Dear Citizens of Westfield,
As the City prepares for another municipal election this November 3, I am writing to you to share my background, qualifications, and record of work on the Council over the past twenty-one months, and humbly ask for your vote on November 3. I would like to have the opportunity to continue to serve you and your interests as residents and taxpayers of Westfield.
Background
I am a native and 29-year resident of the City, growing up in Ward 6 (Elizabeth Avenue), a former resident of Wards 2 (Bush Street) and 3 (Hawthorne Avenue), and a current resident of Ward 4 (Belden Drive). I am a proud graduate of the Westfield Public Schools (WHS ’92) with a Bachelor’s degree from Providence College (’96) and a Master’s in Public Administration from Westfield State (’07). My wife, Melissa, is a teacher at Paper Mill Elementary School, our two oldest boys are currently enrolled in the Westfield Public Schools, and our youngest boy will be a student as well in just a few short years. In addition to having a family and constantly mindful of our household budget, I’m also a homeowner desiring a balance of targeted, responsible investments with my tax dollars within the City’s budget, and tax stabilization (as my taxes are rising along with all of yours). In other words, I’m a stakeholder like all of you – with parents and relatives on fixed incomes, all facing rising costs, and demanding city services.
Pragmatist – not an activist
My desire to serve the City stems from my upbringing in a household here in Westfield, where hard work, dedication, family, and an awareness and understanding of the community and world around you were paramount. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a drive to serve a cause “greater than myself”; no doubt due, in part, to my father’s own service in the armed forces and the idea of “giving back” that his service instilled in me. I believe my upbringing is where I learned to take a more pragmatic approach to addressing issues, rather than the more activist approach of others – and I have taken a more pragmatic approach on the Council to get things done for all of you. Towards this end, I have worked with my Councilor colleagues of differing opinions to advance the projects and address the issues that are most important to you, your families, and the future of Westfield.
Not a “career politician”
The campaign I ran two years ago was my first ever – I’m not a “career politician” or perennial campaigner – and as I have been asked countless times over the past two years, I do not aspire to any higher office here in Westfield, or elsewhere. In my first campaign and since, I have been inspired by residents and business owners across Westfield, for the great amount of pride they have in their homes, businesses and properties, and the passion they have in desiring a prosperous future for themselves and the City. I’m driven to serve by a desire to guide the decision making in this city to help ensure a bright and prosperous future for all of us, our children, and our City, and to do so in a way that is transparent and for the benefit of all.
Local support only – No external party/association endorsements or financial backing
I don’t seek, nor do I bring, tout, or accept any endorsement or support of any kind from any outside interest group, association or political party. My interest group is made up of each and every one of you – from every ward, demographic, school and neighborhood across our City. The services that every one of you receives from this City, and how your hard-earned tax dollars are utilized– are what matter most to me. As City Councilor At-Large, it is to all of you – and you only – that I am ultimately accountable.
A “listener”
It is also worth noting that I have proven myself to be a real listener as a member of the Council when hearing from members of the public, whether on the street, on the ball field, or in Council Chambers, as to what the most pressing and local issues facing them and their families are. Listening is one of the most important skills of an elected official – yet sadly, not always one that is practiced – in order to truly represent your constituents and the issues that they deem priorities. In my work as a Councilor, all of what I do is driven by constituent needs, which are learned by listening to them – whether in person, in their letters or emails, or in public meetings. I have responded in countless ways for many constituents, working with various department heads, city employees and my fellow Councilors to resolve various issues, as quickly and efficiently as possible, since that’s what we are elected to do. I have not wavered in my commitment to focusing on local issues that matter most to the City’s residents.
Record on the Council
In my first term of service on the Council, I have proven myself to be a diligent, thoughtful, fair-minded, and forward-thinking independent leader who is willing to do the work – and provide the voice on the Council – that residents expect and deserve of their elected officials. As Chair of the Government Relations Committee, I convened and led last year’s debate over the dissolution of the Business Improvement District (BID). I ultimately voted in support of its dissolution, in response to the dozens of small business owners who signed the petition, many of whom I spoke with directly who were adamantly opposed to paying the mandatory bid fee. In short, these petitioners talked, I listened, and voted accordingly – joined by a majority of the Council to remedy the issue.
As a member of the Council’s Legislative and Ordinance (L&O) Committee over the past nearly two years, I have served a valuable role in working with my fellow Councilors in Committee on a wide range of constituents’ interests and concerns, including reviewing and making recommendations on bond orders, municipal agreements, special permit applications, and amendments to the City’s ordinances. In 2014, in a proactive effort to keep the City ahead of the medical marijuana laws that had passed at the state level, I worked with Councilor and Committee Chair Brian Sullivan and Councilor Jim Adams to closely review the Planning Board’s recommendations for specific regulations and zoning controls for Westfield. After much discussion and consultation with the Law, Planning and Police Departments on the issue, and input from the public, we put forth recommendations to the full Council which resulted in successful passage of the controls that Westfield needs to have in place prior to the siting of medical marijuana facilities. Also last year, after hearing from the Police Department that the fines for violations of the City’s noise ordinance were too modest to truly discourage repeat noise violations, I worked with them and with my fellow Councilors on the L&O to put forth an amended ordinance with more “teeth” that – together with more proactive police engagement with residents – is helping to discourage such violations, particularly in the City’s downtown. And just last week, despite the Legislative and Ordinance Committee’s own recommendation to the full Council to repeal the City’s Sex Offender Ordinance, I joined the entire Council in voting to table the issue indefinitely to allow the state legislature the opportunity to improve Massachusetts’ current laws to better protect our children. Given the broad implications – for all of the city’s residents – of the issues the Legislative and Ordinance Committee deals with, and the work involving input from the public and department heads on such a range of issues, I have particularly enjoyed my work on this Committee.
In Closing
On November 3, you – the citizens of Westfield – have a number of choices to make as to who will represent you as At-Large members of the City Council, and guide the City’s future. There are many new names that will appear on the ballot – and some familiar as well, all with their own backgrounds, qualifications, and explanations as to why they wish to serve the City in this capacity. Each choice on the ballot represents the kind of future each of you desires for our City. I offer proven independent leadership, as well as a responsive voice and voting record on the Council thus far, coupled with a background and skill set that have lent themselves to exceptional public service to all of you.
If elected, I will continue to be a representative voice of reason for providing the best that Westfield can for the services and infrastructure that you demand as tax-paying citizens of our City. I have enjoyed serving you and hope that you provide me with the opportunity to continue to serve you through another term of service on the City Council.
I respectfully and humbly ask for your vote for City Council At-Large on November 3.
Sincerely,
Matthew T. VanHeynigen
City Councilor At-Large
