher P. Reddy, Fire Chief Stephen Archer, incoming Chief of Staff Jonathan Thibault, the Nicholson transition team, his wife, Katherine Rushfirth, and son, Henry. Attendees abided by the city’s indoor-mask mandate at the event.

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Nicholson, who succeeded outgoing Mayor Thomas M. McGee, thanked him for his tenure and the School Committee and City Council members sworn in before him. Nicholson, who served for six years on the School Committee before he was elected as mayor, vowed to make Lynn a city for all, and promised more opportunities and equity under his administration.

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“Even in Lynn, that path to opportunity has gotten narrower. If it closes off here, where can it possibly exist? But, if it stays open for those of us who face the stiffest challenges, it will be that much smoother for every one of us,” he said.

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These opportunities that Nicholson mentioned in his speech include affordable housing, education reform, job creation and community building — all topics he focused on during his mayoral campaign against City Council President Darren Cyr, who represented Ward 3.

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“Where the price of housing doesn’t practically bar huge portions of the population from living there; where there are genuine pathways to good jobs; where the schools are not just technically open to all but practically ready to educate children no matter where they start from; where people feel at peace in their community because it’s safe and because they feel accepted and embraced,” said Nicholson.

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For Nicholson, this speech was not one establishing victory — rather a speech to highlight the goals he has for the city. He said Lynn can be an example for others across the commonwealth and the country to push beyond economic and racial barriers.

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LYNN ― The new Ward 3 Councilor Constantino “Coco” Alinsug will become the first Filipino-American city councilor in New England and the first out gay councilor in the city after the inauguration on Monday.

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Alinsug, 50, will be wearing a national Philippine costume ― a formal long-sleeved shirt called a barong ― to the inauguration, which his mother, Maria Esther Alinsug, has brought especially for the occasion from the Philippines. The garment is black and embroidered by hand, said Alinsug, and since the Philippines was once a colony of Spain, it will look familiar to a lot of people of South American heritage.

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“I am purposefully wearing it to show the people of Lynn ― because Lynn is a multicultural city ― that a city councilor from Guatemala could be on the horizon or a city councilor from Ukraine,” said Alinsug.  “The reason for me wearing it is to give honor to my heritage, but at the same time to give a message to the youth and the residents of Lynn that anybody, whatever they aspire for, they are welcome to be an official of the city of Lynn. This is our city and we need to help each other.”

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Despite a long trip and COVID-19 restrictions, Alinsug’s mother travelled from the Philippines to attend the inauguration.

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“I would consider myself as the proudest mom”, said Esther Alinsug. “This is a big honor for us, for the family.”

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She said she was sad that her husband, Ember Alinsug, was not able to make the trip to the U.S. He was supposed to follow her a few days later, but the country was hit by Super Typhoon Rai (Odette) on Dec. 16, severely damaging their house and property in Consolacion, Cebu.

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Alinsug is expecting some of his siblings, aunts and uncles, family friends and people from the Filipino community whom he doesn’t even know personally to come from New England, New Jersey, New York, California and Texas to attend the inauguration at the City Hall Auditorium. Unfortunately, he had to cancel a reception planned for after the inauguration because of the most recent COVID-19 surge.

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Coco Alinsug grew up in a family of public servants. His family members have been involved in politics in Consolacion for over 100 years, starting with his great-great grandfather Gregorio, who was elected a city councilor in 1920. His grandmother Felisa, elected in 1950, was the first female city councilor in Consolacion, while Alinsug’s father served as a city councilor and a vice mayor for 25 years.

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The tradition stopped with Alinsug’s father, as neither of his four children chose to run for public office until the last year, when Coco announced his candidacy for Ward 3 councilor. Although his parents believed in him ― and even printed “Vote Coco” T-shirts ― they were concerned that he would have difficulty navigating the American political process and gaining enough support from voters, Alinsug said.

LYNN ― Coco Alinsug, an immigrant from the Philippines whose family’s commitment to public service in his native land goes back generations, will be the new city councilor in Ward 3.

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Alinsug, running against George Meimeteas, won by more than 600 votes (1,300 to 684) to fill the seat vacated by Darren Cyr, who ran and lost for mayor.

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Richard C. Colucci won a narrow victory in Ward 4 over Natasha Megie-Maddrey, 637-573.

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In the other contested ward race, Richard Starbard won easily over challenger Elizabeth Figueroa, 1,179-616.

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In the at-large race, all four incumbents won, with Buzzy Barton leading the way with 5,789 votes, followed closely by Brian LaPierre’s 5,726. 

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Hong Net was third at 5,703, followed by Brian Field at 5,261. 

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Nicole McClain (3,950), Jose Encarnacion (3,343), and Marven Hyppolite (2,842) were the challengers.

