Take a Ride on Mountain Park Flyer! Brings back alot of great memories to the good old days at Mountain Park.
Check out the video under my "Videos worth watching" Section! (2nd one down)
Enjoy the Ride!
Re-Elect Holyoke's Fiscal Watchdog!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Jourdain works to stop DPW's 1st Ever Retroactive Sewer Fee Hike!
Bills contain retroactive hike
Monday, December 22, 2008
By KEN ROSS
kross@repub.com
HOLYOKE - City sewer users might be surprised to find their latest bill includes a retroactive rate increase, something that upset one city councilor.
"The public should only have to pay on the old rate," said Councilor Kevin A. Jourdain Wednesday, referring to latest sewer use bill. "We didn't pass that rate (increase) until two weeks ago."
But, Public Works Superintendent William D. Fuqua said the department needed to raise rates as soon as possible to avoid a possible budget shortfall.
"We're concerned we are running a deficit," Fuqua said Thursday. "Further delaying (the rate increase) would have increased that risk."
On Dec. 2, the council voted 8-6 in favor of raising the sewer rates by 74 cents, or 15.8 percent, from $4.66 per 1,000 gallons to $5.40 per 1,000 gallons. The latest sewer bill mailed to residents is for use between Aug. 7 and Nov. 6, Jourdain said.
Fuqua said his department does not normally retroactively raise rates. "It's not been the practice," he said, "but there's nothing that says it can't be for retroactive use."
The retroactive increase was needed, in part, Fuqua added, because the council "took so long to set the rate." Fuqua first requested a rate increase in August. On Sept. 2, the council voted 7-6 in favor of an identical increase. But, because the motion requires a two-thirds majority vote, the increase was not approved.
Fuqua said his office had not received any complaints about the latest sewer use bill as of Thursday.
Control over who sets the city's sewer use rate has been an issue for several months. Normally, the Board of Public Works recommends a rate increase, which is then voted on by the City Council.
All that changed on Dec. 2, when the council voted 13 - 1 in favor of an ordinance which gives the council the power to adjust sewer rates instead of solely accepting or rejecting the Board of Public Works' recommendation.
"If we don't have the power to dispute the rate, what is the point of approving it," asked Councilor Rebecca Lisi at the Dec. 2 meeting.
"This way, we will have more control over the department and it will lead to more accountability and more transparency," Jourdain said at the Dec. 2 meeting.
The rate increase was needed mainly to help pay off $6 million of debt for the sewage treatment plant, and $3 million for a combined sewer overflow abatement project on Mosher Street, Fuqua has said.
©2008 The Republican
Update: Councilor Jourdain has reviewed the ordinance language with the City Clerk who agreed that the ordinance change specifically says the new rate does not take effect until adopted. It was the full intention of the City Council that this rate did not take effect until date of adoption as written in ordinance. The leadership of the DPW is attempting to twist the long held interpretation of the ordinance to your detriment.
Councilor Jourdain also has referred the matter to the Law Department for their review and legal opinion. No department of the city has ever issued retroactive rate increases and this matter is being followed very closely on your behalf as ratepayers. Now that the Council controls rate setting authority - additional remedy measures are available to the Council if this outrageous decision is allowed to stand. Updates to follow here at Holyoke First!
Monday, December 22, 2008
By KEN ROSS
kross@repub.com
HOLYOKE - City sewer users might be surprised to find their latest bill includes a retroactive rate increase, something that upset one city councilor.
"The public should only have to pay on the old rate," said Councilor Kevin A. Jourdain Wednesday, referring to latest sewer use bill. "We didn't pass that rate (increase) until two weeks ago."
But, Public Works Superintendent William D. Fuqua said the department needed to raise rates as soon as possible to avoid a possible budget shortfall.
"We're concerned we are running a deficit," Fuqua said Thursday. "Further delaying (the rate increase) would have increased that risk."
On Dec. 2, the council voted 8-6 in favor of raising the sewer rates by 74 cents, or 15.8 percent, from $4.66 per 1,000 gallons to $5.40 per 1,000 gallons. The latest sewer bill mailed to residents is for use between Aug. 7 and Nov. 6, Jourdain said.
Fuqua said his department does not normally retroactively raise rates. "It's not been the practice," he said, "but there's nothing that says it can't be for retroactive use."
The retroactive increase was needed, in part, Fuqua added, because the council "took so long to set the rate." Fuqua first requested a rate increase in August. On Sept. 2, the council voted 7-6 in favor of an identical increase. But, because the motion requires a two-thirds majority vote, the increase was not approved.
Fuqua said his office had not received any complaints about the latest sewer use bill as of Thursday.
Control over who sets the city's sewer use rate has been an issue for several months. Normally, the Board of Public Works recommends a rate increase, which is then voted on by the City Council.
