Jourdain announces Victory for Retirees!

City Councilor Kevin A. Jourdain was proud to announce that the Holyoke Retirement Board voted 4-1 on Thursday to give the 61 Holyoke retirees their annual adjustments as authorized by the City Council this year by a vote of 14-1. After 3 Retirement Board meetings spanning over 3 months, the Retirement Board took final action.

These retirees, like many Holyokers, are struggling to make ends meet and have dedicated their lives to the people of Holyoke. In their golden years, they deserve to have an annual increase to put fuel in their tanks and food on their tables. These 61 retirees each worked over 25 years for the City of Holyoke and most have counted on these funds to keep themselves going. Luckily, the retirees fought hard for their pension! Councilor Devine, Former Mayor Dunn and I were proud to lend a strong voice to make sure that the process was followed and gave these retirees a fighting chance against a tough opponent in the Mayor's office.

Holyoke first adopted the 50% retirement law in 1969 and it has been an integral part of the financial retirment security of employees who are able to provide a minimum of 25 years of service. The City Council and past Mayors have always ensured this important benefit was protected. Despite alot of pressure from the current Executive Director to walk away from this 40 year committment, the Board did the right thing.

Councilor Jourdain also commended the Retirement Board for getting an independent legal opinion on the question of the Mayor attempting to sign the law and then saying his signature did not mean anything. Attorney Thomas F. Gibson, who was hired by the Board, told the Board before the final vote that Sullivan could not qualify his signature. Therefore, his signature constituted approval. Remarkably, the Holyoke Law Department, which took over 60 days to produce an opinion, once again played politics by conjuring up a legal opinion that agreed with the Mayor. The Law Department works for the Mayor and has a long history of legal opinions that favor the Mayor. On Thursday, the Retirement Board confirmed the proposition that the Mayor could not sign the law and walk away from his own signature.

Congratulations Retirees!

Congratulations to Immaculate Conception Parish!!

It was my great pleasure to represent the City of Holyoke yesterday at the Dedication Mass of the new Immaculate Conception Parish in the Flats. This Parish has been through alot of transition and turmoil over the last 6 years, but the good news is: it all paid off in the end. What a beautiful new church and the inspiring words of both Bishop McDonnell and Father Jim electrified all in attendance. The church was packed (and even flowing out the doors)! With so much enthusiasm in that room, it bodes well for the growth and progress of the Flats section of our city.

The Mass was held in the historic three languages of the Parish: French, Spanish and English. It displayed the great unity and history of our city. As a Catholic myself, I had never seen a church dedication ceremony and it was a very interesting and beautiful ritual. Holyoke is very lucky to have so many beautiful houses of worship of many faiths and if you visit Immaculate Conception you will absolutely enjoy the ornate stain glass mosaic of the Parish's history and the city's history with Jesus Christ at the center. It is located behind the altar.

After the Mass, a delicious meal was served by the Fernandez family restaurant at an outdoor reception. Everyone enjoyed the wonderful weather while sharing time together and talking about their Faith in the Church and their Faith in the future of Holyoke. I am glad I had the opportunity along with Councilors Welch and Pluta to participate in this special event.

My hats off to the Bishop, the Parish Building Committee and to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish which generously donated $1 million to make the new Church possible.

Blog Voters side with Police Officers over Mayor Sullivan!

In recent Holyoke First Blog poll, 61% of voters stated Mayor Sullivan was wrong to suspend the three Holyoke Police Officers for 15 days. 39% said he was right.