Sarno, Tosado answer seniors’ questions

Date: 11/4/2011

Nov. 2, 2011

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

SPRINGFIELD — On the issues affecting many seniors, the two men running for mayor seemed to be in agreement on many points.

Among the flurry of debates scheduled for the waning days of the mayoral campaign, Mayor Domenic Sarno and City Council President Jose Tosado spoke at a forum sponsored by the Massachusetts Senior Action Council on Oct. 26 at the Hobby Club.

Both men were asked a battery of questions submitted by seniors and both candidates said they are in favor of the construction of a new senior center in Blunt Park.

On a question about public safety efforts aimed to protect seniors, Sarno said his administration is working with the Springfield Housing Authority (SHA) to address a small percentage of individuals who are living in senior housing and causing trouble for others. These people are not usually seniors themselves but rather younger relatives taken in by the seniors.

Sarno also spoke of his creation of a Special Victims Unit in the Police Department.

Tosado said he has met with SHA officials already about one building in the South End where residents have suffered from assaults, prostitution and drug sales.

Both men said they would fight for additional Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA). Tosado, noting the funding difference between the state’s regional transit authorities and the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority, said, “We do pay more than our fair share.”

Sarno said the under-funding of the PVTA speaks to “the disparity between the east and the west.”

Sarno said he believes the financial health of the city and public safety are two of the biggest issues for seniors, while Tosado said the real issues for everyone, regardless of age, are the city’s schools, the economy and public safety.

Acknowledging the increasing cost of living, Tosado noted for some seniors decisions are made between spending money on rent or food.

“Everything goes up except the money you receive on a monthly basis,” he said.

Both men also spoke in favor of the city establishing a program in which seniors could receive discount on their property tax in exchange for volunteering with the city.

Tosado said he is working with City Councilor Timothy Rooke on the reduction and hopes to have it finished shortly.

Sarno said there has been a “liability glitch” that needs to be resolved.