SPRINGFIELD—With MGM off its docket after weeks of reviews and hearings, the City Council returned its focus to its normal duties. Greeted with a lengthy and technical agenda on bond authorizations and contract approvals, the meeting opened with a push from the community for the
SPRINGFIELD— Ever since former Ward 1 Councilor Zaida Luna won the seat in the city’s first ward elections since 1959, the Latino establishment in the North End had tried to dislodge her. She had faced opposition in some form each election, but Luna’s own campaign style
SPRINGFIELD—In a low-key ceremony at the Old First Church, city councilors and Mayor Domenic Sarno, who began his second four-year term, were sworn in for their new terms of office. The event did not fill the 500 seat chapel, perhaps mirroring the little interest the
UPDATED: 1:29PM: For grammar and clarity. As a rule, Massachusetts city councils are weak bodies. Whether a city (or city masquerading as a town) has a mayor or a manager, councils’ powers are considerably weaker than those of their communities’ executive branch. There is a spectrum
SPRINGFIELD—MGM Resorts International’s charm offensive has entered its next phase as its whittled down casino project faces scrutiny from city and Massachusetts gaming officials. Some local officials, like Mayor Domenic Sarno, mouth both robust scrutiny and sticky-sweet support for the project. Yet, MGM could encounter a
WESTFIELD—Election Day across the Pioneer Valley had its share of surprises and disappointment. Yet, despite some cursory similarities among six Hampden County cities that held elections, very little wisdom can be confidently drawn from this local cycle with one exception. While the Whip City featured spirited
UPDATED 4:19PM: To include details of another candidacy for council president reported by Masslive. While Tuesday’s election results rocked the composition of the City Council in Springfield a little bit, one change not in the offing is in the body’s leadership. In a prepared release,
In Pioneer Valley cities this municipal election year are a number of questions submitted to the voters. Some are binding and some are not, but all could have an impact on how Holyoke and Springfield and how they each govern themselves.
**This post has been updated to reflect clarifications of some legal issues in this appeal.** This Wednesday Springfield will see perhaps the highest profile showdown over the proposed biomass facility on Page Boulevard since the Springfield City Council revoked Palmer Renewable Paving’s permit. Indeed, this
**The following is a follow-up to our Tuesday (1/10) bulletin about the Outer Belt Civic Association’s letter condemning Councilor Ferrera’s Council Committee Appointments.** The pressure on Springfield City Council President Jimmy Ferrera continues to mount, but Ferrera shows no sign of buckling after igniting one