It was wonderful to have been part of yet another fantastic Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade. The weather was great and everyone was in a such a good mood. I enjoyed marching and saying hello to everyone. Thank you to everyone for their well wishes.
It was also very exciting for my three little ones to see their Daddy marching. I gave them each a big high five. They are just getting old enough to understand what Daddy is doing and they had so much fun getting balloons and enjoying all of the sights. Thanks to my mom and wife for allowing me to march!
I hope you enjoyed the parade and music as much as I did.
Isn't Holyoke, great? Let's do it all again next year!
God Bless Holyoke!
Re-Elect Holyoke's Fiscal Watchdog!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Councilor Jourdain announces April 9th Cable Television Hearing!
City Councilor Kevin Jourdain, who chairs the City Council's Cable Television committee, announced that there will be a meeting with the government affairs representative of ComCast on Wednesday, April 9 at 6:30PM in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
The Cable Television Committee meets 2-3 times per year to discuss issues of importance between city cable users and ComCast. The committee serves as a liasion between Holyoke cable subscribers and the company so that Holyoke receives the best quality product possible and helps bring forward concerns ratepayers have expressed. At every contract re-negotiation (next one in 2013) the cable television committee weighs in on important contract items that are of concern to the public.
The committee also provides public oversight through the City Council of Holyoke PEG Access, Inc. which is a corporate entity that oversees all of the franchise fee monies collected by ComCast from ratepayers for local community initatives and hardware upgrades. Holyoke PEG Access has three officers made up of the Mayor, City Council President and City Solicitor. They do not meet publicly. The Cable TV Committee Chairman regularly requests a statement of monies expended and monies collected so ratepayers can see how their monies are used. The committee will be reviewing their last report.
All meetings of the Cable TV Committee are public and the public is encouraged to participate and make their voices heard about issues of concern to them. So, if you have a question or concern about your cable television service, please come to the meeting on April 9th and speak to the representative from ComCast. If you are unable to make the meeting, you can contact Councilor Jourdain via email at kevin.jourdain@verizon.net or call him at home at 538-5519 and he will relay your question or concern.
The Cable Television Committee meets 2-3 times per year to discuss issues of importance between city cable users and ComCast. The committee serves as a liasion between Holyoke cable subscribers and the company so that Holyoke receives the best quality product possible and helps bring forward concerns ratepayers have expressed. At every contract re-negotiation (next one in 2013) the cable television committee weighs in on important contract items that are of concern to the public.
The committee also provides public oversight through the City Council of Holyoke PEG Access, Inc. which is a corporate entity that oversees all of the franchise fee monies collected by ComCast from ratepayers for local community initatives and hardware upgrades. Holyoke PEG Access has three officers made up of the Mayor, City Council President and City Solicitor. They do not meet publicly. The Cable TV Committee Chairman regularly requests a statement of monies expended and monies collected so ratepayers can see how their monies are used. The committee will be reviewing their last report.
All meetings of the Cable TV Committee are public and the public is encouraged to participate and make their voices heard about issues of concern to them. So, if you have a question or concern about your cable television service, please come to the meeting on April 9th and speak to the representative from ComCast. If you are unable to make the meeting, you can contact Councilor Jourdain via email at kevin.jourdain@verizon.net or call him at home at 538-5519 and he will relay your question or concern.
Poll Results In! Holyoke Bloggers oppose Trash Transfer Station!
The Results are in on most recent Holyoke First Poll.
Do you support placing a Trash Transfer Station on Main Street?
59% No, Holyoke does not need that.
41% Yes, this is good for the city.
Thank you for so many people taking the time to vote!
Do you support placing a Trash Transfer Station on Main Street?
59% No, Holyoke does not need that.
41% Yes, this is good for the city.
Thank you for so many people taking the time to vote!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Councilor Jourdain files orders for March 18th Meeting!
1. PLUTA/JOURDAIN -- That the Assessors come into the City Council Finance Committee and let us know how the proposed legislation for taxing telecommunication lines as personal property might affect the City of Holyoke.
2. PLUTA/JOURDAIN -- That the City Solicitor advise the City Council in executive session on the status of pending litigation with the City.
3. PLUTA/JOURDAIN -- That someone from Americorps or Solutions, Inc. come into the City Council Redevelopment Committee withan assessment of the future of this program.
4. JOURDAIN -- That the HG&E please evaluate and install where needed guardrails at all locations along canals where a motor vehicle has a significant possibility of making accidental entry.
5. JOURDAIN -- That the City Council President please select a person to replace Councilor Norris on the Cable Television Committee.
6. JOURDAIN -- That the Law Department render a legal opinion if police officers under criminal charges are required to be placed on leave without pay while the charges are pending?
The City Council Session will be meeting on Tuesday, March 18 beginning at 7:30PM in the City Council Chambers. Watch the meeting live on Channel 15!
