A tome’s worth of pages will have turned before Massachusetts and its West in particular, truly moves on from the tragedy of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. Lawsuits, bill-signings and administrative reshufflings have marked transitions thus far as openings will in the future. Still, the groundbreaking
Joshua Garcia took office as mayor of Holyoke Monday, becoming the city’s first mayor Puerto Rican heritage and adding a permanency to the office that had been missing for months.
HOLYOKE—Come next week, for the first time in 11 years, Aaron Vega will not represent the Paper City in any elected capacity. Compared to some here, this is a relatively brief period in public life. However, Vega’s arc has encompassed two citywide offices without the
UPDATED 4:38PM: To include comment from Marcos Marrero on speculation about his running for mayor. The announcement that Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse would not seek another term shocked few in the Paper City. Open talk of his retirement—well before the Congressional primary—began circulating early this
A Fifth of Hampden is a series of profiles of candidates for Holyoke’s Next Rep HOLYOKE—In the recent past, before State Rep Aaron Vega announced his retirement from the state House of Representatives, David Bartley, a city councilor here, had also expected to retire. After
A Fifth of Hampden is a series of profiles of candidates for Holyoke’s Next Rep HOLYOKE—Growing up in a military family, Patricia Duffy had lived in a lot of places. Born in Los Angeles and educated in metro Boston, she found her way to Western
A Fifth of Hampden is a series of profiles of candidates for Holyoke’s Next Rep HOLYOKE—Patrick Beaudry almost ran for office last year. A longish time at-large city councilor was bailing. Beaudry, home for three years after a career in state politics, had the cred
by Michael Lachenmeyer Correspondent-Intern In June and July, candidates competing in three races spanning Hampden County fought to win over voters while also doing their best to boost their fundraising numbers. While the novel coronavirus has upended many normal aspects of campaigning, the money race
HOLYOKE—Whether intentionally or not, political power and attention here follows the city’s geology. Rising from the Flats—a term unrelated to terrain—to the foot of Mount Tom is Cherry Hill, where the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home stands. Despite its perch overlooking everything but the mountains, the wave
UPDATED 6/12/20 11:32PM: To clarify when and how Dan Allie joined the 4th Hampden Race. While some campaign activities remain on ice. One thing that marches forward unabated is the ballot itself. Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin has released his office’s list of candidates