ATHOL — State Rep. Susannah Whipps, I-Athol, has officially qualified to appear on the ballot for re-election this year. Whipps, who is unenrolled in either party and won’t be a candidate in a partisan primary, moves directly to the Nov. 8 general election.
Strengthening the local economy and improving mental health services are among Whipps’ top priorities as she seeks another term as state representative for the 2nd Franklin District.
“COVID, especially, caused increased anxiety, isolation and mental health issues from the cradle to the grave,” Whipps said. “It affected all of our residents of all different ages. We want to make sure we’re providing funding for support for our seniors, as well as our young people and everybody in between.”
The independent lawmaker noted that mental health and physical health each have an impact on small business.
“I’m a small business owner,” Whipps explained. “I understand and see on a daily basis the effects of employees being out. Nothing costs a business more than a lack of human capital. COVID has put a strain on that, and when you add onto it supply chain issues, then add onto it inflation, the rising cost of gasoline — that affects every small business and it affects our families.
“One of the things I think we should focus on is healthy citizens — mental health, physical health — because you can’t have a healthy economy if your employees and their families have health issues, whether it’s mental health, behavioral health or general illness,” she continued. “I think, in the grand scheme of things, to have healthy, strong businesses, we have to have healthy, strong individuals, and I’m dedicated to making sure services are provided for anybody who needs them.”
In a statement, Whipps added, “We’ve had some great success but our work is not finished. My priorities in the next legislative session include completing suicide prevention barriers at the French King Bridge; support for small businesses still recovering from the effects of COVID-19, inflation and supply chain issues; funding for public schools as they care for and educate students with special needs; increased access to vocational education; and increased funding to our municipalities in the form of unrestricted government aid.”
In addition, she said, communities have benefited from improvements in broadband infrastructure and access, increased Chapter 90 funding for roads and highways, increased PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) funding and increased regional school transportation funds.
Whipps said that, while Gov. Charlie Baker recently agreed to plans calling for the Legislature to establish a new rail authority and commit federal infrastructure funds to an extension of passenger rail to Springfield and Pittsfield, the idea of extending rail service to Gardner, Athol, Greenfield and North Adams has not been abandoned.
“We’re talking about federal spending and providing fair and affordable transportation for folks who live in this region,” she said. “I think having the opportunity to sit down with Congressmen (Richie) Neal and (Jim) McGovern and Gov. Baker — they even said when we had a plan, they’d be happy to bring Secretary (of Transportation Pete) Buttigieg out to Massachusetts to discuss rail.
“Certainly, it’s an ambitious project and there’s going to have to be a lot of discussion about feasibility and the governance of rail,” Whipps continued. “But I certainly would advocate for rail through the northern tier. Obviously, regional equity is very important to myself as well as all those who represent communities along the Route 2 corridor.”
If re-elected, Whipps will represent a larger geographic area than she does currently as a result of legislative redistricting, which was required in the wake of the 2020 U.S. Census. The new 2nd Franklin District will be made up of Athol, Erving, Gill, Greenfield (Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 9), Northfield, Orange, Phillipston, Royalston, Warwick and Winchendon (Precinct 1). Towns that will no longer be in the district include Petersham, New Salem, Wendell, Belchertown and Templeton.
“I am very sorry to be losing Templeton and all of the towns (that) surround the Quabbin Reservoir,” Whipps said, “but I’m excited to have the opportunity to represent the people of the newly formed district. I have been working with Reps. (Paul) Mark and (Jonathan) Zlotnik during this time of transition and look forward to meeting more residents of the new district.”
Whipps, who once served on Athol’s Selectboard, won her first race for state representative in 2014 running as a Republican. In 2017, she changed her voter registration status to unenrolled, explaining that two-thirds of the voters in her district have no party affiliation.
Whipps serves on several joint committees, including Revenue, Transportation, Judiciary, and Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. She also sits on a statewide task force for the prevention of child sexual abuse.
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com