Three candidates vying for 3rd Hampden County seat

Aug. 10, 2020 | Danielle Eaton
daniellee@thereminder.com

WESTERN MASS. –   Three candidates will vie for votes to be elected to move forward in the race for the 3rd Hampden District seat during Massachusetts’ primary election on Sept.1.

Among the candidates are Nicholas Boldyga, Kerri O’Connor and Dino Mercadante. Boldyga serves as the current representative for the district and has been since he was first elected in 2010. Mercadante is currently serving his second term on the Agawam City Council, and O’Connor is currently serving her second term as a member of the Agawam School Committee.

Reminder Publishing (RP) reached out to each of the candidates and asked them the same three questions to help readers learn more about each candidate. Their responses are as follows.

RP: What are some of the most pressing issues currently facing the district?

Boldyga

Now more than ever, it's important for us to continue to rally and work together as a community. So we can ensure that Agawam, Granville, and Southwick remain affordable and some of the best towns in Massachusetts to live, work, and raise a family.   To do that we must continue to address issues of improving the quality of our education as our kids deserve nothing but the best. We must keep property taxes low and continue to fight against new taxes so that our communities remain attractive places for new businesses and families. People should be able to keep more of their paychecks and they should decide how to best spend it, which in turn will fuel our economy.

Mercadante

Three years ago, I was fortunate enough to run for the Agawam City Council, and be elected.  Since that time, I have been made acutely aware of the lack of proactive and aggressive representation that our district receives.  Simply put, Agawam, Southwick and Granville are the recipients of state funding that is determined by formulas.  Chapter 70 money for education, Chapter 90 money for transportation, these are funds that our communities would receive no matter who we are sending to Boston.  It requires no advocacy to receive these predetermined funds.  This district deserves someone who will advocate for above and beyond what we would simply receive.  Agawam, Southwick and Granville need someone who will listen to the concerns of their residents and act!

O’Connor

Due to the pandemic, the pressing issue at this time is the safety and welfare of our community including re-opening our schools with a hybrid model, which I was opposed to. I opposed due to most recent data from the Department of Public Health, having an increase of 2.42 percent increase of COVID cases within the Agawam district. I will continue to strongly advocate for the safety and welfare of the community regarding this pandemic. The pandemic has caused economic hardships within the community, therefore, families and children have struggled emotionally and financially and to increase resources for the families who are impacted, businesses that are impacted, and increased resources for ALL who have been impacted including our veterans and seniors.
    
RP: If elected, how would you address some of these issues?

Boldyga

I will continue to be a proud advocate and champion for Agawam, Granville, and Southwick at the State House. I’ve worked every day to ensure that our district receives its fair share from Boston. My ability to work with my colleagues across the aisle, and the Governor’s office has led to funding significant projects in the district. For example, a complete renovation to the Junior High School Auditorium in Agawam, a new DPW building and equipment in Southwick and highway repair in Granville and most notably, funding to accelerate the Morgan-Sullivan Bridge Project which will now finish almost a year early!

We have been able to ensure that not only will all schools throughout the district be fully funded, but additional funding has been secured to assist with school re-opening, ensuring a safe and healthy environment.

Throughout the pandemic, I’ve helped hundreds of families who have been affected by lost jobs and closed businesses to get the assistance they need in order to navigate through these difficult times.

With that said, the job of State Representative also encompasses so much more! It’s about advocating for working-class families on a broad level. It’s about fighting for tax reform, education reform and reining in the state budget. All things that I have done and will continue to do.

Mercadante

Should the voters of this great district elect me to office, I will be accessible, accountable and responsive to each and every voter and to the Administrations in each community. I will regularly visit each city and town’s leadership team to learn firsthand, what new hurdles they are facing. This pandemic has made clear that the needs of a community change week to week. I will keep regular office hours for the residents of this district and will respond to all calls in a timely fashion.  I have had a number of folks reach out to me in the last three years that I have served on the council, and frankly, they just want to be heard. They want someone to listen and they want someone to respond. I plan on taking all of these conversations with me to Boston, and whether it be through filing legislation, or attaching an amendment to a pertinent bill before the House, I will fight for the needs of this district.  I have owned my own business for almost 40 years. I work seven days a week, year round. My work ethic with my business, as well as the council is well-known. I have every intention of bringing that energy to Boston to get our residents their fair share.



O’Connor

If elected, I would address these issues with a strong advocacy approach. I would speak with our elected officials about transparency within local government departments and thorough assessment of budgets prior to any requests for additional funding from a state level. After thorough assessments are conducted, I would strongly advocate for state level funding whether through grants and what funding would be available on a state level regarding our Cares Act and Heroes Act. I would also be very visible within the communities and available to listen to all sides of an issue and not judge and assess what is in the best interest of the people and not the party. I would also advocate for state level funding for our veteran community, senior community, and funding to increase mental health and substance abuse resources for our communities.

RP: Why should voters elect you to the 3rd Hampden District?

Boldyga

I’d be honored to continue to serve as your State Representative! I have a proven record of working day and night, both here and at the State House to improve the quality of life in our district. These past few months have been some of the most challenging for all of us, we’ve all been asked to make sacrifices. As your State Representative, I’ve worked around the clock to meet those challenges and that’s exactly what I’ll do if re-elected.

Mercadante

The time is now to elect someone who will fight. The residents of Agawam, Southwick and Granville pay their taxes.  They pay the many fees that have been implemented by the various state agencies we interface with on a daily basis, and yet, we receive the bare minimum.  The 3rd Hampden District, for all intents and purposes, has been subsidizing every other community in our state.  It’s our time!  It’s our turn!  If elected, I will advocate for every drop of funding that our communities need and deserve.  I will not make the mistake of missing opportunities that have been missed in the past because of sheer inaction.  It is the duty of your State Representative to work hard, deliver and represent.  As a lifelong resident of  Agawam, I have been blessed to live, work and raise a family in this community.  It has been my honor to serve the residents of Agawam on the City Council and I look forward to the exceptional opportunity of continuing to serve them, as well as the people of Southwick and Granville, as their State Representative.


O’Connor

Voters will elect me to the 3rd Hampden District based on assessing all areas and the ability to compromise effectively aside from political parties regarding what is in the best interest of our communities that we serve. I am an United States Navy Veteran, two-term elected Agawam School Committee member, Agawam Auxiliary Veteran’s member and recently was endorsed by the MA AFL-CIO. I have years of professional experience within communities across the commonwealth regarding advocating for families who have experienced economic hardships as well as mental health needs and substance abuse. I would also advocate for Educational funding regarding COVID 19 to ensure that all of our schools are safe. I also support our first responders including our police officers and I am in opposition of the police reform bill that was recently passed. I would also advocate for funding to be provided to school and within the community regarding racial equity and diversity.

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