WESTFIELD – Kevin Medeiros promises to be bluntly honest and transparent in his campaign and, if elected, as a City Council member.
“As many of you know, I don’t candy coat anything,” Medeiros said. “I will never answer you, as a citizen, with the answer that I think you want to hear, I will be totally honest with you.”
Medeiros, whose brother held elective office for more than 30 years in the city, is seeking his first City Council term.
“I believe a City Counciler At-large should be able to talk to and meet with all our citizens from all walks of life, as well as the Councilor from individual Wards to help bring together all parts of city government to make our city a great place to live and work,” Medeiros said. “I feel as though my background in the hospitality industry for over 35 years has given me the experience to accomplish this.”
Medeiros said that residents are concerned about fiscal policies and the city’s dependency on property tax revenue.
“Most people I talk to are concerned about the financial condition of the city and their tax rates,” Medeiros said. “I cannot honestly tell anyone that if elected I will reduce their taxes, but it is something that I will gather all facts on before the entire 13 members of council vote on any tax changes in the future.
“I will try to maintain discussions such as this in a friendly open manner and not with open hostility,” he said. “As we all know, our city has gone through some tough financial times, as well as Mother Nature’s wrath. As leaders, we all need to work together and let the citizens of our city see that we can have a camaraderie in City Hall.”
Medeiros said the city needs to stimulate economic development to increase the property-tax base.
“Economic development, large or small, is vital to keeping our city strong,” Medeiros said. “We must provide excellent infrastructure to make our city attractive to business.
“I feel as though the downtown district is coming along nicely. I believe that (City Advancement Officer) Jeff Daley and (Community Development Director) Peter J. Miller Jr. have a strong hold on what the city needs and I fully expect to support them on future projects.”
“Unfortunately traffic comes along with economic development success” Medeiros said. “I feel as though our traffic problems have become easier to deal with since the major part of construction is over. I don’t know enough yet about the Western Avenue project to comment. That is something I will have to come up to speed with. Our Police Department has done an excellent job with city’s traffic.”
Medeiros has volunteered for more than 10 years in Westfield schools “to help make them a better environment for our children.”
“I believe that we need to be diligent in our decisions as our children are the city’s future,” Medeiros said. “I am hoping, if elected, to be the liaison between City Council and School Committee as I know a lot of parents have concerns. They entrust the administrators, teachers and staff with their children everyday. I share the same concerns and would like to see open dialogue among all city leaders.”
Medeiros said he plans to be “a very accessible Councilor. I will not make any promises I can’t keep, as I do not have a magic wand.”
“I also want to see the ground break on a new Senior Center,” Medeiros said. “This has been too long coming and I think Tina Gorman and all our Seniors have been patient long enough.”
