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Date: 8/29/2023
SPRINGFIELD — At the Sept. 24 Focus Springfield mayoral forum, the issues revolved around crime, housing, economic development and quality of life. However, the event unmistakably highlighted Dominic J. Sarno’s five-term tenure as mayor.
Joining Sarno on stage at Western New England University were City Councilor President Jesse Lederman, City Councilor Justin Hurst, State Rep. Orlando Ramos, and David F. Ciampi, all vying for advancement beyond the Sept. 12 preliminary.
Former Reminder Publishing Executive Editor G. Michael Dobbs moderated the hour-long forum hosted in Sleith Hall. The forum welcomed panelists Lauren LeBel, staff writer for Reminder Publishing, Chris Pisano of Western Mass News, Paul Tuthill of WAMC, and WNE Student Senate President Sean Alford.
The debate began with an initial question, followed by two questions from each media panel member. There were no opening or closing statements, emphasizing only the candidates’ responses.
Dobbs began the forum with a “little bit of history” on the trash fee’s inception, first imposed by the finance control board nearly two decades ago.
Ciampi weighed in on the issue, acknowledging the revenue stream generated from MGM Springfield.
“We have a substantial amount of revenue coming into the city,” he said. He added, “The question is whether or not we need to keep the trash fee or whether or not the trash fee can be reduced or eliminated altogether.”
Hurst was more assertive. “As mayor of Springfield, I will eliminate the trash fee,” he pledged. Justifying his stance, Hurst noted the city’s fiscal health, with $68 million in surplus funding as of fiscal year 2022.
Lederman took a measured approach, emphasizing the need for comprehensive fiscal scrutiny. “I won’t make promises I can’t keep,” he said. He underscored rising city costs, saying, “Our budget continues to have many sections that are rising by millions of dollars every single year.”
Ramos criticized the present administration, noting, “This mayor was elected on the false promise of eliminating the transfer fee. And 16 years later, we still have a transfer fee.” He cited the city’s pressing tax challenges.
Sarno defended his tenure, saying, “When I took over the city, we were on the brink of bankruptcy.” He attributed the continued fee to the necessity of maintaining essential services.
Given the forum’s college setting, students’ safety also emerged as a critical topic. Hurst proposed a plan, noting, “What we’re seeing now is a culmination of 16 years of a lack of investment in our young people.”
Lederman stated, “Our students are part of our broader community. That’s why we need to address the root causes of crime and violence in our community.” The councilor’s plan’s focuses on comprehensive intelligence gathering, resource sharing, and execution to intervene with at risk individuals.
Ramos countered that a minute was insufficient to delve into Springfield’s public safety history. “My public safety plan includes hiring 50 new police officers in year one at no cost to the taxpayers in the city of Springfield, using a federal program that President [Joe] Biden put in place.”
Furthermore, Ramos advocated for community policing and establishing a gun court to manage the city’s burgeoning gun caseload.
Sarno offered a sharp rebuke and said, “I get a kick out of my colleagues. In 2020, They defunded the police $1 million overtime money and the training they would do.”
Sarno detailed the comprehensive measures his administration has undertaken with multiple task forces and underscored the importance of addressing “the 2% of repeat violent criminal offenders.”
Ciampi homed in on the societal underpinnings of crime.
“Policing is certainly a very important element of public safety. But we also must deal with the root causes of what’s causing people to hurt other people,” he said.
He underlined drug use, mental illness and poverty as pivotal areas needing a reformed approach.
LeBel turned to police retention and recruitment, a notable concern in Springfield and nationally.
Lederman attacked Sarno’s handling of budgetary matters, including police spending.
“The cut made in that budget was a redirection of overtime resources to training and was put on the agenda by Mayor Sarno himself,” he claimed.
He added, “That money didn’t belong in that budget. It should have been in the facilities budget, and we cut it because it was a bad deal for the people of Springfield.”
Ramos favored bolstering police-community relations efforts. “We have to improve the relationship between the police and the community,” he said.
He also criticized a recent financial decision, alluding to a shooting range deal.
“The mayor paid $100,000 a year or 16 years for a building that the owner pays $750,000 for. You don’t need to be a math major to know that that math doesn’t add up,” Ramos said.
Ramos highlighted the need for positive police presence in schools, lamenting the decline of programs like DARE.
Sarno responded by pointing to the challenges in police recruitment, mentioning, “Moms and dads do not want their sons or daughters to become police officers.”
Sarno defended his administration’s diversity efforts, noting the appointment of two African-American deputy chiefs.
He added that community policing and education were vital to bridging the divide between the police and Springfield residents.
Ciampi weighed in, emphasizing that the line between “perception and reality seems to get blurred.” He identified three critical pillars for law enforcement: “respect, professionalism and courtesy.” Ciampi stressed these values in ensuring the public perceives the police positively.
Hurst took a more critical stance, focusing on the need for systemic change in the city’s leadership.
“We need to change the culture, and it starts at the top,” he said.
He criticized current Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood’s recent absence during a spike in homicides and called for a new leader “that lives here” and “values the residents.”
The city of Springfield has experienced a record number of homicides so far in 2023, approaching two-dozen murders.
Pisano posed a question about Springfield’s evident affordable housing crisis.
Ramos identified the primary issue as a matter of supply and demand, emphasizing a shortfall in housing stock. He highlighted the commonwealth’s recent efforts, including a notable funding increase for the Housing Development Incentive Program.
