Here are a few notable quotes about the great job Mike does from some folks you may know:
"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
On Behalf of all of us, I want to thank Mayor Tautznik for attending our Legislative and Mayoral Luncheon last April. Mayor Tautznik was the only Mayor to attend. I want to thank Mayor Tautznik for this demonstration of his interest and concern about substance abuse issues and am sending this letter to all of our associates.-Richard McKeown, President, WMass Substance Abuse Providers Association, letter dated 9/18/09
"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
"You are one of the favorite community leaders here" - Eve Eichwald, University of Massachusetts Professor, Center for Public Policy, September 24, 2008
"If there is an agricultural mayor in this state, it is Mike Tautznik"- Senator Mike Knapik speaking at the Trust for Public Land celebration for preservation of Echodale Farm , 7/13/08
"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
"The budget stuff that the mayor does... is huge" - Councilor Joy Winnie, The Republican, June 9, 2006
"It's fabulous that we are... increasing the budget" - Councilor Daniel Rist regarding a $1 million increase in the school budget, Daily Hampshire Gazette, June 7, 2006
"I'm grateful for the amount" - School Superintendent Deborah Carter regarding a $1 million increase in the school budget, The Republican, June 7, 2006
"Mike Tautznik... has a very difficult job and has been a leader in the very positive changes in the city of Easthampton" - Richard A. Perras, President, Finck & Perras Insurance Agency, Daily Hampshire Gazette, May 25, 2006
Honored with a Governor's Smart Growth Award, Easthampton is another older mill community using a strategic planning effort to revitalize its center; the city has also sought to protect its farming areas outside of downtown. Municipal Advocate Magazine Spring 2006
"The only qualification anyone needs for mayor is to be... a registered voter. What happens if we elect a mayor who... has no idea about budgets or Mass General Laws" - Councilor Robert Harrison, Daily Hampshire Gazette, February 23, 2006
"We would like to acknowledge the wisdom and enlightened leadership of Mayor Michael Tautznik.....for the farsighted way the sale of Memorial hall was managed, preserving the building." DHG 12/15/05 Letter to Editor form Valerie Hood and Alexei Levine who purchased Memorial Hall and opened The Massage School business there.
"We may elect somebody who doesn't have any clue about preparing a budget", Councilor Joy Winnie said, saying that such a prospect was "a scary thing". Republican, 9/30/05
"I don't want to be mayor, believe me. I think Mike Tautznik's doing a fine job." Councilor Dan Rist, Republican, 9/12/05
'It's not unusual to see Tautznik performing tasks outside the normal scope of mayor, including operating a bulldozer at the Highway Garage, or more recently, tagging utility poles for the city's takeover of its streetlights. "I love coming to work every day, absolutely", Tautznik said, "The job is so varied." After almost a decade on the job Tautznik said there are many projects he would like to see completed while he's mayor. These initiatives include the renovation of the Pleasant Street area, the Lower Mill Pond park project (which is now Mill Pond Park and Bandshell, a project he envisioned, started up and saw through) and dredging the Nashawannuck Pond.' DHG, 7/28/05
Easthampton was one of nine cities in the commonwealth recognized recently by state leaders with a Smart Growth Initiative Award. As Mayor Michael Tautznik noted, the work already completed and the award reflect a real collaboration between government and business in Easthampton. DHG Op Ed column, 4/29/05
"He did an excellent job of doing research and comparing communities" regarding the school budget, School Superintendent Deborah N. Carter, DHG 9/6/04
"There's so much energy and excitement... I really thank Easthampton for that" - Marilyn Sturgill, Owner Paragon Arts and Industry Building, The Republican, July 28, 2004
"The mayor does quite a job" - Francis Root, Daily Hampshire Gazette, March 17, 2004
"Three things Easthampton has going for it are location, location, location. The grand plan is to dredge Nashawannuck Pond and surround it with boardwalks. Tautznik envisions people renting boats on a warm Saturday afternoon, kayaking in the shadow of Mt. Tom and staying around for a cappuccino or a slice of pizza or a concert as the sun sets." Fred Contrata column, Republican 5/16/04
'City welcomes Pioneer Valley Ballet's Move: "Eastworks proved the most cost efficient and culturally supportive" place to move to.' DHG, 3 March 6/7 2004
'Housing Coordinator Brian Sullivan said the city, the mayor and the Main Street neighborhood have been "very supportive" and "receptive to all three of our housing intatives (for Veterans of war recovering from alcohol and substance abuse) in Easthampton. Navy Veteran Patrick J. McAllister toured the house and said, "It's great that this is happening and I want to thank the mayor." DHG Summit 2/26/04, referring to Mike's initiative in making sure that neighbors and residents and the organization came together to enable the success of this; this housing is now under Soldier On.
