GREENFIELD — As part of a monthly series hosted by the Greenfield Business Association, the community is invited to attend a virtual meet and greet with state Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Sunderland.
The meet and greet, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, comes as Greenfield moves toward state representation as two districts, according to Rachel Roberts, coordinator of the Greenfield Business Association.
As a result of the latest redistricting process, the city will be divided between the 1st Franklin and 2nd Franklin districts, which are currently represented by Blais and Rep. Susannah Whipps, I-Athol, respectively. Greenfield is currently part of the 2nd Berkshire District, represented by Rep. Paul Mark, D-Peru.
Candidates will run for the new districts in the fall 2022 election, with the districts formally going into effect when representatives are sworn into office in January 2023.
“When we realized the districts were changing for Greenfield, it was right around the same time we were starting to reach out and connect with our local politicians,” Roberts recalled. “When we started talking with Rep. Whipps and Rep. Blais, we realized while they are both familiar with Greenfield, they haven’t had a chance to represent Greenfield.”
Roberts said both legislators emphasized in the planning stages of these meet and greets that these virtual meetings are less an opportunity for them to talk to the community about themselves, and more a chance for them to get to know the community members they plan to represent in the upcoming year.
A similar meet and greet was held for Whipps in January, Roberts noted.
Blais, who currently represents the 1st Franklin District, was the former executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, which was housed on Main Street in Greenfield until recently.
“I am grateful to the Greenfield Business Association for convening this meeting and providing the opportunity for me to reconnect with business owners,” Blais wrote in an emailed statement. “I look forward to hearing directly from them about how I can best assist them — particularly as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Under the new district map, the 1st Franklin District will include Greenfield precincts 5, 6, 7 and 8, which includes the city’s largest business district, Roberts noted.
“We’re continuing this monthly forum because we realized we have the unique opportunity to create events of interest to the local business community as well as the community at large,” she said.
While the Greenfield Business Association largely focuses on events that cater to the business community, Roberts acknowledged it’s also important for the public to have a chance to meet the legislators who will one day be representing them.
Roberts said the next meet and greet in April will feature Maura Geary, executive director of the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center.
To register for Wednesday’s meet and greet, email Roberts at gba.4greenfield@gmail.com or use the online registration form at bit.ly/3itQCDi. The event is free and open to the public.
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne