Hello Ward 3, and the rest of Westfield. Sorry, my computer has been down. First, I would like to thank the wonderful people at Westfield Technical Academy for the kindnesses they have shown me and Ollie as she lie to visit the students and faculty during our walks. And, for all the wonderful help that they have given me.
Next in appreciation is Ward 2 Councilor, Ralph Figy. One of his constituents who knows me, had a concern regarding the cross walks near the Senior Center where he lives. I mentioned to Councilor Figy, and he immediately made a call to get that done. For all the cynics we do have good people in our city government. Speaking thereof; Community Development Director Peter Miller. He and I had worked together for use of funds to upgrade the Orange St. corridor. Things do take time, but he has made progress in our plans. Clark St., Orange St., Morris St., and others are being up graded. While many have advised me it takes forever to get things done, they forget that to get the funds you first have to have a project plan, then a study of costs and other considerations, then submit the plan to the funding source to be approved, then the put out to bid or enable our DPW to do it. And, he did in a fairly brief time. Remember that anything being done this year started to be worked 2-3, or more years ago.
Also, I would like mentioning having met Lt. Polito, at Sheriff Cocchi’s event. We had a chance to talk about politics, in regards to my 50+ years of involvement, starting with Ted Kennedy’s first race. Especially, she asked me to compare politics now with those then. Terrible, we fought it out and while no way perfect then, we could work together for the greater good of the voters/tax payers. She whole heartedly agreed. She was very approachable, and easy to talk with.
More recently, I am glad that there was a demonstration re: industrial hemp use. There are so many erroneous comments, but this is a 21St business. Another way to make farming profitable. Even George Washington grew hemp for industrial use. Not, allowing the sale of cannabis in a community will not stop the use, just limit business. Besides, my primary issues is that we must stop funding Narco-Terrorists through illegal sales and distribution. I worked for the Community Partnership for a Drug Free Chicopee that dealt with the harmful effects. And that is what we must deal with; as illegal it is so much harder to do that. Please remember Prohibition, it made gangsters wealthy, and people still drank, but we are better able to deal with the effects.
Lastly a concern: the Rail Trail along the river, near Whitney Park. In that I walk there a lot, I like the progress, though some of it is over the top, but what is done is done and it is expensive to undo. My concern is that there already has been some vandalism, and graffiti, as well, as trash building up. Is there going to be security cameras there to control this, and to protect bikers? I do not know who is doing oversight, but I hope whomever is responsible has a plan in mind.
Thank you for your time, Your former Ward 3 City Councilor, Brian Hoose, [email protected]