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“I feel relieved,” said Alinsug, who is the first Filipino-American candidate in Lynn history and the first openly-gay ward councilor. “I’m glad to have had a brilliant team behind me. Proud of my husband (Peter Cipriano) who was my campaign treasurer. He was more active than I was, I think.

Washington, D.C.-based Victory Fund has endorsed Coco in the upcoming election. Victory Fund endorses candidates for local, state and federal elective office who identify as LGBTQ and support full equality for the community, support efforts to safeguard privacy and reproductive freedom and demonstrate community support and a viable plan to win.

We know the city council will also play an important role in upcoming decisions on housing and other issues.

We endorse Nicole McClain, Marven Hyppolite, José M. Encarnacion, and Hong Net for Councilor-At-Large; Elizabeth Figueroa for Ward 2 Councilor; Coco Alinsug for Ward 3 Councilor; and Natasha Megie-Maddrey for Ward 4 Councilor.

We support these city council candidates for their strong commitments to housing justice, immigrant rights, racial justice, and worker rights. And we appreciate their readiness to listen, engage, and respond to concerns.

Lynn City Council – Ward 3
Constantino “Coco” Alinsug 
Currently leading the race for Lynn’s Ward 3 Council seat, Coco Alinsug has been a lifelong LGBTQ+ champion hero, locally, and abroad in his native Philippines. Also a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Coco has dedicated his life to social justice, representing some of the most marginalized communities around the globe. The Rainbow Times has witnessed Coco’s dedication, resiliency, drive, motivation and boundless energy for more than a decade’s worth of directly collaborating with him on various causes and initiatives. As we’ve also witnessed from the first-time candidate this election cycle, the way he has run his campaign is equally as impressive as his resume. 

Coco has spent a lifetime also devoting himself to HIV/AIDS prevention, LGBTQ+ youth and the arts and has received countless awards and recognition honoring him for his relentless work to truth and justice, breaking down barriers one person at a time, including being recognized by The Rainbow Times a number of years ago for his honorable work and commitment to the betterment of the LGBTQ+ community. He is a hero to many, especially those often left without a voice and that are persecuted and stigmatized in society.  

Most recently during the COVID-19 pandemic, Coco traveled nationally and internationally, educating others about LGBTQ+ health and vaccine research. He is also hailed as one of the original members of the “Protocol Team” that reviewed the study design of the Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine. Additionally, he Though impressive, these factoids just touch the tip of the iceberg.

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Coco spent over a decade building and spearheading the Salem-based North Shore Alliance of LGBTQ+ Youth (nAGLY) as the organization’s Executive Director and has been, in large part, responsible for the tremendous growth of the organization in its earlier days.

LYNN ― Candidate for Ward 3 Councilor Coco Alinsug moved to Lynn from the Philippines 19 years ago and one of the first things he did was volunteer as a caretaker for Goldfish Pond. 

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His first apartment in Lynn faced the pond ― which he said was very calming and relaxing ― and he would wake up in the morning, have his coffee, and stare at his neighbors: the turtles, ducks, and geese. 

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"It is one of Lynn’s hidden gems," Alinsug said. "Even though I don’t live as close to the pond now, I kept my membership with the association, continued my service with the

neighborhood, and currently serve on the board of the Goldfish Pond Association." 

Nearly 20 years later, Alinsug is following in the footsteps of his family members, who have been involved in politics in Consolacion, Cebu in the Philippines over the past 100 years. 

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His father, Ember Alinsug, is a vice mayor; his grandmother, Felisa, was the first woman in Consolacion to be elected city councilor, in 1950; and her father ― Alinsug's great-grandfather ― was also a councilor. Alinsug’s great-great grandfather, Gregorio, was the first councilor in his family, elected in 1920. 

Alinsug has a long history of working in the communities he lives in, starting when he was 14 and growing up in the Philippines. He said he rallied his neighbors to build a youth center, since the government could not afford to build one itself. 

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When he was 18, Alinsug was the youngest staff member to the president of the Philippines at the time. At 22, he was the youngest delegate sent to represent the Philippines at the United Nations, marking his first exposure to the United States. 

Alinsug said that experience made him fall in love with America, and so, at age 23, he moved to the United States with no plan and only $200 in his pocket. 

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Since Alinsug's move to Lynn, he has attended various events at the local mosque, churches and synagogues, and has become a fixture at local neighborhood activities.

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"It is very interesting to see people from all cultures talking in different languages, as if I'm attending a UN convention," Alinsug said. "It's cool to taste and try different kinds of food, experience different traditions and customs. I just love the diversity of this ward and this city in general."

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As a first-time candidate, Alinsug said he promises to always listen to the concerns of Ward 3 residents and to work tirelessly to resolve issues and update constituents on actions taken by the city. 

Family and friends of Coco Alinsug living in the Philippines created an elaborate photoshoot in his childhood home of Consolacion, Cebu, Philippines to support his campaign.