If there is ever an order or issue that you feel the City Council needs to act on, please never hesitate to contact me via email or at 538-5519.
2. PLUTA/JOURDAIN -- That the City Solicitor advise the City Council in executive session on the status of pending litigation with the City.
3. PLUTA/JOURDAIN -- That someone from Americorps or Solutions, Inc. come into the City Council Redevelopment Committee withan assessment of the future of this program.
4. JOURDAIN -- That the HG&E please evaluate and install where needed guardrails at all locations along canals where a motor vehicle has a significant possibility of making accidental entry.
5. JOURDAIN -- That the City Council President please select a person to replace Councilor Norris on the Cable Television Committee.
6. JOURDAIN -- That the Law Department render a legal opinion if police officers under criminal charges are required to be placed on leave without pay while the charges are pending?
The City Council Session will be meeting on Tuesday, March 18 beginning at 7:30PM in the City Council Chambers. Watch the meeting live on Channel 15!
If there is ever an order or issue that you feel the City Council needs to act on, please never hesitate to contact me via email or at 538-5519.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Big Morning in Holyoke!
I had the pleasure to participate in two very important events this past Friday:
First, I started my day at a homelessness summit at the Kittredge Center at Holyoke Community College which revolved around the issue of "The Pioneer Valley's Plan to end Homelessness." There were a number of outstanding speakers and panels that addressed the homelssness problem in Pioneer Valley. Mayor Domenic Sarno of Springfield, Mayor Michael Sullivan of Holyoke and Mayor Mary Claire Higgins of Northampton deserve alot of credit for their leadership on this issue. City Councilors Rebecca Lisi and Tim Purington also attended the event with me.
Participants were all provided copies of the the plan and it appears to be a comprehensive approach to end homelessness, especially as it relates to families, in our area. The summit was very well attended and provided all types of people and constituencies to get together to end this problem.
As the former Director of Loreto House, a homeless shelter for men in Holyoke, this issue is very near to my heart and I told the mayor he can count on me to be helpful in any way possible to rid this tragedy from our community.
Secondly, from that event I wisked up to the Log Cabin for a special luncheon with the Speaker of the Mass. House Rep. Sal DiMasi. The event was hosted by the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce who I thank very much for having invited me. We enjoyed a nice lunch and listened to this powerful Beacon Hill player tell us about his vision for the state. I certainly like the Speaker's approach to state finances which are very similar to mine on the city level. Keep taxes down as much as possible, find efficiencies, new approaches and make government live on its budget. This is never easy at the city or state level. He has a very difficult job and I was glad to hear that under his leadership the state has built up a reserve of $2.1 billion and there are no proposals to increase taxes. I am proud to say that City has over $9.1 million in our Stabilization Fund.
He discussed casinos and his skepticism for them. He added that the Legislature will be having more hearings and members will be taking some votes relatively soon. He discussed numerous bond bills on education, higher education and transportation that will be coming. He also stated that the legislature recently passed a large Life Sciences Bill which will call for the formation of a Life Sciences Center in our area. He stated that the Governor's recent proposal for free state tuition is also doomed because there is no way the state can afford it.
He is a very personable person who was very generous with his time and even fielded questions from the audience. I asked him about the future of the Governor's so called proposals to reduce property taxes. He stated that the proposed local option taxes such as allowing cities to have a meals tax or increased hotel occupancy taxes were unlikely to pass. As for the rest of the Governors proposal, its future appears cloudy at this time.
It was a great opportunity to say hello to alot of our local legislators; including Rep. Rosemarie Sandlin of Agawam and Rep. John Scibak of South Hadley who sat at my table along with my good friend Councilor Elaine Pluta and several employees of Goss & McLain Insurance.
First, I started my day at a homelessness summit at the Kittredge Center at Holyoke Community College which revolved around the issue of "The Pioneer Valley's Plan to end Homelessness." There were a number of outstanding speakers and panels that addressed the homelssness problem in Pioneer Valley. Mayor Domenic Sarno of Springfield, Mayor Michael Sullivan of Holyoke and Mayor Mary Claire Higgins of Northampton deserve alot of credit for their leadership on this issue. City Councilors Rebecca Lisi and Tim Purington also attended the event with me.
Participants were all provided copies of the the plan and it appears to be a comprehensive approach to end homelessness, especially as it relates to families, in our area. The summit was very well attended and provided all types of people and constituencies to get together to end this problem.
As the former Director of Loreto House, a homeless shelter for men in Holyoke, this issue is very near to my heart and I told the mayor he can count on me to be helpful in any way possible to rid this tragedy from our community.
