Holyoke - City Councilor Kevin A. Jourdain was very happy to announce that he kept his campaign pledge to get the City Budget placed online. Councilor Jourdain commended the Holyoke G&E for their assistance with this project and the city budget is now available on the city website located at www.holyoke.org.
Councilor Jourdain added, "it is my belief that the public has the right to an open government, one that shows them where every dollar is spent and for what purpose." Councilor Jourdain knows the sacrifices our residents and business owners make to pay their taxes and deserve the right to know how those dollars are spent.
The direct link is: http://www.holyoke.org/COHbudget7_2007_6_2008.pdf
If any taxpayer ever has a question as to how their tax money is being spent, please never hesitate to contact me at 538-5519 or via email at Kevin.Jourdain@verizon.net.
Re-Elect Holyoke's Fiscal Watchdog!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
City Council Sustains Veto and votes Counseling center zone change down!
Counseling center bid vetoed
Thursday, April 17, 2008
By KEN ROSS
kross@repub.com
HOLYOKE - A plan to rezone a piece of land to allow for construction of a counseling facility failed to make it past the City Council and mayor.
"I think it's an inappropriate place to have a facility," Mayor Michael J. Sullivan said yesterday.
Sullivan vetoed a zone change request by the council for a parcel at 15 Holy Family Road. Behavioral Health Network Inc. wanted to change the zoning for the property from Residential 1A to Business Limited.
On Tuesday, the council voted 9-6 to override Sullivan's veto. However, the override vote failed since it required a two-third's majority vote or 10 votes total.
Councilors Patricia C. Devine, Rebecca Lisi, Diosdado Lopez, Joseph M. McGiverin, Elaine A. Pluta, Todd Purington, Peter R. Tallman, Donald R. Welch and John P. Brunelle cast the nine votes in favor of overriding the mayor's veto. The six councilors who voted not to override the veto were Kevin A. Jourdain, Anthony M. Keane, James M. Leahy, Todd A. McGee, John J. O'Neill and John E. Whelihan.
Both sides agreed they wish more had been done to notify residents who live near the property about the zone change. In recent weeks, several councilors said they have heard from many residents who are strongly opposed.
"No one complained about it ... because no one knew about it," McGee said.
"It's too bad people are learning about it after the veto," Brunelle said.
And even among councilors who voted not to override the veto skepticism about the project was expressed. Leahy said the project sounded like a small business and questioned whether it should be operating in a residential neighborhood.
But other councilors were more strongly opposed to the project, particularly since the zone change would allow for the construction of a counseling facility. McGee noted that the proposed facility would be built near a school and housing for senior citizens.
"We're inviting them up to an area where we have the most vulnerable people," McGee said.
Jourdain agreed. "I really think you couldn't pick a worse spot to put this," he said.
But Purington defended the proposed facility, noting that Behavioral Health Network has been operating in the city for a long time. "They have been a trusted partner for many years," he said.
Purington added that the people who would be treated there "are not monsters."
Brunelle agreed. "This is not a new organization," he said. "I do believe it is something the city does need."
Behavioral Health Network Inc. has been represented by Holyoke lawyer John J. Driscoll during the zone change process. Driscoll could not be reached yesterday for comment.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
By KEN ROSS
kross@repub.com
HOLYOKE - A plan to rezone a piece of land to allow for construction of a counseling facility failed to make it past the City Council and mayor.
"I think it's an inappropriate place to have a facility," Mayor Michael J. Sullivan said yesterday.
Sullivan vetoed a zone change request by the council for a parcel at 15 Holy Family Road. Behavioral Health Network Inc. wanted to change the zoning for the property from Residential 1A to Business Limited.
On Tuesday, the council voted 9-6 to override Sullivan's veto. However, the override vote failed since it required a two-third's majority vote or 10 votes total.
Councilors Patricia C. Devine, Rebecca Lisi, Diosdado Lopez, Joseph M. McGiverin, Elaine A. Pluta, Todd Purington, Peter R. Tallman, Donald R. Welch and John P. Brunelle cast the nine votes in favor of overriding the mayor's veto. The six councilors who voted not to override the veto were Kevin A. Jourdain, Anthony M. Keane, James M. Leahy, Todd A. McGee, John J. O'Neill and John E. Whelihan.
Both sides agreed they wish more had been done to notify residents who live near the property about the zone change. In recent weeks, several councilors said they have heard from many residents who are strongly opposed.
"No one complained about it ... because no one knew about it," McGee said.
"It's too bad people are learning about it after the veto," Brunelle said.
And even among councilors who voted not to override the veto skepticism about the project was expressed. Leahy said the project sounded like a small business and questioned whether it should be operating in a residential neighborhood.
But other councilors were more strongly opposed to the project, particularly since the zone change would allow for the construction of a counseling facility. McGee noted that the proposed facility would be built near a school and housing for senior citizens.
"We're inviting them up to an area where we have the most vulnerable people," McGee said.
Jourdain agreed. "I really think you couldn't pick a worse spot to put this," he said.
But Purington defended the proposed facility, noting that Behavioral Health Network has been operating in the city for a long time. "They have been a trusted partner for many years," he said.
Purington added that the people who would be treated there "are not monsters."
Brunelle agreed. "This is not a new organization," he said. "I do believe it is something the city does need."
Behavioral Health Network Inc. has been represented by Holyoke lawyer John J. Driscoll during the zone change process. Driscoll could not be reached yesterday for comment.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Councilor Jourdain announces effort to sustain Mayor Sullivan's veto on Holy Family Road Zone Change!
Holyoke - City Councilor Kevin Jourdain announced today that he thanked Mayor Sullivan for vetoing the proposed zone change slated for 15 Holy Family Road in order to place a mental health facility there operated by the Behavioral Health Network.
