Here’s a press release from the Van Pech for City Council Campaign:

VAN PECH OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF 2013 COUNCIL CAMPAIGN

Candidate shares priorities to capacity crowd of Lowell voters

Lowell, MA – Although he’s already knocked on over 2,000 doors and been meeting with voters for several months now, Van Pech celebrated a milestone night on Wednesday, July 17th, with the official public kickoff of his 2013 run for Lowell City Council. In front of a capacity crowd overflowing out of Tepthida Khmer, Pech shared some personal stories of life in Lowell and introduced his campaign priorities of increasing civic engagement, ensuring public safety, and improving Lowell’s quality of life throughout the city.

“I believe that for the quality of life to improve we need to focus on all the neighborhoods, not just a few. I truly believe that government should be transparent and accessible to everybody” Pech stated during his remarks which capped off a speaking program that featured a strong lineup of community leaders and active citizens.

Van Pech’s childhood best friend and City of Lowell Police Officer, Soben Buth, spoke to the inspirational impact that Pech has had on him. Citing Pech’s advice and counsel through a tough time, “He’s done so much for me in life and I hope he can do the same thing for the City of Lowell.”
Prior to the formal speaking program, Mayor Patrick O. Murphy asked to say a few words about Pech, who first ran alongside Murphy in the 2011 election. In discussing the candidate’s current role as an alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals, Murphy noted Pech’s willingness to take a stand on difficult votes, “It is because he has integrity…that is important. That is the most important thing to have in a city councilor because everything flows from that.”

In addition to the public speaking program, Pech spent the evening talking directly with a diverse crowd of Lowellians. While there certainly were seasoned campaign veterans in the audience, including neighborhood leaders and elected officials, Van’s dedicated grassroots approach also brought out numerous onlookers attending their first-ever political event.

The event was open to the public and donations were only solicited to cover the cost of food and to compensate the restaurant owners for their space. Additional funds that were raised will be donated to the local nonprofit, Light of Cambodian Children.

Because I was in a Lufthansa jet midway across the Atlantic when this event took place, I was unable to attend, but the below video from the Van Pech campaign, gives me a pretty good idea of what took place. Also, check out the Van Pech for City Council website.

[youtube]wA3l27061ho[/youtube]