The Rainbow Times — the award-winning newspaper that is also the largest LGBTQ newspaper in New England — has endorsed Coco Alinsug!

LYNN ― The candidates for the city’s contested ward councilor seats all said they were concerned about making sure that constituents’ voices are heard and that they know how to reach their councilors whenever they need to at a forum hosted by Lynn Community Television on Wednesday night. 

The forum was only open to ward candidates in contested races. In Ward 2, incumbent Richard Starbard faces a challenge from Elizabeth Figueroa. Ward 3 features two new candidates — Coco Alinsug and George Meimeteas — who are vying to fill the seat left vacant when City Council President Darren Cyr opted to run for mayor. In Ward 4, Natasha Megie-Maddrey is seeking to unseat longtime Councilor Richard Colucci.

Of these candidates, only Meimeteas was not present for the forum.  

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Candidates were asked questions ranging from what they would do for their ward with a $1 million grant to what they would do to help fix the water-quality issue at King’s Beach. Through all the answers, one thing was clear: The candidates want open communication with their potential constituents as much as possible. 

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Figueroa said that she wanted to see more official documents translated into different languages. 

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“We need to translate documentations and letters based on the populations we serve,” Figueroa said. “We need to build a bridge so we can advocate for our communities.”

Starbard said that being accessible to constituents is only half the battle. He said that it is just as important for councilors to communicate what is happening in the wards. 

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“When we did Marshall (Middle School), we ran a campaign,” Starbard said. “Because we were open and transparent, 80 percent voted in favor of it.”

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Alinsug said that he wanted to help residents not only realize how they can get in contact with city officials but also organize how city officials can communicate with each other. 

“We need to sit down and have a retreat where the mayor, School Committee, and City Council decide our priorities,” Alinsug said in response to a question about what he feels should be done about the current condition of schools in Lynn. 

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LYNN — With 24 candidates left in the race for the City Council and School Committee seats and two candidates vying to be city’s next mayor, the election office has determined each candidate’s position on the ballot in November. 

These positions are determined through a lottery process that pulls out numbered balls for each position. 

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School Committee member Jared Nicholson will be listed first for mayor, followed by City Council President Darren Cyr. 

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Incumbent Buzzy Barton will be listed first on the ballot for councilor-at-large, followed by Brian LaPierre, Jose Encarnacion, Brian Field, Marven Hyppolite, Hong Net, and Nicole McClain. 

Incumbent Richard Starbard will be listed first for Ward 2, followed by Elizabeth Figueroa. 

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For Ward 3, the ballot will see Coco Alinsug, followed by George Meimeteas. 

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Incumbent Richard Colucci will be listed first for Ward 4, followed by Natasha Megie-Maddrey. 

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LYNN ― The Goldfish Pond Association is celebrating its 41st anniversary with a parade from City Hall to Goldfish Pond on Saturday, retracing the route that the Marquis de Lafayette, a French aristocrat and military officer, rode during his visit to Lynn in the 1800s. 

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The parade will include a horse and carriage and a period actor playing Gen. Lafayette, followed by a parade of cars driven by members of the Goldfish Pond Association. 

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In 1824, Lafayette was invited to the U.S. to tour the former colonies, as he was famed for fighting alongside Gen. George Washington in the American Revolution and was a key factor in winning the battle of Yorktown in 1781. 

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During his visit, he passed by Ingalls Farm, which is now Goldfish Pond.

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His visit to Lynn influenced the names of surrounding areas including Lafayette Park and Fayette Street, which was the first named street in the city.

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The Association’s President Trish Greene said they wanted to do something different to celebrate the anniversary of the nonprofit organization. 

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“It is a rare event to see a horse and carriage in the city of Lynn and the Goldfish Pond Association had fun planning this historical reenactment,” Greene said. “We are fortunate to have this funded by the Lynn Cultural Council and we hope that Lynn residents will come out and see the parade and enjoy some anniversary cake.”

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We're very honored to have received the endorsement of Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts for City Councilor of Ward 3 - Lynn. N2N is an organization of working class, multi-racial, and multi-ethnic people working together to build political and economic power to improve the quality of lives in our communities.

I am so honored to have received The North Shore Labor Council of Massachusetts endorsement. I am proud to stand with the Labor Council, and with unions, and with all those who continue to work hard in and for our communities. Thank you to the Labor Council for this honor and for your confidence in me, and to continue to work hard for our community, and for the betterment of our great city and wonderful residents.

LYNN ― Coco Alinsug pulled ahead handily in the race for Ward 3 councilor in Tuesday’s preliminary election, the only open seat on the council.

Alinsug received 872 votes, almost double his opponent, George Meimeteas, who received 475. Both candidates will advance to the Nov. 2 election.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Alinsug said outside of Thurgood Marshall Middle School on Tuesday afternoon, adding that his team of volunteers had been out all day in shifts to support him. “I’m very tired, but it’s all worth it.”

