Pat Duffy announces her candidacy for an At-Large Seat on the Holyoke City Council

Pat Duffy, 18 Florence Avenue, has announced her candidacy for an At-Large Seat on the Holyoke City Council. "I'm excited to run at-large and represent the whole city," said Duffy. "I have an excellent councilor here in Ward 6, Mark Lubold. And I want to work on the concerns that we share across every ward in Holyoke."

Duffy cites economic development as one of those city-wide concerns. "When I say economic development, I mean development that considers the needs of the entire community -- business owners, employees, realtors, home owners, tenants -- everyone," she said. "Open Square is a wonderful example," she adds. "The owners have demonstrated that they are invested in the future of Holyoke for all of its citizens. I will work to support and attract that kind of development."

Duffy wants to apply her knowledge of the economic needs of Holyoke, as well as municipalities throughout the area, gained in the course of negotiating collective bargaining agreements. She has worked for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and the Holyoke-based United Auto Workers Local 2322. Both jobs require a deep and ever-growing knowledge of business, government, law, contracts, and the social and economic needs of people who work for a living. "I have been privileged to work with people at all levels of society -- business and labor leaders, local and state elected officials, and regular folks, working hourly wage jobs, struggling to make a living. I have the knowledge and the ability to work with everyone to make Holyoke a better place for us. And if elected, I will do just that."

"My work over the past five years has taught me the importance of weighing the needs of every part of the community," Duffy said. "Municipal governments have been facing tough times including unfunded mandates from the federal government, the severe cutbacks of the Romney administration, and a slower economy. We need to work together to make the tough choices, and to ensure that they are made fairly."

Duffy expressed concern about the way some decisions have been made on the City Council. "The original vote to put the final decision about privatizing our wastewater treatment solely in the hands of the Mayor was a mistake," she declared. "Managing our public services and resources is what we elect our City Council to do -- it's our local legislature. We need to stay involved and never pass the buck."

The Holyoke City Council comprises seven ward seats and eight seats elected at-large. All of the at-large seats are up for election this year. The seats will be filled by the top vote getters from the entire field of candidates in November.