SPRINGFIELD—In a victory for organized labor, the City Council unanimously approved an arbitration award, securing a contract between the city and it’s the International Brother Hood of Police Officers, Local 364 through July 2016. Despite fears that the mayor’s office was maneuvering to kill the
UPDATED 3/3/14 6:03PM: To reflect additional reporting on alleged efforts by the mayor’s office to defeat the arbitration award. Not even a week after its release, the finding of the Joint Labor Management Committee award will go before the City Council where its fate may
This post is the first in a series on the debate over Management of the Police Department in Springfield. SPRINGFIELD—At a rescheduled committee meeting residents pled their case for a return of the Police Commission while a few representatives from Mayor Domenic Sarno’s administration vehemently
SPRINGFIELD—Eliciting boos from the gallery for hesitating on one issue, the City Council moved a matter to committee, while finally making progress on another Monday night. Nevertheless, the issue set the stage for what may be many confrontations between the mayor and the Council in
UPDATED 4:20PM: For a new link, grammar and clarity. Everyone knew a changing of the guard on Pearl Street was coming, but the swiftness of Mayor Domenic Sarno’s announcement that he would be selecting a new Police Commissioner from the ranks of the city’s deputy
UPDATED 12/5/13 10:57AM: To reflect a CORRECTION. Upon reviewing the tape of Monday’s council meeting, neither the Fire nor the Police Commission ordinances received first step. They were both referred to committee. SPRINGFIELD—This Monday at its penultimate regular meeting of the term (there is a
SPRINGFIELD—Even as a candidate, Cruz seems to be working overtime. He has motored to events across the city, attended candidates forums, organized his digital strategy and even helped out friends running for office in neighboring communities. His parents were the same, working 80 hours weeks
SPRINGFIELD—In the Walsh household, politics is a family affair. In a room off the main entryway there are photos of Walsh ancestors standing with John F. Kennedy and Adlai Stevenson. While “Walsh” is itself a ubiquitous name in American-Hibernia, this particular family has been rooted
SPRINGFIELD—Politics in the City of Homes, like anywhere, as they say “ain’t beanbag.” For very few, however, can say with direct certainty, that playing the politics game may have nearly killed them. Ward 3 Councilor Melvin Edwards, however, may be the rare exception, but it
SPRINGFIELD—It was not too long ago that Salvatore Circosta was on his way to the priesthood. A whirlwind of events seemingly led him out of direct service to the church and to seeking public service in the city where he grew up. The proprietor of