One month ago, the City Council voted 10-5 in favor of the proposal despite the unanimous recommendation of the Planning Board to deny the proposal. Mayor Sullivan vetoed the measure and the Council tabled the veto override until April 15, 2008 for further study.
Among the many reasons I oppose the zone change, they are:
1) The increased traffic demands on this secondary road that will be created by the placement of this facility would be detrimental to area.
2) It is incompatible to the neighborhood and the neighboring elementary school.
3) There are insufficent safeguards in place and presented in the proposal to ensure the safety of children and others using the nearby park.
4) Holyoke has far exceeded its capacity and ability to take on yet another non-profit, non-taxing paying social service agency and it is best suited elsewhere. Holyoke is far beyond the saturation point to healthily manage yet another facility of its type in the city.
5) There are many other far superior uses presently available to the owner of the parcel under its current zoning that would be compatible to the neighborhood and more beneficial to the neighborhood. Thereby, making it unnecessary to change the zone.
6) The opposition of the Mayor and unanimous Planning Board should be given considerable deference whenever considering a zone change.
Councilors Jourdain, Whelihan, McGee, O'Neill and Leahy were the 5 Councilors who voted NO on this zone change. I encourage citizens to voice their thoughts to the other 10 Councilors in the hope that 6 of the 15 Councilors will vote to sustain the Mayor's veto.
For more information, please do not hesitiate to call or email me.
One month ago, the City Council voted 10-5 in favor of the proposal despite the unanimous recommendation of the Planning Board to deny the proposal. Mayor Sullivan vetoed the measure and the Council tabled the veto override until April 15, 2008 for further study.
Among the many reasons I oppose the zone change, they are:
1) The increased traffic demands on this secondary road that will be created by the placement of this facility would be detrimental to area.
2) It is incompatible to the neighborhood and the neighboring elementary school.
3) There are insufficent safeguards in place and presented in the proposal to ensure the safety of children and others using the nearby park.
4) Holyoke has far exceeded its capacity and ability to take on yet another non-profit, non-taxing paying social service agency and it is best suited elsewhere. Holyoke is far beyond the saturation point to healthily manage yet another facility of its type in the city.
5) There are many other far superior uses presently available to the owner of the parcel under its current zoning that would be compatible to the neighborhood and more beneficial to the neighborhood. Thereby, making it unnecessary to change the zone.
6) The opposition of the Mayor and unanimous Planning Board should be given considerable deference whenever considering a zone change.
Councilors Jourdain, Whelihan, McGee, O'Neill and Leahy were the 5 Councilors who voted NO on this zone change. I encourage citizens to voice their thoughts to the other 10 Councilors in the hope that 6 of the 15 Councilors will vote to sustain the Mayor's veto.
For more information, please do not hesitiate to call or email me.
Councilor Jourdain files Orders for April 15th Meeting!
22. JOURDAIN -- That no parking be established 40 feet from corner of Carter St in front of 36 Anderson Avenue.
23. JOURDAIN -- That intersection at Brown and Laurel Streets be resurfaced.
24. JOURDAIN -- That the School Committee evaluate the new school uniform policy in Springfield and give due consideration to adopting a comprehensive school uniform policy.
25. JOURDAIN -- That PEG Access please forward the accompanying accountant’s report referred to on the statement of expenses and revenues. That they also please describe in more detail the purpose of the expense of $1380 to MAP.
26. JOURDAIN -- That PEG Access and/or Council President give an update on the new television and audio equipment for the City Council chambers. [co-filed with Pluta & McGee]
23. JOURDAIN -- That intersection at Brown and Laurel Streets be resurfaced.
24. JOURDAIN -- That the School Committee evaluate the new school uniform policy in Springfield and give due consideration to adopting a comprehensive school uniform policy.
25. JOURDAIN -- That PEG Access please forward the accompanying accountant’s report referred to on the statement of expenses and revenues. That they also please describe in more detail the purpose of the expense of $1380 to MAP.
26. JOURDAIN -- That PEG Access and/or Council President give an update on the new television and audio equipment for the City Council chambers. [co-filed with Pluta & McGee]
Holyoke Sun Now On-Line!
The Holyoke Sun is now available on-line!
Congratulations to them and I have added a link for my blog readers.
Congratulations to them and I have added a link for my blog readers.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Councilor Jourdain to represent Massachusetts at GOP National Convention in Minnesota!
Greenfield - Holyoke City Councilor Kevin A. Jourdain was elected 1 of 3 First Congressional District Delegates to the Republican National Convention to be held in Minneapolis, MN from Sept. 1-4, 2008. Councilor Jourdain attended the very heavily attended caucus and made a stirring election speech on behalf of Arizona Senator John McCain and in fondness to Gov. Mitt Romney, who Jourdain supported in the primary. It is considered a high honor to be selected a delegate by the District's caucus goers and this is Jourdain's third election as delegate in 8 years.
Councilor Jourdain has endorsed Sen. John McCain for President in November.
The First Congressional District Caucus was held this past Saturday in Greenfield. The National Convention is a unique opportunity to meet national leaders and represent the State of Massachusetts before this highly watched national forum. Councilor Jourdain will work with local media outlets to give all Holyokers an inside perspective of the Convention and the news as it develops.
Councilor Jourdain has endorsed Sen. John McCain for President in November.
The First Congressional District Caucus was held this past Saturday in Greenfield. The National Convention is a unique opportunity to meet national leaders and represent the State of Massachusetts before this highly watched national forum. Councilor Jourdain will work with local media outlets to give all Holyokers an inside perspective of the Convention and the news as it develops.
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