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Date: 11/13/2023
HOLYOKE — Five new city councilors were elected following the Nov. 7 municipal election in a year where almost every City Council race was contested.
The newly elected city councilors include at-large winners Patricia Devine, Michael Sullivan and Howard Greaney, Carmen Yolanda Ocasio coming out of Ward 2, and Meagan Magrath-Smith capturing the Ward 7 seat, according to the unofficial results released from the City Clerk’s Office.
Voter turnout across the Paper City reached 4,939, about 17% of registered voters. Ward 7, arguably the most politically active ward in the city, saw a 30% turnout of ward voters as Magrath-Smith received 834 votes to fellow newcomer and opponent Eileen Brady-Leahy who received 486. The two were the top vote-getters in a three-way preliminary election in September.
Ward 2’s turnout was about 7% but still saw a tight race as Yolanda Ocasio edged out opponent Janelle Mojica, 133-103 in votes. Both candidates were newcomers to the council and Yolanda Ocasio will take over for incumbent Will Puello who chose not to run for reelection.
At-large Councilor Jose Maldonado Velez lost his reelection bid finishing eighth out of nine candidates in a race for six seats. The other candidates losing their at-large bids includes Mimi Panitch and Axel Fontanez.
The top vote-getter in the at-large race went to incumbent Tessa Murphy-Romboletti with 2,668 votes, followed by newly elected Devine with 2,538, and incumbent Kevin Jourdain with 2,480.
Jourdain told Reminder Publishing he was happy to see so many of his “like-minded common sense candidates” elected or re-elected. He added for his newly elected term he hopes to continue to support more public safety, cleaner streets, job creation and keeping taxes and fees down to create a more affordable Holyoke, while maintaining his role that he has grown a reputation for over his years of service on the council.
“To continue to be the trusted, common sense fiscal watchdog City Hall so sorely needs to keep it accountable to the citizens,” Jourdain said on his goal for the next term.
At-large incumbent Israel Rivera finished fourth in the at-large race with 2,471 votes and told Reminder Publishing he was happy to secure another term but that there were some feelings of bittersweetness with the turnover of councilors.
“I had to come to the realization that I won’t be serving with a good friend of mine and colleague for this future term. Jose is a great loss,” Rivera said specifically about Maldonado Velez not being re-elected. “I have to look forward to working towards building and forging new relationships with new colleagues coming on, and I’m looking forward to it very much. I have to work with new people and find out what new additions can contribute to the team and make a better Holyoke.”
Rivera added a major goal of his moving into his next term still focus on public safety. Newly elected councilors Sullivan and Greaney rounded out the at-large winners.
Maldonado Velez told Reminder Publishing he was disappointed with the results and upset about the momentum lost in his progressive efforts as a city councilor.
“There was some progress and unfortunately it seems like we’ll have to go back a couple steps over these next two years. This just means the progressive movement comes back stronger in 2025,” Maldonado Velez said.
He added he felt a variety of different factors could have contributed to his losing bid such as political apathy, lack of education around the process, or just a lack of numbers.
Maldonado Velez said as of now there are no plans for running in 2025 but added his focus will be on the work toward creating change in the city.
“The focus will be on the work to build people power and systems that support our people, not punish them for the lack of resources,” Maldonado Velez said. “The work to transform our city continues where change really takes place — grassroots [efforts] — within the community.”
In the ward races, Ward 1 incumbent Jenny Rivera retained her seat with 206 votes to opponent Victor Machado DeJesus’ 88. Ward 3 incumbent David Bartley also secured a return to his seat after winning 504-279 against challenger Anne Thalheimer.
Ward 4 incumbent Kocayne Givner was reelected after beating challenger Ruth Garica 216-164. Givner told Reminder Publishing this election showed a big change in voter direction with the top two vote getters in the at-large race both being women in Murph-Romboletti and Devine, as well as the return and new addition of councilors Jenny Rivera, Magrath-Smith and Yolanda Ocasio and herself.
“This is huge,” Givner added.
She also shared similar sentiments made by councilor Israel Rivera in saying the loss of Maldonado-Velez will create “a real void in the chambers.”
“His methodical work on the Charter and Rules and Ordinance committees will be hard to match. With him, we are also losing an important voice for Holyoke’s underserved population of those with substance use disorders and of those who continue to fight for housing security,” Givner explained. “His work towards establishing an Office of Tenant Protections will remain an important impact on and goal for City Hall.”
Givner closed with added she will use her new term to continue work on traffic safety issues and quality of life issues across the city. She said part of addressing these concerns is empowering residents with methods of navigating city departments and helping her neighbors be proactive in their communities.
“Our city government is a reflection of those who take part in voting and community work. We must be the change we want to see!” Givner said.
Ward 5 incumbent Linda Vacon was reelected for another term after defeating challenger Guy O’Donnell, 686-560. This was the second straight election Vacon was able to win against O’Donnell. Vacon told Reminder Publishing she was grateful for the support she received from her husband and volunteers in Ward 5 who helped get her reelected.
“It is rewarding to have received solid support from Ward 5 voters who find me to be an effective city councilor who looks out for them. I look forward to helping any resident in Ward 5 who reaches out for assistance,” Vacon said.
Vacon added her goals for her new term include continuing her diligent constituent service, to service in a leadership role and to work to keep Holyoke affordable whether someone is a home owner, renter or business owner.
Ward 7 incumbent Todd McGee, Ward 2 incumbent Will Puello, and at-large incumbents Peter Tallman and Joseph McGiverin did not seek reelection.
Races, while mostly uncontested, were also going on for the School Committee. One of the two contested race featured at-large incumbent Erin Brunelle winning against Luissette Arroyo Rosado, 3,042 votes to 1,360. Brunelle returns to her position and will continue to play a leadership role she has grown over the years through her work on the committee.
In the Ward 4 School Committee race, Gloria Caballero Roca was elected with 321 votes, to opponent Faizul Sibdhanny Jr.’s 51 votes. Elected unopposed to the School Committee were Ward 2’s Rosalee Tensley Williams, Yadilette Rivera Colon in Ward 3, John Whelihan in Ward 5, William Collamore in Ward 6 and Eleanor Wilson in Ward 7.
Rory Casey ran unopposed for city treasurer. There was no official candidate for the Ward 1 seat on the School Committee. Incumbent Gustavo Romero, who was not officially on the ballot, received the most write-in votes with nine total and will get to keep the seat if he chooses.