City Council at-Large candidates debate safety, housing

Date: 8/29/2023

Editor's note: This story is part of Reminder Publishing's special section dedicated to the upcoming Springfield preliminary and city elections on Sept. 12 and Nov. 7, respectively. This section is included in the Aug. 31 issue of the Springfield North and Springfield South editions of The Reminder. 

SPRINGFIELD — City Council at-Large candidates were out in full force at Focus Springfield’s Aug. 23 debate, giving candidates who attended the opportunity to answer questions from a four-person media panel and discuss countless city issues.

All candidates except for two — Brian Sullivan and Jonathan Viruet — attended the debate, which took place in Sleith Hall at Western New England University. The media panel consisted of Reminder Publishing Managing Editor Chris Maza, Matt Szafranski of Western Mass Politics and Insight, WNE Student Senate President Sean Alvord and Jonah Snowden of The Republican, and was moderated by G. Michael Dobbs. The recording of the debate, which was just shy of three hours, is available on Focus Springfield’s YouTube page.

Given the number of candidates — 18 participating — the debate was split into four sections. Five candidates in round one, five in round two, five in round three and three in round four. Each round consisted of eight questions – two from each media panelist – with each candidate given the opportunity to answer every question in under one minute.

Round One

The first round of the debates welcomed Juan Caraballo III, Nicole Coakley, incumbent Sean Curran, Jose Delgado and Debra Fletcher. Dobbs opened the debate with a question: “… Many people in Springfield don’t know how to contact their city councilor, don’t have communications with their city councilor, don’t see their city councilor. What would you do differently to make sure, especially in the at large position, to communicate with your constituents?”

Caraballo shared he “likes to keep it simple,” and that he likes hosting coffee hours. He said he would let people know the hours he would have them, but also stated people should be seeing him in the community often as he likes to go around different areas in the city and pick up trash. “The communication should be open at all times,” he said. Coakley agreed, stating it was important to her that residents had easy access to her. She shared the back of every card she passed contained her personal cell phone. “If you need me, I’m available,” she said.

Curran explained he felt after COVID-19, lines of communication had broken down, and said the city could have a better use of technology to get out messages, as well as hosting virtual town halls throughout the neighborhoods so everyone can participate. Delgado agreed, stating social media and the city’s website are useful tools, as well as town halls.

Fletcher indicated communication was important, however she disagreed with the question. She said, “I’m very sorry this community believes there is no communication, but I call every one of [the councilors] at every time and they answer … they all really answer, and they all respond to emails.”

Questions then switched to the media panel, who asked myriad questions ranging from safety, what the candidate would do in the first 30 days of service, how to improve the workforce in the city.
Alvord asked what candidates would do to increase safety around the city’s numerous college campuses.

The number one problem regarding crime is that Springfield is a sanctuary city, Fletcher said. “We’ll reverse that which will protect police and keep residents and civilians safe. We have a gun problem starting from the top,” she said.

Delgado said he would do an audit to see how campuses are being protected at this time, and from there see what collaborations need to be made between campus and local police departments.

Encouraging students to get involved – even ones who do not live in the city – is the first step, Coakley said. She said students should be aware of the city’s C3 policing unit – the city Police Department and Massachusetts State Police’s Counter Criminal Continuum policing unit, which works to create a safe and secure environment in the city by fostering relationships with citizens and organizations. “If students are not safe, if they don’t feel safe, we need to make sure they have someone they can reach out to,” Coakley said.

Szafranski mentioned lawsuits in both the Police and Fire departments and asked what the candidates believed the city could do to improve the workforce and improve the conditions of working for the city.

Coakley said she feels it is important to bring the union in to find out where the city can improve.
Curran said “the Fire Department and the Police Department have recognized that there has been in the past a problem,” and that they are “trying to create a prescription for change.” He said he believes the recruitment of “younger officers with a different mindset has added to a more positive workplace culture.”

It all comes down to recruitment, Caraballo said. “I don’t think you should have to live in the city to work here. I think we should cast a wider net and get more qualified candidates within the Springfield workforce. I think if you want to live outside city walls, that’s OK with me, as long as you bring the heart to the table,” he said. “The reason people come into these jobs [police and fire] is because it’s in their heart to do so. I want to do better for you, that’s what I’m gonna do. Where I live should be irrelevant.”

