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Finn eyes seat in the House

Date: 8/31/2010

Sept. 1, 2010

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor

WEST SPRINGFIELD -- Michel Finn, president of the West Springfield Town Council, isn't a career politician but he's putting it all out on the line to become state representative of 6th Hampden District.

The six-year town councilor has taken a leave of absence from his job as a trial court officer and refinanced his house to make ends meet between now and the general election in November. Finn, the only Democratic candidate, will face the winner of the Republican primary between Gregory Neffinger and Dean Vogel on Sept. 14. The district is currently represented by James Welch, who has chosen instead to run for state senate.

"Although it's a new career, I've been in public service my whole life," Finn said, noting that his professional life began in the sheriff's department and as a member of Massachusetts Army National Guard.

"When I got into the city council position [in 2004] and got to help people further, [I realized] I like being the one people call for help and see results," he added.

When asked about the hardest part of public service, Finn replied, "If something can't be done, the hardest thing about being an effective city councilor or state representative is telling somebody that something can't be done and having the strength to do it."

Honesty is the best policy when it comes to constituent service and creating legislation, he added.

Finn noted that some of the key issues of his campaign platform include the revitalization of the economy, job creation, education, infrastructure repairs and homeless policy reform. He said the state's policy of housing the homeless in area hotels and motels is in need of immediate reconsideration.

As a husband and father of three children, ages four, three and two months, Finn noted his commitment to the public education system.

"I have kids that will be entering the local school system soon and I want to make sure that the schools get what they need to deliver quality education," he said.

Finn noted the town council's recent work to help fund a new high school with the assistance of the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

When asked why voters should choose him on Election Day, Finn replied, "My experience, hands down." He noted his work on the council to help create target areas for tax incentive programs for businesses in order to keep jobs in the area, the town's annual road resurfacing program and his experience as chair of the council's Ordinance and Policy Committee and vice chair of the Budget and Management Committee.

Finn said his motivation for council presidency and state representative is to "prove I'm the man they needed me to be."



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