Analysis: A Key Ryan Decision Gave Springfield a Second Chance…
The city of Springfield should thank Charles Ryan, at least partly, for having the breathing room to whether this mother of all crises.
Category Archives: City Administration
Briefings: An Executive-Legislative Square Dance Replenishes Sarno’s Staff…
Following the dismissal of constituent services director Darryl Moss, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno has rearranged his staff and appointed a new aide to fill out his office. Lavar Click, a clerk in the City Council office, will move over to the mayor’s office next week.
COVID Brings Springfield Dark Times, but Not Fiscal End Times…Yet…
SPRINGFIELD—Despite the novel coronavirus’ sudden economic upheaval, which has pummeled government tax revenues, the City of Springfield has prepared a budget without layoffs or cuts to services. Yet, the city’s first coronavirus fiscal year will be hard. A spending and hiring freeze dating to March
Briefings: Sarno Spox Scoots, Staff Switch-up Ensues…
When incumbents start a new term, they often shift their staff. For the second new term in a row, Domenic Sarno is changing his comms staff. Both this time and four years ago, however, it was not entirely the mayor’s decision. In 2015, James Leydon
Briefings: Failure to Communicate? Sarno Spox Arrested…
UPDATED 11/22/19 11:01PM: To clarify that while Sullivan is described as “of Longmeadow” in some outlets, her address is actually in Springfield. UPDATED 11/18/19 6:38PM: To include details of Sullivan’s suspension and to note reporting from The Republican on the circumstances of her arrest. Marian
“Oh, the Humanit[ies]!” Law & History Weigh on Council’s Clerk Choice…
SPRINGFIELD—It could be easy to overstate the stakes of the City Council’s impending decision on a new City Clerk. Aside from opening another front in the simmering battle over separation of power in city government, the decision’s consequences are hard to fully parse. But both
Zen and the Art of Making Law (on the Police Commission)…
SPRINGFIELD—For well over a decade, city councilors have grappled with how to structure the Police Department leadership. The Control Board’s abolition of the Police Commission in 2005 was among its most controversial moves. But it took several reform attempts and the Gregg Bigda imbroglio to
Diversity of Opinion Regarding Power over Springfield Workforce…
Members of the Springfield City Council have identified their next target in the battle for control of—and relevance to—city government. For much of the city’s time under Plan A and particularly over the last 30 years, the Council has lingered in the lane of land
Less of a Winter Oversight Wonderland under Reform Bill…
UPDATED 8:40PM: Both Houses of the legislature approved the conference report Sunday evening. The Massachusetts legislature faced a glut of work during two, rare weekend sessions following the political conventions this month. Major bills on energy, ride-hailing services and non-compete clauses in employment have still
Vacant Expressions in Springfield…
As 2010 faded into 2011, Springfield and its largely Forest Park neighborhood-based Ward 6 faced a tumultuous transition. Councilor Keith Wright had resigned from the seat only a year after his and seven other ward-based seats were created in the city’s 2009 Council reorganization. The