Willimansett Bridge

Hello Holyoke,

Here is some of what we were told that is not in the article. I do agree 3 years seems like a lot of time to build a bridge but they called it a “challenging project”, “difficult site” and “not an easy project” many times during their presentation.

First – the project is not out [...]

Holyoke City Council to review proposed police budget that shows 1.7% increase

By Mike Plaisance, The Republican
June 01, 2010, 4:00PM

HOLYOKE – Budget hearings will resume Wednesday with City Council review of the $11.2 million proposed for the Police Department for the next fiscal year.

The hearing on the police spending plan is set for 6:15 p.m. at City Hall.

The budget that Mayor Elaine A. Pluta is [...]

Chickens In Holyoke

This has been the hot topic now for some weeks in Holyoke. I have answered many e-mails and phone calls regarding the issue.

Here is my e-mail response.

First, let me say that I am in favor of a local food movement, better access to food, urban farming and other forward thinking ideas around food.  There are [...]

Film Festival Celebrates Students Across Western Mass – by Kim Lucey

A program working to make sure young teens stay in school is now bringing kids of all walks of life together under one common bond: film. Recently, those new bonds were celebrated, and the final movie projects put on display at the Project-13 film festival.

From music videos, to comedy, to some serious films, a captive [...]

Holyoke City Councilor Aaron Vega says people frustrated about lack of details about planned high-performance computing center

By Mike Plaisance, The Republican
March 09, 2010, 5:30PM

HOLYOKE – Ten months after the governor declared it was coming, details have been scarce about where a planned high-performance computing center will be built here and what residents can expect from it in terms of jobs and revenue.

“I’m finding people are feeling a little bit frustrated,” Councilor at Large Aaron [...]

Holyoke high performance computing center project partners’ enthusiasm cited by Massachusetts official

By Michael Plaisance
February 11, 2010, 11:05PM

HOLYOKE – The partnership of groups that plans to build a high performance computing center in the canal area is uncommonly enthusiastic about working with the city on the $80 million project, a state official told city councilors on Thursday.

“Your story has gotten out. People at the highest levels are talking about [...]

Patrick addresses state jobs, Soldiers' Home at Springfield house party

By G. Michael Dobbs

SPRINGFIELD — Although one local television reporter introduced Gov. Deval Patrick’s State of the Commonwealth speech with the prediction he would address the “meltdown of the Democratic Party” — following the senatorial victory of Scott Brown — there was little evidence of a “meltdown” at an enthusiastic house party supporting Patrick’s re-election [...]

Your 2010 - 2011 City Council

Holyoke City Council 2010-2011

Tim Purington (w4), Aaron Vega (AL), Peter Tallman (AL), Linda Vacon (W5), James Leahy (AL), Brenna Murphy (AL), Pattie Devine (AL), Joe McGiverin (AL), Anthony Keane (W3), Jay O’Neill (W6), Kevin Jordain (AL), Todd McGee (W6)

Rebecca Lisi (AL), Diosdado Lopez (W2), Donald Welch (W1)

Sub Committees

Ordinance – Lopez, O’Neill, Keane, Purington, Lisi

Finance [...]

Holyoke City Council considers use of city-sanctioned e-mail system

By Michael Plaisance

January 22, 2010

HOLYOKE – If Holyoke is to be a center of computing technology, some city councilors say it makes sense for councilors to be accessible in a city-sanctioned e-mail system.

But other councilors say they would avoid using a city system because such correspondence is subject to public-disclosure laws, which could discourage constituents [...]

Community Conversation

In the Spring of 2009 I was part of the organizing team for the Holyoke Community Conversation. On Tuesday May 19th we gathered nearly 100 Holyoke residents to talk about the hopes and dreams as well as the challenges and obstacles that face Holyoke.  We gathered in the Holyoke High School Cafeteria and began the [...]