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Date: 10/30/2023
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield City Council recognized the Focus Springfield staff for its efforts in supporting and broadcasting the city’s municipal business at its Oct. 23 hearings meeting.
City Council President Jessee Lederman read a proclamation that was presented to Stephen Cary, executive director of Springfield’s community access television station, and each member of his staff in attendance and credited the city’s public access network with especially ensuring the city’s ability to conduct its legislative business during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Something that they taught me very early on when I joined local government in the city of Springfield is nobody ever thanks the sound guy, but if it wasn’t for them, we would not be able to conduct this business. That became especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Lederman also said he believed Springfield was the only municipality in Western Massachusetts that maintained the level of hybrid participation for municipal officials and residents, which he also said was a testament to the work performed by Cary’s team.
“That really would not be possible without the administration that has [been] provided by Focus Springfield,” he said. “You have helped us to what we view as one of the leading public bodies in Western Massachusetts, and that’s why we’re glad to present these proclamations.”
Ward 7 Councilor Tim Allen called the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent years recovering from its impacts “challenging for all of us,” and credited Focus Springfield with providing technology and support that “helped us carry on in somewhat of a normal way.”
Ward 8 Councilor Zaida Govan also opined that the city’s government would have been inoperative if not for Focus Springfield, but added the organization’s commitment was illustrated long before that timeframe.
“You guys are always willing to help the community and spread knowledge,” she said.
Ward 1 City Councilor Maria Perez noted the importance of Focus Springfield’s ability to disseminate information in multiple languages.
In thanking the council, Cary said, “We’ve seen hundreds, if not thousands, of these [proclamation ceremonies] and it’s great to join the club.”
Cary singled out former Station Manager Brandon Holland, Director of Photography and Operations Josué Vázquez and Alejando Cameron and Christian Polanco as those who worked with him during the pandemic.
“These names represent the reasons why Springfield was able to do what you all eloquently outlined,” he said. “The initial 45 days really consisted of Brandon Holland figuring out how to make Zoom into a broadcast platform and me buying whatever little thing it was.”
He added, looking at Holland and Vázquez, “These were things that were science fiction when I was your ages and I couldn’t believe that we were able to make things work.”
Recalling a time before the pandemic when Holland discovered equipment at City Hall could be turned on remotely from the studio, he admitted he thought that feature would never be used.
“It became one of the more valuable features [and an example] of why you buy equipment that might supersede your needs at present,” he said, explaining that it allowed two additional people to participate in the mayor’s regular pandemic-related announcements.
“Councilor Lederman mentioned that Springfield kind of is a great, shining example through Western Mass. and, really, through the Northeast,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of people trying to copy what we’re doing and we take that as a compliment.”
Holland joked that outside of a handful of councilors, he likely had been to more council meetings than anyone in the city of Springfield, calling it both something he takes pride in and is grateful to give up. Addressing the pandemic, he noted city officials had to put their faith in the Focus Springfield staff and was grateful for the confidence in them displayed by Cary and the council alike.
“We felt supported so much through all of that,” he said.
Holland also stressed that while the celebration of technology now at the station and in the council chambers is warranted, continued investment is the key to the longevity of Focus Springfield’s success.
Vázquez credited Holland, saying, “Without him, none of this would work.” He added Holland’s support put him and the rest of the staff in position to continue the work successfully.
Focus Springfield, as the city’s community access television station, broadcasts government meetings on cable television locally on channel 17, educational programming on channel 15 and other public programs on channel 12. Many of the city’s municipal meetings, including those of the City Council and council subcommittees, School Committee, License Commission, Historical Commission and Conservation Commission are either livestreamed or recorded and streamed online thanks to Focus Springfield at youtube.com/@SpringfieldMunicipalMeetings. Other Focus Springfield programming can be found online at youtube.com/user/FocusSpringfield.