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Category Archives: Springfield

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Millennials A-Massing: A Taste of the West…

Welcome to the Sunday Feature: A new effort to bring you lengthier, more in-depth stories on some Sundays. This is the second of a two-part series on a two-part series on younger candidates in Massachusetts politics. HOLYOKE—Could Holyokers entrust a young, energetic native son with

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Ward 1 Challenger Claudio Says His Focus is on Future Generations…

SPRINGFIELD—Despite limited exposure, the Springfield municipal election features some fierce races both among at-large and ward candidates.  The North End-Downtown based Ward 1 election is probably the race ripest for an incumbent defeat and centered in a place where some of the city’s most potent

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Does the Council Rooke Before it Leaps?…

SPRINGFIELD—The Dean of the Springfield City Council may have summed it up best himself. “I think people are still trying to figure me out,” at-large Councilor Tim Rooke said, contemplating his place in the city’s politics. Rooke, who has served on the Council since 1995,

Springfield Council Debate a Battle of Facts, Display of Style…

SPRINGFIELD—Three incumbents.  Three challengers.  Two-thirds of the field for the at-large City Council race appeared Wednesday evening for a debate at American International College for the at-large seats on the City Council.  It was a debate that featured differing styles among both the challengers and

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Upon Lessons Learned, Cruz Built His Candidacy…

SPRINGFIELD—Even as a candidate, Cruz seems to be working overtime.  He has motored to events across the city, attended candidates forums, organized his digital strategy and even helped out friends running for office in neighboring communities. His parents were the same, working 80 hours weeks

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Take My Council, Please: Quick Hits of Council Cannabis…

Only a week out from Election Day in Springfield and throughout the region, there is precious little time other than Wednesday’s big debate to make news. Luckily in the past week, there is just enough Council news to worth a brief mention.  The Republican had

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A Baker’s Ministry for 36 Court Street?…

SPRINGFIELD—It was not too long ago that Salvatore Circosta was on his way to the priesthood.  A whirlwind of events seemingly led him out of direct service to the church and to seeking public service in the city where he grew up.  The proprietor of

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Editorial: Do Not Pawn Your Vote, Exercise It!…

UPDATED 11/20/13 10:23AM: For grammar & additional facts. The Springfield City Council can’t help, but bring up a number of things before this upcoming election.  Some like the raise for the mayor have been floundering for years.  Another, new regulations for pawn shops, has been

In Familiar Election, Lysak Seeks More Time to See Initiatives Out…

SPRINGFIELD—The battle for Ward 8’s council seat is a familiar one.  Incumbent John Lysak is seeking reelection and the challenger is Orlando Ramos, whom Lysak beat twice, sometimes very narrowly.  Even if the race may seem like rerun, the players are anything but conventional in

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The Scales of Climate Justice in the City of Homes…

EDITORS NOTE: We apologize that this post was delayed two weeks due to illness and other events. SPRINGFIELD—Miles away from ocean and acclimated to the extremes inherent in New England weather, Springfield seems better insulated from the catastrophic effects of climate change than Boston.  But