Edwards to stay in senate race despite injury
Date: 8/29/2012
By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comSPRINGFIELD — Springfield City Councilor and Hampden Senate District candidate Melvin Edwards may not be able to campaign because of a serious injury, but he is still in the race against State Sen. James Welch.
Edwards tore the tendons in his knees when he fell during the warm-up at a recent charity basketball game. After undergoing surgery, he is now in Mary's Meadows in Holyoke for a lengthy recovery period.
"The night it happened I didn't know how bad it was," he said to Reminder Publications. He told Reminder Publications. "I've never experienced anything like this before."
The senatorial district includes all West Springfield, most of Springfield and part of Chicopee.
"I haven't given up the fight," he said.
Edwards explained that while he could conceivably check himself out in order to campaign from a wheelchair, it could jeopardize his health insurance status.
"I'm trying to still run a campaign whatever my circumstances are," he said. He noted his campaign team is doing what it can to keep the effort moving forward.
Last week, Edwards received the endorsement of former Springfield City Council President and mayoral candidate Jose Tosado, as well as Ward 1 City Councilor Zaida Luna, Springfield City Council President James Ferrera III and Councilors Michael Fenton and John A. Lysak.
"Melvin represents my concerns and the concerns of our community," Tosado said. "We need him to carry these concerns to Boston so that our people can get the resources we need to be successful."
Edwards had accepted two debates with Welch, but because of his condition, he will not be able to participate.
He did admit that after the accident he considered pulling out of the Sept. 6 Democratic Primary, but at the urging of his campaign volunteers, he decided to stay in.
The accident has had one big positive effect, Edwards noted. He said that people who were not initially interested in working on his behalf are now volunteering.
Prior to the accident, Edwards proposed an alternative to the practice of state officials housing the homeless in area motels, instead using those funds to address the issue of abandoned and foreclosed properties.
Edwards said, "Any market rate apartment in Springfield or the surrounding communities is going to cost well below the $3,000 we are paying each month per homeless family in a welfare motel. Instead let's invest that money in homes that would otherwise fall into disrepair in the communities. In restoring these properties we will not only add them back to the tax rolls and provide housing, but we will be improving the communities where they are located. Where abandoned properties are copious, so is crime."
