Murphy sworn in as youngest mayor

Honorable Justice John T. Lu, left, administers the mayor's oath to Patrick Murphy, center, as his parents, Dan and Joan, look on at rear yesterday. Sun / Bob Whitaker

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LOWELL -- Dan Murphy and his wife, Joan, presented their son Patrick with a card. The message was simple: "It's about time," it read.

Clan Murphy are an ambitious lot.

"Patrick has come to this place through his values and hard work," said his mother. "He will leave this place better than it was."

Just after 10 a.m. yesterday, Patrick Oisin Murphy was sworn in to his second term on the City Council and chosen by his colleagues as the city's 33rd mayor since the adoption of the Plan E form of government. At 29, Murphy is the city's youngest mayor, a feat previously held by Brian Martin, who was 33 when he became mayor in 1984.

In addition to his parents, Murphy's grandmother Grace Bovitz and twin brother Dan were on hand for the ceremony. The Council Chamber and balcony were packed with more than 200 observers.

As City Clerk Michael Geary called the roll, each new councilor, having minutes before been sworn in to office by Judge John T. Lu, announced their choice for mayor.

Murphy and Councilors Kevin Broderick, Marty Lorrey and Bill Martin chose Murphy.

Eight-term veteran Councilor Rodney Elliott received votes from himself and Councilors Ed Kennedy, Joe Mendonca and Rita Mercier.

With the vote tied 4-4, the deciding vote came to new Councilor Vesna Nuon.

"Patrick Murphy," he said.

And so it was.

Elliott later made a motion to record the vote as unanimous in the spirit of unity. Mendonca was unanimously

chosen to serve as vice chairman of the council.

Escorted to the rostrum by his parents, an exuberant Murphy took the oath of office, took a deep breath and ascended to make his mayoral perch.

"The votes have been counted and the only number that counts now is 106,000," Murphy said, referencing the city's population. "We are meant to represent nothing less than the entire city of Lowell to the best of our knowledge. We can all learn from one another if we are willing to listen."

School Committee members, from left, Dave Conway, Robert Gignac, James Leary, Connie Martin, Kristin Ross-Sitcawich and Kim Scott take the oath of office yesterday. Conway was named vice chairman. Sun / Bob Whitaker

Sun staff photos can be ordered by visiting our MyCapture site.

Murphy lauded the work of the City Council and the Lynch administration over the past term aimed at creating a more efficient and effective government. He cited the implementation of LowellStat, a data-analysis program that has identified $1 million in savings and revenue opportunities, the adoption of performance-based budgeting, and the $20 million Amerseco energy-efficiency project. He said the city was removed from the Department of Revenue's watch list and its bond rating improved.

Murphy vowed the city will continue to look for efficiencies and move forward, whether it be in the internal consolidation of departments at City Hall or the creation of a regionalized 911 call center.

Murphy, who as mayor will chair the School Committee, said while the city has met its required net school-spending figure the last three years, more can be done, such as boosting early-childhood literacy programs.

Regardless what the new term brings, Murphy said it must be done with a "unity of purpose: from everyone, regardless of political differences.

"No matter what policies we adopt or projects we approve no real change can happen without the sustained engagement of our citizens. This is the most important work before us," he said.

Murphy concluded his speech by alluding to a line from the oath the citizens of Athens took in the time of Pericles: "We seek to transmit our city, not less but greater, better and more beautiful, than it was transmitted to us."

The pomp and circumstance of the day, highlighted with performances by the Lowell High School Choir, the regal presence of the Jr. Air Force ROTC, and the reading of "Autumn #17" written by Lowell High senior Princess Chan, continued with the swearing in of the School Committee.

Veteran committee members Dave Conway, Jim Leary and Connie Martin were joined by newcomers Robert Gignac, Kristin Ross-Sitcawich and Kim Scott.

Conway, a retired LHS housemaster beginning his third term on the board, was unanimously chosen as vice chairman by his colleagues.

"When I look at this school committee, I am energized and excited by the many positive possibilities in front of us," Conway said, adding the committee will unite to meet the goal of providing educational excellence for every student in the district.

The committee will rely on the experience of Leary and Martin and the new ideas and energy of Gignac, Ross-Sitcawich and Scott, Conway added.

"I have been a member of many teams in my lifetime," said Conway. "However, I am exceptionally proud and humbled to be a member of this team."

Source: http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_19671373?source=rss_viewed

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