Happy New Year! We are only two weeks into the new year and city council business is off and running. The inauguration was less than two weeks ago with the first official council meeting of the year taking place on January 7, 2016. I am honored to have this opportunity to sit at the council table as the representative of Ward 1 residents. Know that I will work hard and do my best to represent you and your concerns in my role as an independent voice for Ward 1. There will be much to do as the year progresses and I look forward to working with and for you on the road ahead.
During the campaign season, I had many opportunities to connect with residents who werewilling to share their concerns and ideas and I appreciatedeveryone’s willingness to do so. Going forward, it is my intention to continue this dialog and to take advantage of every opportunity to connect with residents and business owners in Ward 1.Working together, we can achieve and maintain a healthy, safe, sustainable and just community for all.
Since taking office on January 4, I have been following up on concerns and questions expressed to me by residents both before and after the inauguration and plan to get back to them as soon as possible. If I miss someone or something, please call and let me know about it.
Over the next several months, I plan to continuemeeting with city department staff responsible for the day to day operations of the city. One of my first meetings was at the DPW where I spent time talking to Dave Billips, Director of Public Works. Mr. Billips very graciouslytook the time to share information about the workings of the DPW; responded to questions I had from Ward 1 residents and plans to get back to me with updates for those questions that need further investigation.
For residents who may be unaware of its existence, Mr. Billips shared a handy bit of information about the SeeClickFix feature available on the city website. If you search on SeeClickFix at the city website, you will gain access to the Report a Concern page where Residents can Report non-emergency issues to the City of Westfield from your smartphone, tablet, or web browser. Citizens can use this system to report and track non-emergency issues as individuals or collectively and help improve the City. For an emergency matterrequiring immediate response you need to call 9-1-1. You can check out the details about how and when to use this feature by going to the web page. If you do not have internet access, you can call the department and they will log the issue for you.
The City of Westfield 2016 Census has been mailed to Westfield residents and I encourage all residents to complete and return it to City Hall. Failure to return it will effect your voter status and all voters in your household. If you are not a registered voter sending in the census form does not register you. You would need to download a voter registration form from www.cityofwestfield.org or you can pick one up at the City Clerk’s office. If you need to make changes to your name, address and/or political party, you may re-register with new information. This must be done 20 days prior to any election. The right to vote gives eligible voters the opportunity to have their voices heard.Remember, if you are not registered, you cannot vote.
Stay tuned for future updates. I encourage you to reach out to me should you have any questions or concerns: [email protected] or 413-568-8562
Sincerely,
Mary Ann Babinski
Ward 1 City Councilor
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of this publication.
