Re-Elect Holyoke's Fiscal Watchdog!

Re-Elect Holyoke's Fiscal Watchdog!

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Where do I vote? Link Added

I have added a great new link to the Secretary of State's "where do I vote?" page. All you have to do is type in your address and it will tell you what precinct and ward you live in and the exact location of your voting poll.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Classes coming to Holyoke bus station!

Posted by The Republican Newsroom January 26, 2008 10:19AM
By KEN ROSS kross@repub.com HOLYOKE - The city has agreed to accept a $277,200 federal grant to build an adult learning center in a bus station slated to be built later this year. "It's a great project," Jeffrey P. Hayden, vice president of business and community services at Holyoke Community College, said Tuesday. The City Council voted to accept the grant for an adult education center run by the college in the proposed intermodal bus station located in the city's old fire department headquarters at 206 Maple St. The college also received a similar $947,000 federal grant for the same project.


Several city councilors endorsed the project Tuesday. "I'm very much in favor of this project," At Large City Councilor Kevin A. Jourdain said. "It's going to be great for the community."

Classes will be offered on the third and fourth floors of the building, Hayden said. He added classes should be offered in the 12,800-square-foot space day and night by the spring of 2009. "It (the facility) gives us the opportunity to show people what the college is all about," Hayden said. Holyoke Intermodal Facility, LLC, is the lead developer for the project, but the driving force behind the project is Peter Pan Bus Lines. And one of the benefits of the facility, Hayden noted, is that the privately owned bus line which serves large cities such as Boston and New York will stop at the downtown Holyoke location.

An architect is currently creating plans for the building, according to city Planning Director Kathleen G. Anderson. Construction is then expected to begin in late April or early May, Hayden said. Based on such a timetable, the facility would be completed by the end of this year or early next year. Along with the bus station and adult education center, the facility will feature child-care space, food booths and other vendors. Holyoke Community College's education facility will bring five new, full-time jobs to the city, according to a tax break proposal approved by the City Council in September. Head Start would provide child care and create four, full-time jobs. An additional 10, full-time jobs will also be created by the facility. They include two facility management and security jobs, two Pioneer Valley Transportation Authority jobs and six jobs at a Dunkin Donuts.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Ward 3 School Committee Opening On March 1!

Ward 3 School Committee member Jonathan Allyn is resigning his seat on that board effective February 29, 2008. Jonathan worked hard for the people of Holyoke and he will be missed. Jonathan is moving out of the area to take a new employment opportunity. I wish him the best of luck in his new position.

This will create an opening on committee at that time. The process for filing the vacancy will be that the City Councilors and the remaining school committee members will sit in a joint session to select a person to fill the vacancy. I encourage any resident of ward 3 to apply.

This is an important position and the next member will have a large say as to the future direction of the Holyoke schools which are currently in a transition stage. The committee will also be selecting a new Superintendent next year. Our children are counting on us for good stewardship of our schools. So there are lots of reasons for people who live in Ward 3 to consider seeking this position.

If you would like to be considered for the position, please do not hesitate to contact me or send me an email as to why you should be selected. I would be happy to discuss your candidacy. I would also encourage you to call all of the voting members to ask for their consideration as well.

DOR Finance Report Update! Finance Committee acts on Jourdain order!

The Finance Committee met this past Tuesday and acted upon my order for a thorough review of the recent DOR report on city financial operations. This report and accompanying reports from our independent auditors and the state Inspector General have called into question numerous material weaknesses in the way that Holyoke handles its financial affairs.
The committee agreed with me to take a careful, top-to-bottom review over the next four weeks and will at that time begin to take testimony from numerous city department heads and the mayor regarding their formal responses to the report. It was also agreed that Joe McGiverin would get the Finance Committee copies of all the written responses from city officers to the mayor for our review.
In the weeks and months ahead after our careful analysis, the Finance Committee in consultation with the full membership will make a series of recommendations to the the Full Council so that we can move forward and tighten up many loopholes and deficiencies in the way Holyoke conducts business. I anticipate this report will be all encompassing, innovative and proactive.
I have a link to the report on my blog and I welcome you to review it. I welcome all citizens to call me at 538-5519 or email me with any suggestions you may have as to how you would like to see Holyoke reform its government. I never forget we work for you and this is your government!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

City Council Meetings Televised Live on Channel 15!

