Let's meet the challengers

By Katelyn Gendron-List, Reminder Assistant Editor

WEST SPRINGFIELD While the incumbent mayor Edward Gibson is hoping that West Springfield voters will extend his tenure in office next election, three other mayoral candidates citing lack of leadership and excessive spending are looking to oust Gibson after seven years in office.

The preliminary election that will take place on Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., in all eight precincts, according to Diane Foley, West Springfield town clerk, will narrow the field from four to two candidates. The candidates include Gibson, two West Springfield City Councilors At-Large Brian Griffin and George Kelly, and Mark Domaingue, a skilled laborer for the Department of Public Works.

Upon announcing his intention to run for reelection Gibson said, "In looking forward to a fourth term as mayor I am proud of the accomplishments of my administration in both safeguarding the financial security of our community, and in contributing to the enhanced quality of life for the residents of West Springfield."

Gibson noted that during his administration the town has continued to provide the same level of public services.

"In spite of tough fiscal times we've really not been affected by layoffs over the past five years and have been able to continue to provide services that residents expect," Gibson said in an interview with Reminder Publications.

He stated that he has been reconstructing the city employee health plans, which will result in a savings of over $6 million over the next 10 years. Gibson added that he has been strongly looking towards the future in his efforts to rebuild the stabilization account, which is currently at $6 million.

Under his new campaign slogan, "Together we are still making a difference," Gibson credits all of the staff, volunteers and residents of West Springfield that aid him in the "team effort" to effectively run the city.

However for Griffin, he stated in an interview with Reminder Publications that the lack of leadership is precisely what prompted him to run for mayor.

"In the face of politics that shut you out and told us to settle we need to come back and unite as one and it really can't be about me," Griffin said. "It's about what we can do for West Springfield. We need a positive change in our town."

Griffin added that what the city needs is strong mayoral leadership, and as mayor he would work hard for the implementation of school projects and the establishment of a program that combats speeding. He added that there should be more funding for the Police Department as they lack information technology equipment for the "proper investigation of crimes."

"I want to develop a zero tolerance policy when it comes to any crime," Griffin said. "We live next to the nineteenth most dangerous city in America. Our police force needs assistance from the mayor's office."

Griffin stated that he would like the city to hire a grant writer to help with taxes. He would also like to start a senior abatement program.

In addition to his work as city councilor at-large, Griffin currently works as a senior property insurance adjuster at Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association and is a graduate of American International College with a Masters Degree in criminal justice.

For Kelly, a resident of West Springfield all of his life, and seven-year City Councilor, his strongest campaign focus during this election season is what he calls "runaway spending."

"You've got to attack waste like you attack crime," Kelly said. "It's just criminal when a government wastes money. We've spent an awful lot of money and don't have a lot to show for it. I am against wasting money, not spending money."

Kelly added that while the budget was at $59.5 million it is now at $85.5 million. He also stated that employees were given a six percent raise and that taxes are "through the roof."

"I would like to see taxes held," he said. "One of the ways to do that is by bidding out the health insurance. For 1,000 employees it went from $3.5 million to $8.5 million."

Kelly added that as mayor he would insist on bidding with anything costing over $25,000. He would also like to work on the improving the "deplorable" conditions of sports fields, roads and sidewalks.

For Domaingue, who has worked for the DPW for almost 20 years, he decided to run for mayor after hearing various members of the community complaining about taxes.

"I'm a firm believer that if you want change you've got to stand up and make a stand," Domaingue said. "I believe that I can make a difference."

He added that he would like to "stabilize" taxes and institute a biodiesel program to heat schools and all municipal buildings in order to offset the rising cost of oil. He stated that he would like to make departments more accountable for their spending and also "fix up" the city schools.

"The stereotype is that because I work for the DPW people think that I don't have a brain but when people need the streets cleaned or plowed, who does it?" Domaingue said. "I do know what's going on and I don't have all of the answers, but who does?"

Domaingue said that in addition to his work at the DPW he is also a volunteer coach for the West Springfield High School hockey team and is "half-way" to his Associates Degree in liberal arts from Springfield Technical Community College.

According to Foley, the Town Clerks Office will be open until 8 p.m., on Aug. 22 for new voters to register. In addition to the primary elections on Sept. 11, election day for the mayor, School Committee, District Councilors and Councilors At-Large will take place on Nov. 6.

Foley stated that while there are eight precincts only seven will have polling stations as Precincts One and Two are "housed under the same roof." Each polling station will also be complete with one handicapped voting machine as required by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

For more information call the City Clerks Office at 263-3012.