2017 Westfield City Council Ward 3 candidate Rob Atkocaitis (Photo submitted)
WESTFIELD – Rob Atkocaitis, who is a first-time candidate for Ward 3 City Councilor, is a lifelong resident of Westfield (WHS Class of ’86). He grew up on George Street in a home he ended up buying. He now lives on Birch Terrace, and has lived in Ward 3 for 17 years. He wife Elizabeth Atkocaitis and four children – two of his own and two stepchildren, all went to Westfield Public Schools, and two graduated from Westfield State University. His in-laws, Jim and Mary Anne Pratt are also teachers in WPS.
This is Atkocaitis’ first run for a city office. He said he is “on his last year of three kids in college for four years in a row.” He said he always was interested in being involved, but could not until now because of his work and travel. In his professional life, Atkocaitis worked for Mestek for 13 years as a customer sales representative. He left to become a national sales manager for an air conditioning division. Currently, he is vice president of sales for Ranklin, based in Chicago, but he works from his home and said he doesn’t have to travel like he used to.
On his run for City Council, Atkocaitis said he sees a lot of concerns about taxes. “With my business experience, I’m always dealing with budgets, and have to make my company sustainable and profitable,” he said, adding that he now has twenty years of experience in growing small businesses to help them become profitable.
He said people are quick to point out how bad it is, but they don’t understand the budget. He believes there should be a five year plan, with one, three and five year goals. “We have to be able to adapt to the changes,” Atkocaitis said.
Atkocaitis is a big supporter of the school system, and looks at it from a business perspective. He said when businesses want to relocate they look for the best city for their employees, with the best school system.
As for Ward 3 issues, Atkocaitis is interested in the Medical District zone proposal of Baystate Noble. He said he likes having a hospital in town, but there is “no blank check.” He also plans to stay on top of the Western Avenue project, “to manage it, and make sure it’s done right,” adding that his business experience would help him manage it.
Atkocaitis said every door he’s banging on, “people are concerned about Western Avenue, taxes, the new school that is going to be built, or not going to be built.” He added that more people in Ward 3 are in favor of a new school.
He noted that Westfield has 186 miles of roads. He said most people don’t understand that to fix a road properly, you have to dig deep, not just skim coat two inches. He thinks the city has to prioritize a top five list, and get it done.
“I know, or can find, the right people to go and talk to and get the right answers,” Atkocaitis said. He said instead of facts, people tend to act on opinions, citing the mayor’s recent comment that councilors are not going to him directly to ask questions.
“People elect a leader to lead them, not just people to identify problems. If you want solutions, Ward 3 especially, get out and vote,” Atkocaitis said.