Meimeteas, who is currently finishing an MBA, joked that he had to return home to write a paper when he left the polls. He said that he had received lots of positivity and thumbs-ups over the course of the day.

“I’m glad everyone came out and voted,” he said. “I wish all the candidates good luck. In the end, we all win.”

No candidates were eliminated from the City Council or School Committee races before November.

Former President Obama and President Biden White House official and former candidate for Massachusetts Lt. Governor  Quentin Palfrey tweeted about our campaign!

LYNN — In the final forum before the Tuesday preliminary election, candidates in all races shared what they believed to be the most pressing issues facing the city.

The candidate forum, held at the Community Minority Cultural Center Friday night, hosted candidates for mayor, City Council and School Committee.

The three mayoral candidates had overlapping ideas, but different plans of how best to address them. City Council President Darren Cyr said the most pressing issues in Lynn were its need for new school buildings and more housing. He said that the city should build new “cluster schools” for its younger students, combining more students into one school to replace its current aging buildings.

“We have 28 schools. It doesn’t make sense for us to be maintaining all those schools,” Cyr said. “It’s 28 boilers, 28 roofs. It’s unbelievable the condition and the environment that our kids are going to school, our teachers are teaching in.”

He said the best way to solve the problem of housing is to create more jobs and more development to break the cycle of poverty.

School Committee member Jared Nicholson also named the city’s schools as a major issue, saying that they were overcrowded and had unsuitable conditions. He also listed housing as a priority, but unlike Cyr, favored the recently-passed Housing Lynn plan to create more affordable housing. 

Nicholson said that the city’s infrastructure was a huge problem, and noted that the city will soon be potentially receiving millions of dollars from the state and federal government as part of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that the city needs to be ready to “put (its) best foot forward” and use that money wisely. 

“We need to do it in a way that’s inclusive, that gets input from people, from the community, to let them know that these opportunities are coming and to hear from them what their needs are,” he said. “This is something the city needs to do better by making it easier to get involved.”

School Committee member Michael Satterwhite said that his top four priorities are “affordability, accessibility, activities and public safety.” He said that his own lived experiences have shown him the difficulty of being unable to afford housing and other necessities. 

I am proud to announce that I have received the endorsement of the Bay State Stonewall Democrats, one of the few organizations that stands and fight for equal rights and opportunities for LGBTQ+ people. I am committed to continuing to work with the organization to help make our communities more inclusive, equitable, and welcoming so that all people are treated fairly, with dignity, and respect. Proud to be in good company here.

We are excited to receive an endorsement from VOTEPROCHOICE. VoteProChoice works to empower voters to identify pro-choice candidates in every election, everywhere. I'm so proud and honored to be endorsed by them just as I believe in equitable housing, equal access to economic opportunities, and the right of all people to have a seat at the table, I believe in equitable health care. 

LYNN — Several community members were honored for their work promoting literacy and education Wednesday night at the 10th annual Celebrate Literacy Day awards ceremony at Lynn Museum.

   Local nonprofit Girls Inc. received the Excellence in Literacy Leadership Award for an organization; the individual awards were given to Coco Alinsug, candidate for Ward 3 city councilor, chair of Lynn Cultural Council and commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth; and Nicole McClain, candidate for at-large city councilor and founder and president of North Shore Juneteenth Association. Lynn Museum/Lynn Arts Executive Director Doneeca Thurston received the Untold Stories Award.

   “They educate our community,” said Celebrate Literacy Day Founder and Chair Saritin Rizzuto of the honorees. “They make resources available and (accessible). They advocate for them and demand their rights be met.”

   Donna Crotty, director of development and communications at Girls Inc., said while accepting the award that literacy is at the core of the organization’s program. She noted that children who do not meet reading-skill benchmarks by third grade are at an increased risk of not graduating high school.

   “The ability to understand subject matter and communicate effectively is essential to a student’s academic performance. It boosts their self-esteem and encourages the girls to aspire in their learning,” Crotty said. “Being literate in our ever-changing world is probably one of the best means to combat generational poverty.”

   Alinsug said that growing up in the Philippines, he was always trying to learn, and related a memory in which as an 11-year-old child his family once found him playing teacher to a group of 10 children his age. 

   He said that when he came to the United States at age 23, he faced a lot of challenges, and now hopes to help others who are in similar situations.

   “Even now as a proud homeowner in Lynn, I see my experience in that of others and remain dedicated to doing all that I can to lessen disadvantage,” Alinsug said. 

LYNN — The Goldfish Pond Association plans to host its annual Fun and Flea Day fundraiser where it brings between 50 and 60 vendors to the pond to sell a variety of goods. 

