Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia
Reminder Publishing file photo
HOLYOKE — Heading into his second term, Mayor Joshua Garcia shared his goals and upcoming projects for the city of Holyoke in a sit-down with Reminder Publishing.
Although he ran unopposed, Garcia was re-elected by Holyoke residents to serve another term at the November election and was officially sworn in on Jan. 5.
Garcia said that the new year in Holyoke is off to a “brilliant” start thanks, in large part, to the results of the most recent city elections.
“The newly elected and reelected City Councilors have indicated a willingness to move forward on an array of initiatives to address community concerns,” Garcia said. “What we did is we created a race. We expressed urgency on having a supportive council. The residents responded, and to me, the outcome of that election makes me feel like there’s a mandate, makes me feel like we are going in a good direction.”
The Holyoke City Council saw longtime councilors Kevin Jourdain and David Bartley lose their seats. Besides a few incumbents, the City Council also welcomed newcomers Nicole Maisonet, Anne Thalheimer and Richard Purcell.
Garcia highlighted that one of his top priorities for this new term is the passage of the Municipal Finance Modernization Act.
“After well over a year of council resistance, delays, and postponements, we are finally positioned to implement a suite of changes to city ordinances and the charter to modernize the way our financial resources are managed,” Garcia said. The changes will be systematic and will align with our vision to strengthen internal controls, reduce liability and maximize on our resources to better support services for constituents and reduce harm.”
If passed by the full City Council, the changes will result in departments realigned to meet modern needs, rename key positions, reassign duties and address concerns raised in decades of independent audits.
The overhaul would be budget neutral in fiscal year 2026, but the changes would bring about over $100,000 in cost savings in FY27 while reducing reliance on contractors to perform basic functions, and ensuring timely year-end closing and filing of all state and federal documents.
Garcia also said the city is looking forward to zoning and special permitting reforms to “facilitate sensible and responsible development by eliminating inefficiencies that have contributed to Holyoke being maligned as business unfriendly.”
Also high on Garcia’s agenda is the continuation of the city’s work to resolve blight and housing needs, and strengthen code enforcement to protect tenants.
“Thanks to the leadership in our Police and Fire departments — as well as our building department, Board of Health and the DPW — we continue to maintain our commitment to aggressively respond to code infractions that contribute toward community concerns around public safety and quality of life.”
Garcia also talked about Holyoke’s continued efforts to boost economic development.
“We continue to leverage our economic development strengths, inexpensive, clean energy; spacious buildings ripe for repurpose, and helpful, knowledgeable staff in our Office of Planning and Economic Development, who work every day to promote the assets that make our city competitive,” Garcia said.
Although former Director of Planning and Economic Development Aaron Vega left Holyoke’s office to pursue a new role to lead the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, Garcia said he looks forward to working with the city’s new planning and economic development director, Eric Nakajima.
Garcia also highlighted the School Department. He acknowledged its goals and progress, but also stated how more work can be done.
With Holyoke Public Schools now under local control, Garcia said the city continues to make investments in its schools. He mentioned the noticeable gains in student outcomes and attendance rates as well as the city’s goal of building a new middle school as noteworthy items of focus.
Garcia said they will support its educators and other public service providers in the local government through ongoing contract negotiations to make sure its workforce remains competitive, while ensuring quality services for the public.
Lastly, the mayor said the city will continue to invest in infrastructure that will transform neighborhoods in a way that improves mobility and safety, and enhances community pride.
“One of the joys of living, working and governing here is the stubbornly-love our citizens have for Holyoke,” Garcia said. “That love unites this city of immigrants and migrants. You see it our endurance through challenges, in the proud celebrations of the many cultures and ethnicities that contribute to the Holyoke brand, from the St. Patrick’s Parade to the Fiestas Patronales, from our celebrations of Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Polish Independence, to our Pride festival, citywide cleanups and back-to-school festivities. 2026 is shaping up to be our best year yet.”
