BRENT B. BEAN II
Name: Brent B. Bean II
Address: 94 Ridgecrest Drive
Family information: Wife: Tara (Quinn) Guidance Counselor, Westfield Public Schools; Two daughters: Hannah 18 and Catherine 16
Education: Westfield State University 2007, Master of Public Administration, Regional Planning
American International College 1996 – Bachelors of Science, Marketing
Westfield High School 1991
Employment/Profession: Director of Government and Corporate Relations, Westfield State University
Government Service/Community Organizations: Westfield State University Neighborhood Advisory Board, Westfield City Councilor 2002 to Present, City Council President, 2004, 2013, 2015, 2016, Water Commissioner 1999 to 2001, Westfield Chamber of Commerce1998-present, Westfield United Youth Soccer Coach
Candidate platform:
For the past eighteen years, it has been an invaluable and rewarding experience to serve the citizens of Westfield. As a City Councilor, I have worked very hard to get to know the city well. My interest in serving Westfield as an At-Large City Councilor began, when I was appointed as a member of the Westfield Water Commission. As a Commissioner and City Councilor for twenty years, I have had numerous opportunities to work with residents, commissions and city departments. As a direct result of this experience, I began to observe and understand the workings of the City’s government. My communication skills enabled me to create relationships and foster understanding between different groups and individuals. It has been a privilege and an honor to serve the citizens of Westfield.
Residents of Westfield deserve their city officials to be accessible and responsive to their needs and concerns. As a lifelong resident, and a vested community member I can be a resource for others and for our elected and appointed officials. I strongly believe that voter access to elected officials and a continuing dialog with all segments of the community are crucial to the creation and maintenance of a strong city government that truly listens to the voice of its constituents and is accountable for their decisions.
As a member of Westfield City Council, I have watched our city evolve, and have been a participant in those changes. I know that our future is brighter than ever. Change has never been easy, but isn’t it great at the end of the day, after all the debates, the compromises, the negotiations and exhaustive planning, we are entering a new phase of renewal. I have always felt that there is no better place to live, work and play than Westfield.
In my work as Director of Government and Community Relations at Westfield State, I often get to speak with people from outside our community and it really feels great to hear their positive words about Westfield. How impressed they are with the energy that is reflected in our revitalization projects, our business community, and the public service organizations that so well serve our residents.
Major Issues
? Accessibility & Positivity in Government
I will work to support projects that celebrate Westfield’s history, its diverse community and its creative economy. I will also work to make access to our elected and appointed officials as easy and as welcoming as possible. An open dialog of ideas and concerns should be fostered and sustained. The citizens of Westfield want to be included in the decision-making process.
I remain a traditionalist when it comes to communicating with city officials and constituents. I firmly believe that face-to-face conversations and phone calls allow for a much more effective dialogue than social media forums and email. Too often now, snark and sarcasm masquerade as civic engagement. We need to elevate the level of civility in our public debate.
? Infrastructure
As a City which has endured months and sometimes years of construction and infrastructure improvements, it is imperative that we continue to emphasize planning that ensures future success and growth. Projects to update and expand city services like water, gas and our sewer system should be a top priority as well as maintaining city playgrounds and buildings like our schools, fire and police headquarters.
The City has made great strides repairing a backlog of substandard roadways. In the past two years, we have addressed some of our busiest streets- Montgomery Road, Lockhouse Road, North Road, Granville Road, Northwest Road, Prospect Street Extension, Washington Street, and Shaker Road to name just a few. Across the City, I will continue advocating to repair our busiest roadways and to begin addressing neighborhood streets that have been neglected for too long.
Too often, we take for granted our most basic necessities- food, shelter, and water. Delivering uninterrupted, safe drinking water to all Westfield residents has been my primary motivation these past two years. I have proudly supported the City’s efforts to swiftly and responsibly address this public health concern and simultaneously taking appropriate action to ensure polluters are held accountable and protecting the best interests of Westfield’s residents and businesses.
? Education
Over the past decade, we have maintained a high level of financial commitment to our schools. My wife, Tara and I share a dream with many of you out there – a dream that our daughters, Hannah and Catherine, will be afforded a top-quality education in our Westfield Public Schools. As local graduates, we appreciate the commitment, experience, and performance of Westfield’s teachers. We as a community need to make sure that we give our students and our teachers the tools they need to be successful. Our public schools are one of the city’s greatest resources and as we build our new elementary school, we should continue to help to deliver the necessary tools necessary for a first rate school system.