All that changed on Dec. 2, when the council voted 13 - 1 in favor of an ordinance which gives the council the power to adjust sewer rates instead of solely accepting or rejecting the Board of Public Works' recommendation.
"If we don't have the power to dispute the rate, what is the point of approving it," asked Councilor Rebecca Lisi at the Dec. 2 meeting.
"This way, we will have more control over the department and it will lead to more accountability and more transparency," Jourdain said at the Dec. 2 meeting.
The rate increase was needed mainly to help pay off $6 million of debt for the sewage treatment plant, and $3 million for a combined sewer overflow abatement project on Mosher Street, Fuqua has said.
©2008 The Republican
Update: Councilor Jourdain has reviewed the ordinance language with the City Clerk who agreed that the ordinance change specifically says the new rate does not take effect until adopted. It was the full intention of the City Council that this rate did not take effect until date of adoption as written in ordinance. The leadership of the DPW is attempting to twist the long held interpretation of the ordinance to your detriment.
Councilor Jourdain also has referred the matter to the Law Department for their review and legal opinion. No department of the city has ever issued retroactive rate increases and this matter is being followed very closely on your behalf as ratepayers. Now that the Council controls rate setting authority - additional remedy measures are available to the Council if this outrageous decision is allowed to stand. Updates to follow here at Holyoke First!
Friday, December 19, 2008
81% of Bloggers feel Leadership of Schools deserve failing grade!
In a recent Holyoke First Blog Poll, 81% of poll takers stated that they were not happy with the current leadership of the Holyoke Public Schools and feel it is time for a change.
19% felt they were doing a good job.
Thank you for all the participated in poll.
19% felt they were doing a good job.
Thank you for all the participated in poll.
Jourdain announces support for Lowes: Will cast YES vote on January 6!
Dear Constituent,
On January 6, 2009, an important vote is going to take place before the City Council that has generated a great deal of interest from throughout the city. I am speaking of course of the zone change proposal for Konover Developers to build a new Lowe's on Whiting Farms Road. The land is currently owned by the Holyoke Gas & Electric Department after it acquired the property from Holyoke Water Power and NorthEast Utilities when the G&E purchased the Dam. This beautiful 18.7 acre parcel is a gem and located in the very valuable Ingleside section of our city. The property is currently zoned for industrial uses and the developer is requesting that the City Council vote to change the zone to commerical to allow Lowe's to be built.
I attended numerous public hearings and have spoken to every neighbor that wished to speak to me. I have also listened to all Holyokers throughout the city regarding the impact of this project on the city. I am overwhelmed by the thoughtful and articulate comments made to by people of good will on both sides of the issue. Many of the people who called me, I have known for many years. I deeply value everyone's opinions on this issue but the time is near for the vote and you deserve to know where I stand on this issue.
After studying the issue carefully and weighing the pros and cons, I have decided to cast my vote of YES in favor of the zone change and allow Lowe's to come to Holyoke.
In the midst of the most fragile economy our nation has faced in 50 years that is in recession, Holyoke's workers deserve the 150+ jobs that will come from this project. The city will reap $350,000+ in new tax revenue per year. The Holyoke Gas & Electric Department will also receive $3 million which the Manager has assured me will be used for economic development of the downtown and for electric and gas rate stabilization. When Holyoke voters voted to acquire the Dam in 1995 and in the final pact that acquired this property - the sale of these lands were contemplated and deemed necessary to pay the bonds for the Dam. The Dam purchase has been a huge success for the city and so will Lowe's be.
Economic and planning officials for the city have also assured me that the will hold the developer's feet to the fire to make the necessary traffic improvements to ensure the orderly flow of traffic along Whiting Farms Road. These improvement requirements may range as high as an additional $1 million from the developer. There is currently 13,000 cars a day that travel the road according to experts. The city needs to think out of the box and think big on the long term solutions to ensure the reasonable flow of traffic through our highly desirable commerical sector at Ingleside.
I am also reminded by the fact that it will take 3 years after our approval for the opening of a Lowe's. This gives us time to get it right and put in motion a plan that will Grow Holyoke and also improve traffic and protect our neighborhoods.
It continues to be my pleasure to serve you on the City Council. Thank you for your trust and the opportunity.
On January 6, 2009, an important vote is going to take place before the City Council that has generated a great deal of interest from throughout the city. I am speaking of course of the zone change proposal for Konover Developers to build a new Lowe's on Whiting Farms Road. The land is currently owned by the Holyoke Gas & Electric Department after it acquired the property from Holyoke Water Power and NorthEast Utilities when the G&E purchased the Dam. This beautiful 18.7 acre parcel is a gem and located in the very valuable Ingleside section of our city. The property is currently zoned for industrial uses and the developer is requesting that the City Council vote to change the zone to commerical to allow Lowe's to be built.