Ramos suggested the exploration of city-funded housing vouchers and stressed the importance of homeownership in Springfield. He criticized the current mayor’s 16-year stance against low-income housing.
In his defense, Sarno pointed to 600 more housing units scheduled to come on board within the next two or three years. These would span various housing categories, including market rate, affordable, and workforce development housing.
Sarno referenced several housing projects and stressed the city’s dedication to helping homeowners during the pandemic.
Ciampi approached the problem from the homelessness perspective, highlighting the importance of addressing the psychological needs of the homeless population.
He proposed utilizing federal grant money to renovate empty buildings and equip them with sustainable energy devices. He would pursue state and federal aid, stating the city couldn’t tackle this issue alone.
Hurst agreed with the necessity of state and federal support. He called for a competent building department head residing in Springfield and noted the long wait times developers face for permits and inspections.
Hurst advocated for more building inspectors, code enforcement officers and a comprehensive team of attorneys to expedite the housing process and hold negligent landlords accountable.
Lastly, Lederman presented a stark statistic: The region needs more than 11,000 housing units, rendering the proposed 600 units insignificant. He pointed out that over half of Springfield’s single-family houses are now owned by investment companies.
Lederman emphasized the need for the Springfield Housing Trust Fund and pointed to his authored short-term rental ordinance, which deters developers from converting homes into mini-hotels.
The candidates then weighed in on economic development strategies.
Sarno underscored the city’s achievements, detailing successful public-private partnerships. He pointed out successes such as Big Y’s downtown introduction and the conclusion of Union Station.
The mayor revealed upcoming city developments, emphasizing the influx of small and large businesses.
Ciampi proposed a distinct approach centered on tourism, suggesting an annual carnival event in collaboration with Rio de Janeiro. Citing Springfield’s prime location between major cities like New York and Boston, Ciampi argued this event could drive significant economic benefits.
Hurst emphasized addressing crime and elevating the city’s educational standard. He advocated for improved tourism marketing, pointing to events like the upcoming Latino festival. Hurst also stressed the need to prioritize and invest in local businesses.
Lederman pushed for a pivot in economic strategies, favoring businesses offering living wages. He proposed an in-depth study on emerging U.S. industries to inform financial decisions. To make Springfield a lucrative business destination, Lederman proposed establishing the nation’s first municipal bank and rolling out municipal fiber internet.
Ramos focused on rejuvenating Springfield’s innovative reputation. Highlighting the critical role of small businesses as leading city employers, Ramos proposed the appointment of a chief marketing officer.
This role would enhance Springfield’s global presence. Ramos also advocated for innovative city initiatives, emphasizing plans like municipal broadband.
The planned construction of a new courthouse at 50 State St., backed by $106 million from Gov. Maura Healey’s administration, spurred responses from candidates on the most appropriate location for the structure.
Hurst wants the courthouse kept in Springfield.
“The idea that we would toe one location in an all-or-nothing fashion puts us in jeopardy of losing a courthouse here,” he argued.
He cited the potential thousands of jobs and the economic boost it would bring to local businesses. He added, “I’m not going to appease rich developers and have it on the waterfront just to pad their pockets.”
Lederman expressed relief that the Roderick J. Ireland Courthouse would remain in Springfield, referencing the current site’s long-standing public health and safety challenges. He shared, “What I’ve put forward is two suggestions. Number one, consider sites closer to Union Station. And secondly, look at combining its construction to build a public safety complex.”
Ramos emphasized the critical role of the courthouse in downtown Springfield.
“That courthouse has been a lifeline for the downtown area during the daytime, and it will become somewhat of a ghost town if it goes away,” he remarked.
He added concerns over potential conflicts of interest, noting, “I don’t feel that the mayor of our city should be advocating openly for one of his biggest campaign donors.”
Sarno highlighted the potential of the North End riverfront block as the prime location, calling it a “game changer.” He envisioned a state-of-the-art courthouse with adequate parking and proximity to Union Station.
He added, “When I talk to the courthouse employees, they want to move once, and that site could get done within three or four years, not a decade.”
Public safety and the state of local education emerged as central themes among the candidates.
Lederman emphasized the crucial need for a more responsive local government.
“One of the challenges we have in Springfield is that individuals don’t believe local government can work for them,” he stated.
He advocated for improved communication via the 311 system, ensuring city boards and commissions function efficiently and maintaining a mayor’s direct engagement with the public.
Ramos contended that public safety tops residents’ concerns. Highlighting a surge in crime rates, Ramos pointed out that Springfield was safer before Dominic Sarno took office.”
As part of his public safety plan, Ramos proposed a national search for the next police superintendent, hiring 50 new police officers in the first year and establishing a gun court to curb firearms-related crimes.
Sarno asserted his unwavering focus on public safety. “Public safety will always remain my number one priority,” he declared, including targeting repeat violent offenders accountable and pushing bail reform legislation.
Ciampi homed in on the underlying issue of mental health related to public safety. “The roots of the problem are mental health. People with profound despair are the ones most likely to lash out,” he argued, and advocated for holistic approaches to building resilience.
While acknowledging the paramount importance of public safety, Hurst pivoted the conversation to education. “Education also needs to be a top priority,” he emphasized, noting the city’s struggling school performance compared to statewide standards.
Hurst spoke about the necessity of early education, retaining teaching staff through competitive pay, and introducing an apprenticeship program for teachers.
The entire forum is available on focusspringfield.com.