To the Editor:

I am writing to applaud the city's recent moves in historical restoration. A renovated Victory Theater and Skinner Coffee House will both celebrate our history and attract new business and attention to downtown Holyoke.

The Victory and Skinner are perfect examples of that which is unique about Holyoke: our immigrant industrial history. Capitalizing on that is smart development, the kind that has succeeded in other former mill cities. I attended the Historical Commission's hearing where several residents gave testimony to Skinner's importance, including one architect, Joseph Krupczynski, with a reasonable proposal. He asked that the Commission vote for a four-month delay so that he could take the time to seek out funding. I commend the Commission on their response to the public's testimony and their decision to grant Krupczynski until November 12.

As a city councilor, I will support this kind of entrepreneurial, creative thinking and will further encourage that our city's precious historical markers retain their original functions as badly-needed community centers that bring together the entire city.

Pat Duffy
Candidate for At-Large City Councilor