In Pioneer Valley cities this municipal election year are a number of questions submitted to the voters. Some are binding and some are not, but all could have an impact on how Holyoke and Springfield and how they each govern themselves.
UPDATED 11/1/15 10:25AM: For clarity. SPRINGFIELD—Seeking to quell the biggest public relations catastrophe since helicoptering into the city three years ago, MGM Resorts International bigwigs stood shoulder to shoulder with Mayor Domenic Sarno and reaffirmed their commitment to the city and the multimillion dollar casino
HOLYOKE—A two-story retail building along Northampton Street’s commercial strip, wedged next to a gas station, normally would not normally get much attention. But from there, Alex Morse has based his campaigns for mayor, from his out-of-nowhere upset of Elaine Pluta in 2011 to this year’s
…And the World: We begin today in Poland, which tossed out its center-right government today despite eight solid years of economic growth, in exchange for a right-wing populist one. Civic Platform, a pro-Europe, but somewhat moderate conservative party, has ruled since 2007, but suffered from
CHICOPEE—At the top of ballot, a raging, repeat battle for mayor is absorbing much of the attention here. Yet, at-large city councilors and those from Wards 1, 5, 6, 7 and 9 all have opponents this year. What makes Ward 5 stand out, however, how
HOLYOKE—With each New England touchdown, Patriots fans gathered at Brennan’s Place erupted in shouts and cheers. Sunday football occupied most patrons’ attention at the downtown watering hole, including those gathered in back for a Patriots watch party organized by State Representative Aaron Vega. Many a
Guess who’s back in town? Gov. Charlie Baker, no longer a stranger to Springfield and Western Massachusetts, is in the area again this evening. However, as with his last visit last month, the reason is not entirely about checking in with the common folk of
SPRINGFIELD—With barely two weeks left until Election Day, the City Council’s regular meeting—a hearing meeting is scheduled for next Monday—featured little controversy. It was neither in councilors’ interest or frankly the mayor’s to stir up anything that might move to electorate. Indeed the agenda’s most
…And the World: We begin today in Canada, where polls opened and our neighbor to the north is prepared to vote in an historic election that could see the incumbent Conservative Party and its leader, Stephen Harper, turfed from office. The three month election, the
One major trouble in Holyoke these days is the water and sewer departments’ effect upon the budget. In comparison to Springfield, where the unitary Water & Sewer Commission essentially operates off-budget, the costs and revenues of Holyoke’s systems for delivering potable water and removing water directly