Take My Council, Please: City of Immigrants, County Repository?…
UPDATED 6/6/13 1:42 PM: For additional comments from DYS & the Atwater Park Civic Association. SPRINGFIELD—Once more the City Council faced another light agenda Monday as it made some final steps for ordinances affecting fees in the city and transferred [...]
In Second Try, a Pitch to Springfield’s Young Families….
SPRINGFIELD—The preliminary election is still four months away and nomination papers have another two months to be completed, but campaign kickoffs are already underway. For some it is a repeat act, but hopefully with differing results. Justin Hurst, an attorney [...]
Take My Council, Please: Amended Complaints…
SPRINGFIELD—Reversing itself fully from a meeting just two weeks ago, the City Council killed an amendment to its historic foreclosure ordinance and with it a settlement to a lawsuit launched shortly after its passage. The rejection on Monday was arguably [...]
Campaign Dollars/Common Cents Predictions…
For the first time since Springfield abolished its old system of government and ushered in a strong mayor-council government, and possibly ever, the city will hold a municipal election without the mayor on the ballot. Boston is the only other [...]
Take My Council, Please: The Conception of Priorities…
UPDATED 3/8/13 12:56PM: Photograph of current Springfield Senior Center added. SPRINGFIELD—During a particularly policy-heavy evening, taking form in both ordinance and other measure, the City Council confronted a host of issue from finance to foreclosures to bonding. However, while some [...]
Take My Council, Please: Topping the Billboard Charts…
UPDATED 8:56 PM: For, clarity, grammar, and inclusion of links. UPDATED 2/28/13 3:09PM: For accuracy. SPRINGFIELD—Among the powers of the City Council, few bring about more unpredictable results than the exercise of its permit-granting authority. For whatever reason, the special-permit [...]
The Winter of Our Discontent…
SPRINGFIELD—As warming temperatures and city crews were finally and fully conquering last weekend’s snow fall, City Councilors were taking Department of Public Works officials to task for a recovery called inadequate and “dangerous.” DPW Chief Allan Chwalek faced withering criticism [...]
Take My Council, Please: That’s Out of Order!…
SPRINGFIELD—The order of items on the City Council’s agenda is defined by the Council’s rules. Items that fall under certain categories are grouped together and then listed in a certain order, each item assigned a number. The Council may, by [...]
Take My Council, Please: Diligence Peacocks…
SPRINGFIELD—In a city where the mayor wields tremendous power relative to the legislative branch, it can be difficult to adequately hold the executive branch accountable. Similarly, some councilors may show caution before premature votes, too. However, for either effort to [...]
Reason, Political Fear May Have Assigned Committes…
UPDATED 1/19/13: For grammar and clarity. SPRINGFIELD—Defying the low expectations of many City Council watchers, Council President and at-large Councilor Jimmy Ferrera appointed the Council’s committees, but without the inequitable and punitive air that characterized last year’s appointments. Chairs of [...]
