AGAWAM – Nov. 5 is election day in the town of Agawam. This year, elections for both city council and school committee will take place. Mayor William Sapelli is running unopposed.

Fifteen people are vying for terms on the city council, including 10 of the current 11 city council members. Councilman Joseph Mineo is the only member of the current council not seeking reelection.

In part one of this article, Reminder Publishing published the candidates’ answers to the first question, “tell the voters about yourself, and why residents should vote for you.” In this portion of the article, candidates are answering our second question, “What is your position on the current cannabis moratorium and the path the town should take regarding recreational marijuana?”

The candidate’s responses, listed in no particular order, are as follows.

Gerald Smith

On Aug. 16, the city council voted to place the question on the Nov. 5 ballot. Regardless of my personal opinion, I?will act as a voice of the people I represent and honor their decision and vote accordingly.

Christopher Johnson

The current recreational marijuana moratorium in Agawam is the result of the town voting against the legalization of recreational marijuana during the statewide ballot question a few years ago.

That moratorium is automatically lifted at the end of this year by state law. I did not support the legalization of recreational marijuana. Agawam needs to decide whether to allow the sale of recreational marijuana in town. I support the current path that the town has chosen which is to ask the residents of Agawam at the 2019 town ballot whether they support the sale of recreational marijuana. I will support whichever decision the voters make at the ballot box.

Paul Cavallo

 Once the voters have made their decision regarding the recreational marijuana establishments on the Nov. 5 ballot, the City Council will take the results under consideration. Since the question on the ballot is non-binding, Council members can vote either for or against recreational marijuana. A public hearing will be held in December 2019, where the citizens can voice their approval or disapproval of the election’s outcome. I will make my final decision regarding the recreational marijuana establishments after the public hearing is completed.

Rosemary Sandlin

I am in favor of putting a question on the November ballot asking if Agawam wants recreational marijuana and will vote the will of the voters. I do not endorse the use of recreational, but the issue is does Agawam want retail businesses that sell marijuana.

George Bitzas

I supported the cannabis moratorium and I voted in favor of putting the question on the ballot.

William Clark

If the voters approve retail marijuana in November then the city council should allow at least four retail licenses. If the voters ban retail marijuana then we should listen to the voters.

Dino Mercadante

My name is Dino Mercadante, candidate for reelection to the Agawam City Council. I’d be honored to serve you the citizens of Agawam, as I have been these last two years. I am a businessman in Agawam for 40 years, highly accessible, and blessed with a common sense enough to understand what our citizens go through on a daily basis.

If reelected, I promise to work as hard as possible to make the lives of Agawam’s citizens better. I, through my business, have the unique ability to visit with you, the people of Agawam, seven days a week. I encourage you to let me address your needs.

The marijuana question is going to the voters. As a city counselor, I supported giving the people the chance to vote to legalize or deny the sale of recreational marijuana in our town. I was elected to represent the voters. They have the unique perspective to now know how not only the Commonwealth voted to legalize marijuana in general but also how close the town vote was.

They also can evaluate the local option of three percent the town can capture. Information is power and power lies with the people. I was elected to represent them, so whatever their voice is I will abide by.

As in all decisions made by counselors, we must be ever mindful to do what’s in the best interest of our residence. Letting the people decide for themselves whenever possible is always good and respects the democratic process.

Cecilia Calabrese

I voted in favor of the current cannabis moratorium. By operation of law, that moratorium expires Dec. 31, 2019. Therefore, in order to maintain control over the future of recreational sales of marijuana within our town, the city council must take definitive action regarding legislating required controlling the sale of recreational marijuana. That action will be taken by the current members of the city council.

Since Agawam voted against the legalization of marijuana by a narrow margin (7,197 in favor and 7,435 opposed), I supported the City Council Resolution to put the issue on this November ballot.

The question simply states: “Shall recreational marijuana establishments be permitted within the Town of Agawam?”

Despite what others say, this is a very different question than the statewide referendum legalizing recreational marijuana in Massachusetts. The current ballot question brings the issue home to our community specifically.

Elected officials owe it to the people we serve to enact their will. This is particularly true with the sale of recreational marijuana within our borders. The people have the benefit of hind-sight, a rare thing to be sure. Agawam citizens can look to Northampton and Springfield and can decide if they want recreational marijuana establishment(s) to open in Agawam.

The city council will move quickly to enact legislation that comports with the will of the people on this issue. If the people of Agawam vote in favor of the question, then the city council will pass legislation to carefully regulate that industry within our town. If, on the other hand, the voters decide they do not want marijuana to be sold recreationally within Agawam, we will pass a permanent ban.

In the end, it will be up to the people of Agawam to tell the sitting City Council what they want to see happen. I have already pledged to uphold the will of the people regardless of my personal feelings on the issue.

Robert Magovern

I have felt from the very beginning of this dissolution that medical marijuana has a defiant place in dealing with many ailment, however I have felt that like any other drug it should be controlled and sold by pharmacy. The same as any other drug prescribed by a doctor.

It has been a fact that the recreational marijuana of today is much stronger than that of yesterday. Although it may be legal in the state of Massachusetts I feel that the town of Agawam voted to not allow it’s sale in our town.

Many people say we can use the tax money it would raise for the town. We need new sources of taxes for our town, but not from the sale of marijuana. The message it gives to our youth isn’t worth the money it can raise. Colorado is having many problems created by the sale of this drug for recreation. I don’t favor its sale in Agawam.

Ruth Cosimini

People who want it are going to get it anyway, now they can. They’re growing it in their backyards now.

For medical use it’s a positive. I think we should have something close to home. People are either going to get it off the black market or they’re going to get it legally and safe through the selling place.

I’m for it for the safety of the people who want to use it, and I’m definitely in favor of those who need it for medical use.

Douglas Reed

The will of the voters on this year’s ballot question is what I will support regardless of my personal opinion. I understand that it is supported by some for the potential revenue and those voters that are against it for their reasons. Committing to the voting result is what the residents should expect and receive from their elected council members.

Gina Letellier

With regard to the marijuana issue, I believe the council made the right decision by sending it to the ballot. I will follow the will of the voters. I do have concerns about the inability of marijuana sellers to use banks. Storing large amounts of cash is dangerous and makes them a target for break ins and theft. That is if the question passes, we need to be very careful where we locate marijuana businesses.

Anthony Suffriti

My position is that there is a current moratorium to allow the proper zoning, legislation, policy and procedures to be put in place. This will regulate and protect our residents and retailer while keeping all safe.

The non-binding ballot question is the proper way to address if recreational marijuana should be sold in Agawam. This is a sensitive subject and far too opinioned by just 11 city councilors. This is the best way to allow the residents of Agawam to determine such an impact in their town.

My personal opinion of such business to be allowed will be cast in November at the ballot. I will vote as a councilor for or against allowing recreational marijuana to be sold in Agawam, with the will of the people as determined in the election result.

Mario Tedeschi

I believe with this question the city council should adhere to what the Agawam residents have spoken to already. Our citizenry has voted against the legalization of marijuana. The council can infer they do not want it to be sold in their community. The negative social ramifications along with the tax increase can both be argued, but I believe Agawam has already spoken.