As the 2023 municipal cycle closed, the Springfield-based SuperPAC that played a big—or at least pricy—role in its home city’s election made another move out east. A new filing added Haverhill races to Hispanic Latino Leaders Now’s list.
SPRINGFIELD—The final City Council meeting of 2023 and of the current term ended with the usual goodbyes and acknowledgements. The year’s final meeting also includes an unofficial selection of the council president. That yielded some drama if not suspense.
SPRINGFIELD—Friends, family and city officials unveiled a special street sign on Westminster Street to honor the late Ward 4 Councilor E. Henry Twiggs, just over four years after his death. The City Council had unanimously approved the sign at its November 13 meeting.
About 15 years after biomass entered the public consciousness of Springfield, the matter is still milling paper. Most recently, this took the form of a fresh defeat for the proposed project once slated for East Springfield. What now seems like beating an expired horse, is actually a reminder of how far opponents have gone.
In stark contrast to its last outing, the Springfield City Council pirouetted through the police supervisors labor contract with barely a comment. Three weeks ago, the pact with upper management at Pearl Street ground to a halt amid unexpected concerns about the charging window for misconduct. Following a General Government Committee hours before, it sailed to passage.
UPDATED
The Springfield Police Supervisors Association’s pact with the city is due for another appearance Monday at the City Council. The body had sent it to committee as some councilors ostensibly sought to broaden the window to charge misconduct. However, the referral to committee keeps it off the Council floor pending action by the General Government Committee.
For only the sixth time in the Republic’s history, the United States House of Representatives has expelled one of its own members. George Santos, the fabulist fraudster from New York, was voted out of the Capitol 311-114.
Last week, State Auditor Diana DiZoglio announced her supporters had gathered enough signatures to put a question on next year’s ballot that would let her audit the legislature. The was a massive boost to her campaign promise to increase scrutiny of the legislature, her onetime
The Springfield City Council authorized the renaming of a McKnight neighborhood street after former Ward 4 Councilor E. Henry Twiggs. It was poignant recognition of their late colleague, whose activism contributed to the revival of the ward representation. In a more ironic turn, the Council punted on a new labor contract for police supervisors.
After a seven-year interregnum, Ward 2 City Councilor Michael Fenton is poised to resume the role of Council President in 2024. Fenton, who joined the Council in 2010, served three one-year terms from 2014 to 2016.