RALPH FIGY
WESTFIELD – Brookline Avenue resident Ralph Figy is seeking the Ward 2 City Council seat.
Figy, a retired guidance counselor and teacher, said he has wanted to serve the city for many years.
“I’m retired now so I have the time,” he said of his decision to run.
Figy also said he is friends with former Ward 2 Councilor James Brown who resigned his position last fall.
“He was a good councilor – I wouldn’t have run against him,” Figy said.
When Brown stepped down, Figy stepped up and expressed his interest in the seat. The seat has not been filled, which has been a topic of contention in the city.
“It’s sad that it came to this,” he said of the situation, adding that even though his ward lacks a dedicated councilor he believes the at-Large council members have done a good job for residents of the ward.
Figy listed a top priority as education.
“I have been in education 24 years,” he said. “It’s important.”
Figy said education in Ward 2 is a hot topic because of the new school, currently at a standstill at the site of the former Ashley Street School and Cross Street Playground. Neighbors of the school have sued the city over the location.
“It is probably not the ideal location, but I don’t see a lot of alternatives,” he said. “What we have to do at this point is work hard to make sure the neighborhood needs and concerns are addressed.”
Figy said reviving downtown is another priority.
“Downtown is in my ward and that’s a huge thing,” he said. “We have the infrastructure improvements, now we need to get the rest going.”
Working with the city and merchants is something Figy said he plans to do if elected. He said Westfield State University has a role in the downtown success and he plans to keep a close watch on all projects to make sure they are “viable for the future.”
Figy and his wife Susan have two children. Son Sean, 27, is performing a residency at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester, and daughter Lauren, 23, is a teacher in Chicago. Susan is a retired Westfield Police officer.
Figy is a longtime coach and community volunteer. He currently coaches cross country track and field at Springfield Technical Community College, and is a past soccer and track coach at Westfield High School and Westfield United Soccer Club. Figy is a member of the Westfield Elks, was a 10-year member of the Abner Gibbs PTO, is currently a board member of the Citizen Scholarship Foundation, and is a Sled Hockey volunteer at Amelia Park, among other community involvements.
Figy said he will be an accessible councilor and he looks forward to meeting residents of Ward 2 as he knocks on doors throughout his campaign.
“Westfield’s been very good to me,” said the Ohio native. “Both of my kids received a good education here and my wife has had a good job. I think it’s just a nice place to live.”