Fletcher argued, “Misinformation. Our Police Department has been fully funded for everything they need.” She later added, “There’s no problems in our Fire Department or in our Police Department. DOJ is in charge, and when DOJ is in charge of our Police Department you cannot keep intervening.”
Maza asked how candidates would assess MGM’s adherence to the host community agreement, and how candidates would monitor continued compliance.

“We need to hold [MGM’s] feet to the fire — we’re not seeing the results we initially thought we would,” Caraballo said.

Misinformation, Fletcher said again. “MGM has allocated to the community host agreement full throttle. There are people who don’t understand — I’m not being disrespectful to anyone’s resume — you don’t understand politics and you don’t understand how it works.”

Delgado explained his thoughts, “In terms of the MGM project, I mean has it lived up to what it said initially it was? No, not everything. But what I do know is that despite they’re not making their monthly revenues, they’re still paying the city over $21 million or so, what I want to know is how we’re leveraging those dollars.” He later said he wants to make sure councilors are working with businesses and not attacking them to encourage them to stay in the city.

Curran said in short: “MGM was never intended to turn around the entire city of Springfield.” He shared he felt MGM has done “some positive things,” in bringing $25 million a year in the host community agreement. “Did they live up to every agreement in the host community agreement? I would say not. But they’re a piece of the puzzle, they’re not the only part of the puzzle. Springfield is gonna have to turn around Springfield.” He said this could be done through creation of an economic control board.

Round Two

The second round of the debate welcomed Juan Francisco Latorre III, Drew Keaton El, Lynell Gasque, Mike Lee and Gerry Martin.

Regarding blighted properties that could potentially be remodeled into housing, Keaton El said, “Do we need more housing? Yes and no. We need more resource centers. Why don’t we build one that deals with veterans and mental health?” he said, later explaining citizens need more mental health resources.

Gasque agreed, stating, “We need to tackle what’s really going on — mental health and homelessness.” She said it’s “time to really make Springfield better again.” Adding, “We need more. We need more homes, we need more jobs.”

Maza brought up to candidates the concern of police recruitment and retention, sharing how half of what was needed was expected to pass the most recent police academy class. He asked how the city could alleviate this issue and get a fully operational Police Department that is adequately staffed.
Latorre said the city has a consent degree so the department “looks like the city of Springfield,” later explaining they should be embracing the new generation of young officers who have answered the call.

Keaton El said he agrees with Curran, who was in the prior set of debates, on residency. He said there should be more recruitment in the city’s high schools and colleges.

Gasque said she believes the youth are afraid “because of everything going on in the city,” and that they are “afraid of not being able to go home to our families.” She said there needs to be more police living in the communities.

Building relationships and community policing is key, Martin said, noting a pipeline should be created directly from the student body to the police academy. He said he understood some C3 units are hosting pick up basketball leagues with kids, giving the children a new understanding of what it means to be a police officer.

When asked by Szafranski how each candidate would collaborate with the mayor’s administration — whether it be current Mayor Domenic Sarno or a new mayor — all candidates agreed communication was key.

Latorre said, “The city has suffered because some city councilors are about press releases rather than progress,” and added that whomever the mayor is he will have a civil working relationship. “City councilors are not rubber stamps,” he said.

Healthy arguments and disagreements are going to happen, Lee said, but said he would work with whomever is the next mayor. “As far as the current mayor goes, I don’t think anyone loves this city more than him,” Lee said. He added that current Mayor Domenic Sarno “needs help,” and that the city does not need to defund the police and law enforcement agencies — he said they need to make the city safe to bring business to it.

A question on many people’s mind, Snowden asked candidates how they would work with city officials to assist people experiencing homelessness.

Keaton El explained there are buildings downtown that could be made into a resource center for veterans and those experiencing homelessness. He said there are “individuals being bused in and let go in Springfield,” which is a contributing factor.

It’s time to figure out where the funds are and put them in the right places, Gasque said. “The city is a ghost town in a lot of the inner-city communities. That’s what it all boils down to. Figure out where the funds are and put them in the right places.”

