Candidates for state senate seat define positions

Date: 3/11/2020

This reporter asked the same five questions to both state Rep. John Velis and business owner John Cain. Both men are hoping to fill in the Second Hampden-Hampshire senate seat left vacant when Donald Humason Jr. became mayor of Westfield.

Explain how you will translate your experience in the private sector to the Senate.

Cain: Our state legislature is composed of many professional politicians who have never worked in the public sector and that is a real problem. My professional, military, and public service experience has provided a bigger picture view that career politicians do not possess having worked in a bubble of “playing politics.” They have lost touch with the wants and needs of the working people. This is apparent when we see the inability for state agencies to meet budgets or provide quality service, but also continue to see increased budgets and gross spending on the backs of taxpayers.

My experience as a public sector employee and business owner will play a vital part in being an informed voice for the people of my district. I have the knowledge and real world experience to devise common sense solutions that are mutually beneficial to both the public and private sectors. I believe that the government must take into account the impact their decisions have on the very people they claim to represent and not just worry about what their political party dictates or getting reelected. As a business owner I am directly accountable to my customers and my employees; as state senator I will hold myself to the same standards of accountability and transparency to make the best decisions for my constituents. In the senate, I will propose legislation that favors small business and encourages entrepreneurship. The people of my district deserve transparency in their government, my constituents will know the rationale behind all legislation and how it will impact their lives. If the government receives money from the people there is an inherent expectation of service and accountability. My private sector experience shows me that the “service” that Beacon Hill is providing the people who fund it has much room for improvement. Families and businesses must maintain a budget and are accountable to the people from whom they are paid. The government has this same responsibility to the people.

Velis: Some of my first jobs were serving food at Westfield State and Pizza Town in Westfield. They humbled me and taught me the importance of humility. I met people from all different walks of life, who were all finding ways to get by regardless of what stood in front of them. I came to understand truly how many people out there were struggling, and that was what made me want to help others.

This is what made me pursue a law career, and inspired me to serve our nation in the military. I am a proud combat veteran, and current major in the U.S. Army Reserves where I learned a lot about what leadership means. Leadership is about honor, integrity, and character. These are words that I hold dearly and apply to everything I do in life. As a state representative, I have been a leader who has served with honor, integrity, and character. I will certainly lead with honor, integrity, and character as a state senator.

As an attorney, I spent years studying and interpreting the laws of our state. I learned many lessons from this time that have made the transition from attorney to lawmaker a comfortable one.

My time as an attorney taught me to never guarantee anything more than your 110 percent work ethic. Anyone with a legal background – including my uncle who always reminds me of this – will tell you that if a lawyer or a politician guarantees you a result, walk out of the room.

I’ve brought this same approach during my time as a state representative. Today’s politicians are enamored with making promises and guarantees that they can’t fulfill. That is not me; I will never guarantee my people a result, all I can guarantee is that I am the hardest working state rep. they’ve ever had, and that I will always represent their best interests over any political party.  

My record of being able to deliver for the people I represent speaks for itself; but it has never come from guarantees, only hard work and listening to what my constituents need.

Your first day in senate: what is your top legislative priority?

Cain: Part of my platform is transparency and making sure the people of Western Mass. receive their share of the state budget. I will look into what legislation is increasing costs for my constituents, but not adding any value to everyday life here in our community. Looking into expenditures and ensuring our tax dollars are being spent in a manner that is most beneficial. As a small business owner I know the importance of controlling spending and maximizing the value of every dollar spent. In addition, I will be challenging illegal immigration and exposing the negative impact that sanctuary policies have on the safety and prosperity of our communities. Improving the lives of our citizens should be our top priority and with that we must help those who believe in this country find the proper path to citizenship. The billions of dollars per year our state spends on supporting illegal immigrants can be utilized to much better serve our citizens.

At this point in time there is legislation that I will work against at the state house. I will not accept the passage of another gas tax increase, funding for illegal immigration services, and issuing drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. In addition, there is legislation requiring certain sexual education to students, whose parents are opposed to, and I will make sure these parents have a right to alternative lessons while looking for a better solution to teaching our youth about reproductive health. There are many shortfalls of our government that must be overhauled and these are the major issues facing the state house at this time.

Velis: From day one, my top legislative priority will be to take the work I’ve been doing, and what I’ve been able to accomplish in Westfield, and expand it to all 11 communities and towns in the senate district.

I will continue to be the most zealous advocate for veteran causes in our Commonwealth. As a current major in the U.S. Army reserves who has served two tours in Afghanistan, these causes are personal to me.

Currently, health care costs are ballooning, and we have to do something to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. Since I’ve been a rep., I hold office hours at the senior center every week, and every week without fail, a senior reminds me of the growing cost of their prescription drugs.

When people have to choose between their groceries, or their insulin, we need to recognize that as a problem and come together to fix it.

I have been a soldier in combatting the opioid epidemic. I’ve been at the forefront, working with Sheriff Cocchi, visiting Section 35 facilities in order to become more personally involved and ingratiate myself in the recovery community.

My personal involvement with the recovery community makes this issue near and dear to my heart. In my time spent learning; I can unequivocally say we need more treatment beds, to expand the current 28-day treatment outline, and offer much improved after care programs. Relapse is always a possibility with those on the road to recovery, but it is our job to do everything we can to prevent it. Expanding the treatment program and improved after care programs help with that.

Additionally, workforce development and preparing Massachusetts residents for the ever-changing economy is something that is vital, and we’ve been leaders on at Westfield Technical Academy. Westfield has set the standard in bringing together industry and education to better enable our educators to prepare their students for today’s workforce.

