Copyright MassLive
SPRINGFIELD — There are eight candidates, including all five incumbents, running for the five available at-large seats this year. Longtime Councilor Kateri Walsh is among them. Ahead of Tuesday, The Republican reached out to all candidates for the opposed School Committee seats to answer a short questionnaire. Find more candidates and responses in the past week’s print editions or online at masslive.com/topic/election. Kateri B. Walsh Address: 42 Magnolia Terrace Office sought: City Council, at-large Introductory statement: Experience, dedication, and a strong record of public service as an at-large city councilor. I’ve had the privilege of serving as City Council president and vice president, chair of several key committees, and currently as chair of the Springfield Women’s Commission. I am running for reelection because I love Springfield and remain deeply committed to moving our city forward as the best place to live, work, and raise a family. What is the biggest problem in the city and how would you address it? The biggest challenge for any city is crime — because if you do not feel safe in your home, nothing else matters. Safety remains my top priority. I’m pleased to report that, through hard work, crime in Springfield has dropped dramatically, but more still needs to be done. I will continue to support the Springfield Police Department’s innovative approaches, including the C3 teams and sector meetings across neighborhoods, to keep our city safe. I also support maintaining police substations throughout the city to improve response and community connection. The City Council always struggles to keep taxes low, while providing needed services and making advancements. How specifically will you balance the three? It is always a challenge for any municipality to fairly set the city’s tax rate and maintain a healthy balance between business owners and homeowners. As we continue to strengthen and expand our business base, both residents and employers benefit. Engaging the public in the budgeting process builds trust and helps set shared priorities. My goal is to advocate for increased state revenue to help lessen the tax burden on both homeowners and the business community. The housing crisis continues to take a toll on residents and those who want to move to the city. How should Springfield attack the problem? Springfield has done an excellent job offering homeownership opportunities to those who want to move here. We have a diverse housing stock, great schools, beautiful parks and affordable prices. Western Massachusetts remains far more affordable than our neighbors in Worcester or Boston — making Springfield a smart and rewarding investment for families and individuals alike. Choosing to live in Springfield is a great investment. What types of development would you like to attract to the city, and how would you do it? A strong public-private partnership is essential for creating more high-paying jobs for Springfield and the region. Continued development of our industrial parks will strengthen the tax base and provide quality employment for residents. I also support maintaining an updated inventory of vacant city-owned properties to attract and streamline new development opportunities.
