Springfield has long suffered from a staggering small “d” democratic deficit. Turnout is hopelessly low, especially so in municipal elections. Many things, socioeconomics to name one, are responsible, but one way out is better engaging the public. The process to replace Calvin McFadden, who resigned
SPRINGFIELD—The battle over charter schools dominated Monday City Council meeting, injecting the body into the fraught battle over the ballot question that would raise the charter cap in Massachusetts. But that issue did not monopolize councilors’ attention, as the body also spent a considerable amount
…And the World: We begin today in Colombia, where voters rejected a peace deal with the FARC guerillas, who have been at war with the country for decades. It’s not clear what happens next and few expect the current ceasefire to fall apart. Leaders on
Amid the current national climate of community-police relations, Springfield has been relatively lucky. Tensions are often high, but since Melvin Jones, there have been no Charlottes or Tulsas caught on cell phone cameras. Nevertheless, the actions of Gregg Bigda, a Springfield narcotics detective, threaten the
More than a hundred years later, Springfield City Hall remains a solid piece of construction. Even as maintenance of the larger Municipal Group to which it belongs has waxed and waned, the strong stone construction remains a tribute to the city’s brighter past. However, 36 Court
The Feds: We begin today in the United States, where the first general election presidential debate is shaping up to be the most watched thing on television. Expectations are higher for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, thus leaving real estate tycoon
UPDATED 9/25/16 9:30PM: To reflect a correction. An earlier version identified Lewis’s workplace as the Department of Environmental Proection, on the belief the Environmental Police were subunit. The police, Lewis’s employer, are, in fact, a separate unit under EEA. Earlier update to include comments from Mass
The Feds: We begin today in New York, where one bomb went off in the Chelsea neighborhood, and another nearby was secured before it could go off. This followed a detonation in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. Bombs were also found at the train station in
SPRINGFIELD—City Councilors here turned back an already-expired labor pact covering only ten employee in the latest battle over the issue of residency for city employees. The pact covered a four-year period ending this past June. That outstanding gap has been an impediment to future labor
SPRINGFIELD—This is not like previous elections. As Senator Eric Lesser launches his reelection bid Thursday night, it will be a unique experience. Historically, when officials he helped elect sought reelection, he had moved on to other things. In 2014 during his first bid for office,