   This neighborhood flea market has been running for about 30 years, but took a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which followed water-quality issues in 2019. 

   This year, vendors can pay $35 to rent a table to set up around the pond from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sept. 11, and $45 if they register on the morning of the event. 

As the event will be held on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, there will be a ceremony held at the 9/11 memorial on the island in the pond at the start of the day . 

   Tables are available for anyone to rent, whether it be to sell crafts, get rid of items after spring cleaning or promote a business or politician. 

   About 30 years ago, Goldfish Pond Association President Trish Greene said she went to the market and the Lynn Historical Society rented a table to display antiques, such as old shoes and gloves, and had pamphlets to show what the organization is all about. 

   This prompted her to join the society as a recent college graduate, and she has been a member ever since. 

   “I would even encourage organizations like that to get a table to show what they’re all about,” Greene said. “You never know the type of crowd you’re going to get to your display, whether you’re selling something or just showing.” 

   This market doesn’t just exist to sell goods; it is also a way to bring the community together. Member of the Goldfish Pond Association Coco Alinsug, a candidate for Ward 3 councilor, said this is a community and neighborhood activity. 

   “People in the neighborhood look forward to this to volunteer and meet old neighbors,” Alinsug said. 

   Alinsug said many neighbors who have moved will come back to this market to show their kids where they grew up, where their old house was, and where they spent time.    

In this year's Lynn municipal election, Ward 3 voters will have the choice between two candidates to represent them on the city council. With current Ward 3 City Councilor Darren Cyr running for mayor, that choice will be among newcomers seeking the city council seat. Coco Alinsug is one candidate running for Ward 3 City Councilor. Alinsug is originally from the Philippines, having moved to the United States in 1996. Currently, he works as an outreach and enrollment manager at Fenway Health, New England's leading primary health center for the lesbian and gay community. 

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I chatted with Alinsug to learn more about his vision for Lynn and candidacy for Lynn City Council. 

Thanks for chatting with me, Coco! You are running for Ward 3 City Councilor; why did you make the decision to run for City Council this year? 

Politics is in my blood, I grew up surrounded with politics and politicians. I still remember the words my dad said to me when I left the Philippines to come to America in 1996: “I was hoping you would follow in my footsteps and enter politics.” My dad, Ember Alinsug, is a former Councilor and Vice-Mayor of Consolacion, the biggest town in the province of Cebu, Philippines. I come from five generations of public servants. Not just my dad, but my grandparents, great grandparents, and great-great grandparents all held public office. In fact, my grandmother, Felisa, was the first woman Councilor of Consolacion in 1950. At that time, it was almost unheard of for a woman to be involved in politics.I am proud to now be able to tell my dad that his son is continuing the family legacy of service. I might not be in the Philippines now but I am continuing that legacy in a country halfway around the world, a country I now call home. My environment has changed but my heart and dedication to serve has not. I inherited this dedication from my dad, my grandmother, and my forefathers who paved the way for me to enter politics. Since I moved to Lynn I have worked and served this city in different capacities. I decided to run for City Councilor this year because I want to continue that and expand my service not only to my ward but for the whole city.

Tell us a little bit about how your campaign has been going thus far. How have you been connecting with Ward 3 voters? 

Eighteen years ago, when I moved to Lynn, I moved to the Goldfish Pond area of Ward 3, I immediately volunteered my time with the neighborhood association, and I have been doing so even until now wherein I sit as a Board of Director of the Goldfish Pond Association. The reason why I’m sharing this story is because it became easy for me to connect with my neighbors and of the whole of the ward. Since I made the announcement to run in March, I have visited all the areas of Ward 3 at least twice already and am looking to do more. I am a firm believer that direct conversation with your constituents is where you get to have a feel of all the needs of the ward and its residents. 

As you speak with Ward 3 residents, what have you found to be the most common concerns? Which of these issues would you prioritize if elected to the City Council? 

I have a lot of beautiful and informative conversations with my neighbors and fellow Ward 3 residents, based on my conversations with them, I listed my visions and plans for the ward and the city based on the feedback I gathered from them, which includes the following: 

BRING CITY HALL TO WARD 3 CONSTITUENTS:

• Provide regular updates to constituents via newsletters and social media outlets

• Conduct semi-annual ward meetings in rotating precincts to discuss concerns, and update constituents about current city projects

• Appoint Precinct Captains to monitor and respond rapidly to the specific needs of each precinct

• Hire a volunteer intern to interact with City Hall as our liaison officer for Ward 3 

 

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LYNN — Six candidates from three contested ward City Council races were invited, but only two chose to participate in a forum held Wednesday night at the LynnArts Black Box Theater. 

   The Neighbor to Neighbor-hosted forum focused on candidates for Wards 2, 3 and 4 — as the current councilors for Wards 1, 5, 6 and 7 are running unopposed — with the two who participated, candidate for Ward 3 Coco Alinsug and Ward 4 candidate Natasha Megie-Maddrey, saying they were very disappointed that no one else showed up. 

