WESTFIELD—For At-Large Councilor Stephen Dondley it is important to protect schools and important city projects from what he views as harmful cuts.
Dondley, seeking his second term as an At-Large City Councilor, wants to continue to protect certain services from harmful cuts, while also protecting citizens with legislation such as the tax deferment modifications for senior citizens and joining the lawsuit against the opioid industry.
For Dondley though, he said that schools are the most important.
At-Large City Councilor Stephen Dondley
“Schools are the number one issue. In 2016, I made a motion for a zero percent tax cut for the schools and I cast the deciding motion on that vote,” Dondley said.
This passion for schools is why Dondley became involved in politics. According to Dondley, when there was a suggestion in 2010 for a potential $700,000 cut to the school’s budget, he became involved.
“That got me riled up. I decided to get involved, started to go to the meetings,” he said.
“The goal was to get parents and people who were concerned about the cuts together and try to fight back against the cuts, so that was successful,” Dondley said.
Following this and the stabilization of his business, Dondley, a US Navy veteran, decided to run for City Council in 2013 and just missed being elected by a narrow margin. His passion never waned so he ran again in 2015 and won.
Dondley said that this growing experience makes him a valuable member of the council. In particular, Dondley said he has continued to learn the political aspect of the job.
“Getting along with others, coordinating to get things accomplished,” he said. “only way to learn is by doing it.”
In addition, Dondley said that his recent efforts as City Councilor have been accomplishments worth noting.
According to Dondley, he has pushed for an expansion of the real estate tax deferment for seniors, known as the “circuit breaker credit,” which would benefit seniors and keep up with other communities.
In addition, Dondley has looked into the possibility of joining other communities to hold drug manufacturers accountable related to the opioid crisis.
“Just like with the tobacco industry where you had local governments stepping in, there’s a similar movement to hold drug manufacturers and companies accountable for their effects,” Dondley said.
He said that the potential has an initial cost of zero for the city, but footwork would be involved.
Additionally, Dondley said that the city should focus on economic development.
“We really have to focus on economic development to get money in,” he said. “We haven’t done a good job of that in Westfield.”
According to Dondley, the city’s revenue from commercial and industrial property is 27 percent, while nearby communities has higher amounts.
“What I’m trying to do is create a brain trust of people to think long term to get it closer to 33, 34 percent of revenue,” he said.
