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.
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
A Mayor Called Sue(d) is an occasional series on litigation over the Springfield Police Commission and executive power in the city. There are fresh filings in the Springfield City Council’s suit against Mayor Domenic Sarno over the Police Commission. Earlier this month, Hampden Superior Court
A Mayor Called Sue(d) is an occasional series on litigation over the Springfield Police Commission The Police Commission litigation between the Springfield City Council and Mayor Domenic Sarno gingerly advanced this week as both parties filed post-argument briefs. Neither side raised any groundbreaking new theories
A Mayor Called Sue(d) is an occasional series on litigation over the Springfield Police Commission Lawyers for the Springfield City Council and Mayor Domenic Sarno jousted in a brief virtual hearing Tuesday over the so-far dormant Police Commission. The arguments echoed briefs each side had
A Mayor Called Sue(d) is an occasional series on litigation over the Springfield Police Commission The Springfield City Council’s suit against Mayor Domenic Sarno will reach a key point Tuesday when lawyers for both face off—virtually—before a judge. For years, the mayor had refused to
Following the body’s authorization, attorneys for the Springfield City Council initiated against Mayor Domenic Sarno to compel him to implement the Police Commission ordinance. In a 12-page complaint filed in Hampden Superior Court Friday, the Council’s pro bono lawyers, Thomas Lesser and Michael Aleo, lay
The Springfield City Council overwhelmingly voted Tuesday to authorize litigation against Mayor Domenic Sarno to compel implementation of the city’s Police Commission ordinance. The law passed over the mayor’s veto, has been in limbo since its passage four years ago. Despite this, Sarno has refused
UPDATED 11:30AM: To include a statement from Walsh’s attorney. A Hampden County Superior Court Judge has sided with the former(ish?) Hoyloke Soldiers’ Home Superintendent, ruling that Governor Charlie Baker’s termination of Bennett Walsh was not valid. The ruling, if upheld, could entitle Walsh to backpay
The saga of the employment status of once-upon-a-time Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Superintendent Bennett Walsh has reached a critical stage. Both the commonwealth—technically the Home’s Board of Trustees and the state Health & Human Services office—and Walsh filed papers for declaratory judgment on the pleadings. The