Martin said it is important to address the cause: mental health. He explained working with local organizations and resources to give people the mental health care they need is necessary.

Lee reiterated what Keaton El said, stating the city should help those experiencing homelessness as much as they can but, “we can’t keep accepting all these people by the bus loads coming in.”

Latorre reminded those in the audience that homelessness is “not a permanent condition, it’s a temporary condition.” He said the issue goes back to housing, and an idea he is looking into is one that the city of Worcester is too: introducing tiny homes to Springfield.

“What more can the city do to develop?” Szafranski asked candidates.

Lee explained when he grew up in the Forest Park area, the X was on a downhill slide — but back in the 1960s, it was vibrant. He said it will be “fantastic,” when that area is revitalized. He said the city must bring business in.

Gasque said, “Go down Main Street — beautiful. Go up a couple blocks — four abandoned buildings. Until we clean it up entirely and get the funds where they need to go, no ones gonna bring a business where it doesn’t look up to par.”

Martin said he feels one of the responsibilities of a city councilor is zoning ordinances and enforcement of those ordinances.

Round Three

Opening up the third round of debates with a hot-button topic, Dobbs asked candidates Norman Roldan, Kim Marie Rivera, Thomas Oakley, Edward Nunez and Willie Naylor if the city needs to keep its trash fee.

Only one candidate, Naylor, said yes. His reasoning, he explained, “It’s no fun being broke,” stating “it takes money to have a good city.”

Nunez said the city needs to eliminate the trash fee, but he did not think it was “that simple.” “I think we’ve been reliant on this trash fee,” he said.

Given the amount of money in ARPA funding and other resources the town has, Oakley said the city should not have a trash fee in order to lighten the burden for residents.

Moving to media panel questions, Alvord asked how candidates plan to improve public transportation to make it more affordable and accessible.

Rivera shared she felt a few days a month, resident should be able to ride the bus for free. Oakley agreed, stating he would like to work with PVTA to lower the price to ride or potentially do free days.
When it comes to transportation, Nunez said, he “doesn’t want anything getting in the way of anyone getting to work.” He said he is in favor of making public transportation free.

Szafranski asked what the City Council could do to support the expansion of the arts in both downtown and in the neighborhoods.

“If you’re gonna attract and retain young people, you need arts,” Nunez said, adding bringing in more events is important.

Naylor shared events that support the arts are beneficial, such as the community festival and more.
Connection between city councilors and residents is important, Szafranski said. He asked what candidates would do to ensure city departments are connecting with the community, and how would they hold departments accountable if they do not.

“There should be accountability that is funded by the city and state,” Roldan said. “Accountability is really important.”

Naylor said he envisions a smart city, and that “access is a reflection of transparency.” He said through broadband, Facebook, Zoom and other social media there will be communication.

Nunez referenced paper ARPA applications, stating, “Why we’re not using online tools to engage with residents is beyond me,” adding a mobile app, social media pages and participation in engagement is important.

Maza asked candidates what the city can do to attract and keep young professionals in the city and encourage them to invest in the city through homeownership.

“We have a housing crisis on our hands now,” Nunez said. “Why aren’t developers building, and why aren’t they developing in Springfield?” He said there is a high cost of construction and other impediments that do not make the city a place to build. He mentioned zoning and developers having to jump through hoops, to name a few. “Springfield should conduct a feasibility study to loosen reigns to build more homes.”

Roldan referenced outdated zoning rules, which he said needed to be revisited as they are “real strict.” He said there are also “a lot of restrictions for new homes.”

Rivera said the city needs to focus on creating “career jobs,” where people would want to remain for many years. She said jobs should give incentives for employees to purchase homes in the city. Rivera also said the city has to work on crime to make the city more family-friendly and make it a place that families want to buy a home.

Oakley said they need to have a city where people feel safe, it is clean and there are strong schools.

“Am I gonna feel comfortable putting my kids in the school system,” he said was a factor. He also said expanding first-time home buyer programs is necessary, and that if someone works in the city there should be incentives in place for them to live in the city.

Naylor said, “Springfield is the city of homes,” but added 5,000 of those homes are in need of rehabilitation and repair. “As a council body, we can promote partnerships.”

