Ask Marge

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Questions and Answers

What would you do to help diversify the tax base?  What would you do to slow the residential growth & increase industrial & commercial base?

We do not have split rate in Easthampton and I agree with that decision.  Our Business/commercial base is approx. 15% where the residential is approx. 85%.

In some communities such as Holyoke they have different tax rates for residential and commercial however they have the Holyoke Mall.  Keep in mind that Holyoke also struggles to maintain and grow their downtown with the additional tax dollars needed from the business owners.  I see our downtown as striving, shifting and changing with many opportunities to attract new business.   I also believe that part of the position for Mayor is to make every effort to invite new business to consider our city.   Our Chamber of Commerce has done an outstanding job of working with and for the business community and I see us working with the artist community to generate a growing downtown.

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Will the fire department get the new equipment needed?

Good question – I would love to fund all departments – all that they need, and so would each of the candidates.   I would work with the Chief, you and all members of your team to attain as much as possible for the best working environment so that your service to our city is done at the highest potential.

We also know that technology is constantly making strides and creating yet a better way to do things, so I will not lock you – the fire department or any department into a set of item(s) but would leave it open to conversation and need. For the best equipment available to serve our community at the time.  I look forward to working with you and for you.

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Did your children attend school in Easthampton? What would you say are the strengths and weaknesses of the school system in Easthampton, and what changes would you make?

My daughters did attend schools in Easthampton and the school system is one of the reasons that we choose to buy a home in Easthampton.  They had amazing teachers and support staff that helped them achieve excellent grades and their highest potential.  I was very involved with the schools while my daughters attended.  Starting as a classroom volunteer in Kindergarten with my oldest daughter, then building playgrounds, reading in classes, active PTO member, volunteering at WBMS library and being able to help kick off the girls volleyball team for EHS.

Strengths: the teachers, staff, Para’s, custodians and administration all who work with and interact with our students.  All are caring, creative, resourceful and knowledgeable in each of their expertise.  Also, the strong involvement of our families, business community and community in general is also an asset to our educational system.

Challenges:   While on school committee I found the school department budget to be strangled with required state mandates that they no longer fund or were reducing funds.  That is where I see the resourcefulness and commitment of our most valuable asset – our people.  An added need for growth in education especially is at the High School level. That the building needs committee have been addressing for the past several years with some progress being made just recently.  Finally with the state assisting in the building efforts I appreciate grabbing the opportunity when the funds are available.

Please Note:

I was honored to be part of the Easthampton High School Program Review Committee in July of this year.  One of the last automatic phone calls I received from Superintendent Carter was a call to be part of this three night seminar.  Having watched my youngest daughter, Sarah, just graduate I figured I was off the call list.  I am glad to say I received the call and sat with close to 40 people to discuss the educational program at the high school.  The ideas, conversations, possibilities were brimming with potential.  On the third night we were joined by high school students that taught us so much about the future of our schools.  (FYI:  We are in good hands with our youth, they have good insight and common sense)

I want to acknowledge the School Building Needs Committee that have been coming together for many years to set solid ground work for our growth in education.  Now working with this time frame need for the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) it seems to be taking off at an unbelievable pace.  This process seems to parallel the myth of someone rocketing to fame overnight.  It has not been an overnight process for this committee; it has been years in the making, with much struggle and compromise needed to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Many dedicated individuals see the Easthampton Schools as the best place to learn along with wanting to take it’s to a highest level.

So for my part of the EHS Program Review Committee I am thankful to see the higher level thinking for our growth as a city.

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