Meet the candidate: Keitt seeks Holyoke’s at-large council seat

HOLYOKE — A Holyoke native, Jennifer M. Keitt wants to put her smarts to use for city residents as their next councilor at large.

Keitt is one of nine candidates to seeking six seats. She intends to bring accountability and transparency to the role.

Ahead of Tuesday, The Republican reached out to all candidates for the opposed City Council seats to answer a short questionnaire.

Find more candidates and responses in the past week’s print editions or online at masslive.com/topic/election.

Jennifer M. Keitt (née Chartier)

Age: 53

Address: 63 Arthur St.

Profession: Senior paralegal

Position sought: City Council, at large

Introductory statement: Born and raised in Holyoke, I’m a proud graduate of Holyoke Public Schools, earning an associate’s from Holyoke Community College and a bachelor’s in political science from Westfield State.

I’m a married mother of three; we live in the Ingleside neighborhood of Ward 2. My multiracial, multigenerational family reflects the diversity and strength of the city I love.

With more than 20 years of experience as a paralegal and time spent working inside City Hall, I understand how local government operates — and how to make it work better. A proven problem-solver, I’m committed to restoring accountability, improving communication, and ensuring City Hall delivers real results for every resident.

Question 1: What is the biggest problem in the city and how would you address it?

Holyoke’s biggest problem is the lack of coordination and accountability within City Hall. Departments operate in silos, communication is inconsistent, and morale is low — hurting finances and public trust. As a councilor, I’ll push for transparency, modernized systems, and regular reporting to improve oversight and collaboration. With stronger teamwork and accountability, we can restore trust, strengthen operations, and deliver the reliable, responsive government Holyoke deserves.

Question 2: The City Council always struggles to keep taxes low, while providing needed services and making advancements. How specifically will you balance the three?

As a city councilor, I’ll focus on smart spending and strategic investment so every dollar benefits residents. My experience in the Office of Planning and Economic Development taught me how to secure grants and outside funding to ease the burden on taxpayers. With modern financial tools, transparency, and collaboration, we can track spending in real time, maintain essential services, and keep taxes reasonable — ensuring Holyoke moves forward responsibly and sustainably.

Question 3: The housing crisis continues to take a toll on residents and those who want to move to the city. How should the city attack the problem?

Holyoke needs a coordinated approach that expands housing options while protecting current residents. In the Office of Planning and Economic Development, I helped promote housing as an economic development tool — because when more quality housing is available, our community and economy grow stronger. The city should rehabilitate existing buildings, support mixed-income development, and streamline permitting. By aligning housing and economic strategies, we can create opportunity, stabilize neighborhoods, and make Holyoke more affordable for everyone.

Question 4: What types of development would you like to attract to the city and how would you do it?

Holyoke has great potential for balanced, sustainable growth. I want to attract development that supports working families, expands local businesses, and revitalizes vacant buildings. From my experience in the Office of Planning and Economic Development, I know how to connect developers with grants, tax incentives, and state resources. By streamlining permitting, improving communication, and ensuring accountability, we can create a climate where investment thrives and development benefits the entire community.