Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 9/13/2021
HOLYOKE - The seven candidates for mayor of Holyoke had the chance to participate in a forum that addressed some key issues and concerns within the city.
The forum was jointly hosted by the Greater Holyoke Chamber and the Holyoke Taxpayers Association. The debate featured all seven mayoral candidates including resident Gloria Caballero Roca, Blandford Town Administrator Joshua Garcia, resident William 'Billy' Glidden, resident Christopher Kosinski, City Councilor Rebecca Lisi, School Committee Member Devin Sheehan and City Councilor Mike Sullivan.
A panel of three people asked questions for each candidate that had been developed ahead of time, while a panel of four people were slated to develop one question per candidate on the spot based on the candidate's responses to previously developed questions. Timekeepers closely monitored time for each candidate's responses
Candidates were first given 90 seconds to share who they were and why they were running. After short statements, Caballero Roca was asked about her non-profit work and how it would translate to economic development experience. She said she felt businesses had to be focused on “small scale local government,” especially in the midst of both the pandemic and climate change. Garcia was then asked about his town management experience in Blandford and his strategy for economic development. He said all communities were confined to Mass General Law and it was critical that internal economic infrastructure was in place to help such communities grow, and he felt because of the way Holyoke was positioned they were not in an ideal place for growth at the moment.
Glidden's first question was regarding the taxable business growth in Holyoke. He said it would start with better housing, job training and better infrastructure, marketing the city's assets to attract and retain residents. Kosinski was questioned about what he thought important issues in Holyoke were, as he had not released a statement so far. He echoed what other candidates had said thus far with business and capital, along with focusing on education and addressing crime. Lisi was also asked about economic development, specifically the concept of Smart Growth policies within the city. She first explained the concept, which she said was responsible for the revitalization of Downtown Holyoke, and then expressed her support of the cannabis industry as well as other businesses to continue such revitalization.
Sheehan's first question was regarding his experience with the School Department budget and the focal point of economic development for the city. He said he wanted to move the Economic Development Department in the city hall to be viewed as a “central area” as well as leveraging public schools and colleges in the city for job training and other opportunities. The final candidate in the first round of questions was Sullivan, who was asked about a policy he'd implemented at the council level he would expand as mayor. Sullivan said the infrastructure issues Holyoke faced were some of the most significant issues, and this prevented the building of new homes and new businesses. He said the natural gas moratorium was “crippling” and wanted to expand on Holyoke's green resources.
The second round of questions asked Caballero Roca about employment and workforce development in the city. She said she planned to address the issue by investing in “human infrastructure” such as expanding after-school programs, adult education, liaisons and communication within the school system. “We need to engage and invest in us, the human resources, within the community,” she said, adding unemployment was nothing new, but something that needed to be focused on throughout the pandemic.
Garcia's second question was regarding a best practice with regard to Blandford's budget that he would bring to Holyoke. He said when he began there was no trust due to embezzlement and a negative cash balance. Garcia said there were “a lot of red flags” such as a negative deficit the city had not been able to close. “The blueprint is there, it's a matter of having the leadership to facilitate,” he said.
Glidden's second question was with regard to his experience in municipal government, finance and budget. He referenced his time working in City Hall, which he said led him to be involved in conversations about budget and policy. “My management style would be consistent with how I approach people generally, open and collaboratively,” he said. He went on to say it was a “vision, not just management.” Kosinski's second question was with regard to his background and how it would translate to effective management. He said his background in sales and marketing, he felt, would help him.
He went on to say he'd gone through the departments' budget and felt there should be better communication between departments. “We would have meetings, we would discuss all the necessary things that are needed for the city,” he said. Following that, he said, there would be public input and accountability. Lisi's second question was if the city should enter the Government Insurance Commission (GIC) insurance plan and if it would benefit the city in any way. Lisi said she believed the city should participate as it had a “higher level of insurance and benefit.” She said the entire city would “be on an entire insurance system and have the backing of the state.”
Sheehan's second question referenced the funding of the middle school in the city through long-term bonds and his confidence in securing the bond. He said the council had not yet bonded for the school, and if “we do not have the ability within our bond capacity we should not build a school.” He said, “We have to live within our means as a city government.” Sullivan's final question in round two had him address the lengthy permit system. Sullivan said he felt the “problem was with the Planning Board,” and he felt they dragged on the process. He said the board, which was filled with many mayoral appointments, needed to make it easy and welcoming for businesses.
Candidates were then asked one question each, in alphabetical order, that were developed on the spot by a panel of four people. Cabello Roca was once again asked about non-profits and how they supported economic development. She said they supported the community through housing, food distribution. She said she wanted to focus on who people were and ways to work together and collaboratively. Garcia was asked about public safety issues and economic development. He said crumbling infrastructure, homelessness, addiction were all issues that needed to be addressed as they were impacting “quality of life concerns and opportunities to grow economic development.”
