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Pepe opens campaign headquarters in Indian Orchard

Date: 8/30/2011

Aug. 29, 2011

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

SPRINGFIELD — Anonette Pepe welcomed more than 100 people to the opening of her campaign headquarter at 284 Main St, Indian Orchard on Aug. 24 and told Reminder Publications reaction to her campaign’s message has been “fabulous.”

She said she has more than 400 lawn signs around the city and has been listening to the concerns of voters as she goes door to door.

She reported that citizens are “upset about many issues,” but the subjects of crime and taxes are frequently mentioned.

With multiple issues confronting the person in the mayor’s office, Pepe said the next mayor would have to be a “multi-tasker.”

She was not impressed with the results of the press conference Mayor Domenic Sarno presented on the Violence Prevention Task Force’s activities and called it a “dog and pony show.”

If elected, Pepe said she would not be a “micro-manager” when it comes to the Police Department, but she will hold police officials — and all other city employees — accountable. She believes that if Holyoke can overcome the reputation for crime it once had through effective policing, so can Springfield.

She recently met with Hampden County District Attorney Mark Mastroianni and said she supports his efforts to reach the city’s at-risk youth before they enter gangs.

Pepe and City Council President Jose Tosado will meet at the first candidate’s forum of this election on Aug. 31 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center on the campus of American International College at 1000 State St.

According to the organizers, The McKnight Neighborhood Council, the event will feature “an informal news hour interview format with candidates outlining their campaign platforms and taking questions as they share their plans and vision for Springfield.”

The press release announcing the forum noted: “Incumbent Mayor Dominic Sarno who is running for re-election has declined to participate. The Sarno campaign indicated that a full calendar prevents his participation, and event organizers have extended a standing invitation should the mayor’s schedule permit. All three candidates have agreed to a formal debate, which will take place in September shortly before the primary election.”



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