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Date: 8/23/2023
SPRINGFIELD — City Council candidates gathered at Forest Park on Aug. 16 to address voters before the fall elections. Top issues included crime, quality of life and rising property taxes.
The Forest Park Civic Association sponsored the event and its president, Beate Bolen, moderated the forum.
In all, 30 City Council candidates and five mayoral candidates are competing in the Sept. 12 preliminary, hoping to advance to the November general election. No direct interaction between candidates was permitted.
The candidates were allowed a two-minute pitch and 30 seconds to answer audience questions. Twenty-one candidates are vying for five at-large council seats. The top 10 candidates will move on to November.
Humberto Caro, a candidate for Ward 6, opened the discussions. A Springfield resident for 12 years, he migrated from Puerto Rico with his spouse. He was motivated to run due to the insufficient services available for his children.
Caro shared concerns over local safety and vandalism. He also advocated for increased funding for mental health services.
Springfield native Shanequa Fryar emphasized her dedication to bettering the city. She gained experience in the public sector through past internships with Mayor Dominic Sarno and the local district attorney.
Fryar recounted how, as a youth, she was always advised to pursue higher education and return to improve her hometown.
She seeks to transform public safety, mainly how police engage with residents. She acknowledged the challenges in Ward 6, including public panhandling, break-ins and increasing crime rates.
Fryar acknowledged an uptick in car break-ins and emphasized the need for positive youth engagement and more role models.
Incumbent Ward 6 Councilor Victor Davila, first elected in 2019, spoke of his dedication to the council and community.
He overcame homelessness and a language barrier when he arrived in Springfield. As past president of the Forest Park Civic Association, the councilor said he actively sought solutions for the city’s rapidly rising property taxes and founded a committee to address blight.
Amid a rise in city crime, Davila emphasizes the need for reevaluating current strategies while continuing strong support for the police department. “What I do know is that what we are doing is not working,” he said.
Incumbent Ward 3 Councilor Melvin Edwards, who is running unopposed, expressed gratitude for his 14-year tenure. Edwards emphasized the importance of relationship-building to pass local legislation effectively.
Early in his tenure, he thought passion and good ideals would be enough for effective service. He quickly learned the importance of understanding the city charter and building consensus among his colleagues.
“Regardless of how good my idea was, the real issue was can I get six of my colleagues to agree on a small line and whether or not I could get eight on a major issue,” Edwards said.
At-large candidate Kim Rivera shared her struggles with homelessness and her subsequent journey to nurturing three college graduates. “My resiliency is what made me here today,” she said.
Drawing from her own experiences, Rivera noted that many residents don’t know where to find help, “Not everybody knows the right question.” Through her campaign, she strives to guide and support residents in need.
Norman Roldan, an at-large candidate, emphasized his deep roots in Springfield, where he was born and raised. He spoke of the city’s challenges and triumphs, including the economic downturns and school system struggles.
Roldan has a 29-year tenure at Baystate Medical Center, where he took on a leadership role. Moreover, he served on the zoning board and the school building commission, ensuring schools were built on time and within budget.
Another at-large candidate, Drew Keaton El, emphasized the collective commitment of the candidates to Springfield’s improvement. He recounted challenges faced by the city, such as state receivership and public school struggles.
Long-serving Councilor Kateri Walsh underscored her dedication to the Forest Park area, representing her family’s legacy.
“If people do not feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods, Springfield is not going to grow and prosper,” she said, echoing most of the candidates’ concerns on crime. She also stresses the importance of fostering relationships to serve Springfield better.
Walsh closed that she would continue to advocate for seniors, veterans and families.
Jose Delgado, an at-large city council candidate, emphasized boosting voter turnout. Raised in Springfield by a single mother, Delgado achieved homeownership at 25 despite the 2008 economic challenges.
Delgado gained experience working with a nonprofit, as an aide to the mayor and notably with Gov. Charlie Baker. Delgado seeks to leverage his expertise and advocate for practical solutions. “I can’t complain about the things I don’t like,” he said.
Born and raised in Springfield, at-large contender Thomas Oakley attended local schools and touted a deep connection to the city. He holds a degree from UMass Dartmouth and a certificate from Harvard Business School in Organizational Leadership.
As the regional director for the Literacy Lab, Oakley is deeply committed to children’s education, emphasizing its importance beyond just the school system. Oakley noted that education is more than just about schools, citing broader community factors impacting children.
“We have issues with violence and when it comes to our taxes,” Oakley said. “There are lots of things that can be improved. But there are also great people here, great organizations here.”
Gerry Martin, a first-time candidate, stressed public safety, noting the troubling increase in crime. He expressed concern about neglected properties, emphasizing the role of code enforcement in maintaining neighborhood character.
“It’s a shame that one house can change the whole character on the street,” Martin said. “We need to ensure that code enforcement has the resources it needs and that people’s feet are held to the fire.”
Martin also supported development projects in the “X” section.
If elected, Juan Latorre III promised to tackle the city’s rising property taxes and soaring rents, pursue community-centric safety initiatives, balanced investments for city parks, and attract more residents and businesses to invigorate Springfield.
“I believe I have put in the time, developed the talent, and I have the temperament to get the job done,” he said.
Originally from New York City, Edward Nunez moved to Springfield at 10. He credited his Springfield education, especially at Forest Park, as foundational. His campaign will focus on public safety and economic development.
Nunez called for bolstering youth mentoring and jobs programs, noting that many Springfield residents live in poverty. “We live in a marginalized community, where 25% of our population lives in poverty. That’s almost 40,000 residents in Attleboro,” he added.
Candidate Nicole Coakley, a mother of five, holds degrees in law enforcement, human service, and psychology and is pursuing a doctorate in Business Administration. Her campaign is focused on seniors’ financial challenges, ensuring quality education, and providing resources for individuals post-incarceration.
“We need someone who understands and cares about our community and that would be me,” Coakley said.
Voters must register or make changes by Sept. 2, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., for the city preliminary. For the municipal election, the deadline is Oct. 28, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.