I was born and raised in Massachusetts. I love this state. After serving in the Army in Europe, living in different areas, my wife and I chose to live and raise our family in Westfield because of the schools, the many wonderful people we had met, and it does not feel like a big city.
Dan Allie
As a student of history, my main concern with Massachusetts is that the “cradle of Liberty” and the “birthplace of the American Revolution” has become a hotbed of complacency; big government intervention controlled by powerful special interests, over regulation and unfunded mandates. A bloated government that no one asked for and few of us can afford that continues to grow.
We spend billions each year subsidizing a public transportation system, but cannot repair our roads. Why is the British company Pearson controlling our national curriculum, testing and performance standards for America, (in violation of federal law) and teaching most of the world? Why did we spend four hundred million dollars on two healthcare connector websites, when we could have simply signed a waiver from the now failing Obamacare, since we were “the model” for it? Why is our state building code being written by the International Code Council, rather than our national fire chiefs and building professionals?
In my lifetime, Massachusetts has lost three Congressional districts due to declines in population. Anyone who tells you we are moving in the right direction probably has a personal interest in doing so. Most of us know family and friends who have moved and are making it, anywhere but Massachusetts.
A government big enough to give you everything you want; is a government big enough to take everything you have.
Our founders gave the keys of the republic to the people, “if they can keep it.” President Abraham Lincoln addressed the hope and concern of a young nation that had endured much, {that} “we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
This should be the hope of every man, woman and child of each American generation, if “the last, best hope on earth” is to continue to be free and prosperous.
The self-interest of the common man and women will always be in competition with interests of professional politicians and those they serve, many who benefit from government spending. It is for this reason that an informed public must be engaged in the running of their government, including ordinary citizens running for office. Self-governing is not a spectator sport to be left to professional politicians and the elites, and requires more from us, than just voting.
The reason I decided to run for local office was my concern with the future we are leaving our children. I am concerned with the quality of education our children receive, the opportunities they will have and the amount of debt we will pass on to them.
No nation or government has ever taxed its people or borrowed its way into prosperity. Government creates nothing without first taking resources from the private sector. The printing of money out of thin air controlled by a private banking cartel, known as the Federal Reserve, which loans the American people their own currency, at interest, payable only in Federal Reserve Notes robs our prosperity through inflation and perpetual debt. (Where do you think the US government is going to get more Federal Reserve Notes from to pay them back? It is like paying down your mortgage with a credit card, rather than issuing our own debt free money.)
Since there are some things which only government can and should do, it must do so responsibly and efficiently, so as not to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. Which brings us back to our home state and Westfield.
Increasingly government has inserted itself and tax dollars into our economy and daily lives with little regard whether its involvement is sought, warranted, cost effective, Constitutional or well managed.
How is spending $340,000 or more per unit, for 23 units in the Moseley School “affordable housing”? Spending ten of thousands, or tens of millions of dollars per project that have little impact on the economy is not “economic development.” I believe that our economy works best when people and businesses keep more of their money to spend, invest and create jobs.
Once one of the fastest growing towns in western Mass, Westfield’s economy and property values have remained flat for the last several years, since the government inspired housing bubble and financial crisis. As a result, the city can expect about a million dollars in new revenue each year. If we spend two, three or four million more dollars per year; property taxes will increase.
While small business, working families and seniors with fixed incomes have had to work smarter, do more with less, live within their means and adjust spending habits and budgets; government spending continues to grow. Cuts in local aid, unfunded mandates and inflation from a currency losing its value add to the tax burden shared at the local level.
In my four years on the council, I have voted against three budgets, including the year the tax rate only increased 1.5%, because I believe we can and must do better. I voted for the 2017 budget because for the first time in a decade, property taxes did not increase.
In June, the mayor’s budget passed by only one vote because with only a million dollars in free cash, and no money budgeted for police cars, overtime or snow removal, it will likely result in a property tax increase of 5 to 6%. Since it is not a good idea to take money about of stabilization funds to pay for annual operating expenses, where will the money come from?
Not the state, projected to have a revenue shortfall of five hundred million dollars.
The mayor and council knew all of this, over a year ago when contracts were negotiated, when it was clear that the city could no longer afford to pay 80% of health benefits. We could offer some premium holidays which save the city, taxpayers, city employees and retirees money, and a modest raise without the need for maxing out property taxes in 2018 and 2019.
As a community we must weather tough economic times together.
How are seniors living on fixed incomes going to pay an additional $245 each year? How does this help working families and single moms struggling to make ends meet? It will not.
Can we really keep raising property taxes because we cannot seem to manage a city of 41,000 people on 120 million dollars, or educate 5000 to 6000 students and maintain our schools for 70 million dollars?
This will be my last article before the city elections on November 7th. I encourage everyone to come out and vote. There will be a very important question on the ballot. Since I was the only councilor to vote against this measure, I guess it falls to me to explain why it is not in the best interest of the people to vote to extend the term of only the mayor to four years.
First, there were no compelling reasons given by any councilor for making this change. It will not save money, since municipal elections will still be held every two years. It is very important that elected officials remain constantly mindful of the people, and that people have every opportunity to decide whether or not to elect or re-elect public servants through regularly scheduled elections.
Not having a mayoral race will adversely affect voter turnout in off-year elections. Average voter turnout is only about 38% for city elections. When the mayor ran unopposed in 2011, turnout was less than 20%. Can you imagine what the turnout would be if there was not even an election for mayor?
Do we really want 15% of voters deciding an election; or a mayor with nothing better to do in an election year, but work to get a “friendly” city council?
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your City Councilor. I enjoy meeting and speaking with many of you. I have learned what makes Westfield a truly special place to live; is its people and the love they have for this city. We all need to be thankful for what we have and work together, every day to make Westfield the best place to live, work, play and retire.
I wish you and your family, a safe and enjoyable summer.
