We are witnessing what happens when the elected officials in Greenfield are not focused or engaged in the basic responsibilities of governing in Greenfield. At the municipal level, the financial oversight function of the City Council must be greater than politics. When there was a mass exodus of the finance department, where was the oversight by the council? The warning signs were there that the loss of institutional knowledge meant a huge risk to the fiscal health of the city of Greenfield. Now, in an impossibly tight budget year, the city is spending more money on fixing financial challenges that were all very much preventable.
Throughout 2025 and 2026, I have watched as attention to the city’s financial health has too often taken a back seat to resolutions on the monthly council agenda. Many residents are left wondering why a landlord registry is more important than asking questions of the mayor, finance director, and the City Council president. The leadership of the council has been absent when they need to be leading on budget oversight and fiscal policy, the two central roles of a City Council. Council President Lora Wondolowski is not only responsible for the fiscal health of the city, but on her watch, DOR reported that we lost nearly $2 million in free cash. Now, the council is paying a private firm an additional $75,000 to find out why.
I believe that the 1st Franklin District deserves better, and that is why I am supporting Corinne Coryat to be our next state representative. Immediately after learning she was running, I made time to meet with Corinne, sharing not only my experience as a councilor, but also my passion for Greenfield. I respect the time she has taken to listen to people across the district, and admire her ability to listen. I always say it is easy to complain, but in continued conversations with Corinne, my trust in her leadership has only solidified. She sees the positives in all opinions. She finds middle ground. She knows how to generate results for the varied interests and needs of the region, and she has delivered for this district for the past five years.
Corinne Coryat doesn’t just lead. She builds consensus and gets results. She uses her understanding of the legislative process and network across Massachusetts to create change that helps western Massachusetts and Greenfield. Her campaign is about building a livable, workable, affordable future for her constituents, and not an ill-timed public office steppingstone.
This election is not about making change for change’s sake, but to continue elevating western Mass. and the 1st Franklin District. Corinne will build bridges and create beneficial, working policy for this region. On Sept. 1, vote for Corinne Coryat for state representative.
Penny Ricketts is a former Greenfield City Council president.