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Date: 12/6/2021
HOLYOKE – Thirteen people will assist Mayor Joshua Garcia in developing strategies to address the city’s challenges.
Garcia introduced members of his transition team following a meeting on Nov. 30.
The purpose of the team would be to form a series of advisory councils that would assist policy development. Garcia said the team would be meeting weekly through the end of the month.
He explained the advisory teams would be formed in January. The mayor’s goal is to have full representation of the city in the advisory teams – from neighborhood to ethnic group to gender.
Garcia explained the topics to be explored include housing, economic development, infrastructure and public safety, among others.
At his swearing-in, Garcia said his transition team will “help me in charting a new course for this city. This is a group that represents the values and diversity of Holyoke. They will prove invaluable to ensure we have a municipal government that is inclusive, transparent and, ultimately, connected.”
The transition team includes: Aaron Vega (chair), director, Holyoke Office of Planning & Economic Development; Meghan Blanche Magrath-Smith, adjunct professor, Holyoke Parks & Recreation Board member; Theresa Cooper-Gordon, board chair, Holyoke Housing Authority; Patricia Duffy, State Representative, Fifth Hampden District; Ray Feyre, former Holyoke city councilor and former president of St. Patrick’s Parade Committee; Jordan Hart, executive director, Holyoke Chamber of Commerce; Mildred Lefervbe, vice chair, Holyoke School Committee; Maria Pelcher, lieutenant, Holyoke Fire Department; Manny Reyes, lieutenant, Holyoke Police Department; Gary Rome, president/CEO, Gary Rome Auto Group; Christina Royale, PhD, president, Holyoke Community College; Mike Sullivan; Holyoke city councilor, business owner, former mayoral candidate; and Marc Swygert, principal, Maurice A. Donahue Elementary School.
Vega said, “The common thread from everyone is public engagement.” He added the city is “facing some difficult conversations.”
Vega said additional issues revolve around youth services, community collaboration to address mental health and addiction and how to best market the city and capitalize on events such as the St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Vega also explained the advisory teams will identify “what the mayor can and can not do” and establish opportunities for collaborations.
Vega fielded questions about whether or not the advisory groups would tackle the question of returning local control back to the school district. He noted at first that 80 percent of the district’s employees live in Holyoke – “That’s control.”
He continued by saying. “There is a reason for receivership. It didn’t happen overnight … there is no clear path to get out of receivership but we are moving in the right direction.”