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Category Archives: Springfield

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Analysis: Every Man a Kingston…

In a bruising and revealing profile of power in Springfield City Hall, The Republican’s Stephanie Barry laid bare the relationship between Mayor Domenic Sarno and political kingpin Charlie Kingston.  Indeed, as Barry wrote, “talk of Kingston’s sway has festered among City Hall insiders for years.”

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 the most significant actions taken

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On the Move and On the Agenda for 3/18/13…

UPDATED 3/18/13 5:55PM: For additional details of special permit hearing. The below segment is a preview of key items on the upcoming Springfield City Council agenda.  Full report in “Take My Council, Please” after the meeting. The March 18, 2013 agenda of the Springfield City

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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 city in Massachusetts with more

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Briefings: Ernesto Cruz to Run for City Council…

Confirming word from sources earlier tonight, community and political activist Ernesto Cruz of Mulberry Street in Springfield announced his run for an at-large City Council seat today.  In a statement released earlier this morning, Cruz announced his campaign kickoff and fundraiser slated for March 30

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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 of the more substantive debate

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On the Move & on the Agenda for 3/4/13…

The below segment is a preview of key items on the upcoming Springfield City Council agenda.  Full report in “Take My Council, Please” after the meeting. The March 4, 2013 agenda of the Springfield City Council includes ordinance revisions, Quinn Bill money transfers, and, approval

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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 granting authority of the city

Springfield City Hall Snow

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 and probing questions even as

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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 unanimous consent take things out