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JP for MAYOR
The Right Change at The Right Time

My name is JP Kwiecinski and I have lived in Easthampton for sixteen years. My
family’s roots are grounded in this city. My father and his brothers and sisters grew up
in Easthampton when it was just a small town. I have raised my children here, coached
Little League and been an official for the Easthampton Barracudas swim team. I have
volunteered at many community and school events throughout the years. I have sold real
estate for 25 years in this area and have served as a member of the Easthampton’s City
Council for the last six years. I know and love this city; I know its people and have
listened to their concerns and that is why I Want to be Your Mayor.

(May 16, 2009 JP Kwiecinski announces his candidacy for Mayor of Easthampton to a crowd of 100 people at the Gazebo.)

Why am I running? We are facing tough economic times ahead and we need new
energy and new ideas to see us through the next few years. We have many in this city
who do not believe that they have a voice; they do not feel heard by the Mayor’s office
and they believe that their suggestions and needs fall on deaf ears. Additionally, too
many people are sensing a loss of community. It is time to bring people together and
remind ourselves of the things that make Easthampton great!
It is not time to “stay the course” but rather it is time for a mayor who listens to the
people, one who cares and one who can lead us through these tough times while
preserving and promoting the health of this city. It is time for responsible,
experienced, and effective change!

Accessibility and Accountability: The office of mayor has to be more than thinking
about numbers and budgets. I know that the economic concerns are real, and that the
budget decisions that are made are crucial to the survival of this city, but this city is made
up of people, people whose very livelihood’s are threatened by every cut that is made.
This city needs a responsive mayor who will listen to the concerns of its people and who
will be open to their suggestions. This city needs a mayor who has not forgotten that it
is the people of Easthampton who elect the mayor and they expect to be heard and
considered.
I will be accessible and accountable to you and I will not forget who hired me. My
door will be open and I will listen to your concerns and suggestions. You will have
a voice and I will work to bring the people in this city together.

Public Safety and Education: During these difficult times, my highest priority will be
to preserve the strength and vitality of our Police and Fire Depts. and the DPW. We
have excellent public safety services in this city, and I will work with these departments
to listen to their concerns and needs so that we can maintain the quality of services that
we have come to rely upon. Additionally, we have a strong school system with
dedicated teachers. Our children’s educations must be a priority! We must maintain
the highest quality of education so that all of our children can compete for highly skilled
jobs in the local and global market.
I will listen to the suggestions of each department and work with them in order to
make the best decisions for Easthampton and its people. I will preserve the quality
and integrity of both Public Safety and Education.


Supporting the Business Community: Without a healthy commercial and industrial tax
base, it is the residential tenants and owners who will shoulder all the local property
taxes. A strong local economy is a key component of any economic recovery. We must
support and promote local businesses; helping these businesses survive, will make
Easthampton thrive. We must bring factories and businesses into this city; we have too
many vacant buildings that could be revitalized and house new enterprises that will bring
jobs and tax revenues to our city.
I will support and reach out to our local businesses and I will court new businesses
that will add to our city without diminishing the strength and economic health of
those businesses that are already here.

Giving our Senior Citizens a Voice: As our city considers major repairs to both ends of
West Street, it will be my highest priority to make effective plans to maintain the safety
of senior citizens as well as all who may need Fire, Police and Ambulance services. I
have already been voicing my concerns and ideas with The Mass Highway Dept. so that
we move cautiously and wisely to consider the full impact of these much needed major
repairs. I will also work with our senior citizens to lessen the impact of these tough
economic times on their already strained budgets.
I will hear the concerns of our seniors and their needs will be a priority.

Protecting our Environment: The future of Easthampton depends on protecting and
preserving what we have for the future; that means protecting our environment and our
resources. I have worked diligently to stop the expansion of the Northampton landfill
because it threatens our aquifer. We may not need it today but we will use that water
sometime in the future and no mayor should allow it to be placed in jeopardy by another
city without a fight. Additionally, we have experienced significant destruction to the
Rail Trail because of a collapsed culvert. Fundraising and plans are underway to address
the damage, but what is being done to prevent further collapsing of our many other
ancient culverts? I have been advocating and strategizing to develop plans for routine
inspections and repairs so that another devastating collapse will not occur.
I will work diligently to preserve and protect our precious resources not only for our
children but also for our children’s children.

It’s time for a responsive mayor who listens to the people who elected him and
considers their thoughts and needs. It is time for a mayor who can bring this city
together and build a stronger sense of community. It is time for a mayor who is not
satisfied with just staying the course but who is open to new ideas and has the
commitment and desire to look for new answers to the issues that face Easthampton.
It is time for a new mayor and I want to be that mayor. Let’s face the future
together; as a team we can keep Easthampton great.

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