Murphy gains votes to become Lowell's youngest mayor

LOWELL -- City Councilor Bill Martin broke his silence yesterday afternoon, telling The Sun he will vote for Councilor Patrick Murphy for mayor on Tuesday.

Murphy has already received commitments from Councilor Kevin Broderick and councilors-elect Vesna Nuon and Marty Lorrey. Those, coupled with his own and Martin's vote, give him the five votes required to be selected for the position.

"He is a young, energetic guy who will bring some new ideas and perspective to the mayor's position," Martin, a former mayor himself, said of Murphy. "He will do a good job for the city."

Murphy's rival was Councilor Rodney Elliott, 51, who won his eighth council term in November, finishing second to perennial ticket-topper Rita Mercier. He had secured mayoral votes from himself, Councilors Rita Mercier and Joe Mendonca and Councilor-elect Edward Kennedy.

Martin, the deciding vote in the mayoral race, said he spoke to Elliott to inform him of his intentions at about 4 p.m. yesterday.

"It's no surprise to me," Eliott said of Martin's announcement, adding he met with Martin two days after the election. "I ask the questions my constituents want asked, as evidenced by my second-place finish. I know the issues I raise make some of my colleagues uncomfortable, but I am not willing to compromise my positions on taxes and open and transparent government to become mayor.

"I do look forward to working with the new council in the next two years and continuing to do

the job the people elected me to do," he added.

Murphy, a 29-year-old stonemason who will begin his second council term Tuesday, will be the city's youngest mayor. That distinction had previously been held by Brian Martin, who was 33 when he became mayor in 1983.

"I am very honored to have the support and confidence of my colleagues old and new to lead our next City Council and School Committee," Murphy said. "And (I) look forward to working with and supporting, in turn, each of them as we seek to make our own contribution to the progress of this city."

In Lowell's Plan E form of government, while the mayoral position is largely ceremonial, he or she also is responsible for chairing the City Council and School Committee. The mayor will officially be chosen at Tuesday morning's inauguration, which begins at 10 a.m. at City Hall.

Source: http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_19645518?source=rss_viewed

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