Glidden was asked about which department was critical for the city, he said the department of economic development, and other departments in City Hall should be updated as well, such as the department of finance. Kosinski was asked about education and how the city should focus on such a matter, to which he replied local control of schools was a priority and while he was “not sure how that can be done” he felt the city hadn't wanted to address the issue. “We have a budget of $90 million, our kids should be getting a good education,” he said.
Lisi was asked about her policies and how it was making the city safer. She referenced Smart Growth and urban development, as well as her order for an independent assessment of the Police Department. “Policing is changing, public safety is changing,” she said, stating the city needed to be ready to address this. Sheehan was asked about Critical Race Theory (CRT), which he replied the district had been teaching a curriculum “based on history, based on facts'' to make sure “we are providing an equitable education” for all students and “how to have difficult conversations” so that “we can build a good democracy.”
Sullivan was asked what are the best assets Holyoke has to offer. He said Holyoke's green resources were a “tremendous resource,” and the city should be capitalizing on their green energy to attract businesses.
Candidates were then asked four questions as a “rapid-fire” round where they had 30 seconds to respond. When asked about natural gas, Kosinski said he didn't know too much about natural gas and he was sure people in Holyoke would “educate me and we would make the best decision for the city.” Sheehan, at one point, was asked about marketing the city, which he said should be a top priority to attract new businesses and build a tax base. Both Lisi and Sullivan were asked about paying for repairs without American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Lisi said she believed the ARPA funds were essential for infrastructure repairs while Sullivan said, the city would need to bond to pay for the repairs-something he didn't want to see happen.
When asked about addressing empty and vacant lots, Garcia said it was a quality of life concern that needed to be addressed and enforced. He said enforcement “has not been consistent.” Glidden, when asked about reducing carbon footprint, said he would advocate for more stops on the PVTA as well as a reduction, if not elimination, of fares. He said he would also work with Holyoke Gas & Electric.
Kosinski was also asked about addressing empty and vacant lots, to which he replied, he thought selling homes to occupants would benefit the city. Cabello Roca was asked about communicating her ideas in City Hall, which she said she would talk to various departments and introduce a youth council and increased diversity.
The final question of the evening asked what they would do to make it easier for businesses to both come and remain in the city. This question was given to candidates in advance. Cabello Roca said “it can not be business as usual” as there was an ongoing climate crisis and pandemic. She said collaborative efforts such as public transportation and investing in human capital were important. She said she felt it was not a “winners take all” effort, but instead everyone needed to work together to invest in small opportunities within the city. “The best asset this community has is us,” she said.
Garcia said he felt that no one disagrees with the many topics that were addressed tonight. He said he felt they needed “to start with the basics.” which was responsible management, and it was the responsibility of the community to come together and do just that. “We have to focus on the basics, and that's our internal house first,” he said, adding he believed that was how they could “right the ship” including getting local control of schools back.
Glidden's response addressed having an open-door policy, having “a partner in the mayor's office” and restructuring the mayor's office. He also mentioned building an online portal for the permitting process and working with the Police Department. He said he felt encouraged by people's sense of optimism and felt “there's a lot we can build on here” by working together.
Kosinski said he felt the most important thing for people was quality of life and education. He said he felt they needed to “do something to educate our kids to go to school,” as they would become the future leaders of the community. He added that he felt they needed to also empower teachers. This, he said, would lead to a better quality of life. Also needing to be addressed, he said, would be crime, stating there was a perception of too much violence.
Lisi addressed the question by stating creating a pro-permitting environment with clear expectations. She said they needed to ensure essential services were adequately funded so they could function properly and serve residents in the way they need. She said she was interested in the business improvement district, and wanted to develop a “culture of civic volunteerism.”
Sheehan said it was owed to businesses and residents to have a responsive city government that would work with businesses rather than putting up “roadblocks.” He disagreed with Lisi's BID proposal and said it was not needed, but instead code enforcement was needed and quality of life concerns needed to be followed up with. This, he said, could be done by communicating with the Police and Fire Departments. He went on to say he wanted to hold building owners accountable, including those who had never stepped foot in the city.
Sullivan said Holyoke's high commercial tax rate was an obstacle for businesses, and he believed it needed to decrease. He went on to say the appearance of the city, including crime, litter and trash deterred businesses. This, he said, was a result of poor capital planning, which was costing the city more money in the long run.
The preliminary election will take place on Sept. 21. Following the preliminary election, two candidates will emerge from the election and go on to appear on the ballot during the municipal election on Nov. 2. More information on polling locations by ward and precinct can be found online at https://www.holyoke.org/voters-polling-places/