To the Editor:

Tuesday night the Holyoke City Council postponed a vote on whether to appropriate funds for the contract that allows Aquarion to take over the city's wastewater treatment. This move reflects the Council's overall handling of the issue. Though this most recent delay was based on specific concerns about whether the City's charter would require a simple or 2/3 majority to pass the appropriation in one meeting, that does not change the fact that the Council has avoided taking responsibility for this important decision. I believe the Council should be the administration's partner in governing this City. On this issue they gave away their authority. They're now moving to correct that but, in order to regain their rightful say, they have had to use indirect means and to depend on the executive administration.

It is a mistake to give our public resources over to a private interest. Market forces and a private company's obligations to its stockholders should not be the guiding forces in making decisions about services to our citizens. I heard several Councilors speak eloquently to that point at the meeting, and wish that I could have heard why others feel differently.

I do believe that good people can disagree on the issue of privatization. However, it is time for the full Council to make their feelings on this issue clear, to make a decision, and then to stand behind it. The City of Holyoke deserves a strong legislative as well as a strong executive branch. If elected, I will work consistently with my fellow Councilors towards that goal.

Pat Duffy
Candidate for At-large City Councilor in Holyoke
18 Florence Avenue
Holyoke, MA 01040
413-262-9404