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Date: 12/26/2023
SPRINGFIELD — Longtime City Councilors Michael Fenton and Melvin Edwards will serve as the council’s next president and vice president for the 2024 legislative session.
An informal caucus to elect the president and vice president took place during the Dec. 18 City Council meeting.
As incumbent City Council President Jesse Lederman and Councilor at-Large Justin Hurst will not be continuing their service in 2024 after electing instead to run for mayor in the 2023 election, they did not participate in the process, however, Councilors-elect Jose Delgado and Brian Santaniello did.
City Clerk Gladys Oyola-Lopez explained how the nomination and vote process worked before opening the floor for vice president nominations.
Ward 4 City Councilor Malo Brown nominated Edwards, and was seconded by Ward 1 City Councilor Maria Perez.
When asked for other nominations, Councilor at-Large Tracye Whitfield began by thanking attendees who showed up in support of her and Ward 8 City Councilor Zaida Govan, as they looked to seek vice presidency and presidency.
She noted that was not trying to call out any of her colleagues, but rather explain the “very divisive process” on how the City Council vice president and president are selected.
Whitfield said she thinks it is important to educate the community on how the governmental process works, to challenge the status quo and traditions, and to advocate for what she believes in.
“The entire process — which is supposed to bring people together in unity — is deceptive, it produces tension, it produces division, it’s emotionally draining and it’s a very disturbing process,” Whitfield said.
She went on to say that the process of selecting a new council president and vice president should be fair and equitable.
“Following traditions can pose a risk to equity and inclusion and those traditions perpetuate discriminatory practices or exclude certain groups,” she said. “In this case, it feels to me that women of color are being excluded. Therefore, it’s important for us to assess whether traditions align with values and actively promote diversity and equity to ensure that we are participating in an inclusive environment.”
Whitfield noted that she will do the work without the title — whether she is elected or not.
She then formally nominated Govan as vice president of the City Council.
When it came time to vote, Councilors Kateri Walsh, Fenton, Perez, Timothy Allen, Brown, Edwards, Victor Davila and Santaniello voted for Edwards.
Whitfield, Govan and Delgado voted for Govan.
Edwards thanked colleagues who supported him, noting that he also appreciates and respects those who did not.
Edwards said he has always taken his job and the oath to serve, seriously. “I was taught many years ago, you don’t chase money, you chase service to others, and you will be satisfied,” he said.
“I’m honored to serve and I’m very appreciative and I look forward to this house being less divided in 2024,” Edwards added.
He then nominated Fenton as the council president, which was seconded by Brown.
Edwards shared, “If I had wanted to be president of the council this year, I have built the types of relationships within this chamber where I would’ve had the votes to do so. It was my choice not to seek the presidency and to put forth the name of Michael Fenton to be my president next year.”
He noted that his nomination came without reservation, as he has served with Fenton for 14 years, and knows he is component and knows his integrity.
“I will say that the position is harder than what it looks like from this side of the chamber,” Edwards said. Because of his relationship with incumbent president Lederman, he shared that he knows how often Lederman has had to be on the phone, take calls, show up and organize these meetings to make sure they run smoothly.
Govan then nominated Whitfield.
Regardless of how people vote, Govan said, “We are a united council. I don’t care how we don’t vote or do vote for each other or whatever each other thinks. I think we are united because we are able to work together no matter what. We’re able to come to terms, we’re able to listen to each other and that’s what we’re supposed to be doing.”
For those who walked in with the decision already made on who they would vote for, Govan urged those individuals to consider changing their minds.
Walsh said, “All government bodies have rules, procedures and cherished traditions and it has been a cherished rule of the City Council [that] when the vote comes for president and vice president — no matter who you want to see there — that when an individual gets to the seven votes, that’s usually how the presidency is created.”
She shared that she thinks this tradition should continue and everyone should stand behind the individual who received those votes first.
When it came time to vote for council president, Walsh, Fenton, Perez, Allen, Brown, Delgado Edwards, Sean Curran, Davila and Santaniello voted for Fenton.
Whitfield and Govan voted for Whitfield.
Fenton said, “I am honored by my colleagues for choosing me for this role.”
To those who did not vote for him and residents who did not see him as their first choice, he shared that he will still do his best to serve the city, the council and to represent the community, as does everyone else on the body.
Fenton took a moment to acknowledge outgoing councilors Lederman and Hurst.
“Each of these councilors have made tremendous contributions to the city of Springfield and both of them have served in a variety of leadership capacities in the city including as council president,” Fenton said.
He first presented Hurst with a “dual-honor” plaque for his service as councilor at-large from 2014-2023, and his capacity as council president for two years, 2019-2020.
“It’s been an honor and privilege to serve with all of you,” said Hurst. “When we get into this business of politics, you never know what you’re [going to] expect. One of the things that you can expect is you’re [going to] build great relationships with great people and they’re not always going to agree. And the idea that you cannot agree and do so in a fashion that is diplomatic for the most past, just speaks volume of the very body that we’re serving on.”
Hurst shared that the community needs someone they can believe in, someone that can advocate on behalf of all of them and someone that can speak up. He said if he could leave the council with anything, it’s to “make some noise.”
Lederman received a plaque honoring his service as president for the last year and a half, along with service on the City Council since 2017.
Lederman shared that it has been an honor of his lifetime to serve in the chamber with everyone.
“I want to say thank you to the clerk and to our staff first and foremost. Being president has given me such a great appreciation for the work that you all do to keep the City Council and the city of Springfield running,” he said.
Lederman thanked his family — particularly his wife and mother who were in attendance — for their support.
To Delgado and Santaniello, he shared that the work they do really does matter. “Even when it can seem challenging, don’t turn away,” he said.
Lederman thanked Edwards for standing by him “steadfastly,” when he ran for City Council, when he ran for City Council president and when he ran for mayor against incumbent Domenic Sarno.
Lastly, he recognized the council for all their accomplishments. “I talk a lot about the story of the city of Springfield and that story didn’t begin with any of us and it won’t end with any of us, but while we’re here, let’s leave a mark that will be told in the future,” he shared.
Several councilors shared comments thanking Hurst and Lederman for their service and wished them well in their next adventures.
The formal inauguration and swearing in ceremony of the City Council will take place on Jan. 1, 2024.