
һƵ to present “Governing in 2022: Giving Voice to All,” part of Community Conversations series

һƵ will present a panel of experts to discuss the political climate of the region in the third of a series of community conversations. “Governing in 2022: Giving Voice to All,” will take place on April 7 at 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. at the Ely television studio.
President Dr. Linda Thompson will host a panel including elected officials, a community advocate and a university professor to explore whether constituencies are better served by more diversity in government.
In November, Adam Gomez became the first Puerto Rican to be elected to the Massachusetts Senate with an uncontested win in the November elections. Gomez was guaranteed the post after winning a primary election, defeating five-term incumbent James T. Welch.
Also in Springfield, City Councilor Orlando Ramos prevailed in a three-way race for the 9th Hampden District seat vacated by Rep. Jose Tosado.
Blandford Town Administrator Joshua Garcia became the first Latino mayor of Holyoke defeating Michael J. Sullivan by a wide margin. At the time of his victory, Garcia said, “I just know my administration is going to be focused on bridging gaps in our neighborhoods, so that we can be sure we are building our community together.”
The panel, including State Representatives Bud L. Williams and Orlando Ramos, Holyoke advocate Betty Medina Lichtenstein, Holyoke City Councilor At-Large Israel Rivera and һƵ Professor Dr. Charles DeStefano will offer a conversation on how the political landscape has changed in the last thirty years and what we can expect moving forward.
Betty Medina Lichtenstein has led Enlace de Familias in Holyoke for over two decades before recently retiring. Enlace is a non-profit organization known for its commitment and advocacy on behalf of the Puerto Rican community. Ms. Lichtenstein became the first Puerto Rican woman elected to public office in Massachusetts when she joined the Holyoke School Committee in 1985