BY THOR JOURGENSEN
LYNN — Five Essex sheriff’s candidates are slated to participate in Thursday evening’s African-American Leadership Council forum including three with local ties.
Sponsored by the council and hosted by the Community Brotherhood Club of Lynn at its 15 Coburn St. clubhouse, the forum will begin at 7 p.m.
“We plan to give each candidate three-minute opening statements and then ask three questions followed by three questions taken from the audience,” said Darrell Murkison, forum emcee.
He said candidates Mark Archer, Kenneth Berg, Kevin Coppinger, Michael Marks and Paul Russell confirmed they will participate.
Archer is an attorney and Bedford resident with ties to Lynn. Berg is a Danvers Republican. Coppinger is a Lynn resident and the city’s police chief. Marks lives in Lynn and is an Essex County Correctional Facility superintendent. Russell lives in Andover and is a drug enforcement agent.
Coppinger said the top challenge facing Sheriff Frank Cousins’ successor is gaining a better understanding of the root causes of crime.
“We need to address those issues almost on a case by case basis to make sure not only are the individual issues being addressed but that public safety in each of our cities and towns is maintained appropriately,” he said.
Marks said his top concern as a sheriff’s candidate is helping county inmates deal with substance abuse, mental health and other challenges as they make the transition from jail to community.
“We are tasked to make sure they have the tools to re-enter society,” Marks said.
Community Brotherhood and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People member Roy Rhodes will moderate the forum. Murkison said the council has previously sponsored campaign forums and is committed locally to “addressing any issues affecting the African-American community and to keep people informed.”
Murkison said candidates will be asked how they would help stem the opiate tide if elected sheriff.
Other candidates for sheriff who have formed campaign committees including Methuen Democrat William Castro; Methuen Republican James Jajuga; Newburyport Republican Craig Lane; Peabody Republican Anne Manning-Martin and Ed O’Reilly, a Wenham Democrat.
Thor Jourgensen can be reached at tjourgensen@itemlive.com