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| By Katelyn Gendron-List Reminder Assistant Editor WEST SPRINGFIELD Only 17 percent of registered voters in West Springfield took advantage of their right to vote last week at that Preliminary Mayoral Elections. Regardless of the low voter turnout, incumbent mayor Edward Gibson seeking his fourth term in office received the highest number of votes out of the four candidates. According to the Election Department, Gibson received 1,220 votes; George Kelly, West Springfield City Councilor At-Large received 949 votes; Brian Griffin, West Springfield City Councilor At-Large received 482 votes; Mark Domaingue, an employee of the Department of Public Works received 126 votes. Gibson told Reminder Publications that while he is pleased with the results, in spite of the low voter turnout, he is not taking anything for granted and is working diligently to secure another two-year term. He added that between now and Election Day he will remain dedicated to his each of his campaign issues. Gibson said he is looking towards continued investment in the city's infrastructure with school additions and sidewalk and road repairs, while making sure that "taxpayers get the most for their dollar." When asked about Kelly's commitment to end what he calls "runaway spending," in the city's budget Gibson said, "There is nothing in the budget that it not needed unless he wants to close the library or Senior Center or discontinue services. That's the only way to save money in the budget." Gibson added that if one were to look at the city's budget previous to his seven years in office the rate of increase is the same. But Gibson said he is working to find more efficient ways to provide city services and reduce fuel costs. When asked about Kelly's proposal to put the city's employee health insurance out to bid in order to save money Gibson said that would not be a viable solution. He added that only changing the plans themselves would reduce cost, a task that has to be accomplished through negotiations with employee unions. Gibson said he has been working with the unions for the past three years "so increases are not the back-breaking increases that communities have seen over the past few years." However Kelly said that he strongly disagrees. He stated that bidding the employee health insurance would save the city between $1 and $2 million. Kelly added that he has spoken with health insurance care providers and is confident that many of them would be willing to "tailor a plan similar to the current plan that would come in at a lower cost to the city, employees and their dependents." Kelly said that currently the city is spending $8.5 million on employee health insurance for 1,000 employees. At the Candidates Forum earlier this summer Kelly said he proposed the reestablishment of the Finance Committee that was dissolved in 1999 as a result of the charter initiative. He said he is still committed to the reestablishment of this committee and other advisory committees to the mayor. Kelly said the Finance Committee, as it's purpose prior to 1999, made department heads responsible for their spending. "The mayor has to make the department heads realize that whatever they spend taxpayers have to pay for," Kelly said. "We have to focus on getting the best bang for our buck." While at the polls last week Kelly said he was approached by many voters who were concerned with increasing taxes. "I'm not saying that we'd have an instant tax reduction with my election because that's na ve," he said. "I could make it a focus because it's not a focus of the current administration." Kelly also said that if elected he would put any city project costing more than $25,000 out to bid and would widely publicize the bids. The current threshold is $50,000. He added that he is focused on the completion of Route 57 into Southwick, which he said would result in decreased traffic congestion in the city and surrounding areas. Final elections for the office of the mayor, the School Committee, District Councilors and Councilors At-Large will take place on Nov. 6. For more information on Election Day call the City Clerks Office at 263-3012. |