My name is Derek Helie and I am running as a write- in candidate to represent the Precinct 9 voters as their city councilor. After learning about who I am and what I believe in, I hope voters will feel confident writing in my name on the ballot on Nov. 2.
The most important aspect of my life is my family. I have been married to my loving and supportive wife for 12 years. She is truly a blessing and without her I would not be where I am today.
Together, we have four amazing children, ages 12, 9, 7, and 3, who all attend Greenfield Public Schools. Three years ago, my wife and I decided to open up our home to kids in need and we became unrestricted foster parents. I cannot explain how gratifying it has been to help these kids through their times of despair and hardship. I am also very grateful for the opportunity because if it were not for that life choice, I would have never met our adopted 3-year-old daughter.
I am very active in the school system. I have volunteered many hours on numerous school events including construction of the Newton School playground, reading to children on pajama night, book fairs, and planting trees at Newton School.
We moved to Meadow Lane in Greenfield in 2011. I attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst and received my Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering. I am currently a senior manager for a large design-build construction company.
I have lived many places throughout my career and life but none greater than the City of Greenfield. I truly believe the City of Greenfield is a great place to call home and raise a family. I also believe that all great things can be better and that is what I would like to discuss here.
TAX BURDEN: Greenfield property taxes have continued to skyrocket since I have moved into my home. We currently have the third-highest tax rate in all of Massachusetts and are narrowly behind the race to become the highest tax paying city in Massachusetts.
GCET FOR ALL OF PRECINCT 9: When GCET was announced I placed a deposit to reserve a space. After years of being monopolized by Comcast, It has been almost six years since GCET was created and yet we still do not have access to this service. As taxpayers of Greenfield, there is no excuse why this service has not been provided to all of Precinct 9.
BRING BUSINESS BACK TO GREENFIELD: It seems businesses are either leaving Greenfield or not coming in the first place.I would like to change this attitude and bring business back into Greenfield. My goal is to help find solutions to make Greenfield attractive to businesses and bring employment opportunities back to Greenfield.
REVITALIZATION OF DOWNTOWN GREENFIELD: Let’s face it, in my opinion downtown Greenfield needs a major makeover. How can we work with property owners to revitalize downtown Greenfield? I would like to represent your voices and help revitalize downtown Greenfield.
CAPITAL PROJECTS: We have some major capital projects ongoing in the City of Greenfield. I would like the voters to understand my beliefs in the major upcoming projects. My goal is to use my experience in design-build construction and project management to improve forecasting large capital projects and help reduce the burden on taxpayers.
LIBRARY PROJECT: As a parent I did vote in favor of a new library in Greenfield. I voted this way because I did agree the current library was too small, outdated, and did not comply with current building code regulations. I do, however, feel due to expiring state grants the library project has been rushed and not properly planned.
FIRE STATION RELOCATION: Anyone who has visited the fire station with knowledge of municipal finance and assets would have agreed the fire station was undersized, outdated, and in need of major repairs. I do agree that a new fire station is required. However, due to a lack of planning, taxpayers are now burdened with multiple large capital projects in back-to-back fiscal years.
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS: Our sewer and water infrastructure is crumbling and is costing taxpayers a considerable amount of money. With proper planning, these projects could have been upgraded year to year, relieving taxpayers of a major financial investment of capital funds in a short period.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I look forward to representing all of you and would appreciate your vote on Nov. 2.
Derek Helieis lives in Greenfield and is a write-in candidate for City Council Precinct 9.