SPRINGFIELD—As it capped off 2014, the City Council formally and narrowly approved the tax rates for residential and commercial property following the annual deliberation over which group of tax payers were more in greater need of relief. On a 7-6 vote, the Council approved rates that
SPRINGFIELD—With a light agenda primarily of grants, routine ordinance updates and some borrowing, the City Council trudged through its meeting, although disposal of the items seemingly hit a few snags, limiting what could have been a more expeditious meeting. A bond for school infrastructure and a
UPDATED 11:35PM For grammar. The race to replace Gale Candaras in the 1st Hampden & Hampshire Senate seat has had its high and low moments. With three quarters or more of race taking place in the primary, it is unsurprising that both the best and
UPDATED 9/10/14 6:35PM: For clarity, additional details since original posting, to note updated totals on the margin of victory and to update on other races settled on primary night. EAST LONGMEADOW–Former White House aide and first time candidate Eric Lesser defeated four opponents in a
UPDATED: 9/7/14 9:39PM: For grammar, clarity and inclusion of links. On a legislative level, 2014 may be remembered as one of the most significant for Springfield area politics given the number of open legislative seats. In the 1st Hampden & Hampshire District the Democratic primary there
UPDATED 5:21PM: To reflect that all of the Democratic senate candidates had filed their OCPF reports. SPRINGFIELD—Taking a break from the campaign trail, Dr. Thomas Lachiusa looked out over Bass Pond hidden off of Parker Street. The sun settling into its evening descent hung overhead,
UPDATED 8/17/14 11:00AM: For grammar & clarity. As a general matter, since the return of Springfield City Council has avoided the banality and pettiness that sometimes typify other Valley municipal legislatures. Without a doubt both happen at 36 Court Street, but it does not tend to
UPDATED 7/21/14 3:14 PM: For grammar and clarity. EAST LONGMEADOW—Nik Nadeau was not sure if everybody was clearly in the frame as he took a picture of Eric Lesser supporters lined up in front of the sign-filled windows of the campaign office. “I need everybody to
UPDATED 9:13PM: For clarity. BELCHERTOWN—The pitch begins easily enough for Chip Harrington. He enters one of the businesses facing the Historic center of this sprawling Hampshire County town and strikes up a conversation. “Hi, I’m Chip Harrington, running for state senate,” he says greeting a
Some of the winners from Friday’s State Ballot Law Commission decision are obvious, starting with Eric Lesser, the former White House aide running in the contest to replace retiring senator Gale Candaras. The voters and indeed other contestants in the race are winners, but the