Friends:

If you did not know, Holyoke City Council Meetings are televised live on Channel 15 on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month. All meetings begin at 7:30PM.

Some people are concerned about the audio of the meetings. It really is a matter of Councilors not speaking directly into their microphones. I always try to make sure I do but if for some reason you don't hear me, send me an email and I will look into the problem.

I hope you are staying warm!

Kevin

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

HCC Board of Trustees Meeting Today

Some of you may be aware I am a member of the Holyoke Community College Board of Trustees. The fourth Tuesday of every month we have our monthly board meeting. We have many wonderful people from Holyoke and the region that sit on the board with me. There is 11 members total. HCC is a special gem we have here in Holyoke and as your Councilor I do everything I can do to support the institution and its mission of educating our young people. As a person who has spent many years in the classroom as a student, I know the real value of an education: it transcends the financial but also enrichs a person both academically and spiritually. Knowledge is power and it is very uplifting to have a better understanding of the world we live in and that is really what an education provides you.

We have a special guy in Dr. Bill Messner as the President of HCC and I am glad he is leading the college at this critical hour. He had big shoes to fill in Dave Bartley and Bill has been fortunate to inherit such a strong institution built up by Dave.


In the course of our many duties at our morning meeting, we wished good bye to our friend and Chairman, Dr. Ned Barowsky. Unfortunately, Ned was not re-appointed by the Governor and he will be sorely missed. Ned chaired the college's very successful capital campaign last year which raised over $5 million. Ned is a great guy and I am glad to call him a friend.

The Governor did appoint Sr. Jane Morrissey, SSJ to replace Ned and I look forward to working with her in the years ahead. The Board of Trustees may be the leaders of the institution but we are only as strong as the employees, faculty and students of the college and because of them we are very strong. I am also happy to report that enrollment is up significantly again this semester so more and more people are turning to Holyoke as the center for their educational needs. That is something all Holyokers can be proud of!

For your convenience: New Translation Tool Added!

I have just added a new translation tool to my weblog for your convenience. It is named BabelFish. All you have to do is hit the flag of the language you would like to translate the blog to and it will translate the entire site for you instantly.

For those that think politicians speak in Greek all the time, you can now actually see my blog in Greek if you like.

Thank you again for so many people visiting my new Holyoke First Blog!

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Holyoke from Space!


I found this great satellite picture of Holyoke! I thought you might enjoy this!

Friday, January 18, 2008

Holyoke's Greatest Asset Poll Results

Here are the poll results of the Holyoke's Greatest Asset Question:

The Saint Patrick's Parade and Road Race 32%
The Holyoke Dam 29%
Mt. Tom Reservation 22%
Holyoke Mall and Crossing 16%

Thank you everyone for participating!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

New City Council Committee Assignments Issued

Joe McGiverin, after promising to do everything he could to bring the City Council together and further assuring the membership that we should all be sure to work together, regrettably once again took the Council another step backwards by ignoring the seniority and committee exerience of the Council's most senior members. He handed out chairmanships exclusively to his inner circle with the exception of long-time Redevelopment Chairman Councilor Lopez. He otherwise bypassed all of the senior members.

While the chairman positions are mostly honorary and really have no additional power then the other members, they do convey respect. Unfortunately, he has none for many of us because we don't vote the way he likes. The Council never had a litmus test until now on the selection of Chairman. Now we do I am afraid. Not one Councilor who obeyed the will of the 57% of the electorate who opposed the 20 year Aquarion contract was selected as a Chairman. Each of the current Chairman like McGiverin voted in favor of the 139% increase in the sewer rates.

On a personal level, despite my many policy differences with Joe, I voted for him as President as a gesture of unity for the betterment of the Council as a whole. Joe told us he would work hard to be fair and would really try to unite us. He told us things would be better. The mayor has stated that he wants better communication with the members of the Council and wants to work with us over the next 2 years. Yet, Joe has turned his back on all of this good will because he simply cannot get over his petty differences with the senior members of the Board who he cannot control.

In replacing Ray Feyre as Finance Chair, Mr. McGiverin has bypassed the two most senior members of the Committee with over 44 years of exerience to make way for 2 yr member Todd McGee. Unfortunately, this is the way Joe has chosen to thank those of us who gave him a second chance and believed he wanted to unite us. Councilor Whelihan and I are committed to continuing our hard work on the Finance Committee to make sure we have a city government that is accountable and lives on its budget. In light of the current membership, our experience is needed now more than ever.

