Merry Christmas Ward 3 and Westfield!
It’s that time of the year where we are focused on buying gifts, attending parties, and seeing family. Please take a few minutes each day to remember why we celebrate the birth of Christ, and what it means to each of us personally, to our society, and our world. If we do everything we can to spread the love and compassion of Christ to our friends, neighbors, and especially complete strangers, we will be keeping the true spirit of the season.
I had the opportunity to attend our annual Westfield Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting. It may be small, but it is a great little parade and event that really brings together our community, and kicks off the holiday season. It also coincided with Small Business Saturday. I stopped by several of our downtown merchants, including Blue Umbrella Books, Ezra’s, My Favorite Place, and Pilgrim Candle., and picked up several Christmas presents. We need to remember to support these small businesses throughout the year, not just during the holiday season. Small businesses are the backbone of America and of our community.
Speaking of small businesses, I had the pleasure of attending the ribbon cutting ceremony for Skyline Trading Company, located at 124 Elm Street. Skyline is a craft beer and wine bar, bakery, and they sell homebrew kits. They also offer cooking and homebrewing classes.Those that attended the ribbon cutting had a chance to sample several of their delicious baked goods for lunch. I cannot tell you how good they are, you really need to try for yourself, so make your way down there if you haven’t yet.
Downtown Westfield has yet another new small business helping to revitalize our city. Jayzz Café has just opened at 83 Main Street. across from Walgreens. Jayzz is a supporter of the arts, especially the music scene, and will occasionally have live music to go with your coffee, tea, or lunch. I haven’t had the opportunity to stop in yet, but will be doing so sometime this weekend. I want to thank Jay Beaton and all the small business owners that have taken a chance and invested in Westfield.
On Dec 2nd and 3rd ArtWorks Westfield hosted a photography exhibit for Images of Westfield. It was a great event, and we had a good turnout. There are truly some talented amateur and professional photographers and artists in Westfield and the surrounding towns. Look for more of these types of small events sponsored by ArtWorks on a consistent basis. I am happy to be able to serve as a member of their leadership committee, and I look forward to working with my friends and colleagues in that organization, to help bring arts and cultural events to Westfield. These events bring a sense of community, and they encourage people to come downtown and patronize our small downtown businesses.
Recently I participated in the Veteran’s Day Parade and Ceremony to honor all those that served and sacrificed for our freedom. It was my deep honor as an elected official to be able to honor our vets for all they have done for us as Americans and Westfielders. Just a few days ago,I attended Westfield’s Pearl Harbor Ceremony in remembrance all those that lost their lives on that day of infamy 75 years ago. It was a humbling experience to meet Bob Greenleaf, Westfield’s last Pearl Harbor survivor. He said of that day that “We were just doing our jobs”. They truly were the greatest generation. They rebuilt our military after that devastating attack, they the defeated the evil axis powers, and after all that came home to rebuild our country into a Superpower.
On to City Council business. I want to give credit where credit is due, Mayor Sullivan and his staff saved some money for Westfield this year, bringing in $3.5 Million in Free Cash. If you are unfamiliar with the term Free Cash, it is simply stated, unspent taxpayer dollars. The Council is making a request of the Mayor to direct $2.3 Million of that Free Cash to keep property tax rates level, to avoid an increase for next year. It is the Mayor’s decision, but I would encourage him to support the request, as our citizens have been hard hit by the continual property tax increases year after year. If you want to see tax rates stabilized, I would advise you to contact the Mayor’s Office and City Councilors, to ask them to support utilizing Free Cash for that purpose.
Going door to door last year, I cannot tell you the number of people that I spoke with, who are having a hard time paying a mortgage, saving for their retirement and their children’s college education, all the while trying to keep food on the table and cover everyday expenses. Especially hard hit are our seniors, who are living on fixed incomes, and quite literally are being taxed out of their homes. Our citizens need help, they need tax relief.
After the New Year, I will be holding several Ward Meetings, as well as working with Westfield Community Policing to try to help them establish a Neighborhood Watch in the downtown section of Ward 3. If you are interested in participating in that program, please contact me so I can put you on the contact list.
As always, I am available to all Ward 3 and Westfield residents. If you have any issues with the city with which you need assistance, please contact me at (413) 570-0899, or [email protected]. I also host regular monthly office hours at Press Room, in the Westfield News Building at 62 School St. My office hours are on the Second Monday of each month from 11:30am to 1:00pm, and on the Fourth Monday of each month from 3:00pm to 4:30pm.
I want to take a moment to thank my constituents in Ward 3 for your support. It has been my honor to represent you and your interests at City Hall. With your continued support, I look forward to working hard to make Westfield a better place to live and raise our families.
God Bless.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Westfield!
