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Date: 1/10/2023
SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll visited the New North Citizens’ Council Youth Center on Jan. 2 for their Three Kings holiday celebration. The event marked the start of a series of inaugural community stops for the state’s newly elected leadership team.
The New North Citizens’ Council’s annual Three Kings ceremony distributes gifts to families throughout the area. The community organization collaborated with Springfield Public Schools and Hope for Youth and Families Foundation to distribute a variety of gifts to 1,000 families.
The Healey and Driscoll leadership team also visited Worcester, Taunton and South Yarmouth ahead of their inauguration ceremony on Jan. 5. In her remarks, Healey said she and Driscoll were mindful in starting their state-wide tour in Western Massachusetts.
“We wanted to make our first journey to start the New Year right here in Springfield,” said Healey.
Healey and Driscoll spoke during a truncated press conference inside the council’s youth center. State Sens. Adam Gomez and Jacob Oliveira, state Reps. Carlos Gonzalez and Orlando Ramos and Mayor Domenic Sarno were among the community leaders in attendance.
Healey highlighted she and Driscoll as a leadership team that is ready to work for Massachusetts.
“We are a team motivated by urgency, wanting to meet people in community and where they are and wanting to deliver,” said Healey.
Healey viewed teamwork as an essential value for her leadership tenure. She promoted community selflessness as a crucial need in holistically improving the state.
“Our hope in the year ahead is that we truly can take in a spirit of teamwork, that we can meet this moment of challenges with compassion, with calm resolve [and] rationality … If we find a way to look past differences, there is so much we can transcend,” said Healey.
Healey also addressed several Western Massachusetts topics during a Q&A session. When asked about the decaying state of the Roderick J. Ireland Courthouse, Healey stressed the importance of providing a secure environment for the community. She noted that she will continue to have conversations with Sarno and other leaders regarding the public facility.
“It is important that we have employees and residents who are able to access a public courthouse that is safe, that is healthy. We are keeping a close eye on that … We know how important this is to the people of Greater Springfield,” said Healey.
When asked about her cabinet and transition team appointments, Healey discussed the importance of assembling an equitable ensemble.
“I can tell you we will have a cabinet and administration that represents the diversity of this great state in all forms,” said Healey.
Healey concluded her remarks by reflecting on the “hard few years” that the state has faced. She aspires to deliver a sense of “hope and optimism” throughout her time as governor.
“This is an opportunity, with the start of a New Year and the start of a new administration, to really look forward. I want people to be left with that spirit of optimism … Now is the time for Massachusetts to come together,” said Healey.
Driscoll added that she and Healey remain focused on making Western Massachusetts a priority.
“This is the first time you’ll see us this week, it won’t be the last time you see us on this journey,” said Driscoll.