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Residents gather to write 'people's agenda'

Date: 5/26/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



HOLYOKE -- What do the people of Holyoke see as the development and social priorities for their hometown? That was the purpose of an exercise conducted May 19 to establish a "people's agenda."

About 70 people participated in the effort conducted at Holyoke High School. Around the cafeteria large sheets of paper hung in anticipation of the conclusion of the three-hour session. There was a sheet marked "opportunities," while others read "obstacles" and "dreams."

The evening was developed through the Citizens for the Revitalization and Urban Success of Holyoke (CRUSH) and Aaron Vega, a member of that group, said the results of the evening would be presented to the city's elected officials in about two weeks. The results will also be posted on the group's Web site http://holyoke.ning.com.

The evening was funded through donations made by a number of Holyoke businesses.

This event grew out of a meeting on April 7 in which the future of the city was discussed.

Amy Gilburg of Gilburg Leadership Institute, Inc. led the group in answering five questions about city including what people value most about living and working in the city.

Reflecting the city's ethnic diversity, the entire evening was translated into Spanish.

Groups of four talked about their answers to the questions posed by Gilburg with one designated as a note taker. At the end of the session the group, except the note taker, moved one to a new table.

Answers to the question about what people like about the city included, " I like to live in Holyoke because everything is so close." Another response was "The quality of life is pretty darn good when I am. I'm content."

One woman, an immigrant from Japan said she appreciated the sense of community she has found in the city. Another resident emphasized the pride people have in their neighborhoods.

Looking out over the participants Vega noted there were several candidates in attendance but no elected officials nor city employees. He noted that all city employees were invited as well as members of the City Council. There was a meeting of the council that conflicted with the event.

He said that in 10 months the face of Holyoke's leadership is going to change and part of the reason for establishing an agenda was to show those officials the direction in which people would like the city to head.

Vega is a part of a new group of city residents. Born in Holyoke, he left the city to live elsewhere but came back six years ago.

He said the new generation of Holyokers is "wondering if the politicians and elected officials are paying attention."