SPRINGFIELD—After nearly two hours of debate, City Councilors nudged Springfield closer toward new rules that would keep the city away from immigration enforcement. The Welcoming Communities Trust (WCT) Ordinance did not pass final step as expected after councilors raised some concerns. Despite the slowdown and
SPRINGFIELD—Days before Thanksgiving, the City Council ingested parts of its massive agenda Monday night while leaving some leftovers for later. Although the sprawling to-do list included myriad financial items and orders, the legislative prerogatives had the most attention. Some were continuation of prior approvals while
SPRINGFIELD—Compared to recent meetings, Monday’s City Council meeting was mellower than most. More throat-clearing than the advance of policy, it set the stage for a few issues like a plastic bag ban and tighter state health code standards. However, neither had the effect of law
SPRINGFIELD—In a comparatively—and mercifully—short meeting Monday night, the City Council’s responsibilities were largely financial. Although many of the meeting’s fiscal items veered toward the banal, a wistful to frustrated air fell over the body around two of them. Councilors had to approve over a million
Tracye Whitfield did not think she would be on the Springfield City Council in 2018. She had run last year, hoping to catch the wave of elected women. Yet she placed sixth in the race for the city’s five at-large Council seats. However, under Springfield’s
SPRINGFIELD—Returning from its summer lull, the City Council faced an agenda that stretched their Monday meeting into midnight. Although the body notched some wins, the laborious agenda and procedural snafus mangled some items. Moreover, the meeting marked the beginning of a transition with Thomas Ashe
Following state approval of Denise Jordan’s selection to lead the Springfield Housing Authority, Mayor Domenic Sarno has announced her replacement as his chief of staff. Thomas Ashe, an at-large city councilor, will take over as Sarno’s top aide. As Ashe is expected to resign his
An enduring presence in Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno’s retinue is leaving. Denise Jordan, Sarno’s chief of staff, has accepted a position as executive director of the Springfield Housing Authority (SHA). Jordan’s exit after more a decade as the mayor’s top aide leaves a gap in
Courting 36 Court Street is a series of quick interviews with Springfield’s at-large candidates. **All interviews are edited and condensed for length.** Tracye Whitfield says she knows her way around Springfield’s fiscal books, the oversight of which is among the Council’s duties. She’s a first-time