Thank you for the privilege of serving as your City Councilor for the 4 years. I enjoy talking and listening to all of you. Your concerns matter to me.
I am a small business owner, graphic designer, videographer and three-year Army veteran. My wife Theresa and I have been married for 28 years, have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. She has worked in the Holyoke and Westfield school systems for 20 years, and served as Treasurer for her union.
I ran for office because I am concerned about the future we are leaving our children, the quality of education. I am not satisfied with the lack of economic opportunities for young people, the difficulties facing small businesses and the middle class, the circumstances our teachers must work in, the rate of property tax increases, the high cost of government, and the lack of road maintenance. We have made a lot of progress, but there is much more to do.
We all want good schools and roads, safe neighborhoods, clean air and water, and see our tax dollars spent wisely on the intended purpose that the tax was created for.
That is why I put two questions on the ballot in 2014.
- Restore Local aid, The Lottery was created to provide funding for cities for education. Cuts by the state over the last seven years, including 2013 when the state had a 900 million dollar surplus, cost Westfield 1.25 million dollars every year. The state broke its promise to police and firefighters by eliminating funding for education benefits. Combined, these cuts cost Westfield about 2 million dollars every year, and contribute to higher property taxes. Why didn’t mayors, state legislators and unions from across the state organize the people and fight for this funding? I believe they were afraid of Governor Deval Patrick, and our “out of balance” Statehouse.
- Restore funding for roads. Governor Baker restored $100 million on his first day in office. Westfield received $675,000. Unfortunately, not a dime went to our roads, but instead filled in a gap in the bike trail funding. Papermill and Shaker Roads were worked on using “pothole money” the Governor released at the end of a bad winter.
- Led local effort to Repeal Automatic Gas Tax Hikes saving Massachusetts residents 2 billion dollars.
- Led local effort to End Common Core and PARCC testing.
Decisions about our children’s’ education should be made by parents, state and local school boards, not billionaires and private corporations. Common Core is an illegal, top down control of students, teachers and districts through performance standards and funding. We need to hold our elected officials accountable. We need to let teachers teach. Why is Pearson, a British company controlling America’s education standards and curriculum?
Things are not good in our schools. It is time to put our students, teachers and parents first, and do education reform correctly, and replace the machine that our education system has become.
- When the Mayor’s public meeting on the water issue was not going to be recorded, I brought in video cameras and filmed the meeting, so volunteers could edit it and the public could view.
- When one councilor tried to end the Council’s ability to extend a person’s time during Public Participation at Council meetings, I was a vocal opponent. The motion was withdrawn.
- When another councilor tried to extend the term of City Council and the Mayor by sending it to the statehouse in Boston as a “Home Rule Petition”, I opposed the motion. It was sent back to sub-committee.
There have not been any good reasons given for the change. If it isn’t broke, why are they trying to fix it? It will not save money. The reason elections for local offices are held every two years is so elected officials are always mindful of the people, because they are facing election, either this year or next. Plus, it sets up a cycle of off-year elections that will adversely affect voter turnout, could affect the makeup of the Council. Do you want a Mayor with nothing to do in an election year but free to help elect a “friendly” city council? We are a check on the Mayor.
When it re-emerged from subcommittee, it extended only the term of Mayor from 2 to 4 years, and the Council voted, and it was quietly put on the ballot. I was the only Councilor to vote against it.
What could be more democratic than letting the voters decide on a question no one knows will be on the ballot? While the local media and those running the forums have decided not to cover the ballot question, I launched a campaign with signs and mailings. So ask yourself, without my efforts, how many voters would have known this question was on the ballot?
You expect your elected representatives to listen to you, work together to find common sense solutions with your best interest in mind, and get things done.
People are concerned with the high cost of government services, the business as usual atmosphere and increasing property taxes, especially working families, single moms, small businesses and seniors on fixed incomes.
I am proud and grateful for the efforts that fellow Councilors and I have accomplished.
- 2017 was the first time in 10 years that property taxes in Westfield did not go up.
- The Gas & Electric agreed to increase their ILOT (in lieu of tax payment).
- The Council’s work to accept private ways as public streets.
As your city councilor, I listen and work to be a respectful, independent voice. Your voice matters to me.
That is why I introduced and passed an ordinance notifying by mail, all property owners within 300 feet of proposed zone parcel changes.
- Led effort to dissolve the Business Improvement District that unfairly changed the rules and burdened small businesses it was supposed to be helping.
- Led effort to reject the Complete Streets policy because it contained problematic language took control away from local officials and would add costs to all public and private projects. I am not satisfied that is costs 3 to 4 times the national average to do roadwork in Massachusetts.
I work to represent everyone in Westfield. I believe the best way to provide essential services, protect jobs and hold the line on property taxes is with responsible city spending. That is why I voted against this year’s budget. We simply cannot spend more money than we take in, or tax people more than they can afford.
I am grateful for those who responded to the phone call we sent in June, and attended the meeting to speak out against the Mayor’s budget and significant tax increase to pay for it. Your voice matters, and together, we are making a difference.
Recently, the Mayor has managed to allocate 1.5 million dollars to offset the 6% tax increase, mostly from accounts for employee healthcare and road funding.
I would like to continue to work on the city’s “fire pit” ordinance and allow residents to enjoy the safe use of fire pits and small campfires; and protect them from fines of $1000 and $25,000, from a rule written by an unelected bureaucrat in a state agency for using a device that can be legally manufactured, sold and taxed in Massachusetts.
CFO Position
I am not convinced Westfield needs a financial officer. I think the Mayor and the Treasurer should be able to seek good advice to manage investments, and bonding. Currently the Council hires the Treasurer. Auditing needs to be an independent department checking on budgets and spending. I will oppose any attempt to have a new position oversee the financial arm of the City and be appointed by the Mayor.
We all share the same future in this community, and need to work together to make Westfield the best city to live, work, play, raise a family, run a business, drive a car, ride a bike, and be able to retire and live in your own home.
I ask for your support and for one of your seven votes for City Council At Large on November 7th, and please Vote NO to extend the term for Mayor to 4 years.
Thank you,
City Councilor Dan Allie
