Mayor Edward Gibson announces candidacy for re-election

By Michelle Kealey

Staff Writer

WEST SPRINGFIELD Mayor Edward Gibson believes that the city of West Springfield is "moving in the right direction" and hopes to be the city's mayor for the next two years.

Gibson, who is the city's first mayor, officially announced his candidacy at his campaign kick-off reception, which took place on July 1 at the Dante Club.

Gibson said that one of the reasons he decided to run for a third term is because "there is still a lot of fiscal challenges ahead of us."

"The fiscal crisis will be with us for several more years, which is longer than anyone thought it would be," he said, adding that some tough decisions will have to be made.

In addition to seeing the city through the tough fiscal times, Gibson said that there are some projects he would like to see completed.

"West Springfield is moving in the right direction," Gibson said. "We have been able to take a look at and spend money on infrastructure."

He mentioned roads, sidewalks and school renovations as some of the projects that are currently in the works.

When it comes to road infrastructure, Gibson said that new traffic signals will be placed at Second and Chestnut Streets, which are in the process of being realigned. He added that a new traffic light has been installed at Elm Street and Kings Highway, a project that has been in the works for a couple of years.

Gibson said that the city has also approved funding to build a new Memorial Pool and Bath House.

In his re-election announcement, he stated that he will look at the replacement of Memorial Pool as "the first step in the design and growth of that site and future uses may be for expansion to a year round pool, ice skating and possibly the site if a new, expanded Senior Center."

Gibson explained that schools remain a priority. He said that the city is on the process of establishing a long-term plan for the school buildings as far as their age and heat and electrical systems.

He added that the architecture of all of the schools will be studied and a 10 to 15 year plan will be developed for the school buildings. He said the plan will tell the city what needs to be addressed in the buildings or whether new schools are needed.

"It's a pretty exciting time even though it is challenging," he said.

Gibson also cited some accomplishments that were made while he was in office over the past five years.

He said that the city was able to redesign the West Springfield Middle School athletic fields, creating use for the baseball, softball, football, lacrosse and soccer teams in the city, and modular classrooms have been completed at Fausey Elementary School.

Gibson also mentioned that the project to expand the Fire Station Headquarters, which is located on Van Deene Avenue, has been completed and will be funded by the Ambulance Enterprise Fund rather than by the taxpayers.

According to Gibson, Route 20 and most of Route 5 will be repaves over the next 18 months and will be funded through federal and state funding requests.

He added said that he has a few "pet projects" that he would like to see happen in the city, which include expanding the property along the river front. He said that there is an area already earmarked for a bike trail, but he would also like to add a small boat ramp for river access and possibly a dog park and athletic fields.

He added that he would like to take another look at the possibility of building a new library.

Gibson said that one of his favorite aspects of his job as mayor is being able to see projects accomplished.

"Sometimes it is such a bureaucratic process and it sometimes takes a lot of time to get [things] accomplished," he said. "It is always rewarding when it happens."

He mentioned the traffic light and realignment of Central and Second Streets as an example.

"It is also rewarding when someone comes into the office and is looking for help in some way, shape or fashion and I'm able to [offer help to] them regardless of the reason," he said.

He added that is is rewarding to see the city grow.

"The quality of life has been improved over the last several years," he said, adding that he wants to see it continue to move in that direction. "It is a great place to live and work."

Gibson said that his least favorite part of the job is not being able to meet every request from the public.

"It takes a long time to get things implemented," he said. "There are times when people come to you and would like [you to] do something and you can't accommodate them. It's disappointing."

Prior to becoming the city's first mayor, Gibson worked in both the small and large business sectors, which he said has helped him with his job as mayor.

He said that, while working for a small company, he had a lot of personal contact with the public, which he believes has better helped him deal with people on a one on one basis.

He explained that his experience at a larger company has helped him in the area of budgeting and how to try to be cost efficient in providing services.

"It helped me with the management aspect," he said.

Gibson has earned a Bachelor's degree in accounting and a Master's degree in business administration with a concentration in finance from Western New England College.

He said that his past experiences and his time as mayor have "created a solid foundation for fiscal responsibility in these troubled times."

"It has been a privilege to serve as West Springfield's mayor for the last five years and do look forward to the next two years," he said. "And, I am asking for support and for votes in November."

Gibson said that his first three years as mayor "went by fast" and the second two years "went by in a blink of an eye."

Gibson does not have any campaign events planned at this time, but said he will host some events in the future.

Nomination papers became available in West Springfield on July 1 and can be obtained at the Clerk's Office Monday through Friday during the hours of 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.