   In Ward 2, current Councilor Rick Starbard faces a challenge from Elizabeth Figueroa; Alinsug is challenged by George Meimeteas in the Ward 3 seat that was left vacant when City Council President Darren Cyr opted to run for mayor; and Megie-Maddrey is seeking to unseat longtime Councilor Richard Colucci in Ward 4.  

   While Figueroa’s absence was explained prior to the start of the forum — she was planning to attend but had a last-minute emergency — no explanations were given for why the other invited candidates could not attend. One of the responses sent in by Figueora, regarding the city’s proposed housing production plan, was read during the forum. 

   Megie-Maddrey addressed Colucci’s absence in particular, saying that he has been in office for 30 years, but doesn’t have much to show for it. 

   “Why aren’t you here to defend your record? What are your plans? I want to know what he’s planning on doing,” Megie-Maddrey said. “He’s been in office for 30 years; what have you done and what are you going to do? People keep electing you and it just doesn’t make sense to me. How do you not take this seriously? Why is he not here? Be here, be present.”

   For the two candidates that were present, Alinsug encouraged the audience to vote for them both because they will work together with other councilors to better the city and ensure that everyone’s questions are answered and voices are heard. 

   Both candidates agreed that City Hall doesn’t accurately represent the diversity of the city. To include all community members, Megie-Maddrey said she will organize Ward 4 meetings and monthly newsletters, with translational services available to support people from all backgrounds. 

   Alinsug echoed this, saying the city should embrace the countless languages that people speak and offer internships and opportunities to bilingual students in City Hall and around the community. 

   “I’m a team player and I want to listen to everyone,” Alinsug said. “As a ward councilor, it’ll be my obligation to talk to you and hear people.” 

Three prominent Asian-Americans stand against Asian hate crimes. Each of these men holds a significant role in society, especially in Lynn. State Representative Donald Wong, representing West Lynn, was the first to open the door for Asian-Americans to run for office in Lynn. Councilor-at-Large Hong Net followed Wong’s leadership as he won a seat on the city council.

   Another Asian-American Coco Alinsug who has always stood for fairness and equity is s a candidate for Ward 3. These three individuals are bringing the banner of awareness for all Asian- Americans and for minorities to stop hate crimes against them and everyone else.

   No one should be discriminated against as Representative Wong said, “There should not be any hate crimes anywhere. We bring today this message of awareness.”

LYNN — A yearlong push for a Black Lives Matter mural in the city finally paid off this weekend with the long-awaited paint hitting the street between City Hall and Lynn District Court. 

   Recent Lynn English graduates Carlos Prudencio and Damianny Garrido spearheaded the campaign for a Black Lives Matter mural in the city through their grassroots organization, One Lynn, One Love. 

   The soon-to-be American University freshmen started their push for the mural after the murder of George Floyd at the hands of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin and the nationwide demonstrations that followed after a video of the incident went viral.  

   For Garrido, who, with Prudencio, spent the past year jumping through hoops trying to get the City Council to approve the mural after the city’s law department initially advised against it, seeing it finally start to get painted late Saturday morning was an emotional experience. 

   “I literally cried not too long ago,” said Garrido. “It feels so relieving seeing everybody working together finally. It’s been a year…and holding all of that (emotion) in and being able to just release today, it was incredible.”

   The sun was shining in downtown Lynn as local artists filled the street with color Saturday from morning to sundown. Music was playing and people had come from near and far to show their support. The festivities were somewhat dampened by rain on Sunday, but a celebration for the mural’s completion was still held that evening. 

   When all was said and done Sunday evening, a double mural on Essex Street was finally on display, with “Black Lives Matter” written in two directions. One piece of it was painted in front of the courthouse on Essex Street and continued to Johnson Street, with a reverse mural beginning in front of City Hall and continuing to the front of Lynn District Court.  

   Lynn joins more than 174 communities nationwide that have already created Black Lives Matter murals, including Somerville and Worcester. The City Council voted unanimously on April 27 to approve the project, which had the support of Mayor Thomas M. McGee and U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton. 

LYNN — City Council candidates Coco Alinsug and Nicole McClain, along with Lynn Museum Executive Director Doneeca Thurston, have been chosen by the Celebrate Literacy Day (CLD) group as this year’s recipients of their literary awards. 

   Alinsug — who is running for Ward 3 — and McClain — who is vying for an at-Large seat — have been chosen as the 2021 Excellence in Literacy Leadership Award (ELLA) winners, while Thurston will receive the first-ever Untold Stories award. 

   The three recipients were nominated for these awards and chosen by CLD committee members for their work in the community and dedication to literacy. 

