As a long-time Ward 5 resident, I have seen many city councilors come and go. I haven’t been genuinely excited about a candidate in years. But I am thrilled to cast my vote for Vincent (Luke) Rotello for Ward 5 city councilor in the preliminary election on Sept. 16. Luke has the energy, smarts, and people-skills to make a difference on City Council. Luke understands that essential city services come first. And he will not rest on his laurels. Luke has been knocking on doors in Ward 5 for weeks, and has heard people’s concerns: What’s going on with that sinkhole behind the high school? The wheelchair inaccessible sidewalks on Nonotuck? The potholes on Sheffield and Riverside? And concerns that affect residents of every ward: retired folks worried about an override when their taxes have already risen significantly (while services are being cut); parents upset about staffing reductions in the city’s schools.
Watching Luke in action reminds me of former Ward 5 City Councilor Alex Ghiselin, who made time to meet with me and my neighbors in the early 2000s when a new sidewalk was planned in front of our houses. Back then, the city informed residents in advance of the proposed work, and feedback was expected. Ghiselin met with residents and DPW staff to go over plans and voice concerns. No one was ignored. All were listened to, and our opinions were valued and incorporated into the project. This is the kind of active, collaborative, people-centered leadership that our city needs, and that Luke Rotello would bring to Ward 5!
Julie Asbornsen
Florence