Round Four

The final round of debates was kicked off with a question from Maza to incumbents Kateri Walsh and Tracye Whitfield, as well as candidate Charles Anthony Stokes. Maza brought up the Roderick J. Ireland Courthouse, and while wheels seem to be in motion with that project, what solution the candidate would like to see, where they would like to see the courthouse and why the area they selected is important.

Walsh said the courthouse should “definitely be in Springfield,” as the city is the hub of Western Massachusetts, noting the connections to the law school and other resources, and that it should go nowhere else but Springfield.

“She said it all,” Whitfield said of Walsh’s response, adding “Where it should go should be up to the people.” She explained the City Council “doesn’t know it all,” and they need everyone’s input, and inclusive strategies.

Stokes said with the Eastfield Mall being demolished, he feels that would be a good location for the new courthouse. “It’s not easily accessible [downtown],” he said. Stokes added it should remain in Springfield, but there needs to be a conversation along with community input as to where it should go. The Eastfield Mall property is currently slated to be redeveloped into a 361,000-square-foot shopping and dining complex called Springfield Crossing. the City Council approved a special permit for the project in April.

Szafranski asked candidates if the city is using its bond rating well.

“I’m very proud of the city’s bond rating,” Whitfield said. “Are we using it well? I would say no.” She continued, “Infrastructure is not getting the attention.” Whitfield noted some of the bond funds should be going to the high-risk buildings in the city, and there should be community input.

Stokes agreed more could be done with the bond. “Especially during the wintertime when all these potholes are in the streets … use all these benefits to serve the city well.”

Walsh said, “I’m proud of the city and the bond rating, it’s one of the best in the state and people have worked hard to do that.” She said while it is not important to everyone, for years she has been in support of something being done to repair the campanile. She said it is “way down on the list,” and there should be more of a capital asset plan with what people are looking for.

When it comes to housing affordability in the city of Springfield, all candidates agreed this is a crisis.

“Affordability, lack of houses, the shortage — City Council needs to make it easier for people to do business in Springfield,” Walsh said. She also said developers who come to Springfield need to “do what they say they’re gonna do,” by bringing jobs and hiring from the neighborhoods.

Whitfield said it’s a “multi-prong approach,” and that they must incentivize affordable housing and incentivize developers. She said they need to see what the needs are of the community and if they get tax incentives, they can take those incentives back to residents.

Stokes said people should look at places like Springfield Gardens. “I will try to work with other councilors to take those buildings into receivership,” he said, which could lead to community residents working on those buildings and local contracts. “We take those buildings into receivership and get local men and women to fix those buildings and put those people in the buildings.”

Regarding food deserts and how the city can better address this issue, Whitfield said local developers such as Big Y should put healthy food resources in all communities — not just downtown. She also said there are unbuildable lots that could be made into community gardens, and referenced the work Gardening the Community does. “We need to get creative,” she said.

Stokes said the city does not need more dollar stores or fast-food restaurants — it needs supermarkets. “We’re gonna have to have organic foods in our community,” he said sharing there needs to be a meeting with City Council members to figure out what they can do to make this better.

“We come from the home of the New England Patriots — even though I’m a Giants fan –but Bill Belichick always says ‘we’ve got to get the job done,’” he continued. “We need to look at the budget and the community. We don’t just vote yes, we need the resources.”

Additional questions were asked to each group of candidates. For the full debate, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLy0sdA1F2I.

Additional Comments

In addition to the debate, Reminder Publishing reached out to at-large candidates with a series of questions regarding the city’s status and future and received a handful of responses.

When asked about improving public safety, Whitfield said she would focus on increasing community policing and equitable distribution of resources. “Over the past nine years I have been the co-chair of the Mason Square C3, which is a community collaboration of residents, law enforcement agencies, local businesses, nonprofit organizations and government working together to build stronger community bonds and prevent crime. Additionally, it is critical that we address the core cause of crime, which I believe is unequal resource distribution. When individuals have what they need to live meaningful lives, such as employment opportunities, housing, mental health assistance, high-quality foods, and resources, crime naturally decreases,” she said.

