"When I think about the kind of approach I would take if I am given the honor of serving as councilor for Ward 6, I think of serving my community as a co-creative process. I don’t see such a role as simply representing what I think is best for my community. I see the role as an expansion of the many voices, the desires and aspirations, of the people I would be representing and working on behalf of. I don’t believe that the majority of people of my ward and the city just want to elect someone and then be left alone for 2 years until they are called upon to vote again. They want to be an integral part of the process. I see the councilor as a filter for the ideas and expectations of the people. By working with them, maintaining a constant dialogue with them, constantly communicating the work being done on their behalf, they are not just consumers of government but active partners in the progress of the city."

Here are a few specific goals I would like to address:

                We want to see Holyoke grow and thrive. We don’t do it alone though. Just as Ward 6 isn’t an island in the city, Holyoke is not an island in the region. We should look for opportunities to partner with our surrounding cities to seek goals which will raise us all up. Healthy competition among municipalities can be good in some areas, but it often results in a zero sum game where one city gains jobs or economic benefits to the detriment of their neighbor.

                I have been watching the effort to expand rail service to our region. This is the kind of regional collaborative project that our city government should strongly endorse and offer our support to wherever possible. It offers an opportunity for a variety of stakeholders to come together for common purpose. Not only would it provide expanded opportunities for the people of our city but would open our community up to investment from companies across the state.

                We need to help bolster the aspirations of our people. We have an amazing organization helping local entrepreneurs get a start on following their dreams – Spark. The idea that a city’s best chance for business growth comes from inside is the key to sustained growth. I believe we should do even more to support such efforts, helping to expand them, and do more to make sure the people in our city – in all parts of the city – know that they have resources to turn to.

On the topic of business, we have lost good businesses to poor building conditions. I don’t think we’ve done enough to step in, bring partners together, and prevent a failing building from leading to the failure of a business. I believe by bringing multiple interests together, we can come up with creative ways of saving businesses.

I also have concerns when we address issues facing the city, particularly when tragedy strikes or failure in some way leads to unfortunate results. What I have witnessed is a series of blame games that often only appear to serve already entrenched political differences. Accountability is already important, but that must be coupled with combined efforts to work toward problems-solving for the sake of making things better rather than just finding fault.

My educational background is in communications, with degrees from Holyoke Community College and UMass Amherst. The way I look at my potential role on City Council, I am all about working as a strong team. Communication works best as a team. I see my ward as my team. I see the rest of city council as a team to work with, and the city government as a whole. Our city and regional partners are a team. I may be relatively new to electoral politics, but my strength is that I understand working with people, thinking creatively, and looking at obstacles as challenges to be overcome rather than walls to be stopped by.

I am proud for the effort I put into the 2015 campaign, even if I did not reach my ultimate goal. I had the chance to introduce myself to a number of people in this ward, and I am excited to meet so many more of you this time around. I humbly ask that you support me, get involved, and stand with me as we work together to make progress for all of Holyoke.