SPRINGFIELD—Ward 5 voters from Pine Point to 16 Acres are about to chose a new city councilor in the city’s first ever special Council election. The election arrives three months after Marcus Williams’s shock resignation.
The ballot for Springfield’s first City Council special election since ward representation returned has now closed. All seven of the original aspirants for the empty Ward 5 Council seat have returned their papers for the race.
SPRINGFIELD—Some supporters of Quentin Palfrey are drawn to his emphasis of civil rights. Others like his stance on health care or climate. Many agree with his alarm about outside money in the race. Those positions, he says, show he is the most progressive candidate for attorney general. Yet, a unifying them may be something he shares with the woman he hopes to succeed: time in the office.
LONGMEADOW—In the beginning there was the Athens. Then came New England. New England stuck to tradition. Not even a once-in-a-century pandemic that complicated gathering itself could consign it to history’s wastebin.
After 15 years leading the Springfield Law Department, City Solicitor Ed Pikula is filing a motion to withdraw—metaphorically. The longtime city lawyer will retire this year.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has received the briefs in Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno’s appeal of a decision that found he must appoint a Police Commission. On April 16, Hampden Superior Court Judge Francis Flannery found that the Springfield City Council was within its rights to revive the former police panel.
HOLYOKE—The Town of Blandford needed a new administrator. Eventually, Joshua Garcia would get the job permanently. His experience in municipal services has become foundational in his campaign for mayor of Holyoke.
The highest court in the land—of Massachusetts at least—will hear and likely resolve one of the most vexing controversies in the City of Homes. On Wednesday, the Supreme Judicial Court accepted direct review of Hampden Superior Court Judge Francis Flannery’s ruling that Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno must appoint the Police Commission.
SPRINGFIELD—The wards were the highlight of Monday’s City Council virtual meeting. Early on, the Council considered a crush of utility petitions that received an unusual amount of scrutiny. Oddly most of these items happened to fall within Ward 2. Its councilor, Michael Fenton, raised the
A Mayor Called Sue(d) is an occasional series on litigation over the Springfield Police Commission and executive power in the city. UPDATED 4/17/21 11:50AM: To note Sarno told other media he intends to appeal. A Hampden Superior Court judge dealt a massive blow to Springfield