2017 Ward 5 City Council Candidate Les LeFebvre (Photo submitted)
WESTFIELD – Leslie Daniel LeFebvre is a first-time candidate for Ward 5. A lifelong resident of Westfield, he said he is “proud to live in our community,” and said he now has “the time to contribute to its wellbeing in return. “
A graduate of Westfield High School (’69), LeFebvre went on to earn an engineering degree and master’s in business administration from Western New England University. He served “proudly” in the Massachusetts Army National Guard 104th Battalion in Westfield, and was a member of Post 124 American Legion in Westfield.
LeFebvre is an engineering project engineer and engineering manager on new jet engine component designs for over 30 years. He says his work has involved managing Engineering task teams, successfully meeting demanding schedules and staying within task budgets. He retired from UTC Aerospace Systems in Windsor Locks, where he was an aerospace project engineer and cost account manager on new engine accessories, managing a team on new design. Presently, he is an engineering manager for CDI Aerospace in Windsor, working on Pratt engine components and managing 24 engineers.
“I have lived in Westfield for my whole life with a lot of memories of the city as I and the city grew, proud of our city, and time for me to contribute to its well-being in return. I have the knowledge and skills in managing projects and working with people successfully for over 30 years in my career,” LeFebvre said.
LeFebvre said as a Ward 5 Councilor he would be “a dynamic voice in representing Ward 5 residents anytime. When people call me, I’d come and give them an answer,” he said, adding that he would be totally committed to Ward 5 residents’ best interests.
On issues, LeFebvre said he would work to maintain city tax level & oppose tax increases, support improvements in infrastructure, and promote business development in the Westfield area.
“Before any tax increases, we need to do an analysis of all the scenarios,” he said. He says he believes in teamwork, as an engineering manager regularly runs meetings of 20-30 people. He also believes in customer satisfaction, and gives “110% in everything I do.”
Regarding Westfield’s infrastructure, he noted that Westfield is 350 years old. “I grew up here, and have seen the growth,” he said, adding that it’s important to always maintain it. He believes in safety first, which should be looked at first in all infrastructure and traffic projects.
LeFebvre said he would also try to increase business development for downtown, both manufacturing and industrial. He said promoting growth will offset budget increases with an increased tax base.
LeFebvre said his wife Joanne is a retired music teacher who taught in Easthampton for 28 years, and he has grandchildren in Westfield Public Schools.
LeFebvre said he has been “proud” of Westfield his whole life. “I always knew someday I wanted to give back,” he said.
