Hello Ward 3, and all of Westfield…I hope everyone had a Good Green Sunday. First, to pass on a message to Sen. Don Humason from Sen. Lesser. We spoke of the rail from Springfield to Boston, and he told me to tell Don just how much he appreciated Don’s support and help. And, I too would like to thank our Senator Humason not only for his support of the rail bill that could add a lot to the growth out of Springfield, but enable greater growth for all of Western Ma. And, I want to give my personal thanks to him for his support for legislation to protect animals from cruel harm that is done to them: including drowning them. Also, to make breeders/puppy mills more responsible in their practices. The reason for calling them puppy mills is that females are made to breed as soon as possible after her previous litter which is harmful. I would like to see Animal Services and the Board of Health work on rules and inspections for breeders. And, I would call upon those who follow, and encourage my edits to now call upon Rep. Velis, as this is now before the House, and you readers outside of Westfield to contact your Reps to do likewise.
While on a positive note I, again, want to thank those who read my edits, and heard me at the Council meeting for their feedback and support for my statements. At 69, this is my final chapter, and I want to go out much the way I came into civic and community service, by being factually out spoken on issues and needs of our everyday people. I want to use the education, experiences, and participation in them, in government, Human Behavior, and my contact and association with a wide variety of people, many of who that these opportunities for me gave me great insights from some very successful and achieving people, and share them with a Next New Generation. To borrow from JFK; to pass the torch to a new generation of real Americans.
Next, not so positive…Here we go again, bringing D.C. politics to Westfield. If the City Council wants to change from a strong Mayor form of city government to a strong Council form: PUT IN ON THE BALLOT! Our charter makes the mayor responsible for the fiscal functions. You want that responsibility have a referendum it is as simple as that; instead of bucking the mayor. It simply politics as usual to want YOUR projects funded, to the loss of others.
That vote got a lot of attention and from readers. What is more important water or roads? Those that have spoken to me say water. I’ve read the “just in case” concern that if the Fed does not live up to their obligation; and with this Fed., one really does not know. Too often, one day all on board, the next hating it. As well, to propose legislation, and then not fund it. BUT, too often the Council has set aside funds to do something and later transferred surplus funds, or the funding on projects that were dropped. Why not do that again? Why not put the funds into the other (WATER) concern, and if they do not act, transfer? If we put our money into roads, and the Fed does as said what then, never mind? Where, then, do we get the funds to match the Fed money??? Or is this as Cross St., where we literally spent over a million in tax dollars on the project only to have it sabotaged in the name of saving the taxpayers, who paid that million, plus dollars. Boy, do not do my financial advising.
Or, was this an old political game of slam dunk your competitors and claim you did it for “the good of the people?”
Again, the March For Our Lives on this SATURDAY, MARCH 24; 12:00 NOON, Springfield, on Court St., by City Hall, and same time at Northampton High School, PLEASE SHOW UP and join with some 800 communities with the young men and women from Parkland. Who are rallying our nation to restore the authority of the people to our moral civic and civil obligations. Your former Ward 3 City Councilor, Brian Hoose, [email protected]
