Lowell City Manager Murphy ready to roll up his sleeves

LOWELL -- Kevin Murphy credits his family, especially the example his parents set as educators giving back to the city, as inspiring him to pursue public service.

On Monday morning, Murphy was flanked by family -- his wife, Ann, and son, Kevin -- as he took the oath of office to begin the public-sector job he has long coveted -- city manager of Lowell.

Murphy was sworn in shortly before 10:30 a.m. by City Clerk Michael Geary in front of a packed council chamber.

In the first speech in his new role, Murphy pledged that his three top priorities would be education, economic development and public safety.

Murphy said those priorities are all inter-related, highlighting first the link between education and economic development.

"We don't have a lot of natural resources in Lowell to attract businesses, but we do have one resource that is better than anything else, and that's a talented workforce, a trained mind," Murphy said. "That's what businesses are looking for today."

As for public safety, Murphy said he supports putting more police officers on the street, but also said job growth in the city will be important to addressing crime.

"If you have a good job and you are not out on the street, you are not going to be starting trouble," said Murphy.

The former longtime state representative thanked his family, friends, former colleagues in the city's Statehouse delegation, and the City Council, which voted March 31 to select him, for their support.

Mayor Rodney Elliott said in his remarks he is pleased Murphy has pledged to make both public safety and economic development top priorities.

"I'm also excited to know you want to revitalize the downtown, Mr.

Manager, and be proactive in finding new ways to spur economic development," said Elliott, adding he is also pleased Murphy pledged transparency and strong communication with the council.

The Lowell High School choir performed the national anthem and the Lowell Police Department's Honor Guard presented the colors during the ceremony. The Rev. Raymond Benoit of St. Margaret's Parish, Murphy's parish since his youth, performed the invocation and benediction.

Murphy's former colleagues in the city's Statehouse delegation also played a prominent role in the morning's events.

State Rep. Tom Golden was master of ceremonies, while state Rep. Dave Nangle and state Sen. Eileen Donoghue had speaking roles and offered their congratulations to Murphy.

During his remarks, Nangle read from a plaque dedicating the cafeteria at Lowell High School to Thomas Murphy, Kevin's father. The plaque honoring the longtime LHS teacher and administrator reads in part: "With humor and understanding, he supervised the comings and goings of decades of Lowell High School students."

Nangle said he believes Murphy will follow in his father's footsteps of strong public service to Lowell.

"Although he will be missed in the House of Representatives, it is both reassuring and exciting to know that Kevin will be taking on the role of city manager," Nangle said.

Donoghue highlighted how the industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie once described teamwork "as the fuel that enables common people to attain uncommon results.

" She said teamwork has been the key to Lowell's success and Murphy, who had been a state representative since 1997 until taking the city-manager job, is well aware of the importance of a group effort.

"When we talk about teamwork, Kevin Murphy is no stranger to the team," Donoghue said.

Murphy, a lifelong Lowellian, replaces Bernie Lynch, whose last day was March 10.

All four of Murphy's siblings attended -- his brothers Thomas, Greg and Garry and sister Kathy. Kevin is the youngest.

Kevin's wife, Ann, whose parents were in attendance, said she joked prior to the ceremony that it was like taking Kevin off to his first day of kindergarten as he started his new role.

 

Both Ann and their son Kevin said they were immensely proud of the patriarch of the family for securing the top position in city government.

"He has worked his entire life to help everyone and now he gets the chance to get his hands dirty and do that as city manager," said Murphy's son Kevin, 27.

Murphy said he is very excited to start his new role.

"When I'm done with this gig, Annie and I will still be living on Newbury Street in the Highlands section of Lowell, so I want to make sure that this city is better then than it is today," Murphy told the crowd.

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