In the weeks leading up to the Nov. 3 election, the Advocate asked the mayoral candidates of Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield, West Springfield, Westfield, and Greenfield to share their thoughts on schools, the budget, taxes, and the environment. This week, we called each winner to wrap up our conversation with one more question:
What are you going to do to ensure that minority voices, including women and people of color, are fairly represented and included in your administration’s decision making?
Below are their responses, with some light editing for length and clarity.
Alex Morse, re-elected as mayor of Holyoke
Making government more inclusive has been at the heart of all the work we’ve done over the past four years. I’ve appointed members of the Latino community, like Marcos Marrero, our director of planning and economic development. In my first term we had the first-ever Puerto Rican city solicitor. And we have upped the diversity on volunteer boards and commissions, including the planning board, the community advisory commission, and the office of community development.
I formed the city’s first human rights advisory committee, which is predominantly African American and Latino, to examine the state of human rights in the city and come up with recommendations on how to make the community more just. And we incentivize all of our employees to take free Spanish classes at Holyoke Community College. The goal is to create more environments where everyone feels represented and comfortable communicating with each other.
Richard Kos, re-elected as mayor of Chicopee
We have about 25 department heads in Chicopee, and about 44 percent of them are women. We have several staffers that speak Spanish, and our health director is a black woman. Since I’ve been in office we have appointed six department heads, and three of them have been women — two of whom were replacing male employees.
Out of 15 appointments on the police force, we’ve appointed three minority employees, two of whom are female. In the fire department, 12 have been appointed, three of whom are minorities, and one of whom is female.
We have a new director of HR, who is updating a number of our policies and statements. It’s an ongoing effort and something we’re conscious of working on, but so far we think these are some reputable and good numbers.
William Reichelt, newly elected as mayor of West Springfield
A big part of my campaign and the first part of my five-point plan has been accessibility and inclusion. People from diverse backgrounds have contributed to my campaign efforts, and I hope that will continue when I take office.
I am a collaborative leader looking to bring people into the conversation just as I did along the campaign trail, with the tour of West Side, business round tables, and many other events designed to encourage people to get involved and have their voices heard. None of that will change as I take office. I will continue to attend community events, support our sports teams, hold office hours, and remain available for all residents.
Brian Sullivan, newly elected as mayor of Westfield
I have already started getting women and people of color involved in the process of city government. Proof of this is the fact that my campaign manager, Lisa McMahon, was chosen to lead my election team. I have also reached out to many in the Spanish, Slovakian, and Russian communities, to name a few. This has had a ripple effect on people that are willing to get involved and take leadership roles with my administration.
There will be commission slots to fill and positions of leadership on my transition team. I am looking for people who are willing to do the work and are passionate about what happens in Westfield. Everyone will be represented and be part of the team if they so choose. This has always been my style, and that is not going to change.
William Martin, re-elected as mayor of Greenfield
I see some interesting differences between departments. Women make up about 74 percent of our town hall staff and 77 percent of the school department. But between 75 and 85 percent of the DPW is male, and our police and fire departments are 80 to 90 percent male. So, this is probably an area we can address.
I’m not sure of our staff breakdown by race, but we are an equal opportunity employer, and we advertise all openings.
One conversation we had recently in the school committee was how to provide same-sex teachers and administrators as role models for the students. As a member of that committee I will be in support of efforts in that area.
We have a close relationship with GCC and have been supportive for years of providing resources to veterans and their families. I want to form a medical civilian action program. We also have a human rights commission that meets regularly to discuss recent events and civil rights topics — offending graffiti, for example, or police brutality. I use those members as the pulse for the community.
The door is always open. Whether it’s about gender, race, sexual orientation or health issues — people should come forward. Bring on the idea, and we can help be part of it.
Domenic Sarno, re-elected as mayor of Springfield
(Mayor Sarno’s office declined to participate.)
Contact Hunter Styles at hstyles@valleyadvocate.com.