As your fiscal watchdog, you can continue to count on me for the steady competent leadership you have come to expect that makes sure every dollar of your money is spent wisely. My fidelity to you the voters may have cost me my chairmanship but that is a small price to pay to enjoy the independence and integrity that has been the hallmark of my service on the Council.

Here are the committee assignments:

City Council – Committees 2008 - 2009

Ordinance
Brunelle Pluta Lopez Keane Purington

Finance
McGee Whelihan Jourdain Leahy O'Neil

Public Safety
Devine Tallman O’Neil Purington McGee

Public Service
Leahy Jourdain Welch Lisi Pluta

Redevelopment
Lopez Tallman Welch Lisi Keane

Monday, January 14, 2008

Your Voice, Your Councilor

If you have a question, need help with a city department, need an order or ordinance filed on an issue you care about, whatever the issue is small or large, please always feel free to contact me:

538-5519 Home or via email
Kevin.Jourdain@verizon.net

I work for you!

Councilor Jourdain files 5 orders at January 8 meeting

11. JOURDAIN -- That the conservation director and the G&E manager please keep the City Council up to date on the efforts of Baystate Gas to run a new gas pipeline through the city. That they also send us a letter of any city approvals that will be necessary and if there may be a hearing that needs to be scheduled. If they have any maps or plan details outlining the proposed route of the pipeline, please provide this to us.
12. JOURDAIN -- On July 25, the Governor signed the Chapter 67 of the Acts of 2007 allowing municipalities to join the GIC for their health insurance coverage. That the Personnel Administrator please prepare a report for the City Council for our consideration if it is in the best interests of the city to join GIC then to have health insurance on our own. Please articulate pros and cons and any important factors for our consideration.
13. JOURDAIN -- That the Finance Committee receive and review the recent DOR report on city financial operations and call in department heads as necessary and make any recommendations the committee deems appropriate to move the city forward to a more accountable position.
14. JOURDAIN -- That the Law department render a legal opinion if the city council can pass an ordinance or create a charter change to prevent city employees from serving on the city council? Please examine the laws in Springfield where Councilor Mazza-Moriarty has been prevented by laws there from holding both a position in the school department and being a city councilor.
15. JOURDAIN -- That the Water Department create a payment slot at their main office so customers can drop off payments or correspondence after-hours.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Councilor Jourdain Posts 98% Attendance Rating

Holyoke - City Councilor Kevin Jourdain was proud to report that since he joined the City Council on January 3, 1994 he has attended 298 of 305 scheduled full City Council Meetings. This means that Councilor Jourdain has only missed 7 full Council meetings in 14 years equalling a 98% attendance rate. Full Council meetings are where all Councilors convene to introduce new legislation and engage in thorough debates prior to taking the crucial final votes on all matters before the City Council.
"It has been my pleasure to represent the people of Holyoke! Over the past 14 years, I have been an active voice on their behalf and they know they can always count on me to be there."

Only 3 active Councilors have been on the City Council for the last 14 consecutive years. (Councilors Lopez, McGiverin and Jourdain)

Thursday, January 10, 2008

2007 Holyoke Financial Review Report

As your City Councilor, I will continue to review this important report and work to ensure Holyoke government continues to be accountable to its citizens.
This report details yet again the on-going problems the city faces in the Treasurer's office and the lack of leadership in the office. I will work to reform the office and bring it up to the standard our taxpayers deserve.
At our January 8, 2008 meeting, I filed an order for the Finance Committee to review the report and make recommendations on how Holyoke can better oversee the financial operations of the city. This is just the beginning, please look for future posts on this on-going important issue.

Below is a link to the report:
http://www.holyoke.org/Holyoke_DOR_Report2007.pdf

If you have any questions or thoughts you would like to share with me on this report or on reforming city government, please never hesitate to contact me.

