Michael A. Tautznik was elected as the first Mayor of the City of Easthampton in July of 1996. In the successive elections since then, Mike has demonstrated his unique capacity to lead the community and remains the only Mayor to have ever served in Easthampton. He is a life-long resident who has dedicated his time and energy to the city and its citizens for more than 34 years.  He was an elected member of the legislative Town Meeting, serving from 1977 until its dissolution in 1996, and he served as a member and as Chairman of the Easthampton Board of Selectmen from 1989 to 1996.

Since taking the oath of office as Mayor in September 1996, Mike has worked  diligently to lay the foundation for a successful transition of government:

• He established all of the operational policies and procedures in place today.
  
• He implemented the organizational changes necessary for the community to thrive in an ever-challenging financial climate.
  
• He renovated an abandoned downtown post office into a full service Senior Center.
  
• He helped build a new Public Safety Complex to support our Police, Fire and EMS services.
• He consolidated the operations of our school and city administrative offices from three satellite locations into one efficient office building.
  
• He implemented the first comprehensive capital planning process in Easthampton.
• He serves as an active and supportive member of the School Committee.
  
• He has been instrumental in implementing improvements and efficiencies in all aspects of municipal government.
  
• He initiated the design and construction of new park properties and worked cooperatively to create attractive recreation facilities and trails for citizens of all ages.
  
• He successfully includes all of our citizens in the governing process.
• He sponsors local, state and federal grant funds for both residential and business purposes.
• He is a tireless leader in the effort to build a better high school for our children and has the proven track record needed to make that dream a reality.
  
• He has provided consistent capital program funding from operating surpluses and balanced the city budget in each and every year without asking for property tax over-rides.
• He has undertaken the serious and sometimes difficult negotiations that are necessary to control spiraling costs and improve service delivery.
• He has worked with the City Council and community members to establish Easthampton as a Green Community.
• He has implemented many aspects of our Master Plan including the development of a 2 megawatt solar generating plant and the large scale replacement of conventional streetlights with high efficiency LED fixtures.
  

Mike has truly changed the direction of our community, improved the lives of our citizens, enhanced the business climate for all sectors of our economy and promotes Easthampton at home and throughout the region. As a Director of the Economic Development Council  (EDC) of Western Massachusetts he helps to attract new business to the valley while working to maintain those employers who are already here. He is connected to all of the leaders here in Western Massachusetts, both public and private, and has earned their respect and admiration. He is non-confrontational and professional in his dealings with all persons and he embraces new ideas and initiatives in ways that really matter. He has been influential in local successes like the Easthampton Bear Fest (www.easthamptonbearfest.com) and in regional economic development initiatives like the EDC’s Home Field Advantage program (www.westernmassedc.com). He has supported a wide range of housing initiatives and has dedicated city and state resources to the preservation of affordable housing stock. He has been influential in expanding the arts-based economy in  Easthampton and remains a true and trusted friend of the community. He continues to support the diversity of public discussion and the private economic activity necessary in a successful city of the 21^st century.

Mike has shepherded many positive changes in our community, including the construction of a safe and beautiful new bandshell and park along the Manhan Rail Trail, on the shore of Lower Mill Pond. He has made us all very proud to call Easthampton our home and he has opened up possibilities that his competitors could never have imagined.

To learn more about Mayor Mike's long career of service to our community of Easthampton, please click HERE.

To learn more about our fine city and its initiatives and attractions please visit the city's official web site:  www.easthampton.org

TESTIMONIALS AND ENDORSEMENTS

"I am so proud of what you did with the aquifer. Natural resources are something you can't replace" - U.S. Senator John Kerry on the mayor's effort to overturn a City Council decision to allow higher building density in the Southern section of the city, Daily Hampshire Gazette, April 18, 2001

In recent weeks, Mayor Tautznik floated the idea of installing freestanding solar panels on an old, capped landfill...in our opinion, he's right...it's hard to imagine a more benign form of energy generation...last week President Obama told members of the U.N. that every country must come together to combat environmental problems threatening the planet. If we here in the valley can't get beyond the NIMBY attitude there seems little hope for any degree of cooperation.-DHG Op Ed Column, 9/30/09

"I compliment your government and the city for the leadership and support of the Bearfest.  I heard that you were actually out helping put up the bears in the middle of the night. Now that's what I call leadership."  From an August 2009 letter to Mayor Mike from Michael Hurley whose company, Fiberglass Farms, provided the bears that were purchased for the event.