Walsh called public safety her “top priority,” and likewise supported bolstering community policing efforts. “The City Council should increase our investment in community policing. There should be more walking patrols and the police substations should be staffed ... When police officers are welcome and trusted members of a community they can do their job much more effectively.”
Stokes proposed the establishment of a conflict resolution coalition consisting of “men and women with lived experience to go into [marginalized] communities to establish a peace treaty talking to those who are engaged in the shootings [and] drug dealings and the tribal disagreements that they’re having. Once we establish a peace treaty then we will raise the self-esteem of those who are engaged and are most affected.”

Keaton El said he would garner community feedback from residents and businesses through regular meetings, forums and surveys. “I could also advocate for their needs and interests in the City Council and other decision-making bodies,” he said.

Oakley also pushed engagement, bringing together stakeholders to create a taskforce of law enforcement departments, nonprofits, organizations that serve at-risk youth, churches and ministries and mental health providers. He also noted the need for additional officers and suggested more gun buyback efforts.

All of the respondents viewed the issue of limited housing stock and affordability as critical and heavily impacting the city’s potential economic growth. Whitfield’s comments mirrored those from the debate. She also suggested altering zoning restrictions to encourage development.

Walsh called the affordable housing shortage “an issue throughout the region and as such requires a regional solution” and said collaboration with the state legislative and congressional delegations are needed to create more housing opportunities. On the city level, she said, “As city councilors, it is our job to issue permits to developers and while everyone wants to solve the affordable housing problem, I also want to make sure we are still properly vetting these developers and holding them accountable.”

Likewise, Oakley said the city needs support at the state level. On the city level, he hopes to see development of properties that are not properly utilized and improved practices to entice investment.
“Springfield is the affordable housing hub of Western Massachusetts. I’d like to see all of Western Massachusetts and towns surrounding Springfield take more ownership of this issue. For Springfield specifically, we have several abandon buildings that just need development and investment. We should make sure that we have efficient and effective processes for those that wish to invest here. We must show the business community that Springfield is a place that’s open for business,” he said.

Stokes advocated for rent control “so that what stock we do have stays affordable,” and proposed a ban on application fees.

Keaton El pointed to consistently rising housing bills, arguing the council could reject passing more economic burden onto residents.

When asked if they believed the economic revival of the city’s downtown had failed to extend to other neighborhoods in the city, respondents said they did see inequity.

“Downtown is the heart of the city and should be vibrant with jobs, economic opportunities, activity, and resources. But, we are a city of neighborhoods and people like to do business in their neighborhoods. Therefore, we should focus our efforts on the council on providing assistance and incentives to local small businesses, both startups and existing businesses. One way to do that is by insuring that the special permit and zoning application process is as user-friendly as possible,” Walsh said.

Keaton El said it was “absolutely a problem,” stating, “This current administration only cares about the development of downtown and nothing else. This used to be the ‘City of Homes,’ now its the ‘City of homelessness non equitable opportunities.’ We need change.

Whitfield suggested collaborating with local businesses to develop “inclusive economic development ideas in underprivileged communities” and stressed the need to promote all local businesses as opposed to those in a specific industries. Additionally, she said she would pursue new and existing training opportunities, saying, “I plan to use the job training initiatives now available in Springfield to help new and existing businesses thrive and grow. I would look at novel techniques that allow formerly incarcerated individuals as well as those in recovery to prosper economically.”

Stokes suggested meeting with stakeholders and economic development officials to “create a vision for the areas that need economic development most.”

Specifically mentioning Mason Square, the area surrounding the X intersection and Main Street in Indian Orchard, Oakley touted areas with “rich history” that he felt were “ripe for business,” adding, “I believe there should be regular audits/checks to ensure there is equity in how city finances are distributed across neighborhoods. I’d like to see regular reporting on this as part of the City Council Finance Committee reports.”

Posed a question on how they would make government more accessible to constituents, all of the respondents said they would be active and visible in the city at events, neighborhood council meetings and other face-to-face interactions. Walsh, Whitfield and Keaton El also suggested expanded use of technologies such as Zoom, social media, and other digital platforms while Stokes said he would provide monthly updates on important issues through the media. Oakley added the city should produce a newsletter at least monthly. He also said he would be responsive to constituents, noting his personal contact information is available on his campaign materials.

Managing Editor Chris Maza contributed to this report.