How do we convince Dave Flaherty to run for Selectman in Southwick? And for the guy on Prospect Hill, if your definition of good police protection is seeing a cruiser in your neighborhood 4 or 5 times a day, what do you care if he’s letting his dog out? He’s there.
I tuned into the Mayor’s radio show this morning wondering if he would be absent instead of addressing the City’s tax issues. Initially, because he was being a father attending a child’s school function, he was not there but once on the show I must compliment him on addressing and attacking the current stalemate. If you don’t listen to the show or read the Westfield News you are not informed of the situation. The Mayor has compromised. He could authorize a 2 1/2 percent increase in Property Taxes but has reduced the budget so all the City needs this year is 1 1/4 percent, a 50 percent reduction by my calculations. I learned long ago statistics can be made to say whatever the speaker wants so I encourage all City residents to read between the lines when they hear someone give statistics. Westfield is better today financially than it was a few years back, just look at all the relevant measures, bond rating, rainy day fund, and so forth. I don’t concur in the raising of the split between businesses and residents in the levy because I think it sends the message the City is not business friendly but I suppose the Mayor feels we are have as much business as the City will be able to reasonably attract so why not give the residents a little more of a break. Lastly, for all those seniors, and I am one as well, that think the Senior Center will not be near the top of the list for cuts if the City runs into financial needs don’t be surprised when it happens. My choice will always be police, fire, and schools ahead of a Senior Center and I hope it will be City Government’s as well.
I want to say thank you to Councilor Flaherty for taking the time to write such detailed articles. Thank you also to the Westfield News for allowing all voices of reason to be heard. We are very happy to see the council fighting for lower taxes. It’s time for a few more councilors to step up their game and stop kissing up to the king. King Knapik is borderline delusional if he still thinks he has broad support from people in Westfield. We didn’t vote for him last time, and we certainly will never vote for him again. Thank you for reading The Westfield News for this and all important local topics.