"I hope this letter finds you well on your way to a successful reelection...I am very grateful for your interest in our emerging field of green building and hope to continue our relationship with you in the future. Let's see if we can put Easthampton on the map for the green economy!"-Sean Jeffords, Owner/CEO of Beyond Green Construction, Easthampton 10/09

"Mike, your help with...the food pantries is greatly appreciated. Keep up all the good work."--10/09 note from David Sullivan, Hampshie County Registrar of Probate

Mayor Tautznik had been working to acquire land in the Barnes recharge area, and to combat moves by developers to change his city's zoning laws to allow more development above the aquifer.-Valley Advocate cover story "Walking on Water"  2001

"Mayor Mike Tautznik guided the city through the post 9/11 recession with a minimum of pain and disruption. The Mayor has a complete grasp of issues and an encyclopedic knowledge of local government.  He has an excellent working relationship with our state representatives, which is especially critical when funding is scarce.....It's hard to see why we should change" - Stephen Donnelly, Daily Hampshire Gazette, July 25, 2009

"Bear Fest has been the greatest thing Easthampton has done for its local businesses" - Jim Ingram, Owner, Mt. Tom's Homemade Ice Cream, July 10, 2009

"I believe I speak for the whole Easthampton City Arts committee when I say that your support and enthusiasm around our projects has been invaluable and encouraging.  I appreciate your efforts on our behalf on a daily basis."    7/9/09 email to Mike from Brianna Taylor, Coordinator of Easthampton City Arts

"I do believe he's a good mayor" - Marge Prendergast, Daily Hampshire Gazette, April 18, 2009

Mr. Mayor, Thank  you for checking in on us, we appreciate that you and the town are there to help us. Thank you for being there for our company.  From a letter to Mike from Anthony Burns, Controller, Stevens Urethane Company  in Easthampton, 2/3/09

"I am privileged to have you on my side" - U.S. Senator John Kerry, June 17, 2008

"We're extremely happy... It is a pleasure dealing with the... mayor" - Patrolman Bruce Nichol, President of the IBPO Local 367, Daily Hampshire Gazette, June 9, 2008

"Together we have built a strong team" - Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray, May 30, 2008

"We're very fortunate he does the job for the pay he gets" - City Councilor Robert Harrison, Daily Hampshire Gazette, April 1, 2008

"The mayor does the best job he can" (given state and federal budget cuts and school costs going up) School Superintendent Deborah Carter, Republican 3/10/08

"Mayor Tautznik also deserves many thanks" (for organizing the Community Food Drive with Robin and Mike Superson) - Robin Bialecki, Food Pantry Coordinator at the Easthampton Community Center, Daily Hampshire Gazette , February 19, 2008

"Voters truly appreciate the hard work and dedication you have shown in serving the community... I look forward to continuing our partnership in representing the people of Easthampton" - Representative John Scibak, November 8, 2007

"Tautznik... is adept at finances" - Matt Pilon, Staff Writer for the Daily Hampshire Gazette, September 6, 2007

"City officials believe that future mayors may not possess the financial acumen that Tautznik has brought to the job" - Matt Pilon, Staff Writer for the Daily Hampshire Gazette, July 31, 2007

"The Council has not amended a budget... since Easthampton became a city" - City Councilor Robert Harrison, Daily Hampshire Gazette, May 8, 2007

"We're very fortunate that (Tautznik) has taken all these things to task" - Councilor Robert Harrison, Daily Hampshire Gazette, January 19, 2007

"Good to have a plan in place (from) Mayor Tautznik" - Councilor James (JP) Kwiecinski, Daily Hampshire Gazette, January 19, 2007

"Thank you for the tremendous support you've given to the Echodale Farm campaign" - Marty Klein, Director, Pascommuck Conservation Trust, November 15, 2006

"Neither me nor my husband can reach it and we had no one else to call"  City Councilor Joy Winnie 10/29/06, illustrating on one of many varied and numerous requests made by citizens to Mike during weekends/evenings. In this case Mike brought a ladder to fix a windblown sign in a city parking lot and was glad to be of service.

"This sounds visionary... a great plan" - Councilor James (JP) Kwiecinski regarding Mike's initiative for reuse of the historic Town Hall in support of the arts, The Republican, October 4, 2006

"In our opinion the Mayor has done an excellent job during his 10 years in office" -  Editorial Board, Daily Hampshire Gazette, September 7, 2006

"The savings were higher than projected... It was a real good initiative... (the mayor) deserves a lot of credit for thinking that one up" -  Councilor Robert Harrison regarding the money saved by the Mayor with his initiative to purchase the streetlights from WMECO, Daily Hampshire Gazette, August 8, 2006

"Let the mayor work his magic on this" - Councilor Justin Cobb regarding use of land along the Manhan Rail Trail, Daily Hampshire Gazette, July 6, 2006

"Easthampton Mayor Michael Tautznik has fought successfully to protect hundreds of acres of open space in his town" - Eesha Williams, Writer for The Valley Advocate, June 29, 2006.

It is my pleasure to serve our community and I hope you will give me the opportunity to continue to contribute to the accomplishments that have made Easthampton such a great place to live, work, and play. I am grateful for your past support and hope you will entrust me with your vote this November 8.

  

 

 

EXPERIENCE    IDEAS    RESULTS