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Reminder Assistant Editor WEST SPRINGFIELD Prior to this week's debates the final two candidates in the mayoral race Mayor Edward Gibson and challenger George Kelly, West Springfield City Councilor at large are driving their campaigns heavily focused on topics concerning voters this year. When asked about his eagerness to attend the debates and his thoughts on his opponent, Gibson said, "If anyone were to compare the two of us in terms of educational background, work experience, commitment to the job, the hours put in and what I've accomplished over the past seven years, there's no comparison." Kelly said he is anxious for the opportunity to get his message out there. He added that he believes in this year's election "every vote is going to count." When asked about his opponent, Kelly said, "He's got to run on his record and it's very spotty." One of the main points of Kelly's campaign is what he calls "runaway spending." He said he is "not against spending but certainly against wasting money." Two areas where he said money could be saved in the town's budget would be putting any project over $25,000 out to bid and also bidding the employee health insurance. In response to Kelly's plan to bid the heath insurance, Gibson said it is an "impossibility" and a "fantasy of his." He added that the Insurance Advisory Committee has obtained quotes from other insurance agencies and maintains that the town's policy is still the cheapest. Gibson said so far he has "not found any magic bullets" that will curb spending, however he added that the town looked into alternative sources of energy such as solar panels. He added that the town has also "entered into contracts with electricity, fuel oils and natural gas" so the town can "lock in" on pricing, which is "generally more advantageous than buying it at time of delivery." When asked about crime and public safety issues concerning the residents of West Springfield, Kelly said it should be the number one priority. Kelly claimed that West Springfield was fined $50,000 by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in 2006 "for water quality issues," which was something that concerned him greatly and jeopardized public safety. However, when asked about Kelly's claim, Gibson said he denied that the town was fined, but said, "We were put under some sanctions to improve our water distribution system." He also said public safety is a main concern being next to Springfield. "We have our own issues as far as crime goes," he said. "We are not a suburban bedroom community anymore." However, Gibson added that he will soon be appointing four new police officers as the police department has been operating understaffed. Kelly said that another big concern for him and voters throughout his campaign has been the high school dropout rate. He noted that the dropout rate in West Springfield is 25 percent, five percent higher than the state average. He said the town "must do better" to ensure that the "school system works on all levels" and that there is a "free flow of information between teachers and the administration." Kelly added that he would like to take advantage of a Dropout Prevention Program to help those who are at risk of forfeiting their education. Gibson said he attributes the dropout rate to the MCAS. He said students often feel they will not pass the tests needed in order to graduate so they dropout. Gibson added that more attention needs to be brought to this, as well as offering students alternative programs that highlight other avenues other than college, such as trades, which will "benefit the community and the marketplace." Kelly said another topic conerning him is traffic and road conditions throughout West Springfield. He said he is looking forward to the completion of Route 57, "which would take a lot of traffic off Route 20." He added that the town's priorities for sidewalk and road repairs are "skewed." When asked about the rising taxes Gibson attributed the tax burden to the reduction in federal and state aid but noted that he is working to find alternatives to supplement the funding deficit. He added that he believes voters are "happy with the progress we've made in West Springfield" and many believe "changes will continue." The mayoral debate will take place on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. For more information on this year's election call the West Springfield Town Clerk's office at 263-3012. | ||||||