"He (Mayor Michael Tautznik) has shown himself to be a good listener" - Councilor Daniel Rist, Daily Hampshire Gazette, February 9, 2004
"Easthampton is extremely fortunate. We have the best bargain in the world for a hard-working mayor" - Councilor Robert Harrison, Daily Hampshire Gazette, January 14, 2004
Easthampton's mayor fights harder for the environment than for a high-paying state job to move on to from City Hall. Tautznik and his wife Debbie earn our plaudits for taking out a mortgage for $60,000 to purchase and protect an 11.5 acre swatch of the Barnes Aquifer's recharge area a half mile from the town's primary wellfield. That's what we call leadership: being willing to do the same thing you ask other people to do, and taking the long view rather than carrying the water for the boys who want the one-time cash out. Valley Advocate Halos & Horns, 1/2/03
Your contribution and support was a wonderful motivator for encouraging the kids to read. Thanks so much for being the prize! Breakfast with the Mayor! - Barbara Diamond Goldin, Youth Librarian, Emily Williston Memorial Library, 9/2003
Tautznik has been mostly successful in moving his agendas through the City Council. His budgets are rarely touched. His allies reveal themselves in the frequency with which they support his ideas. He is a regular at council meetings, explaining points, answering councilors' questions and having a word on issues. DHG 11/12/03
"Easthampton, through the fine work of the mayor...has been able to save for the proverbial rainy day" - Councilor Daniel Rist, Daily Hampshire Gazette, May 29, 2003
"Mayor Michael Tautznik is being aggressive in seeking concessions from the unions to save jobs, and leading by example by agreeing to a pay cut of his own" - Editorial Board, Daily Hampshire Gazette, May 21, 2003
"Valley CDC , which has helped launch 47 businesses in the area and provided $250K in loans in this area said one of the reasons Easthampton was an attractive site as a new branch was due to the ongoing effort by Mayor Tautznik" - Easthampton Chamber of Comnmerce newsletter, March 2002
Easthampton's mayor combines a passion for preserving open space and for keeping the town solvent with a flair for encouraging newcomers of entrepreneurial bent and/or artistic talent.- Valley Advocate 9/02 Annual Manual
The Valley Community Development Council (CDC) decided to put their new branch in Easthampton because of the ongoing effort by Mayor Tautznik and others to revitalize the downtown area. Easthampton Chamber of Commerce newsletter, May 2002
"People are happy with what he's done for them" Joy Winnie, City Councilor, "Mike amazes me; when he became mayor the first time, he had to build up from scratch" Tom Brown DHG 8/31/01
To that end, of serving fellow citizens, Tautznik is sending all the proceeds from his Nov. 4 breakfast to one or more of disaster-relief charities. DHG, 10/31/01
"With the current guidance of Michael Tautznik, the downtown area is gradually, visibly, undergoing a restoration." Jo Roessler who bought the old Majestic Theater and turned it into NoJo Design (and other businesses) 1/18/01 press release
"Mike Tautznik has done more for Easthampton in the last 2 to 3 years than has happened in the last 20...he has a real vision and is actually carrying it out." Former House Majority Speaker Naegel at May 2000 Democratic Committee Breakfast
"Did you know that Ol' Turtle Farm CSA (later to become Mountain View CSA) was saved from development with help from the Trustees of Reservation and its subsidiary, the Massachusetts Land Conservation Trust, Mayor Michael Tautznik and an active neighborhood organization?" Eileen Droescher, owner of Ol' Turtle Farm in June 29, 1999 newsletter.
"You have to give him credit for his leadership" - Michael O'Brien, DHG 10/31/01
"Our congratulations to Mayor Tautznik, whose leadership has been essential,to see this land protected". - Gerrit Stover in Pascommuck Conservation Trust newlsetter 2/1999, speaking of the preservation of the Micka and Sena properties at Park Hill
Michael Tautznik was elected from a field of seven candidates, which included four of the town's five selectmen. He is the "strong" mayor who could be held accountable for decisions and who could serve as a point man in the town's economic development. Now, residents say, the town has gotten just that in Mr. Tautznik, a lifelong resident and former selectman and conservationist. Commonwealth Magazine Fall 1998
Tautznik is a man who clearly enjoys having the point position in the revitalization of Easthampton. A life-long resident who has been an active public servant, he in many ways embodies the spirit of the core of young leaders in the community. Business West May 1998
Tautznik negotiated successfully in part because of his positive, can-do attitude. Tautznik believes in Easthampton's potential and that's a critical first step to success. - DHG 1996 Op Ed column
DHG, 8/27/82 Op Ed column: It's surprising that the Selectmen elected to replace Michael Tautznik on the Conservation Commission, he was particularly zealous in making sure that developers would not tamper with wetland areas in defiance of laws. All in all, under his leadership, the commission was in the forefront on a lot of conservation issues. (As a result, Mike went on to Chair the State Conservation Commission and to co-found the Pascommuck Conservation Trust)-DHG, 8/27/82 Op Ed column
About Education funding:
Before Mike became the first Mayor of Easthampton the schools were constantly battling to gain a fair share of revenue from the community. Town Meetings were largely about filling the auditorium with special interests and school advocates were fighting to squeeze a few more dollars from the Finance Committee every year. There was no predictable method used to allocate the funds and it was always a process of pitting one department against the other on budget matters. When Mike took over as Mayor he brought all of the departments together and he set a goal to spend a consistent level of available funds on Education. Within one year Mike was able to start increasing the share of revenue spent on education. Under his leadership the city is now spending more than 66 cents out of every available dollar to educate our children. That's two-thirds of each and every tax dollar being spent for our future. Mike believes in Easthampton and he is dedicated to helping our kids!
Some recent examples of the level of knowledge, skill and practical ability that Mayor Mikes puts into his work: