UPDATED: 1/1/2020 3:53PM: To note the passing of the mayor’s father. Cities around the Pioneer Valley inaugurated their governments elected in last November’s election. For many communities, it heralded a new start. On Monday, Chicopee and Westfield both took on new mayors with varying degrees
November brought a familiar election to Springfield. Once again, there was little resolution about the schism between the mayor and the City Council. Mayor Domenic Sarno won reelection and a Council still capable of overriding his vetoes was elected. This came despite three seats opening
UPDATED 11/7/19 11:45AM: To reflect a correction. A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Alex Morse was on the ballot this year. He was not and is in the middle of a four-year term. SPRINGFIELD—A collective whoosh swept through the Pioneer Valley as candidates
UPDATED 2:15PM: To include comments from Councilor Whitfield. SPRINGFIELD—With the sun setting and not quite 48 hours to go until the polls closed, Kelli Moriarty-Finn gathered supporters at a stately Atwater Park home to rally the troops. A fixture in the area neighborhood association, she
A fog hangs over Springfield this election cycle. Contrary to the sunny assessment of and accolades for the incumbent, Domenic Sarno’s mayoralty has not been wine and roses for all. Yolanda Cancel is running a spirited bid, but Sarno has refused to engage with the
UPDATED 2:00PM: To include details of Commission Calvi’s letter and other investigations. SPRINGFIELD—Before his online commenting past became public, Chris Pohner, a retired firefighter, was Domenic Sarno’s candidate for City Council at-large. On the afternoon of September 14, Sarno was rallying the troops at Pohner’s
UPDATED 4:41PM: To include comment from Mayor Sarno, reference to Pohner’s comments to The Republican, and clarification about “bathroom bills.” SPRINGFIELD—In 2016, after decades of trying, momentum was building to enforce the city’s residency ordinance. Most of the city’s bargaining units had accepted compliance. Applying
SPRINGFIELD—Term limits are undemocratic. Aside from the awesome power invested in the US President—particularly after the atom split—they usurp the will of the people. However, a fair counterargument may be humanitarian. Last week, when Domenic Sarno formally kicked off his reelection at the Elks on
SPRINGFIELD—The retirement of E. Henry Twiggs from the Ward 4 Council seat has kicked a spirited race in the heart of the city. There are other contests for the municipal legislature. Yet, between the longevity of Twigg’s tenure—he has served since ward representation returned in
As abruptly as the race for Springfield mayor shifted in May, it took another jolt Monday morning. Linda Matys O’Connell, the former teacher, journalist and newsroom executive suspended her campaign for mayor. Alongside community activist Yolando Cancel, O’Connell had entered the race in days before