   Since the committee received a large number of nominations this year, CLD’s Committee Chair Saritin Rizzuto said it was a very tough decision to choose the recipients; that’s why they created another award this year. 

   “There are so many people that do so much for the community, but we felt as if these three recipients had to be highlighted,” Rizzuto said. 

   The ELLA award, which began as an award solely for women, acknowledges the leadership of an individual in the community — with a focus on literacy — who goes above and beyond by giving back, and working with programs and residents to make a difference. 

   Rizzuto said the committee chose Alinsug because he is “such a giving individual, who seems like his goal in life is to help others and the community.” 

   Alinsug said he was very honored to be named as a recipient and highlighted the importance of literacy. 

   “Our economy is enhanced when learners have higher literacy levels and that is why I am so happy that this group continues to honor people and recognizes people that make a difference in our city to create awareness,” Alinsug said. “I have been an international scholar during my high school days and I am extra honored because this is my first Lynn award.”

   Alinsug said he has received international, national and state awards for his work with community health, youth advocacy and vaccine research, but “never in Lynn, so this award is special because it came from my city.”

   The committee chose McClain because of her work with North Shore Juneteenth and her longtime work in early childhood and dedication to promoting literacy.

A Filipino is vying for a seat on the city council in Lynn, Massachusetts. As Lenn Almadin Thornhill tells us, public service runs in this Cebuano's blood.

We are so excited to announce Coco Alinsug as a member of our Rising Stars Program. Since moving to Lynn 18 years ago, Coco has always been engaged in the community through volunteer efforts. Whether inside a health van until 3am, providing HIV/STI tests and food to the homeless of Lynn, or working with LGBT youth on the North Shore, or organizing the Pride flag raising at Lynn City Hall every year, Coco believes that everyone in Lynn Ward 3 deserves to have their voice heard.
 

LYNN — Additional candidates vying for positons as elected officials in the city say they have experienced and witnessed racial profiling while campaining, following former mayoral candidate Keith Lee announcing his resignation from the race due to racial profiling. 

   City Council candidates Coco Alinsug, Marven Hyppolite, Natasha Megie-Maddrey and Hong Net shared their own experiences, which have ranged from constituents saying a candidate’s race would cost them their vote to having the police called on them while they were out campaigning, presumably because of their race. 

   Candidate for Ward 3 Councilor Alinsug said he experienced racial profiling for the first time in Lynn when he decided in early 2021 that he would run for a position as an elected official. 

   Alinsug was born in the Philippines but has lived in Lynn for more than 20 years. He said he still experiences people telling him he cannot run for office because he’s not “from here.” 

   Alinsug recalled an experience when a woman called and told him, “You immigrants are sucking the system,” “Immigrants can’t run for anything in my city,” during a 20-minute exchange where she also referred to him as a “lazy immigrant.” 

   Hearing these comments, Alinsug said he was shocked and confused and didn’t know what to do, but said he always tries to ignore “hateful” and “rude” comments as such. 

Introductions by friends set the tone for Coco Alinsug Ward 3 campaign kick-off. Rev. Donna Spencer Collins opened up the event by welcoming everyone for attending and listening to the testimonies about the candidate.

Donna began the event as she said, “I am going to sing one of Coco’s favorite songs – Where the Boys are”. It was a moment that brought everyone together cheering toward the end of the song.  She expressed her thoughts about Coco by stating, “He is a people’s person; he has helped friends, neighbors, and the city without even asking. He is a very giving and caring individual.”Next to speak was Governor’s Council Eileen Duff who has deep roots in the City of Lynn since childhood. She expressed a thank you to everyone for coming out for her dear friend, Coco, as she expressed, “To have someone of his caliber, not just comes from a family of service, but his family served folks for their entire lives. Coco has dedicated his whole life to service. Coco is exactly who we need to step up right now. He has a great big heart, but he also has a great big mind too. He is a person of great deep intellect in thought and compassion. Coco does not make a major reaction, but he wants to listen to people and hear their concerns and views. He really and truly wants to represent the people and he loves Lynn.”

LYNN — Coco Alinsug, the first Filipino-American and openly-gay candidate in Lynn history, kicked off his campaign for City Council Friday night at Christopher’s Cafe. 

   Alinsug — who is seeking to fill the Ward 3 seat that was left vacant when City Council President Darren Cyr opted to run for mayor — said he is committed to bringing all of the lessons he’s learned in his life, and the love he has for the people of Lynn, to improve the ward.

   Alinsug has a long history of working in the communities he lives in, starting when he was 14 and growing up in the Philippines — he recalled a time when he rallied his neighbors to build a youth center since the government could not afford to build it itself. 

   When he was 18, Alinsug was the youngest staff member for the president of the Philippines at the time. At 22, he was the youngest delegate sent to represent the Philippines at the United Nations, marking his first exposure to the United States. 

