Holyoke council candidates open up

Nov. 8 runners share views with El Diálogo

Saturday, October 15, 2005
By ANA MORALES
(click here for the link to this article on El Diálogo.com)

Smart growth. Community policing. Youth activities. Ambulance services. Sewer charges. Federal assistance. Keeping Holyoke affordable, beautiful, and clean.

All these issues -and more- are vital for the incumbent and newcomer candidates running for Holyoke's City Council this Nov. 8.

Rebecca Lisi, newcomer hopeful for Ward 7, wants to "employ innovative approaches to help Holyoke regain its status as a 'world-class city.'" "Smart Growth Policies provide an opportunity to invest wisely in revitalizing downtown," Lisi said. The smart growth movement is concerned about the domination of "sprawl" in current development patterns. Lisi proposes concentrating redevelopment to compact areas downtown, expanding the tax base, preserving our natural environment, and utilizing community diversity.

Another political newcomer is Denise Salgado, Diosdado Lopez's challenger for Ward 2. Salgado brings 4 key issues to this campaign: restoring community policing, opposing the privatization of Holyoke's sewer system, assist youth, and revitalizing businesses.

"Residents of Ward 2 do not feel safe enough...[I want to] contribute to our community by creating more activities so youth can get off the street," Salgado said.

About the Aquarion contract, Salgado said that "the incumbent has supported privatization, but has not explained himself."

Pat Duffy, newcomer candidate for City Council At-large, will prioritize downtown development, public services and resources, as well as community policing.

"We must confront both crime and the causes of crime with real community policing," Duffy said. Duffy is also committed to maintain the standard of "keeping our public resources public." Like Duffy, Helen Norris, a 7-term City Councilor in Ward 3, supports expanded community policing through the reinstatement of bicycle patrols.

Norris has advocated for the interests of working families during her tenure on the City Council. The Ward 3 candidate has opposed Aquarion's privatization contract and supports giving voters a voice through the ballot question asking voters whether they want to keep the $174 million privatization contract with Aquarion. She will vote "NO" on the voter referendum this November 8.

For Millie Santana, Ward 4 candidate, City Council work is all about changes. Santana believes in opposing tax increase, constituents service, neighborhood meetings, and additional police patrols. The work plan of 10-year council veteran Elaine Pluta, who is running for an At-large position, includes making Holyoke's Fire Department the ambulance providers for the city and increasing the city's security by requesting walking beats and bike patrols.

Pluta will also represent residents on the Cable TV Committee and will keep fighting for the lowest sewer rate possible for both business and residential ratepayers.

At-large candidate Kevin Jourdain, who has been in Holyoke's City Council for 12 years, says he will continue to push our state leaders to stop overcharging our people for auto insurance. Jourdain, who has voted to keep property taxes down, has opposed what he calls "the 1 bid, 20 year, $174 million dollar giveaway to Aquarion" that will raise sewer rates on homeowners by $300 per year and increase rents by $10-15/month.

Jourdain also says that he wants to make sure that the needs of the Latino Community and all the people of Holyoke are being met; including cleaner and safer neighborhoods and quality schools.

City cleanliness is also an issue for Jim Leahy, candidate for City Council At-large.

But Leahy is not only committed to cleaning up the streets. He also works to give a voice to the people who aren't connected to City Hall and re-opening the foot bridge. Leahy supports the Aquarion contract.

On the other hand, At-large candidate Jack Whelihan is against unfair sewer charges "being mandated by the federal government through an unfunded mandate."

"I am advocate of non-compliance with this unfunded mandate unless the federal government is willing to subsidize 85% of the costs," Whelihan said.

Whelihan says that the federal government has failed to tell the citizens of Holyoke that it subsidized over $20 million in the State of Connecticut, which is, per capita, the richest state in the country. The council candidate will work to make this possible for Holyoke as well. A city council is the most common style of legislative government in a city.

The 15 members of Holyoke's council work on behalf of the residents by proposing bills, holding votes, and passing laws.

In Holyoke, City Council members also participate in the ordinance, finance, public safety, public service, as well as redevelopment, cable, and handicap advisory.

Not all City Council candidates were available at the time of this interview. However, you can learn more about Holyoke's City Council, meeting agendas, minutes, as well as members' phone numbers and addresses by visiting: http://www.holyoke.org/citycoun.htm.