This week the City Council heard from the public and its president that the conduct of Ward 3 City Councilor David Bartley at a Jan. 7 Ordinance Committee meeting, was egregious to the point of some wanting him censured or out of the council. That starts here.

Among the public comments:

“(Bartley) represents me in this council. And over and over and over again, he has shown himself really to have a temperament unfit for public office. He’s referred to me as a recurring nightmare and spoken about me disrespectfully [Thalheimer] was a candidate at one time for Ward 3]. I’ve watched him speak disrespectfully to the (Holyoke) law department.  The way he treats women is unbelievably reprehensible. Holyoke does deserve better. And that’s the other part that I wanted to mention, because I come in here and I talk all the time about this particular councilor doing terrible things, things that are not supposed to happen in this chamber. We are supposed to be held, — you are supposed to be held —  to a higher standard. That’s why we voted for you. And I want to see some action on this. But I also, while you censure him, I want to see praise for the chair of that committee. (City Councilor) Israel Rivera held his cool, stayed professional throughout and asked after the well-being of this person who was clearly having an unprofessional meltdown, whether somebody has a bad day or has other stuff going on in their life. There’s no excuse. People talk about why folks don’t want to come to chambers and come to meetings and participate. It’s because stuff like that happens. ” – Anne Thalheimer

“I wanted to focus on Councilor Israel Rivera because I’ve really loved the work you’ve done on this council, and I don’t think you got the respect that you deserved at that meeting. And you, man, you were a champ.” – Elizabeth (last name wasn’t understood)

Council President Tessa Murphy-Romboletti addressed what she called “the elephant in the room”:

“Before we get started this evening, I got to address the elephant in the room and just really kind of say this before we start having another meeting. I’ve been contacted by the public. I’ve been contacted by the media. I’ve been contacted by councilors. What happened at our Ordinance Committee meeting and was just not acceptable. I have to address it public. … I feel like I literally do this more than all of the last three presidents combined. But I’m just going to remind everyone again what Section Six of our City Council rRles are about decorum and about speaking and how we speak to each other and how we speak in front of the public and others.

You know, you can say a lot about me as the president, but I believe I treat everyone the same. And if I see someone who is talking (out of turn), I’m going to address it. If I don’t call on you, you don’t have the floor. And it’s really exhausting to have to spend time focusing on this.

But as president, my job is to make sure there is decorum. So we don’t swear. We we just don’t. …  We are elected officials. I’m not asking for much. I really don’t think I’ve gone too far here. And the public is watching. The public is expecting more of us. We all took an oath to uphold these rules. So do better. Thank you and now let’s dive into this meeting and hope it’s a good one. And just thank you all for your anticipated respect of one another.”

The council also formally received the contract signed by Mayor Joshua García and Police Chief Brian Keenan. It can be read here.

Councilor Juan Anderson-Burgos

Councilors also voted to accept a resolution written by Councilor Juan Anderson-Burgos in which a comedian who spoke at a Trump rally at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 27 referred to Puerto Rico in derogatory terms.

The resolution reads in part:

“WHEREAS, American citizens who live on the island of Puerto Rico and elsewhere around the
country have made incredible contributions to their communities and country for generations,
including honorable service in the Armed Forces;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Holyoke, Massachusetts
condemns the statement made by Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump political rally held on October 27,
2024 at Madison Square Garden as an offensive and malicious disrespect of our Puerto Rican
neighbors, friends, community members, fellow citizens, and most importantly, fellow humans;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we are committed to holding our state and federal leaders
accountable to the values and commitments expressed in this resolution.”

The entire resolution can be read here.

The agenda and documents submitted to the City Council can be viewed here.