WESTFIELD—For At-Large Councilor and City Council President Brent Bean, II, it is his experience that makes him a vital candidate for the At-Large Council position.
Bean is seeking reelection for his position as At-Large City Councilor this Tuesday. Bean, who is a third-generation resident of Westfield, is the longest serving current member of the City Council, being there for 14 total years. He believes that this experience is crucial for City Council.
“I think institutional knowledge is important and definitely plays a vital role in decision-making,” Bean said.
Bean said that the institutional knowledge can provide key information for residents and others. Bean said that he has this, with experience as four-time City Council President and a former Water Commissioner.
Westfield City Council President Brent B. Bean, II. (WNG File Photo)
“What I’ve seen the last couple of years, so many untruths out there about what the facts are. The institutional knowledge is very important,” he said.
Bean said he prides himself on his accessibility.
I’m very, very approachable,” he said. “If I don’t know the answers I try to find them and go from there.”
He also said that as City Council President he has worked with everyone, in addition to putting councilors on committees that he agreed with and others that he disagreed with.
Bean also said that his top priority is promotion of the city.
“Number one on my list is finding a way to market the city appropriately,” he said.
Bean said that the city’s location, which is off the Massachusetts Turnpike, the amount of open land for development, as well as Barnes Regional Airport and the City’s own utility all provide great aspects for businesses to thrive.
“We have to get better at promoting what we have and to make it easier to develop,” he said.
As for infrastructure projects, Bean said that he would like to see larger projects, such as the Columbia Greenway and the Western Avenue project, wrap soon to give residents a break.
“Those are big construction projects hopefully coming to an end soon,” he said.
In addition, Bean said that education is important, and that he can continue to work with the appropriate parties to provide quality education for students. Also, he said that an addition to the high school and a new elementary school are priorities for the city.
“I want this place to be a place where my kids after college can settle down and stay,” he said. “We are slowly getting there, but we are not there yet.”
