In announcing bid for a second term, Holyoke Mayor Garcia says ‘work is far from over’

JOSHUA GARCIA
Published: 01-22-2025 3:16 PM |
HOLYOKE — Saying that serving as mayor has been the greatest honor of his life, Joshua Garcia intends to seek a second term this fall.
In his first campaign before his 2021 election, Garcia touted himself as the best candidate to tackle many of the problems facing the city, including chronic violence, poverty, tax delinquencies, crumbling structures and a history of low academic performance in schools.
Now he asks voters to affirm the work he has done in the past three-plus years toward unraveling these chronic issues.
“We’re breathing new life into Holyoke by capitalizing on our unique assets — sturdy mill buildings, a historic canal system, and low energy and water costs,” stated Garcia, who has served as the city’s first mayor of Puerto Rican descent.
Garcia said the city’s conditions are “rising, but the work is far from over.”
In terms of economic development, he pointed to his support of small businesses, where he has directed some $1.38 million to help owners get started, comply with codes and other ventures.
The mayor also celebrated the recent announcement of a low-carbon cement factory that will utilize hydropower harnessed from old canals, and has spearheaded a High Street Revitalization plan that will concentrate on economic enhancement.
In the work of connecting Holyoke, he noted downtown parking enhancements to improve accessibility, and launched an effort with grant funds to develop speed management plans to reduce speeding in the city. In addition, over $2 million has been allocated to parks and playgrounds.
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Plans are also in the works for a new “state-of-the-art facility” to house the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.
To combat the affects of addiction, a Community Service Center was opened on Race Street, as well as the Holyoke Hub for at-risk youth.
This coincides with a crackdown not only on crime, but on the police, as a Garcia mandated a 2021 audit of the Holyoke Police Department has provided the department a roadmap forward, and one that is now being followed by the new Police Chief Brian Keenan.
Garcia was also a part of the public school district’s historic removal from state receivership after nearly a decade. He was also secured $200 million toward the rebuilding of William Peck Middle School.
Garcia was born and raised in Holyoke, and was born to a Puerto Rican mother who had migrated to the U.S. After graduating from the Holyoke school system, he attended Westfield State University, where he earned a master’s in business administration. Before his 2021 election, he served as town administrator in Blandford.
In his first mayoral campaign he raced against Michael Sullivan, who he defeated by a 6% margin. Garcia replaced Terence Murphy, who had been an interim mayor following the resignation of Mayor Alex Morse.
Samuel Gelinas can be reached at sgelinas@gazettenet.com