HOT off the Radio Press – WGAW Hotline Radio in Gardner MA
In bad weather and in good and generally from wherever he is, Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson is the first guest on WGAW’s Hit Saturday (12:10 – 2pm) program, Hotline Radio. On Saturday, October 7, 2023, the Mayor spoke of the surprise phone call he received on Tuesday this week informing him that Gardner would be the first stop on Governor Maura Healey’s 6 stop Tax Cut Tour. On Thursday, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and other officials were present for a Press Conference at Gardner Elementary School along with people speaking, sometimes emotionally, about how the tax cuts would positively affect their lives. After the interview with the Mayor by host Steve Wendell, the station played the entire Press Conference.
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Mayor Michael Nicholson spoke about the Press Conference regarding the Tax Cut Bill. Seniors over the age of 65 will be able to get double off their real estate tax bill through the Senior Circuit Breaker program. The Mayor spoke of work going on right now at the Central Park Building. “the building is going to go from that white that attracts a lot of dirt…to a midnight blue, right in the heart of Downtown.” He also mentioned the Buffer Zone building, the Garbose Building, and the Empire Management Building. The Mayor spoke about the Uptown Rotary Project where the City paid for the design and the State is paying 100% of the construction costs. The same company which just did the Park Street Park is doing the construction which has an 18 month total timeline. The Mayor stated that FREE CASH was certified and 10 percent will go towards road paving. He concluded by reminding all that City Hall is closed Monday for Columbus Day and polls will be open 7am to 8pm on Tuesday for election day.
City Council President Elizabeth Kazinskas is often on the show but was not this week.
Senate Candidate Bruce Chester spoke about various issues including his concerns about illegal immigration. He has reiterated that topic during each of his several WGAW interviews this year.
Martin Gray, a candidate for Mayor spoke live on WGAW. He stated he just retired a few years ago. When asked why he got involved in politics he stated, “the hospital had a lot to do with it, the construction of the parking lot…” He spoke negatively of former Mayor Hawke, stating, “all the things I’ve seen over the years with Mayor Hawke, how he skirted the people’s vote on the police station” “I felt like I have to do something, this climate change and everything, we need to address this issue and we shouldn’t waste any time….The city can do a lot more…” Gray believes climate change should be the number one issue. He also spoke about his concerns about building maintenance in the City and finished by reading some of his long letter to City Officials. “I know there was a building in the cemetery for years. It had never been painted. The roof had never gotten any attention that I know of since I’ve been here.” He asked for more time on other issues, and came back after the commercial break to read more of his letter. He again spoke negatively about former Mayor Hawke stating he did not like that the new police station got built when the voters said no. Gray complained about the City not picking up the trash before they cut grass and complained about how the City plants trees. Martin Gray said he had one good thing to say about Park Street Park – he likes the fence because it “It keeps dogs away from the water and keeps trash from blowing in the lake.” He also stated, “it’s disgusting all the trash that’s thrown on the side of the road.” “Climate change is the number one issue today, whether politicians want to make it or not.” As far as decision making, Gray stated, ” when I make a decision, I give it overnight. I may give it a week. I talk to people. I never make a fast decision.”