West Springfield, MA - Sept. 15, 2011—Today Greg Neffinger, candidate for West Springfield Mayor, announced his 6 Point Economic Plan for West Springfield.

“We have to put people back to work and we do that by creating a business friendly environment in West Springfield that attracts established companies and entrepreneurs,” said Neffinger.  “No one will work harder to revitalize West Side.”

Neffinger’s 6 Point Economic Plan
As our next Mayor, Greg Neffinger will work to implement the following items:

• Coduct bunsiness roundtables

To address the needs of our existing business community, Greg will hold regular meetings with business leaders to discuss their challenges and how our city can be a partner rather than an obstacle.  Greg will also meet once a month with a board of advisors made of leaders in retail, hospitality, restaurant, medical and other key business areas.

• Improve planning, development and permitting process

As an architect, Greg knows first-hand how the permitting process can slow down or even end a project.  One of Greg’s top priorities will be to work with business, construction, and planning experts, along with the department heads to improve and promote a user-friendly permitting process.  By working together we can expedite the review of new plans to meet the needs of residents and business that want to expand or re-locate to West Springfield.

• Business-ready and business-friendly zones

Greg will work to create economic zones that will make areas pre-planned for businesses.  These areas will be incubator clusters that will allow small and large businesses to start or expand.

• Recruit businesses to relocate

Our next Mayor needs to actively recruit new businesses and market West Springfield.  As a small business owner, Greg is the best equipped person to do the outreach needed to attract new business to our community.  He will highlight our unique location, good quality of life, well educated workforce, and positive business environment.

• Implement recommendations from the Merrick-Memorial Neighborhood Redevelopment Plan

The next Mayor needs to think in terms of attracting more businesses and institutions to West Side.  By implementing a series of recommended infrastructure, transportation, and neighborhood upgrades we can strengthen our industrial base and improve the quality of life of the adjacent residential areas.   This would be an enormous boost for our local economy in new jobs and increased tax revenue.

• Offer PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) and Tax credits for developers that want to invest in West Springfield for the long-term--Flexible financing options and having a sound fiscal policy for business owners can mean the difference between a business relocating here or somewhere else.  We can create incentives for business owners and entrepreneurs to locate their companies to West Side.

These are just a few ideas Neffinger wants to pursue as our next Mayor.  He wants to use his private sector experience to help grow jobs in West Side.

“As a small business owner, I am the candidate who can best help revive our local economy which is crucial to the future of our community,” said Neffinger.

West Springfield, MA - August 20, 2011—Today Greg Neffinger, candidate for West Springfield Mayor, announced his constituent accountability plan.

“A thriving city depends on an active citizenry.  I plan on putting people ahead of politics by providing high quality city services to all residents and by being accountable,” said Neffinger.  “I’m not going to hide behind a closed door.”

Neffinger Constituent Accountability
As our next Mayor, Greg Neffinger will do the following:
           

• Have an open door policy.
• Conduct regular office hours.  Neffinger will hold office hours both during the day and evenings to make himself available to all West Side residents
• Hold regular city meetings.  When needed, Greg will conduct town hall style meetings on the important issues confronting the city.  He believes that it is crucial to keep people well informed.
• Customer Service Program.  West Springfield residents want efficient, friendly and quality services when dealing with municipal offices.  Neffinger will work with managers to implement a customer service training program to help with professional development and customer service.
• Leverage the Internet to keep citizens both engaged and informed of community resources and events.  Neffinger will help create an online forum where city departments and community groups can research programs, share best practices, and communicate with constituents.

“Our city is facing some serious challenges and I want the residents to know that I will be there for them.  Having served on numerous city boards, I am devoted to the city and its people,” added Neffinger.  “West Side residents can count on me to let the sunshine in the Mayor’s office.”

Last week Neffinger officially kicked-off his candidacy for Mayor at Q Pin2’s surrounded by a large crowd of family, friends and supporters.  His priorities as the next Mayor include working to rebuild the areas devastated by the tornado, control city spending, keep property taxes low, and revive the local economy.
Neffinger is a distinguished community leader and experienced businessman.  As both a an architect and small business owner, he is uniquely qualified to help improve the local economy and help rebuild the areas devastated by the tornado.  He has served on the West Springfield Zoning Board of Appeals for 16 years.  His other community service includes being a member of the Historic District Commission for 12 years, President of the West Springfield Rotary Club, President of the West Side Neighborhood Rehab and Board member of the Theatre Project.  Neffinger graduated from West Springfield High School and earned his Bachelor’s degree from the Minnesota College Architecture.  He is married with two daughters.