Kevin.Jourdain@verizon.net

Blast from the Past: 1973 City Council At Large Elections

1973 City Council At Large Race
Name Address & 29 Precincts

1A 1B 1C 2A 2B 2C 3A 3B 3C 3D 3E 4A 4B 4C 4D 5A 5B 5C 5D 6A 6B 6C 6D 6E 7A 7B 7C 7D 7E
TOTAL Votes Place Finished #
Brian Hoose 456 Maple St

20 15 14 16 19 21 81 51 77 66 82 13 18 24 27 20 28 44 67 30 57 67 87 59 76 36 41 31 33 1220 13th Place
Ernest Proulx 240 L Westfield Rd

130 109 135 172 130 113 813 343 496 557 645 54 118 162 149 96 150 241 342 86 222 284 426 324 670 253 216 167 342 7945 4 th Place
William Slaby 203 Suffolk St

136 114 121 124 96 96 665 301 470 574 666 103 179 239 289 89 144 404 393 79 216 333 441 313 681 253 262 213 340 8334 3 rd Place
Heriberto Flores 464 Maple St

65 53 48 57 44 39 283 93 175 188 238 28 40 58 73 41 43 113 122 42 80 132 144 126 348 115 75 67 155 3085 11 th Place
Ray Beaudry 223 Dupuis Rd

135 77 102 162 115 129 456 256 337 373 413 26 85 104 104 74 119 147 234 68 172 181 230 167 322 112 132 95 166 5093 8 th Place
David Golec 195 Chestnut St

40 22 19 25 35 15 159 84 135 117 138 56 95 111 94 55 53 80 125 30 60 73 105 67 118 58 58 56 68 2151 12th Place
Thomas Griffin 341 Linden St

122 107 103 128 94 111 629 295 507 545 628 80 146 204 197 95 140 285 388 105 211 387 433 306 626 246 229 161 350 7858 5 th Place
David Keith 7 Hendel Dr

55 69 57 47 45 36 409 167 266 312 404 23 76 95 143 46 77 171 209 53 116 183 243 186 556 144 180 141 268 4777 9 th Place
Edward Sullivan 72 Wedgewood Ter

92 89 96 97 93 80 694 310 545 572 637 70 145 169 169 67 124 298 335 84 205 302 394 266 490 236 233 193 280 7365 6 th Place
Joseph LaRose III 22 Coit St

147 99 118 166 121 119 774 358 552 614 691 52 138 178 199 90 157 300 397 108 224 327 454 332 809 249 231 172 380 8556 2nd Place
John Whelihan 34 Merrick Ave

109 98 84 98 98 69 415 277 347 393 461 44 70 116 129 60 111 177 234 91 158 194 261 172 299 146 155 108 145 5119 7 th Place
Peter Stathis 67 Fairfield Ave

118 102 117 170 128 118 824 343 575 617 738 76 150 200 214 96 163 317 413 106 192 377 486 355 935 286 263 196 396 9071 1 st Place
Thomas Broderick 119 Westfield Rd

78 56 56 67 65 49 423 226 304 311 360 33 76 104 106 22 84 158 204 57 135 160 238 168 361 117 126 105 170 4419 10th Place

City Councilors 2008-2009

Contact Information for your City Councilors for 2008-2009

(5) John Brunelle 131 Vermont Street 532-0627
Patricia Devine 58 Magnolia Avenue 532-3974
Kevin A. Jourdain 357 Jarvis Avenue 538-5519
(3) Anthony M. Keane 43 Hitchcock Street 222-2672
James M. Leahy 12 Park Slope 535-3353
Rebecca Lisi 25 Reservation Rd 535-2492
(2) Diosdado Lopez 19 Springdale Ave 532-4496
(6) Todd McGee 17 Ridgewood Ave 535-5097
Joseph M. McGiverin 27 Downing Ave 536-6557
(7) John J. O'Neill 170 Lincoln Street 539-9748
Elaine A. Pluta 72 Berkshire Street 533-2561
(4) Timothy W. Purington 243 Oak Street 887-9554
Peter R. Tallman 10 Hendel Dr 538-5700
(1) Donald R. Welch 11 D Arbor Way 535-5186
John E. Whelihan 34 Merrick Avenue 536-5317

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

The Olde Holyoke Dam


Here is a great picture. This is the Olde Holyoke Dam (I took this from the City Site). The dawn of the industrial era in Holyoke.

Welcome to my New Blog Spot

Welcome to my New Holyoke Blog Spot. Here you will have the opportunity to learn about my work on the Holyoke City Council and receive the latest information on the important issues facing our city. It has been my pleasure to work for the people of Holyoke. I always put their interests first so I named this blog Holyoke First.