What value do you place on a Latino
newspaper?
Language specific newspapers are ex-
tremely important, as long as they are fair
and balanced and not a front for individ-
ual views. No matter what the language
journalist must work to be unbiased, this
seems to be particularly difficult for
smaller publications. Latino newspapers
have been helpful in getting information
out to the Hispanic community, again it
must be fair and balanced.
How are you promoting a better edu-
cation, welfare, and community life in
the Latino community?
I have been intimately involved in Enlace
(formerly Avanza), this exciting collabo-
ration has significantly increased the
number of Latino students attending col-
lege. A number of initiatives have been
aimed at improving quality of life for
every member of our community. The
first is making public safety available eq-
uitably throughout the community.
What measures are being taken to rep-
resent the Latino community?
My role is to respect the Latino commu-
nity, by listening, engaging and under-
standing that community. It is incumbent
upon all citizens of Holyoke to find a
voice within themselves or others to im-
prove Holyoke. The challenge is not un-
derstanding your individual needs, but the
needs of others in the collective sense.