I attended numerous public hearings and have spoken to every neighbor that wished to speak to me. I have also listened to all Holyokers throughout the city regarding the impact of this project on the city. I am overwhelmed by the thoughtful and articulate comments made to by people of good will on both sides of the issue. Many of the people who called me, I have known for many years. I deeply value everyone's opinions on this issue but the time is near for the vote and you deserve to know where I stand on this issue.
After studying the issue carefully and weighing the pros and cons, I have decided to cast my vote of YES in favor of the zone change and allow Lowe's to come to Holyoke.
In the midst of the most fragile economy our nation has faced in 50 years that is in recession, Holyoke's workers deserve the 150+ jobs that will come from this project. The city will reap $350,000+ in new tax revenue per year. The Holyoke Gas & Electric Department will also receive $3 million which the Manager has assured me will be used for economic development of the downtown and for electric and gas rate stabilization. When Holyoke voters voted to acquire the Dam in 1995 and in the final pact that acquired this property - the sale of these lands were contemplated and deemed necessary to pay the bonds for the Dam. The Dam purchase has been a huge success for the city and so will Lowe's be.
Economic and planning officials for the city have also assured me that the will hold the developer's feet to the fire to make the necessary traffic improvements to ensure the orderly flow of traffic along Whiting Farms Road. These improvement requirements may range as high as an additional $1 million from the developer. There is currently 13,000 cars a day that travel the road according to experts. The city needs to think out of the box and think big on the long term solutions to ensure the reasonable flow of traffic through our highly desirable commerical sector at Ingleside.
I am also reminded by the fact that it will take 3 years after our approval for the opening of a Lowe's. This gives us time to get it right and put in motion a plan that will Grow Holyoke and also improve traffic and protect our neighborhoods.
It continues to be my pleasure to serve you on the City Council. Thank you for your trust and the opportunity.
Inside the Rail: Jourdain wins major victory for Ratepayers!
Holyoke - At the December 2, 2008 Council meeting, there was good news and bad news for those residents who are concerned about the runaway costs of the Sewer Department and their greedy requests for more and more rate increases.
In an 8-6 vote, the Council voted to increase the current sewer rate from 4.66/1000 gallons to $5.40/1000 gallons. The Roll Call was:
Voting for the 15% increase: Brunelle, Devine, Keane, Leahy, McGee, McGiverin, O'Neill and Welch
Voting against the increase: Jourdain, Lisi, Lopez, Pluta, Tallman and Whelihan. Councilor Purington was away at an out of town meeting but had voted against the increase in committee.
The rising rates are emphasizing the depth of the mistake that was the privatization plan. Under public control, there would have been far greater stability in rates as well as transparency in the costs. Unfortunately, the public is forced to pay for the mistake of the mayor and his Council supporters on this issue even though 57% of voters rejected this approach.
Now, to the good news! The plans of the purported experts that were hired by the mayor to advocate for privatization have not come to fruition. Projections of modest increases in the sewer rates that were originally billed have now morphed into a proposed chart of unconscionable future increases that the Sewer Department wishes to thrust upon the people with rates ending in the area of 7.50-8.00/1000 gallons.
To derail this outrageous schedule that would simply crush most lower and middle income residents, Councilor Jourdain filed an amendment to Chapter 90-90 of the Holyoke Code of Ordinances that would take the rate setting authority away from the DPW and place it with the City Council. This common sense measure makes your elected City Councilors directly responsible for setting the rates and directly accountable to the voters.
Councilor Jourdain was proud to announce that his ordinance change passed 13-1 and was signed by Mayor Sullivan into law. Only Joe McGiverin voted against allowing greater accountability of the sewer rates by the City Council.
"I could not be more proud of the quick action of my colleagues on this common sense reform measure that will require Councilors to take greater control over the rising costs of the operations of the sewer plant," Councilor Jourdain stated. Jourdain remarked, "The adoption of this law is a huge victory for ratepayers who now will have greater say through their elected representatives to make sure the sewer plant does not overspend and does not overcharge."
In an 8-6 vote, the Council voted to increase the current sewer rate from 4.66/1000 gallons to $5.40/1000 gallons. The Roll Call was:
Voting for the 15% increase: Brunelle, Devine, Keane, Leahy, McGee, McGiverin, O'Neill and Welch
Voting against the increase: Jourdain, Lisi, Lopez, Pluta, Tallman and Whelihan. Councilor Purington was away at an out of town meeting but had voted against the increase in committee.
The rising rates are emphasizing the depth of the mistake that was the privatization plan. Under public control, there would have been far greater stability in rates as well as transparency in the costs. Unfortunately, the public is forced to pay for the mistake of the mayor and his Council supporters on this issue even though 57% of voters rejected this approach.
