KERRI O’CONNOR
Name: Kerri O’Connor
Address: 41 Woodside Drive, Agawam, MA 01001
Occupation/Education: 2-term elected Agawam School Committee Member, Project Coordinator/Case Manager for Access to Mental Health and Community Resources, Interim Coalition Coordinator for Partners for Youth/Prevention of Substance Abuse, Certified Educational Advocate (Federation for Children with Special Needs), Auxiliary Member of the Agawam Veterans Council, Gulf War Navy Veteran, (National Defense Medal, Sea Service Deployment Medal, Battle E Medal, Armed Forces Medal), M.S., Psychology, B. S., Criminal Justice, 1995 Graduate of Agawam High School.
What experience and qualifications do you have that would be an asset to Southwick, Granville and Agawam?
I have over 25-years experience working in the fields of Criminal Justice, Education, and Mental Health. I am also a Gulf War Veteran and served overseas to protect the American People. I have always worked, from the age of 14, due to hardships that my family went through. Those struggles became strengths as they motivated me to spend my life in public service, helping our communities. Knowing the difficulties people face, and how to overcome them, has enabled me to be a successful advocate for families in several cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth who have experienced economic hardships, as well as for those who have struggled with mental health and substance abuse. As a domestic violence survivor and a military sexual assault survivor, I have a personal understanding of some of the most difficult situations Veterans and families can face, and continue to advocate for mental health services and substance abuse treatment resources for families who have experienced trauma. I am also a Certified Educational Advocate for children with special needs and have helped families with special needs students obtain students to receive a quality education. I will “fight” to bring resources to the communities of Agawam, Southwick, and Granville, who have been underserved by our current representation for a decade. I will be able to represent Western Mass in Boston and deliver results that are in the best interest of our people, regardless of party stance on an issue, and I will be visible and responsive to you within our communities.
Have you recently met with town department heads to discuss their needs/concerns/budgets and if so, which ones? What was your takeaway?
I have met with Mayor of Agawam William Sapelli on two occasions and we discussed priority needs, which infrastructure is a priority need identified by Mayor William Sapelli. Also, the need for strong representation moving forward. Also, priority needs such as funding for our schools as well as ongoing projects within the City of Agawam was discussed. I have also spoken with the vice chairman of the Southwick Select board, Joseph Deedy. I have also been of support of “Voices Rising Together” in Granville as well as had conversations with several school committee members regarding needs for the schools. I have networked with both the Southwick and Granville Town Administrators as well. I have also spoken with several members of the Agawam DPW as well as police officers and communicated with the Granville Chief of Police. The takeaway from all who I have networked with is that ALL have reported there has been a lack of representation. Most importantly, my campaign has reached thousands of residents and the majority consensus from our residents is that our residents do not either know who their state representative is and/or has been a strong lack of representation. We need a change and we need a strong voice in Beacon Hill to bring back resources to our communities.
What are your main concerns & potential solutions in each community?
This year, nothing has been more vital to the job of a State Representative than supporting those who need help during this pandemic, be they: small businesses, working families, first responders, vulnerable citizens including seniors and those with other challenges. And, of course our schools, including students, parents and teachers. My priority and solution is to bring resources to our communities of Agawam, Southwick, Granville, and advocate for Western MA.
What prompted you to run for election?
I am a proud 1995 graduate of Agawam High School and an Agawam resident, so I know what the issues are within our communities. I empathize and understand the challenges I see so many families, students, seniors, and veterans struggling with, and want to make sure they have access to resources. The safety and the welfare of our communities is a priority. I strongly support our police, fire, and first responders, because I know firsthand what it’s like to protect people, being a Gulf War Veteran. I am a “fighter” and will be visible within our communities as we have lacked representation capable of bring back resources from Beacon Hill over the past decade. Western Mass needs a strong voice which continues to be an issue as the Eastern part of the state receives the most attention in Beacon Hill.
Why should residents vote for you?
I ask for residents’ votes because I understand their problems, their values, and I know what help they need — and what “help” they don’t -to move past hard times to better lives. My whole life has been dedicated to serving the people of our towns and nation. I am visible in our communities and have been a strong advocate. I understand the value to our whole community that comes from helping people who are struggling, and also understand the balance of creating an environment where businesses can flourish and people can afford their homes. As a 2-term elected School Committee Member amidst a pandemic, safety and the welfare of our communities are a priority to me. We don’t have to choose between being open and being safe, but we need representation that gets us the resources to do both. We have lacked that representation for a decade. My job will be to represent the people of our towns, and I will show up in person to vote and negotiate for us, and I will be accessible here at a district office to meet with all my constituents and listen to their concerns and needs.
