The Holyoke Hustle: Why Howard Greaney is Still All In for Another Council Term

In the bustling, sometimes challenging, landscape of Holyoke politics, there are a few familiar faces who seem to be woven into the very fabric of the city. Howard Greaney, for one, certainly fits that description. At 63, a lifelong resident, a family man with four children and eight grandchildren – yes, eight! – he's not just running for re-election to the City Council; he's running because, well, Holyoke is home, and he truly believes there’s still plenty of work to do.

You see, Greaney is currently wrapping up his first two-year term on the council, but this isn't his first rodeo in public service. Way back when, from '82 to '85, he served on the Holyoke School Committee, a formative experience, you could say. And his professional life? Thirty-two years as a corrections officer for the Hampden County Sheriff's Department, retiring in 2017. He's seen a lot, he’s dealt with a lot, and honestly, that kind of background lends a certain practical, no-nonsense air to his approach.

So, why another go? "I want to continue working for the city," he states, simply enough. But dive a little deeper, and his motivations come into sharper focus. He's looking at the big picture: financial stability, for sure, but also the very visible blight that plagues parts of the city. And public safety, naturally – a perennial concern, always, everywhere, but particularly salient in Holyoke.

Financial health, that’s a major one for Greaney. He envisions Holyoke improving its bond rating, attracting fresh businesses, new "ratables" as he calls them, to bolster the tax base. It’s about building a more secure future, right? Because without a strong financial footing, everything else just becomes that much harder.

And then there's the blight. Oh, the blight. It’s a recurring theme for many residents, and Greaney is acutely aware of the problem. Those abandoned, blighted properties – they're not just eyesores; they're symptoms. He’s got an idea, a proposal actually, to use Chapter 70 of the state’s general laws to acquire and then rehabilitate some of these properties, perhaps even transforming them into affordable housing. It’s an interesting thought, certainly, a tangible way to tackle a very real issue.

Public safety, another cornerstone of his platform, is, in truth, deeply personal. He wants to ensure that Holyoke’s police and fire departments are not just supported but properly staffed and equipped. More police officers? Absolutely. Giving them the tools they need to do their jobs effectively? That's non-negotiable, for him anyway. It’s about creating a city where people feel safe, plain and simple.

Beyond the immediate, Greaney also champions economic development – particularly manufacturing – seeing it as a vital artery for the city's future. And the schools? He understands the complexities, the financial struggles that make long-term planning difficult for the School Committee under state oversight. For Greaney, local control, whenever possible, is key. And let's not forget the mundane, yet utterly crucial, stuff: road conditions, sidewalk repairs. These aren't glamorous issues, but they impact daily life, and Greaney isn't shying away from them.

In his own assessment, he feels he's been a genuine voice for his constituents during his current term. He’s brought attention to things, pushed for better services, championed financial accountability. Things like trash collection, code enforcement – the bread and butter of local government, really. He's been there, raising questions, demanding answers.

Howard Greaney's commitment to Holyoke isn't just political rhetoric; it runs deep. He believes in a common-sense approach, an earnest desire to see his beloved city reclaim some of its former glory. He’s in it for the long haul, it seems, ready to roll up his sleeves for another term, pushing for progress, one council meeting, one neighborhood issue, at a time.