Post-election: Mayor Reminds City That We Are All Neighbors

Holyoke Media · Holyoke News Summary Nov. 15, 2024

Post-election: Mayor Reminds City That We Are All Neighbors

Posted November 15, 2024

Here is the wrap of this week’s news and information:

POST-ELECTION REMARKS
Mayor Joshua García issued a public letter regarding the elections and the divisions across personal ideological lines.

ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
First on the agenda: The Ordinance Committee tabled a proposal from City Councilor Howard Greany Jr. regarding group homes.

A controversy arose in 2021 when a private property on Yale Street was converted into a group home for people from the LGBT communities recovering from addiction. The contentious issue between those who favored the group home and those that did not, resulted in favor of the group home because there are laws that protect certain uses of buildings, including residential properties.

Ordinance Committee members, from left: City Councilors David Bartely, Committee Chair and Councilor Israel Rivera and Councilor Jenny Rivera.

Ordinance Committee members, from left: City Councilors David Bartley, Committee Chair and Councilor Israel Rivera and Councilor Jenny Rivera.

Greaney’s proposal reads: “No group homes, profit or non-profit, be allowed within the city limits of Holyoke, MA without the approval of the Holyoke City Council.”

However, Greaney’s absence from the meeting led to a decision to table the matter until he can attend.

The committee also discussed amending the Ethics Ordinance, now that the city is contracting with a private vendor to manage a hotline for city employees to share information about possible malfeasance in municipal government.

Also, in her email newsletter, Councilor Kocayne Givner expressed hope that with grant money already destined to address dangerous traffic issues in the city positive outcomes will ensue to assure the safety of pedestrians and vehicles.

“How can it be that we live in such a small city with so many traffic issues?! All I can say is that we need enforcement, accountability, and more safely designed streets that take the needs of our community into account. I am happy to share that the García administration is taking our concerns seriously so that we can dig into this city-wide issue!”

Holyoke has landed two grants totaling $247,850 to develop a comprehensive speed-management plan to make our streets safer.

PUERTO RICAN CULTURAL DISTRICT

It’s official: the Mass. Cultural Council has designated a portion of Main Street as a Puerto Rican Cultural District.

The announcement reads, in part: “Since the early 1980s, the Puerto Rican community in Holyoke has created memorable work, influences, and community building resulting in meaningful change and economic and cultural enhancement of the City. As a result, Holyoke has the largest per capita Puerto Rican population of any city in the United States outside of Puerto Rico. From art installations to non-profit innovations, the Puerto Rican community continues to be a compelling asset to the city.”

“In a City with the highest concentration of Puerto Ricans outside the island, this Cultural District stands as our oasis – preserving and sharing the richness of our culture with pride and purpose,” said Stephanie Colón, City of Holyoke’s Planning and Economy Development Office.

In other news, the Local Historic District Commission seeks community members.

The Office of Planning and Economic Development sent out an appeal for people to contribute their time and perspectives: “The commission aids in the preservation and protection of the distinctive characteristics and architecture of the buildings and places significant to the history of the City of Holyoke, to maintain and improve their settings as approved in the City Ordinance and to encourage new building designs compatible with the existing architectures, enlargement or reduction of boundaries, and filings of maps.”

LISTENING SESSION

The City of Holyoke invites residents to the third and final community listening session on the ongoing update to Holyoke’s Comprehensive Plan. This session will take place on Thursday, November 21, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Holyoke YMCA.

This session is the last in a series designed to engage residents in shaping the future of Holyoke. The Comprehensive Plan will serve as a blueprint for the city’s growth and development, focusing on key areas such as housing, transportation, economic development, and sustainability. The City encourages residents of all backgrounds to participate in this final opportunity to provide their insight.

ASSESSORS

The Assessors Office reports on: