What are your qualifications for the elected position you seek?
The qualifications I bring to the office of City Council at Large include an eagerness to do the work that is needed to move our city forward, valuable listening skills, good negotiating skills and the ability to bring fresh ideas to the Council. I have roots and connections throughout the city, from the Highlands to South Holyoke, and I believe those connections are key in bringing Holyoke together.
Since May of 2009, I have been on my “learning and listening tour.” Through meetings with business, civic, municipal and community leaders, I have gained insight into many of the details concerning Holyoke’s challenges, as well as our future possibilities. Making these connections in our city and being educated in housing, taxes, non-profits and infrastructure has provided me a better understanding of how the city works, enabling me to make good decisions on the Council.
As a downtown business owner, I want to see Holyoke grow and prosper. As a resident, I simply care about this city; the whole city and all of its residents. This dedication and commitment will drive me to make informed decisions to improve our city and keep Holyoke a place we all want to call home.
Why do want the position you seek?
I am seeking the office of City Councilor at Large because I believe I can help Holyoke prosper in the 21st Century. I believe I can get us on the right to track to take advantage of all the positive momentum in Holyoke. I believe I can help leverage and build upon our infrastructure, our assets, our location and our potential.
I want to grow my business here, raise my family here and give back to the city I call home. I believe that fresh faces with new ideas working together with the experienced leaders in our city, will open new opportunities, spur new growth and create positive ways of doing business.
I seek this position because I know Holyoke’s future is bright and I am not someone to sit on the sidelines. I feel Holyoke’s municipal leadership needs to reflect the population of our city, including Latinos, business owners, active community builders, native Holyokers and new residents.
I am seeking the position of City Councilor at Large because I know I can bring the leaders of this great city together to the table; working together to coordinate our efforts, hone in on our missions, and create a better Holyoke.
What are your top three priorities for the position you seek?
The top three priorities I see that are needed for Holyoke to move forward and prosper in the 21st Century include marketing our city to bring in jobs and new residents, establishing smart incentives to keep our streets clean and safe and creating a more accessible and accountable city government.
In the proper marketing of our city, we can establish ourselves as a leader in Green Business and Technology. Capitalizing on our low energy rates and affordable building spaces, we need to aggressively and creatively invite new businesses both large and small into Holyoke, which will bring in more jobs and increase our tax base.
Establishing smart incentives for business owners and residents to keep our streets clean and safe will help build ownership in our neighborhoods and address our current issues of crime and blight. Incentives will provide small rewards for those who are doing their part to keep our city clean and give residents pride in their neighborhoods.
Having a city government that is accessible and accountable will encourage more civic engagement from all of our residents. Transparency and an “open door” policy will help bridge the divides we face in Holyoke and bring our community together.
