UPDATED 9/28: Additional reporting included. The subject matter is complex, esoteric and to some, probably dull. However, Tuesday night the revision of the city’s zoning ordinance packed seats and elicited cheers and jeers from meeting attendees as residents demanded, sometimes bluntly, that Councilors act on
…And the World: The United Nations General Assembly opened today and diplomats and world leaders descended upon New York City to give opening speeches. Syria, Iran’s nuclear program and emerging democracies of the Arab world are high on the agenda. Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, after
It may too be early to officially declare the Romney-Ryan Republican ticket a modern day Mittdenberg, but after a week of bad stories, false reboots and a damning video of a candid Mitt Romney, it is hard to not think Romney’s campaign is flailing. The
…And the World: Unrest in the Islamic world continues over a trailer for an anti-Islamic movie. The New York Times reports how the Arab street sees the issue as a matter of respect, while simultaneously failing to understand how broad American free speech is. The
In its first full regular meeting since July (August’s meeting was technically for permitting), the Springfield City Council confronted built-up financial matters and committee reports. Indeed, the Council dispatched the hefty agenda more quickly than it has shorter ones filled more greater banality. Part of
Aside from a few special meetings and a one scheduled meeting in July and August each, the Springfield City Council took the bulk of the summer off. Certainly, one issue, casinos, kept the City Council busy as it tussled with the mayor for control of
…And the World: We begin in Hong Kong where pro-Beijing politicians appear to have outmaneuvered pro-Democracy parties to retain a majority in the administrative region’s assembly. However, Pro-democracy parties have retained the necessary 1/3 minority that allows them to stymie reforms that could unravel the
Last night we had both surprises and the opposite of that in the same night. The surprises were by turns disappointing and interesting. As the campaign dragged on, it became increasingly clear that Congressman Richard Neal would win. The question was really what would the
The open seat for the Hampden County Clerk of Courts has generated a lot of buzz and excitement among four great and highly qualified candidates. This office is incredibly specific, although the range, breadth and power of the office is up for some debate. All
The task of redistricting often leaves in its wake many choices, chances, trials and opportunities. In Massachusetts, we suffered from the lost of a seat in Congress, and enlargement of the remaining seats to fill the space. However, with the annual federal reapportionment come the