Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 5/22/2015
WEST SPRINGFIELD – State Rep. Michael Finn has announced his bid for mayor of West Springfield.
Finn, who has represented West Springfield, Springfield and Chicopee in Boston since 2011, made the announcement weeks after Mayor Edward Sullivan said he would not seek reelection.
Though Finn said he has enjoyed serving his district over the years, splitting his time between his office in West Springfield and Boston has taken its toll. A large part of his decision to pursue the mayor’s seat had to do with his family.
“It’s the quality of life. I’m the town’s voice for Boston. It’s three hours a day in a car, and I’m back and forth three, four times a week. It adds up to a lot of late nights and early morning departures,” Finn said. “I love the job that I’m doing. When you help people out, being able to do that is extremely rewarding.
“When I look at the mayor’s seat, it’s the ability to do that and even more. Coming home is the icing on the cake. I get to do it closer to home and spend more time with my family,” he added.
Even though it is still early in the campaign process, Finn has identified areas he would like to focus on if he were to be elected. Finn said he has worked with Sullivan on securing funding for citywide initiatives and “loves” others that the mayor has put into place.
In addition to supporting those, Finn said his focus would be on fighting for local aid, supporting local businesses and achieving Level 1 status for the schools.
“Education is clearly on the top of my list as far as accomplishments go. The schools are anchors for the community,” he said. “That’s how you bring in young families. That’s how you instill pride in the community; it stems from good schools.”
Prior to his time at the state level, Finn has served on the Town Council, including time as council president. He said he still has a strong relationship with those councilors currently serving.
This background, as well as his understanding of government at the state level, makes for the “perfect marriage,” Finn said.
“[The mayor’s position] is a combination of all my past experiences in government,” Finn said. “I understand how town budget works, how a state budget works. Being able to marry the two will help continue to make West Springfield a great community to live in.”
Finn may have been surprised by Sullivan’s decision not to run for a second term, but he said he and his family are ready for the next step in his political career. If he is elected, the biggest part of that, he said, is looking out for those in the community.
“I’m going to push. At the end of day we are a customer service business, and at the end of the day, we need to make sure customers are being taking care of,” Finn said.
Thus far, Finn has been the only person to announce a bid for the mayor’s seat. Official papers will be made available on May 29.