HOLYOKE With less than a month until a Nov. 2 general election, two political action committees have formed in Holyoke to boost the candidacies of competing factions for city offices.A PAC calling itself Holyoke Forward, or Holyoke Pa’lante in.
Holyoke drops Christopher Columbus for Indigenous Peoples Day gazettenet.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gazettenet.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
NORTHAMPTON Mayoral races across the state are heating up, including in Northampton and Holyoke.Candidates in both cities have begun to file their nomination papers the step necessary to appear on the ballot. In Northampton, candidates for mayor.
Holyoke City Council delays vote on changes to marijuana ordinance; acting mayor offers updates
Updated May 05, 2021;
HOLYOKE The City Council held off on sweeping changes to an ordinance related to the cannabis industry. The council voted 7-6 in favor of changes to current rules for medical and recreational marijuana operations and special permitting.
While the ordinance passed initially with a simple majority (7-6), Ward 5 Councilor Linda Vacon requested an opinion from the city’s Law Department if a supermajority or 9-4 vote were necessary.
Vacon pointed out that council rules require a two-thirds vote on the legal form of an ordinance. Vacon and Ward 2 Councilor Terence Murphy said they did not receive a copy of the changes before Tuesday’s session.
Holyoke City Council takes up appointments to municipal boards
Updated 8:20 PM;
HOLYOKE The Public Service Committee recommended two appointments to city boards during Wednesday’s virtual session.
The committee favored appointing former City Councilor Patricia C. Devine to the Department of Public Works Commission and former city auditor Brian G. Smith to the Holyoke Retirement Board.
If approved by the City Council, Devine would replace commissioner Quinn T. Lonczak. The three-year term expires Feb. 1, 2024.
Smith would replace Bellamy Schmidt, who served as acting city auditor after Smith retired. The appointment expires Jan. 1, 2024.
Smith retired in March 2014 and served on the Retirement Board during his tenure in city government. He still offers his expertise to the City Council on fiscal matters, earning a reputation as a calm and steady presence.