“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.” – Helen Keller
“I believe that all through these dark and silent years, God has been using my life for a purpose I do not know. But one day I shall understand, and then I will be satisfied.” – Helen Keller
There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why… I dream of things that never were, and ask why not? – Robert Kennedy
I have always admired the courage, inventiveness and perseverance of the people this country has produced. My favorite books are biographies of people who have overcome overwhelming obstacles, with an abiding faith in their God-given abilities, a vision and a hope for a better world, and their role in it, even when they could not see it.
I ran for public office because I believe every level of government needs to be more responsive to “the consent of the governed.” This only happens if ordinary citizens, whether they are farmers, merchants, young people, parents or seniors, are willing to work in their own self interests and let their voices be heard. It is our obligation to ourselves and our children to be involved, and our right to do so.
It does little good to complain, and it is wishful thinking to pin our hopes on any candidate or a party, if we ourselves are not willing or able to be involved, or hold them accountable.
Many people feel powerless to the challenges we face, or have no idea how to be involved. After all, what can one person, or even a few people do?
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
I could not have predicted the challenges or issues I would face when I decided to run. Still, much has been accomplished. There are many new faces on the city council, and we worked to hold the line on property taxes. We recently approved a motion to form a working group to work on the city budget, and meet with the mayor. We voted to dissolve the Business Improvement District because it was a flawed model under state control, and placed an unfair burden on small private businesses.
Despite overwhelming odds on an issue that few were aware of, the voters of Massachusetts repealed automatic gas tax hikes due to the efforts of the first all-volunteer group since 1991 to successfully put a question on the statewide ballot, gathering over 140,000 signatures. My hope is that voters and taxpayers will reject “indexing” wherever it rears its ugly head, and always insist that every tax and fee is voted on by their elected representatives.
Westfield voters made their voices heard on the important issue of state cuts in local aid and funding for road maintenance, by overwhelmingly passing 2 local ballot questions. The City Council reflected that concern and provided real leadership by sending a letter to then Governor-elect Charlie Baker in December. I could not have been happier for the people of Westfield; or prouder of our City Council or new Governor, than when on his first day in office, Governor Baker ordered the Department of Transportation to release 100 million dollars to cities, in much needed road maintenance funding.
My wife and I chose to live in Westfield because it is a great city to live, work, raise a family, and hopefully retire. My hope is that the people of this community will continue to meet the challenges of preserving what makes Westfield special, for the next generation, as well as this present one.
Dan Allie – City Councilor
Your Voice Matters. Your Vote Counts.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of this publication.
