There has been much speculation over the past year about what office I would run for, and it’s true I have been considering a run for Mayor of Westfield. I am writing today, because I think it is important to let the public know why I have been considering a run for Mayor, and to let my constituents know my plans for the coming year.
I was first elected as the Ward 3 City Councilor for the 2016/2017 term. Over the past 3.5 years, I have had the opportunity as an elected official of witnessing all of the exceptional things about our community, the selfless volunteer spirit of our citizens, the civic pride in the long 350 year history of our community, neighbors helping neighbors, and the entrepreneurial work ethic that has grown the seedlings of renewal in the city center of Downtown Westfield! All of this has been amazing to behold and encourages me greatly about the future of our city.
As a City Councilor, I have also seen what is wrong with Westfield. Our most pressing problems are the PFAS Water Contamination of the Barnes Aquifer which is the sole source of Water for most of the North side of Westfield, the appalling condition of our Roads and Infrastructure, the Never-ending Tax Increases while our Infrastructure deteriorates and the city government is freely spending millions of dollars on non-essential items, our debt of over $230 Million to our municipal retirees, and lastly the lack of Transparency of our local government. Throughout my time on Council, I have looked to the experiences of other cities and towns across Massachusetts and elsewhere, for ideas on how many of our problems may be solved. Westfield government has been very insular for many years, and we must realize that the Westfield answer is not always the right answer. We don’t have to re-invent the wheel, when good ideas that have worked in other places can be adopted here in Westfield.
I am under no illusion that solving our serious problems is easy work, but I believe that with the right new leadership, Westfield will take the necessary steps to address these issues. As much as I would like to run for Mayor of my adopted hometown, this is not the time for me to run. It is more important for my constituents, that I continue to advocate for and pass through Council the reforms I have proposed, such as the creation of a Road Stabilization Fund to begin to fix our roads, and the Charter Changes that would allow greater public access to the Budget and Spending of our city, and the Recording and Broadcasting of all Public Meetings to ensure the Transparency of our government and to shine a light behind closed doors.
Since February, I have discussed the Mayoral seat and the issues facing Westfield for several hours with Senator Humason. After those conversations, I believe that should Don be elected Mayor, he intends to work closely with the City Council to solve many of these problems. We have a good working relationship and have worked together on constituent issues. Don Humason gives every indication that as Mayor, he would listen to the public and the Council and hear all sides of the issues.
Monday, April 1st, I pulled nomination papers to run for City Council At-Large. I am sure the question many will have is why am I running for Council At-Large, instead of for what is considered a safe Ward 3 seat? The simple answer is that I accomplished most of what I set out to do in Ward 3. Over the past two terms I have successfully directed funding to major road projects in Ward 3. Franklin St. was done 2 years ago, Washington St. will be done this year, and after a myriad of delays by the state, the major Western Ave. reconstruction project begins this summer with stormwater and utility installations and repaving to begin next year. I have ensured my constituents in Ward 3 are well informed and engaged with city government by holding many Ward Meetings and hosting regular Office Hours. When residents in Ward 3 neighborhoods have had issues, I have always done my best to help them. From stopping a poor location for a Pawn Shop, to the oversight of the Hospital Zone creation ensuring resident concerns are met, to the calls for tree removal and pot hole filling. As a Ward Councilor my primary responsibility has been to ensure the quality of life issues for my residents are addressed. I have also worked hard to ensure the small businesses in Downtown Westfield have received the assistance they need to be successful.
In my second term, more and more of my time has been occupied in dealing with city-wide issues. From the Water Contamination, to Roads and Infrastructure, to working to bring new Residents and Businesses into our City to create viable economic development, and efforts to get control of excessive city spending. These issues are important and need to be addressed. Secondly, there are a few good people that have expressed to me a desire to run for the Ward 3 seat. I am a proponent of Term Limits, because I believe it allows new blood and fresh ideas to enter the public sphere. Since I was unable to pass my proposal for Term Limits through the City Council, it is only fair of me to hold to my word and limit my own term in Ward 3.
Though I will no longer be the Ward 3 Councilor, my constituents can be assured that I will not neglect the issues important to them and will work with whoever the new Ward 3 Councilor is, to ensure that those issues are addressed. As always, I will be available to anyone who would like to discuss municipal issues, and I will continue to host meetings and office hours to engage and inform the residents of Westfield. I thank all the citizens of Westfield, especially those of Ward 3, for your trust and support over the past two terms as Ward 3 Councilor. I would appreciate your support for Councilor At-Large, and I am asking for your vote.
Sincerely,
City Councilor – Ward 3
Andrew K. Surprise
(413) 570-0899
