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Date: 6/27/2022
HOLYOKE – In her first campaign swing through Western Massachusetts since the Democratic Party Convention, Attorney General Maura Healey picked up four endorsements from Holyoke officials and spoke about several priorities while visiting The Victory Theater.
Mayor Joshua Garcia, City Council President Todd McGee, City Councilor At-Large Tessa Murphy-Romboletti, and School Committee Member Erin Brunelle announced their support for Healey’s bid for governor.
Garcia spoke of three issues currently facing Holyoke, which in her remarks, Healey addressed.
The mayor said new housing is vital – all kinds of housing – and the city needs to be “as creative as possible” in developing it.
Originally, Healey was to tour housing in south Holyoke to comment on this subject, but the rain canceled that stop in her Holyoke visit.
Garcia then listed as local control of Holyoke’s schools – which have been in state receivership for years – as a vital issue.
Finally he spoke of continuing economic development, which includes the restoration of The Victory Theater, Garcia called it “an anchor of downtown” and “a long overdue project.”
Speaking of his views and Healey’s, the mayor added, “We are aligned. She understands. She gets it.” He said as governor she would be “a strong partner at the state level.”
Healey said housing in the commonwealth is “in crisis.” In answer to a question about how she would address the housing issue, she said she has been speaking with experts to learn more and wants to incentivize developers for a “full range of housing.”
She also noted communities need to change zooming restrictions to allow projects to move forward.
In terms of Holyoke’s school issue, she said, “On Day 1 [of her administration] I want a [exit] plan.” She said she “appreciates the frustration” of Holyoke residents.
She thanked MIFA and others in Holyoke for their “persistence” in The Victory project and said their efforts could “transform a community.” She added she was “a strong supporter.”
Healey called the project “a real big economic engine.” She did not offer to support the project through state funding if elected governor, though.
In answer to a question about the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home settlement, which has not yet been finalized, Healey called what happening at the Home “a horrific tragedy” and said she has been examining the proposed reforms that have been discussed in the Legislature.
“The reforms are absolutely necessary,” she added.
After the press availability, she went on a short tour of The Victory. Donald Sanders, the executive director of MIFA, the nonprofit arts organization that bought the theater in 2009 to redevelop it, said the 1,600-seat theater is the size of a Broadway theater and could handle touring Broadway shows.
If the theater was restored, the attractions it presented could attract 70,000 visitors a year to Holyoke, he added.
Field narrowed to one
On June 23, one day after her appearance in Holyoke, Healey learned her Democratic opponent state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz has left the race. In a statement, Healey said, “I’m deeply grateful to Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz for her many years of service to Massachusetts and her inspired leadership during this campaign. The legacy of her campaign will live on through the young girls who finally saw themselves represented in a candidate for the highest office in the state. I look forward to continuing to partner with Senator Chang-Díaz to bring people together and make Massachusetts work for all of our families.”