   Alinsug said that experience made him fall in love with America, and so, at age 23, he moved to the United States with no plan and only $200 in his pocket. 

   “My only goal (when I moved here) was to live my life as a gay man, to marry and meet somebody, and to not hide any secrets at all,” Alinsug said. “I might have had a good future in the Philippines as a politician, but I would never live with or marry the person I love.” 

   Alinsug is the only LGBTQ+ candidate in the 2021 City Council race and currently dedicates time to planning and coordinating LGBTQ+ events, including the Pride month events occurring in the city over the past couple of weeks. 

   Alinsug has lived in Lynn for 18 years; upon his arrival, he immediately started volunteering at Goldfish Pond by cleaning, planting and decorating the area. He and his husband, Peter Cipriano, still do this work to engage the neighborhood and keep the pond clean. 

   Alinsug said that during his campaigning and door knocking, he had heard some disparaging remarks regarding his being an immigrant and not growing up in Lynn.

   “Lynn is a place of diversity with people that come from different cultures and different backgrounds,” he said. “I might have not lived here my whole life, but this is my home now.”  

   If elected, Alinsug says he hopes to work to improve the neighborhoods in his ward

Constantino “Coco” Alinsug, candidate for the Ward 3 seat on the Lynn City Council, will kick off his campaign at a fundraising event on June 25 at Christopher’s Café, 2 Lewis St. Alinsug has been a resident of Lynn for 18 years. He was born and raised in the Philippines and came to the United States 25 years ago. Alinsug’s father, Ember Alinsug, was a councilor and vice mayor in the Philippines, having served in the same political party as world champion boxer Manny Pacquiao, who is now a senator in the Philippines and a potential candidate for President.

Coco Alinsug (he/him) is a Lynn resident, Candidate for City Councilor, Ward 3 in Lynn –  the first Filipino-American to run for City Councilor in New England, and a proud member of the North Shore LGBTQ+ community. 

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ANNOUNCEMENT: The Coco Alinsug for Ward 3 City Councilor COMMITTEE is proud to announce that Abigail Rosario has been appointed as our Youth Campaign Manager. Abigail is 17 years old and is currently a Junior at PCSSII and has been a resident in Lynn’s Ward 3 for the last 10 years. Abigail has numerous experiences with campaigns such as the presidential election to the Georgia runoffs, as well as campaigning for various advocacies like climate justice and housing within Massachusetts. This is Abigail's first time ever having a major role in a local election, and she is excited to embark on this journey with us. "Coco is

For AAPI Heritage Month, NBC10 Boston and NECN asked five prominent Asian Americans in the Boston area to reflect on stereotypes they’ve faced

About two-thirds of all Asians, or 64%, report being asked “where are you from” with the person assuming they were not from the U.S., according to a recent survey by AAPI Data and SurveyMonkey.   For Coco Alinsug, an LGBT advocate and Fenway Health representative, it feels natural to tell people he’s from the Philippines because he was born there.

The New American Leaders Action Fund (NALAF) has included Coco in their 2021 endorsements! Coco was listed with nine change-making candidates from Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio who are public health advocates, LGBTQ leaders, immigrant justice activists, teachers, and public servants. NALAF chose them because they will stand up for their communities and ensure a more inclusive democracy.

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ANNOUNCEMENT: The Coco Alinsug for Ward 3 City Councilor COMMITTEE is proud to announce that Alex Vuskovic is the General Consultant of our campaign. Alex's role includes the general campaign management strategy, fundraising, messaging, advising on organizing, help structure a team, roles, and positions, among others.
   From several stints as an organizer to managing multi-million dollar campaigns, Alex Vuskovic has spent the last seven years working on some of the most competitive races all over the country.
   Before going into consulting, Alex managed competitive races in North Carolina, Florida, Virginia, and Massachusetts, overseeing everything from fundraising, coalition building, communications to budgeting, while also hiring and managing dozens of staff members.
   Most recently in 2020, Alex managed Becky Grossman’s campaign for Congress in MA-04, a bruising nine-way Democratic primary in the Boston suburbs.
   In 2018, Alex managed a top “Red-to-Blue” house race in Tampa Bay, which

New candidates for ward councilor positions included Coco Alinsug for Ward 3, a seat which is currently held by mayoral candidate and City Council President Cyr, and Natasha Megie-Maddrey for Ward 4, currently held by Richard Colucci, who is running for re-election. Megie-Maddrey also challenged Colucci for the seat two years ago, but lost. 

Alinsug, born in the Philippines to a family of politicians, is a Ward 3 affirmative action officer and an elected Democratic State Committeeman representing Lynn and Essex County. Alinsug’s father, a former councilor and vice mayor of Consolacion, which is the biggest town in the province of Cebu, Philippines, told him that he hoped his son would follow in his political footsteps, Alinsug said.