Secondly, from that event I wisked up to the Log Cabin for a special luncheon with the Speaker of the Mass. House Rep. Sal DiMasi. The event was hosted by the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce who I thank very much for having invited me. We enjoyed a nice lunch and listened to this powerful Beacon Hill player tell us about his vision for the state. I certainly like the Speaker's approach to state finances which are very similar to mine on the city level. Keep taxes down as much as possible, find efficiencies, new approaches and make government live on its budget. This is never easy at the city or state level. He has a very difficult job and I was glad to hear that under his leadership the state has built up a reserve of $2.1 billion and there are no proposals to increase taxes. I am proud to say that City has over $9.1 million in our Stabilization Fund.
He discussed casinos and his skepticism for them. He added that the Legislature will be having more hearings and members will be taking some votes relatively soon. He discussed numerous bond bills on education, higher education and transportation that will be coming. He also stated that the legislature recently passed a large Life Sciences Bill which will call for the formation of a Life Sciences Center in our area. He stated that the Governor's recent proposal for free state tuition is also doomed because there is no way the state can afford it.
He is a very personable person who was very generous with his time and even fielded questions from the audience. I asked him about the future of the Governor's so called proposals to reduce property taxes. He stated that the proposed local option taxes such as allowing cities to have a meals tax or increased hotel occupancy taxes were unlikely to pass. As for the rest of the Governors proposal, its future appears cloudy at this time.
It was a great opportunity to say hello to alot of our local legislators; including Rep. Rosemarie Sandlin of Agawam and Rep. John Scibak of South Hadley who sat at my table along with my good friend Councilor Elaine Pluta and several employees of Goss & McLain Insurance.
Poll Results In! Holyokers Back Checks and Balances!
By a clear 70% margin, Blog voters supported keeping checks and balances over giving additional power to the mayor.
Should the City Council consolidate more power and all financial appointments in the Mayor?
70% NO, I like checks and balances
30% YES, He needs more power
Thank you for everyone who participated!
Should the City Council consolidate more power and all financial appointments in the Mayor?
70% NO, I like checks and balances
30% YES, He needs more power
Thank you for everyone who participated!
Councilor Jourdain on Real to Reel: Strongly supports Baby Safe Haven Law!
Last Night on Real to Reel produced by the Catholic Communications Office of the Diocese of Springfield, Councilor Jourdain commented on the importance of Baby Safe Haven Laws and the value we as a community place on the sanctity of human life here in the City of Holyoke.
Last August, the Legislature and Governor made the Baby Safe Haven Law of 2004 permanent. In short, it allows any parent to bring their child 7 days or younger to a hospital, police station or manned fire station and surrender their baby no questions asked if they feel they cannot support the child for whatever reason. Of course, I believe we would all agree, that it is sad that this has to occur in our wonderful country but the value of human life must remain our supreme consideration. This law is non judgemental of the parents but focuses on protecting the infant from the tragedy of death by abandonment.
I was particularly proud of Chief Scott's comments in the show as well. He shares my committment to the protection of our children. I want it well known that if anyone who would consider for even one moment the abandonement of their child, please do not... bring them to us and we will make sure that the appropriate authorities find that child a loving home. There is never a reason to abandon a child.
Last August, I not only commended the Legislature and our Governor for making this law permanent but I also asked that Baby Safe Haven signs be placed on all fire stations and police stations of our City. There is also one at Holyoke Hospital.
I was very pleased by the excellent report done by Julie Beaulieu, a native Holyoker, on the issue and thank Real to Reel for their continuing committment to cover issues that matter to our communities. Real to Reel offers very uplifting programs about the many good things happening here in Western Massachusetts.
For more information about the Baby Safe Haven Law (officially known as Mass. Gen. Law ch. 119 Sec. 39 1/2) goto www.babysafehaven.com
Last August, the Legislature and Governor made the Baby Safe Haven Law of 2004 permanent. In short, it allows any parent to bring their child 7 days or younger to a hospital, police station or manned fire station and surrender their baby no questions asked if they feel they cannot support the child for whatever reason. Of course, I believe we would all agree, that it is sad that this has to occur in our wonderful country but the value of human life must remain our supreme consideration. This law is non judgemental of the parents but focuses on protecting the infant from the tragedy of death by abandonment.
I was particularly proud of Chief Scott's comments in the show as well. He shares my committment to the protection of our children. I want it well known that if anyone who would consider for even one moment the abandonement of their child, please do not... bring them to us and we will make sure that the appropriate authorities find that child a loving home. There is never a reason to abandon a child.
Last August, I not only commended the Legislature and our Governor for making this law permanent but I also asked that Baby Safe Haven signs be placed on all fire stations and police stations of our City. There is also one at Holyoke Hospital.
I was very pleased by the excellent report done by Julie Beaulieu, a native Holyoker, on the issue and thank Real to Reel for their continuing committment to cover issues that matter to our communities. Real to Reel offers very uplifting programs about the many good things happening here in Western Massachusetts.
For more information about the Baby Safe Haven Law (officially known as Mass. Gen. Law ch. 119 Sec. 39 1/2) goto www.babysafehaven.com
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