Copyright MassLive
HOLYOKE — After surviving a first round voting in September, Victor Machado is taking on incumbent Ward 1 City Councilor Jenny Rivera. Machado seeks a seat on the council at a time of tension, impasse and high drama among councilors battling over city finances. Ahead of Tuesday, The Republican reached out to all candidates for the opposed City Council 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. Name: Víctor Machado Age: Over 25 Address: Arbor Way Profession: Community outreach navigator Position running for: City Council Ward 1 Introductory statement: Holyoke is at a pivotal moment as we take on climate change, transitioning to sustainable energy sources, enhancing infrastructure, addressing systemic inequalities, managing fiscal responsibilities and implementing strategic visions that demand collaboration. Pursuing a seat on the City Council has been a rewarding experience. It is essential to elect a leader with pragmatic solutions, beginning with a comprehensive understanding of individual experiences and a commitment to community engagement. My trustworthiness, community-oriented mindset and common sense qualify me for this position. Trust between constituents and future city leaders is fundamental to cultivating a thriving community. I am running to serve as the voice of, and advocate for, those who need to be heard and to ensure they perceive me as an ally. Question 1: What is the biggest problem in the city, and how would you address it? Holyoke ranks second among the most dangerous cities in Massachusetts. Affordability for residents and addressing violent crime are top priorities. I am committed to proactive solutions to improve safety in Ward 1 and work towards moving Holyoke off the most dangerous cities list. Strong leadership is essential. I will embrace this issue with urgency and work collaboratively to drive meaningful change. Question 2: The City Council always struggles to keep taxes low, while providing needed services and making advancements. How specifically will you balance the three? Since 2020, I’ve served on the resident advisory committee, advocating for our community’s interests in areas such as education and neighborhood services. I’ve evaluated financial matters, including the American Rescue Plan Act grant, leading to improvements in our community. We should focus on three key areas: prioritizing essential city services, conducting efficiency audits to streamline operations and diversifying revenue streams. Exploring alternative funding sources, like grants or bonds, can reduce our reliance on property taxes and help ensure critical services are funded. Question 3: The housing crisis continues to take a toll on residents and those who want to move to the city. How should the city attack the problem? Here are some potential strategies: 1) Increase affordable housing development: Collaborate with developers to create more affordable housing units. This involves encouraging the construction of mixed-income housing. 2) Preserve existing housing: Implement measures to prevent the current affordable housing stock from being converted into luxury units. This can include rent control policies and financial support for landlords who maintain affordable rents. We need to make Holyoke affordable for everyone. Question 4: What types of development would you like to attract to the city, and how would you do it? While everyone talks about economic development, accomplishing this requires collaboration and effective city governance. Making our city safer creates work opportunities, play and community growth. The City Council must prioritize public safety, education and reliable public services. A secure environment encourages people to live and work here, while education provides the skilled workforce Holyoke needs to excel in the green building and energy sectors. Attracting big businesses is essential, but the city must always serve its citizens first.
