Vote Lisi signs sweep Holyoke

from The Sun, September 28, 2007

HOLYOKE- Residents and visitors alike cannot travel across the city for long without encountering one of the red, white, and blue signs advertizing Rebecca Lisi’s At-Large Campaign for City Council. Lisi, of 25 Reservation Rd., has been campaigning door-to-door since July of this year, making use of both the internet and personal contact with voters to deliver her campaign message. The lawn signs display her website (www.votelisi.com) so even a brief glimpse of the familiar colors can be enough of a lead for residents-on-the-go to learn more about her campaign goals.

“I understand that residents lead busy lives and cannot always make it to events or meetings where issues are being discussed. My campaign website allows people to ‘connect’ to local politics, despite time constraints, and provides access to ideas and information about improving our quality of life in Holyoke,” said Lisi.

Rebecca Lisi’s campaign focuses on three primary goals: strong schools that are supported by community members and organizations, downtown revitalization and zoning that directs development towards the city center, and creating more jobs in Holyoke by attracting new businesses to the city with creative incentives.

“Policies that help re-connect residents to opportunities downtown will help create investments that will ultimately serve and sustain the entire city,” said Lisi.
Lisi has gone door-to-door in Wards 3, 5, 6 and 7. She plans to continue canvassing until the election and anticipates covering most of the city. While knocking on doors, Lisi is communicating her campaign message while allowing residents the opportunity to share with her, their experiences and concerns. Rebecca Lisi is interested in an open and responsive city government. The blog component on her website is set up to collect feedback, comments, and questions that contribute to the dialogue as well.

Lisi remarks, “Going door-to door is very humbling. You realize that there is value in each person’s perspective or understanding of a situation, although they may be different. I intend on being a councilor who will utilize these distinctions and remain attentive to the diverse needs of all of Holyoke’s residents”.

Rebecca Lisi Submits Nomination Papers for Open At-Large Seat

from The Sun; August 31, 2007:

HOLYOKE- Rebecca Lisi of 25 Reservation Rd. submitted her nomination papers for At-Large City Councilor to the City Clerk with over 300 signatures from residents throughout the city- only 50 are required. Lisi is running an aggressive door-to-door campaign and started by talking with neighbors in several wards.

“Holyoke is changing and so is the way its residents interact with the city. It is important for a politician to listen to peoples’ experiences and bring those voices to the table, in order to get an accurate understanding of how we can work to enhance the quality of life here”.

Bill and Sandra Rigali of 42 Knollwood Cir. agree, “Going door-to-door demonstrates Rebecca’s willingness to meet people face-to-face and get their input about how to improve our wonderful city”.

Lisi is very familiar with door-to-door organizing. She directed Clean Water Action’s Canvass Operation for nearly 4 years, helping to mobilize constituents for clean air, clean water, and public health legislation. Rebecca also has experience coordinating grassroots election campaigns, including several aspects of Deval Patrick’s gubernatorial race in Western Massachusetts.

A strong proponent of Smart Growth, Rebecca Lisi will focus her campaign on downtown re-vitalization as a way to make Holyoke attractive to residents and investors alike. Smart Growth encourages mixed-use development in the city’s urban core to protect historic resources, preserve green spaces, and promote cultural diversity. These principles can increase job and business opportunities by attracting private sector investments to areas near clusters of housing, workforce, and transportation options.

Lisi remarks, “Holyoke has so many young people in the city who are yearning to live the American Dream. With increased job opportunities and affordable housing, young people will re-invest in the city, become productive tax paying citizens, increase the city’s ability to generate revenue, and support a community invested in success”.