When I ran for town council eight years ago, I challenged myself to push through my natural reticence in meeting new people and striking up conversations. I felt strongly about wanting to serve Ward 2 and was confident in my convictions, commitment and my ability to do the job well, but I knew that I wasn’t a natural conversationalist.

However, after meeting Vik, I immediately realized he would need no such learning curve. Vik is dynamic, articulate and has an easy way of communicating. He is warm and engaging. While he is clearly comfortable speaking and explaining, he also listens in such a way that you know you are heard. He is curious and makes sure he has done his own research. When he takes a position, he does so on the basis of data and facts. He is resourceful and wants to learn about different perspectives on nuanced issues. In leading Provident Bank’s middle market healthcare services platform, Vik is masterful at navigating competing interests, managing risk, guiding strategic growth decisions, and most importantly, building consensus, all of which is exactly what good local government requires.”

Personally, Vik is “good people.” To me, that means someone loyal, personable, and down-to-earth. He is your friend from the neighborhood who’s always there to share a laugh or lend a hand. Vik is also an integral leader for the Washington School Show – he has demonstrated his commitment to the community in his years of participation in this annual fundraising event. This past week, he even agreed to be slimed with the principal, just so they could raise more money for the school!

He and his wife Palak live in the heart of Ward 2 with their children. Their daughter is a 7th grader at Roosevelt and their son is finishing his first year at Washington. Like their dad, they are immersed in activities. Vik’s daughter is involved in the performing arts, and his son plays basketball, soccer and chess. Vik even helped at Washington’s chess club this year. Professionally, Vik has been and continues to be a champion for small businesses like the ones that populate our downtown. He understands the challenges faced by small business owners, not the least of which because he has been one himself. His skill set includes executive leadership, entrepreneurship, finance, and business strategy. In addition to being business-friendly and fiscally responsible, Vik is deeply committed to public safety. He understands what makes our first responders so effective and is dedicated to ensuring they have the resources they need to remain proactive and prepared for emergencies.

It is easy to support a guy like Vik. He is smart, affable, deliberate in his decisions and dedicated to serving Westfield. If you haven’t met him yet, reach out and get to know him. I know that he will do his best to serve the interests of this dynamic community and he will be a terrific asset as the Ward 2 Town Councilman.

Michael Dardia

Ward 2 Councilman

Westfield

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