There is a skills gap in our Commonwealth. We have an aging workforce that is opening job opportunities, but many of our youth are being pushed towards college instead of a career in the trades. We’ve got any number of jobs out there available in manufacturing, information technology, and other fields where the only problem is the lack of applicants with the requisite skills. Westfield Tech is doing a great job of leading the charge on this and preparing their students for jobs that are available immediately after graduation.

This is an option that we should present to all our students, and to do this we must take what we’ve done in Westfield and begin to expand it throughout the Commonwealth. To this day, I am still jealous of many of my friends who work in the trades. However, I wouldn’t mind being jealous of some of the students in my district either.

How are you going to balance the needs of your entire district with those of Westfield?

Cain: I have been a resident of this district my entire life, currently my small business serves customers from all over the district on a daily basis. This extensive interaction with the people of the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire district and my perspective on the evolution of the cities, towns and communities over the past 30 years will be a valuable resource when allocating time and assistance throughout all 11 communities.

Each community knows their needs. As senator I will understand the needs of the entire district based on the feedback that local governments, citizens, and business owners provide. With that knowledge I will maximize the support available with the best possible value to the people.

This senate seat has historically been held by a senator whose residence is Westfield. They also served previously as the state representative for Westfield. Their knowledge and concerns for most of their time prior to being elected senator was Westfield. This has given people the impression that Westfield is the focal point of the district. My opponent fits into that category.

As a Southwick resident and business owner in Agawam I know that this district is composed of 11 towns and cities. I have spent time in all of them and listened to people’s concerns. Each of these communities deserve fair representation. Although Westfield, Agawam and Holyoke have large populations and require strong guidance from the State House, I will ensure that this entire district is properly supported on both local and district-wide issues. I will be accessible to listen to the needs of the people with an open mind. Each community deserves a voice on Beacon Hill. The local governments of these communities are what really impact our daily lives. My relationships throughout each of these communities will help bring local governments and business leaders together to give them all a voice. This combined expertise along with the guidance and support of my state senate office will deliver all the tools necessary for every community to succeed.

Velis: When I first considered running for this seat, I made the decision that I could meet the needs of each and every community in this district by bringing the same energy and fervor that I brought to Westfield in the past six years to all communities and towns in this district.

I worked for many months to ascertain the needs and concerns of every community in this district by meeting with local leaders and residents. Throughout this process, I learned a lot about the key issues and specific needs on the mind of each community. What they all united on, was that they need a leader who will continue to meet with each and every one of them and hear their needs, and give them the voice they need on Beacon Hill.

At a town hall I did in Granville, I learned about their lack of high-speed internet. In Westfield, residents are still concerned about PFAS levels in their drinking water; and in Holyoke, quality of life issues and making sure their students have the resources required to receive a quality education was the key issue.

To me, that was a prime example of what you can discover when you put party politics to bed and listen to the people instead. You are able to quickly discover the unique issues at the top of each communities needs, and how you can help them. That’s what government is supposed to do. As new needs arise in each community, I’ll be there to meet them.

Explain how you will be accessible to your constituents.

Cain: As a public servant my top priority is accessibility in an effort to gain input from all of my constituents. I will hold public office hours at my district office and receive calls when I cannot be in the office. I will be a highly visible senator throughout the district by engaging with our community in routine daily activities as well as attending community events. I will not shy away from tough issues and I will make my positions well understood. I welcome opposing viewpoints to sit and talk to determine the best course of action. Keeping an open ear and an open mind to the needs, wants and desires of constituents, while leading with unwavering morals and ethics, I will derive the best solution possible. What I say to one will be what I say to all, while not compromising my core principles. We deserve straightforward answers from our public servants even if their stance may be unpopular. Sometimes the right option is not the popular option.

I believe in a strong adherence to the Constitution. It takes strong leadership to maintain principles and make ethical decisions, especially with so much misleading information and corruption in our government. I will foster an environment of approachability and ask that anyone who has a need to contact me to do so without hesitation. I will engage the public by supplying information so everyone is well educated on the activities of their state senator. Social media has become a major platform for how people stay connected.

My campaign has used social media extensively to help disseminate information. I will maintain an informative social media platform to educate a broad audience on the business at the state house. In this manner, my staff and I will not only be accessible but accountable and informative to the people I represent. My opponent has supported legislation against transparency as recently as January of last year (HB9, HB13, HB24 and HB25). I will strive for complete transparency while having my staff and I accessible to the constituents.

Velis: By continuing to do what I’ve always done in communicating with the people that I represent and always being available to my constituents. In my earliest days as state representative, one of the key lessons I learned was that there were a number of communities who need help but simply won’t – or don’t know how to – pick up the phone and call my office.

One of the main communities that was susceptible to this, are our seniors and they cannot be forgotten. A way I got around this was by hosting office hours every week at the Westfield Senior Center. By coming to them, I was able to hear directly from them on how I can be of service and assist them in their everyday life.

I am always available for meetings with constituents as well. From discussing a bill to a cup of coffee just to answer some questions they may have, the people of Westfield will tell you that everyone who reaches out to my office hears back, and no one gets left behind. I have a very simple policy, I will meet any constituent, to have any conversation, at any location.

As state senator, I would simply expand this approach by hosting office hours in all of the communities and continuing to make myself available for meetings and questions with constituents from all walks of life. By being transparent and accessible to the people I serve, I can figure out what the issues are that need to be solved in order to improve their daily lives. That’s what public service is all about.

The final question in the dual interview will be published next week.