Now, to the good news! The plans of the purported experts that were hired by the mayor to advocate for privatization have not come to fruition. Projections of modest increases in the sewer rates that were originally billed have now morphed into a proposed chart of unconscionable future increases that the Sewer Department wishes to thrust upon the people with rates ending in the area of 7.50-8.00/1000 gallons.
To derail this outrageous schedule that would simply crush most lower and middle income residents, Councilor Jourdain filed an amendment to Chapter 90-90 of the Holyoke Code of Ordinances that would take the rate setting authority away from the DPW and place it with the City Council. This common sense measure makes your elected City Councilors directly responsible for setting the rates and directly accountable to the voters.
Councilor Jourdain was proud to announce that his ordinance change passed 13-1 and was signed by Mayor Sullivan into law. Only Joe McGiverin voted against allowing greater accountability of the sewer rates by the City Council.
"I could not be more proud of the quick action of my colleagues on this common sense reform measure that will require Councilors to take greater control over the rising costs of the operations of the sewer plant," Councilor Jourdain stated. Jourdain remarked, "The adoption of this law is a huge victory for ratepayers who now will have greater say through their elected representatives to make sure the sewer plant does not overspend and does not overcharge."
Inside the Rail: Council passes Resolution to School Dept: High Priced Administrators need to lead by example!
Councilor Jourdain was proud to announce that the City Council voted 14-1 on a voice vote (Councilor Devine voted no) to pass a resolution he offered to send a strong message to School Department Administrators earning over $75,000 per year: you need to lead by example.
Jourdain noted that there has been many calls for sacrifice and hiring freezes by the senior leadership of the schools at 57 Suffolk Street. Yet, despite closing multiple schools, declining enrollment and the new competition of a charter school, the Top Brass at School Headquarters earning over $75,000; specifically, the Business Administrator and the Superintendent have continued to take hefty payraises.
Everyone deserves a fair wage and a good pay but enough is enough with the six figure salaries for people who are calling on their subordinates to make sacrifices. The school committee needs to stop with the payraises for those over six figures who should have no problem managing on what they are receiving currently. Leadership demands greater sensitivity to the financial condition of the schools.
Jourdain also renewed his support for his colleagues on the Finance Committee who have been trying for months to get a written line item budget for the school department.
Jourdain noted that there has been many calls for sacrifice and hiring freezes by the senior leadership of the schools at 57 Suffolk Street. Yet, despite closing multiple schools, declining enrollment and the new competition of a charter school, the Top Brass at School Headquarters earning over $75,000; specifically, the Business Administrator and the Superintendent have continued to take hefty payraises.
Everyone deserves a fair wage and a good pay but enough is enough with the six figure salaries for people who are calling on their subordinates to make sacrifices. The school committee needs to stop with the payraises for those over six figures who should have no problem managing on what they are receiving currently. Leadership demands greater sensitivity to the financial condition of the schools.
Jourdain also renewed his support for his colleagues on the Finance Committee who have been trying for months to get a written line item budget for the school department.
Inside the Rail: Tax Classification: Jourdain defends Homeowners and wins victory for tax fairness!
At Tuesday's meeting, City Councilor Kevin Jourdain made an impassioned speech on behalf of the city's seniors and working families and fought back a bold move to place an enormous new tax increase on homeowners.
Councilor Jourdain seconded the motion of Ward 2 City Councilor Diosdado Lopez for a residential rate of $14.25 per thousand of property value. The motion passed 8-7.
Besides Lopez and Jourdain, Councilors Pluta, Lisi, Whelihan, McGee, Tallman and Brunelle fought valiantly to protect the people. Several Councilors lead by Ward 3 Councilor Tony Keane, Ward 7 Councilor Jay O'Neill and Councilor At Large Patti Devine pushed to lower the taxes of the Holyoke Mall and the remaining commerical sector and shift that burden on the homeowners.
Councilor Jourdain in advocating the lower rate for homeowners emphasized that residential values, unlike the commerical, are still above market value and based on 2007 sales even though we all know what has happened to the housing market in 2008 and what will happen in 2009.
Jourdain also pointed out that in the midst of the worst economic downturn in 50 years with unemployment rampant, homeowners simply could not afford the approximately $200 a year increase the other side had planned for them.
Councilor Jourdain stated, "I wish taxes could stay fixed this year but the Mayor's decision to raise the tax levy by $2 million for the 9th year in a row has increased the size of the pie that needs to be sliced up for both homeowners and businesses to pay." The tax rates adopted by the Council under the Lopez/Jourdain proposal for 2009 are $14.24 Residential and $35.15 Commerical/Industrial/Personal Property. The new 2009 Home and Commerical Values are now available at the Assessor's Office for people who would like to calculate their 2009 bill. The Assessor's Office phone number is 322-5550 for more information.
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