Mayor Don Humason speaks at Barnes Regional Airport. (MARC ST. ONGE/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
WESTFIELD – Mayor Donald F. Humason Jr. took out re-election papers in April but officially announced his campaign June 13.
Humason will kick-off his campaign June 29 with an event at East Mountain Country Club from 5-7 p.m.
“I am excited about formally starting my campaign for re-election for mayor in person before a large group of family, friends, and supporters now that the pandemic has subsided,” Humason said.
Humason was elected in 2020, narrowly defeating his opponent Michael McCabe. The two candidates will again face-off this November.
In a press release, Humason credits “a strong and resilient community, our direct care workers, first responders, municipal staff, local elected officials, and others” for the success Westfield has had in coming through the global Covid-19 pandemic. Humason touted the successes of his first 18 months in office during the pandemic.
“I believe my collaborative leadership style in working with city departments, the Chamber of Commerce, Westfield State University, state and federal officials, and others has made me an effective mayor,” he stated.
He noted he has been successful in keeping his campaign promises of paving streets and improving city infrastructure, balancing city budgets without raising the tax rate or changing the tax shift, managing a changing municipal workforce and hiring or working with new city staff like the personnel director, airport manager, and the auditor, taking an active role in building the new Westfield Elementary School, working with the superintendent, school department, educators and school committee, updating an outdated city board and commission list and appointing or reappointing members to serve on these boards and “providing a renewed focus on quality of life issues” with an emphasis on public safety, our elderly, and ensuring a vibrant community focus through the support of local community based organizations.
Humason’s release cited a number of large infrastructure projects that have begun or are nearing completion during his first term, such as the Cowles Bridge replacement project on Southwick Road, the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail expansion, numerous sidewalk and tree-scape improvements and the Taxiway Sierra construction project at Barnes Regional Airport.
Humason’s tenure as mayor thus far has been challenging because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Humason said he dealt with ever-changing guidelines and brought the city staff together under a Public Health and Public Safety team approach to better serve the citizens of Westfield during this emergency. “We did our very best to manage an unprecedented and difficult time in our collective history.” He stated in his written release.
“During the Covid-19 Pandemic nobody had a playbook to work from,” Humason said.
Humason spoke about efforts to bring testing to the city, remaining grateful for the role Baystate Noble Hospital played in the early months of the crisis and collaborating on a regional vaccine distribution site with West Springfield, Agawam, Southwick, and the Hilltowns at the Big E fairgrounds. “It was this regional focus that ensured vital services were provided in this time of need,” he stated.
“I would be honored to continue the shared work we began during my first term — to focus on addressing the needs of the citizens of our community, advancing important economic and jobs projects in Westfield, ensuring city services are provided in a cost-effective, customer friendly way, and continuing to modernize the city’s infrastructure.
Humason is inviting residents to his re-election campaign kickoff on June 29. Refreshments and a cash bar will be available. The event is free but donations will be accepted at the door.
“I am humbly asking for your vote and your support. I’d like to see you at my kickoff.”
Humason is Westfield’s former Massachusetts State Senator and State Representative. He was the Assistant Senate Minority Leader and a member of the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee. He previously served as the director of Legislative Affairs of the Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services.
He was born and raised in Westfield, attended Westfield Public Schools, and graduated in 1989 from Westfield State College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and minors in Psychology and Spanish.
Humason is married to Janice Tracey Humason. Their son Quinn will start fifth grade in the fall.
“I am honored to have this opportunity to represent and lead my hometown as mayor and I am really excited about being mayor of a community that has shown its resiliency and true community spirit and is prepared to move into the future,” Humason concluded.
