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 10:10PM: For clarity and to reflect a correction of Lesser’s age. He is 28, not 29 as previously given. His birthday is later this year CHICOPEE—The race to replace Senator Gale Candaras was already looking crowded before Friday. Two Ludlow town officials and a
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 2/4/14 1:46PM: For comment from Rep. Brian Ashe and news of Eric Lesser’s interest in the race. State Representative Angelo Puppolo, a former City Councilor in Springfield announced this morning that he will not seek the seat held by retiring State Senator Gale Candaras.
SPRINGFIELD—Earlier this month, City Council President Mike Fenton had urged residents to apply for four ad hoc committees he was forming, prompting a flood of applications into the Council office. The response exceeded expectations, leading Fenton to regret Monday night that he had “turn down” many people who had
SPRINGFIELD—The new City Council President moved quickly only a day after his election to appoint committees for the Council’s 2014 term. Ward 2 Councilor Michael Fenton shuffled the seats on the Council’s committee Tuesday and announced the formation of two policy-centric proactive committees, which will
UPDATED 8:51PM: For confirmation that Ed Collins has filed with OCPF and additional details. With ten days left to 2013 and a host of open or possibly opening seats, it is little wonder that politicos are sniffing around for promotions and opportunities. In the span
SPRINGFIELD—With a burst of legislation and a handful of grants, the City Council here closed out the year and, for that matter, itself with the last bit of business before the new year and the new Council is sworn. After some deliberation on a new
UPDATED 9:41PM: For grammar and minor edits. This is the third post in a series analyzing the results of the 2013 election. SPRINGFIELD—In retrospect, at-large Councilor Jimmy Ferrera may owe his political career to chance. When former State Senator and later clerk of courts Brian
SPRINGFIELD—Not quite two weeks after voters went to the polls, the Springfield City Council got back to work grinding out its last meetings of the new year. Tackling a modest, but diverse agenda, the tenor of the meeting was largely restrained and positive. Council President