WESTFIELD – Mayor Daniel M. Knapik hopes to return to his political roots, the City Council, as he launches a campaign for election as an At-large councilor. Knapik, who is completing his third term as mayor, served four terms as the Ward 2 City Councilor.
“I started on the City Council,” Knapik said Friday. “I always loved that job. I was glad to serve six years as mayor, but I really never wanted to leave the council. The major issues facing the city in 2009, when I decided to run for mayor, have been addressed, so it’s time to move on.”
Knapik said that the demands of being “a full-time chief executive” require a huge commitment of dedication and time. Knapik said he has two young sons and that he wants to spend more time with his family.
“Being the chief executive is a full-time job and will be a challenge to whoever takes over in January,” he said.
Knapik said that his platform includes providing tax relief to city homeowners.
“I’m very sensitive to the property tax burden on residential property owners,” Knapik said. “When I was on the City Council the (residential) tax shift was 1.71 and above, but for the last three years it’s been 1.63 which has shifted more of the tax burden onto residential property owners.”
“We haven’t taxed to the maximum 2 ½ increase allowed under Proposition 2 ½, but people are getting hammered by the shift,” Knapik said. “We need more advocacy for homeowners on that topic on the City Council.”
“I also want to be part of the final solution for the elementary school issue, for the science expansion at Westfield High School and at the Westfield Technical Academy,” Knapik said.
The pending proposal is to construct a new science wing at WHS and to revamp six classroom at the WTA because the New England Association of School & Colleges, through it accreditation review, has identified a need to modernize the science programs in the city high schools.
“Those are three of the key issues of why I want to stay involved,” Knapik said. “I have two young children, so the quality of education in our schools is a key issue on my mind.”
Knapik said that there will be major decision on setting priorities for spending in the next several years and that he wants to participate in making the decision about the appropriate use of tax dollars.
“Where the city will be in two years will be on my list of topics, projects that I want to get done the right way. There are a lot of good thinks on the horizon, the Little River Fire Substation expansion – the design is completed for that project.”
“There may be interest in construction, with our municipal partners (West Springfield, Agawam, Easthampton and Southampton), of a new Regional Animal Shelter,” Knapik said. “So there is a need to set priorities to best benefit residents.”
Knapik said that he also wants to continue to work to maintain the city’s current fiscal status.
“When I took office in 2010 there was $3 million in the city’s stabilization account and $2 million in free cash,” Knapik said. “During my tenure in office I have worked with the City Council to bolster the city’s reserve funds. This fall there will be $6.5 million in stabilization and about $3.5 million in free cash.”
“The Council and I did that in a tough economy while addressing a bunch of infrastructure projects, road improvements, municipal parking improvements, removal of blighted buildings and others, much of that done with free cash avoiding the need to bond for that work,” Knapik said.
“We’ve come a long way,” Knapik said, adding that he is seeking an At-large council seat because “more needs to be done in Westfield. I’d like to be part of the process to keep the city moving forward.”
