HOLYOKE – The city of Holyoke has undergone several changes throughout the year of 2020, both good and difficult.

Such changes included the cancellation of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade for the first time in history, a mayor with an aspiring political career, the resignation of a longtime state representative, the election of a new state representative, a new superintendent, a tragedy at the Soldiers’ Home and residents across the city coming together in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.       

Morse’s run for Congress

While Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse announced his Congressional campaign against longtime Rep. Richard Neal in 2019, the race continued on into 2020 where the election officially took place in the September Massachusetts Primary Election. Ultimately, Neal won the election and Morse resumed his post as the city’s youngest mayor elected.

Vega steps down, Duffy steps up

Longtime state Rep. Aaron Vega announced he’d be leaving office after seven years serving the Fifth Hampden district. Vega said his decision, ultimately, was the result of wanting to spend more time with his family and seeking issues impacting the Western Massachusetts region. In November, it was announced that Vega would be joining the city in an official capacity by becoming the director of planning and economic development. Vega will replace longtime director Marcos Marrero who will resign on Jan. 22.

In the September 2020 Primary Election, three residents stepped up to the plate asking their fellow Holyokers to consider electing them to the Fifth Hampden seat. Longtime City Councilor David Bartley, Vega’s former legislative aide Patricia Duffy and Patrick Beaudry, who works for the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. Ultimately, voters chose to elect Duffy to the seat, winning 40.34 percent of the vote.

Schools get new superintendent

At the end of 2019, Dr. Stephen Zrike Jr. announced that after five years working in the Holyoke Public Schools, he would be stepping down at the end of the 2019-2020 school year. Zrike said the most significant reason for leaving his position as superintendent was to be closer to his home and family, who live in Andover.

In May, six months after Zrike’s announcement regarding his resignation, it was announced by Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeff Riley that a new superintendent had been chosen for the district. Dr. Alberto Vázquez Matos, who grew up in Puerto Rico and New York City, began his position as Holyoke Public Schools superintendent on July 1, 2021.

Soldiers’ Home tragedy

In late March and early April, an outbreak of COVID-19 took place at the Holyoke Soliders’ Home. The outbreak has come under intense scrutiny and investigations for how it was handled, resulted in the deaths of dozens of veterans and resulted in federal indictments for two employees.

In total, 76 veterans died of COVID-19 while in the Home. In addition to dozens of reforms suggested as a result of several investigations, former superintendent Bennett Walsh and former medical examiner David Clinton were both charged with five counts of criminal neglect and five counts of serious bodily injury. Since the charges were announced, families, loved ones and staff have had the opportunity to share their experiences and speak in favor of reforms they say are desperately needed at the Home.

Morse will not seek reelection

At the end of the year, Mayor Alex Morse announced that he would not be seeking reelection to a new term when his final one ended in January of 2021. Nearly 10-years after the initial announcement of his first campaign, Morse said he would not be seeking election to the city’s highest office again.

Morse, who was the city’s youngest elected and first openly gay mayor, was first elected to office November of 2012. While he did not cite a specific reason for his stepping down, he said he always had wanted to serve for 10 years at most and believed it was time to make way for new voices and perspectives. Morse did not say what his next venture would be.