Supercomputers marked Holyoke's 2009
Date: 1/5/2010
Jan. 6, 2010.By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor
HOLYOKE -- The Paper City distinguished itself as a city of change this year with the election of a new mayor succeeding Michael Sullivan who ended his administration of five terms and the announcement of the high speed computing center, a facility that would bring Holyoke to the national technological forefront.
Several institutions in the city, including Wistariahurst Museum, the Senior Center and library, undertook campaigns to improve their facilities. Wistariahurst finished a major renovation of the mansion's Carriage House and is seeking the completion of fundraising to paint the former home of the Skinner family.
The city has attracted more and more artists with its availability of affordable studio space and housing.
The following are some of the top stories from 2009 reported in this paper. They are presented in chronological order rather than in order of importance.
Jan. 27, 2009
1. Despite the frigid temperatures, nearly three dozen people gathered for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the new Holyoke Intermodal Transportation Center on Monday, which will be housed within the old Central Fire Station on Maple Street.
The intermodal center has been years in the making and is still under construction.
March 3, 2009
2. The Friends of the Holyoke Council on Aging have launched a campaign to raise money to help pay for a feasibility study for a new senior center.
The planning of the new senior center has begun with meetings discussing what features the new center should have.
March 24, 2009
3. Holyoke Police Chief Anthony Scott is hoping his colleagues and the public across the Commonwealth will show their support for three pieces of legislation that he believes will aid law enforcement and put citizen input into the judiciary system.
As of Friday, though, Scott hadn't received any messages of support.
The much beloved and respected police chief carried this campaign for judicial reform through the year and was prevented from protesting in front of the district court house by state law.
May 26, 2009
4. What do the people of Holyoke see as the development and social priorities for their hometown? That was the purpose of an exercise conducted May 19 to establish a "people's agenda." ... The evening was developed through the Citizens for the Revitalization and Urban Success of Holyoke (CRUSH) and Aaron Vega, a member of that group, said the results of the evening would be presented to the city's elected officials in about two weeks. The results will also be posted on the group's Web site http://holyoke.ning
C.R.U.S.H., the grass roots organization of Holyoke residents, has made itself a force in city planning and politics this past year.
June 16, 2009
5. Although many of the details of what was described as "a world-class, high-performance computing center" have yet to be finalized, Holyoke Mayor Michael Sullivan believes the coalition between Gov. Deval Patrick, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston College, the University of Massachusetts, EMC and Cisco Systems demonstrates the serious nature of the proposal.
Patrick moved up the year-long site selection process to six months and recently told this reporter the effort to secure a location for the computing center is on time.
Aug. 12, 2009
6. ... Holyoke native Eric Suher, owner of Iron Horse Entertainment Group, has been working for the past two years to transform the former Mountain Park property into an outdoor music venue, which will make its debut on Aug. 15 with a free concert and then a paid concert on Aug. 16.
The initial concerts were well attended and 2010 will mark the full-time use of the park as an entertainment venue.
Aug. 18, 2009
7. A major effort to increase tourism to Holyoke was started last week with the release of a "Discover Holyoke" walking tour guide.
The Passport Holyoke group subsequently conducted a day-long event to show the cultural and entertainment offerings of the city.
Sept. 15, 2009
8. The security fence now surrounding the Holyoke Public Library is just part of a larger story.
Although the fence, which was erected last week, is designed to keep patrons safe from falling chunks of limestone from the building, it is a reminder of the greater problems facing the building that opened in 1902.
Library official have long been concerned about the deteriorating facility, especially at a time when library use has increased. A capital campaign is underway to raise the funds to renovate and add to the building.
Oct. 27, 2009
9. The city's voters will have a choice next week to elect a veteran city councilor or an experienced businessman to succeed Michael Sullivan as mayor.
City Councilor Elaine Pluta won handily over Daniel Boyle who pledged to keep his options open for another attempt for the mayor's seat.
Nov. 25, 2009
10. Contrary to written reports that action by the Legislature saved the outpatient clinic at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home, the funding for the clinic will only be restored if Gov. Deval Patrick approves the legislation.
Although Gov. Patrick has since said there are no intentions to privatize or close the Holyoke Soldiers Home, area veterans have continued to express concerns about its future.
