As we prepare for another election season, I’d like to thank Ann Callahan, Kevin Harraghy, and Brian Winters for serving on the Westfield City Council. They have all decided not to run again, but they should all be thanked for all of their efforts to make Westfield a better place.
I’m thrilled to see so many people running for offices this year. Almost every seat is challenged! Thanks and best wishes to those of you who are getting involved as a candidate or campaign worker. Westfield will be better off because of your efforts.
Due to newspaper election (fairness) rules, this is my last official column until after the election, so I’d like to talk a little bit about a couple of issues that I think are important, and questions I’d be asking candidates.
First, the most important thing is independence and effort. We have to elect people who do their homework, make up their own minds, and who vote their conscience in ways that best serve the long- term interests of the citizens of Westfield. We don’t need people who only serve a narrow special interest. We don’t need any rubber-stampers. And, we don’t need any coasters who are only in it for the “prestige” of the office. Elected positions are about service, not self-aggrandizement.
Second, we need people who are realistic and willing to address the financial realities. We all want great things for the city. I’m sure we all want great schools, wonderful neighborhoods, a vibrant feel, and a safe environment to live, work, and play. But, we have to be realistic, as well. Just because we WANT something, doesn’t mean we can AFFORD it. We have to live within a truly balanced budget, and we can’t keep passing on debts and obligations to the future generations. Last night I watched a re-run of a Friday Night Lights TV show. One of the themes of the show was a battle over a Jumbotron score board for the high school football field. The big problem is that the school is struggling with not enough money for teachers, supplies, and other necessities that are required to educate the students. Yet, a few big-shots in the community want to spend the money on the fancy Jumbotron instead of the critical needs in the school system. It’s only a TV show, but that type of decision happens around here as well. We need people in office that will take care of the necessities before they consider spending money on Jumbotrons.
For the mayoral candidates, I’d be asking how they plan on addressing the budget challenges and the long-term debts and obligations. If the candidate is not willing to admit that we have a problem, doesn’t answer the question, or comes back with “we’re not the only one in this boat” type of answer, that’s not good enough. We need a leader in that position. We need someone who will honestly talk about the challenges, and be willing to take stances and make tough decisions that serve the best long-term interests of the city.
For city council candidates, I’d be asking about independence, effort, and how comfortable they are with budgets and finances. I’d ask them how they feel about topics such as roads, schools, the new school, utilities, the so called “rain tax”, and other hot topics. If they talk about grand plans for “nice” things like Jumbotrons, ask them how they are going to pay for that and still take care of all the existing operating costs, debts, and obligations. If they talk about freezing taxes, raising revenue, or controlling spending, say “Show me the money!”
I’ve been serving on City Council for several years now, and I am quite comfortable with numbers and budgets. As I’ve said before, the city is in tough shape, and I believe we are now in the “mathematically impossible” world – even with maximum tax increases allowed under prop 1 2/1 (that no one really wants) and healthy “new growth” in the tax base. I’ve posted a couple of videos that explain the budget and my concerns. You can see them online at www.cityofwestfield.com/2014-budget. Feel free to review these videos and ask candidates how they might address some of the issues that I’ve highlighted. Feel free to send me any questions or suggestions via email at [email protected].
In closing, I’d like to thank everyone who has supported my efforts on the City Council and those who have sent encouraging words when I’ve taken some heat. It’s been an honor to serve as your independent, conservative, common-sense voice on the Westfield City Council. I’d also like to encourage everyone to get out and vote. If you are not registered, you can register quite easily by stopping by the City Clerk’s office in the Westwood building. We have a preliminary election in Ward 4 on September 24, a special primary election for State Senator on October 8, and a general election on November 5. Please mark these dates on your calendar right now, and please make every effort to vote.
Dave Flaherty, City Councilor
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of the Westfield News.
