Springfield Election Updates
by Bill Dusty
With the first year of Ward Representation just starting to get into full swing in Springfield (see ward map here [.pdf]), City Council and School Committee hopefuls are jumping into the political fray by the dozens. After the September 15 primary election, however, only a select few candidates will be contending for seats on both bodies for the November 3 general election.
CITY COUNCIL
As of this past week, 39 candidates for City Council were listed at the Elections Office, including 10 running as at-large candidates and two who have not declared their status (ward or at-large). Of the ten at-large, both incumbent City Councilors Timothy Rooke and James J. Ferrera are listed as already certified. Old familiar faces are also in the running again, with long-time former City Councilor Brian Santaniello joining the mix along with old-timer Morris Jones. Both figures are running as at-large candidates and both have seamy pasts in the eyes of many political reformers. Jones is listed as already certified. Other at-large notables include city activist Victor Davila and incumbent City Councilor Jose Tosado (already certified).
Incumbent City Councilor Kateri Walsh is among the two listed with question marks under the at-large or ward status. But Walsh may be waiting for popular City Councilor Patrick Markey to show his hand, as they both live in Ward 6. Thus far, though, Markey’s name is noticeably missing from the listing. Only one candidate is listed as running for Ward 6 so far, Parkwood Street resident Keith Wright.
Other notable ward City Council candidates include: Michael Tuckey for Ward 1; Robert Underwood for Ward 2; Gil Perron for Ward 2; Melvin Edwards* for Ward 3; E. Henry Twiggs for Ward 4; Lorenzo Gaines for Ward 4; Clodo Concepcion for Ward 5; DeJuan Brown (husband of former State Rep. candidate Chelan Brown, who ran unsuccessfully against incumbent Rep. Benjamin Swan) [blank where ward is indicated, but could be Ward 5]; Alexander Sherman and Kenneth Pooler contesting Ward 7; and in the largest contested ward in the city, Ward 8, candidates John Lysak, Betty Agin, Gloria DeFillipo, Miguel Soto (currently listed as a member of the controversial Community Complaint Review Board), Orlando Ramos, and Joseph Passy are squaring off.
The September 15 preliminary election will weed the ward candidates down to only two per ward.
*The Springfield Intruder’s Bill Dusty works on the staff of Melvin Edwards.
MAYOR
The race for the Office of Mayor of Springfield has added a fourth candidate to the mix with the listing of Dwight Street resident Jeff Donnelly. Besides Donnelly, the other three candidates include incumbent Mayor Domenic Sarno, City Councilor Bud L. Williams, and Norfolk Street resident David Parkhurst.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The most recent School Committee candidate to throw her hat back into the ring is incumbent School Committee member Antonette Pepe. Over eighty supporters showed up at her recent campaign kick-off event, held at the John Boyle O’Reilly Club in Springfield.
The fiery Pepe has raised eyebrows in the past with her outspoken personality. Displaying a genuine concern for the city’s students, Pepe has oftentimes been at odds with both her fellow members on the School Committee and, at times, the Schools Superintendent.
Pepe was a strong supporter of school uniforms and helped bring that policy to the city’s schools. She has also stood up against bullying, truancy, and gang issues at the city’s schools. In a press release following her campaign kick-off event, Pepe said she was against teaching students simply for testing. “Teachers should be able to do the job they were hired to do, and that is to teach,” Pepe said in the release.
Pepe is running as an at-large School Committee candidate. There will be two at-large seats up for grabs in this year’s election, with the remaining four seats being divided into ward Districts consisting of Wards 1 and 3; Wards 4 and 5; Wards 6 and 7; and Wards 2 and 8.
Other notables running for School Committee include incumbents Michael Rodgers and Thomas Ashe, as well as candidates Felix Rivera, Denise M. Hurst, and Jaime Santiago – all running as at-large candidates. District candidates include Norman Roldan, Chris Joseph, Frank Buntin, Barbara Gresham, Orlando Santiago, Joshua Carpenter, Peter Murphy, and Darryl Williams.
Out of the above listing, only Hurst is listed as certified. (Murphy is listed as “pending”.)
The deadline for turning in nomination papers is Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 5pm.
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30 Responses for “Springfield Election Updates”
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Excellent coverage of the Election!
Will keep posted.
Once again, great coverage. Maybe you can teach The Republican editorial board a few things about covering the story!
Great coverage Bill. I’d like to point out that as of yesterday, Ward 7 has a new possible candidate. Ronald Jordan took out papers so if the 3 of us can turn in enough signatures before the deadline, then we’ll be seeing a primary in our ward. Should be an interesting race.
J.Donnelly the so-called “artist” for Mayor – R.U.Kidding! Well, probably can’t screw us up any worse than we aleady are!
Hi Bill,
Enjoy your reporting very well! You do a great job. Now on to my comment about the fourth candidate for Mayor of Springfield…WHAT A JOKE…are you kidding me…I thought when I hit his name a real campaign web site would pop up instead I see women almost undressed. What is this person’s issues and most importantly how can you run a city wide campaign and use a mailing address in Westfield…talk about a concern there. Don’t get me wrong, we need as many people to choose from, though the top two Sarno and Williams I truly feel are in a fight of their political lives.
Any ways…thought I would voice something to you to read.
Thanks
Tom Ashe is running as a candidate for an At- Large City Council seat.
Tim Allen is running for Ward 7 City Councilor.
Pepe is a very disrespectful, rude individual who is very insecure. I know her on a professional and personal level, and to all of you who praise her for introducing the school uniforms policy, think again. The school committee tried to institute the same policy, (During the Albano years), however, lawyers came back to the committee saying they needed to seek the state legislature on whether it was legal. Therefore, don’t tell me it was her idea, because it wasn’t. I hope she looses.
And also, Ashe was the one who stood up for bullying and school safety, not her.
I like a feisty woman! I like a woman who speaks up for what she believes in, especially when she is right the majority of the time. Uppity women unite and don’t let the “sour grapes” who can’t measure up knock you down! Go Antoinette!
As for Mr. Allen (taken from his website):
“Tim Allen is committed to:
Fiscal responsibilty
Maintaining jobs and growing the economy
Keeping our neigborhoods safe and vibrant”
He should seriously consider improving his issues page. I doubt there is a single candidate (besides maybe Rodgers) who isn’t in favor of the three “issues” Mr. Allen has posted.
You must be also insecure and rude to support Pepe. I bet you don’t watch or go to the school committee meetings. She rolls her eyes at everyone. She has no experience. She was a para for her career, thats really impressive. She has her G.E.D., or “Good Enough Diploma” which is also very impressive.
Here’s the problem. This article is awful. If your going to write a paragraph about Pepe, write it about everyone else too. For the record, it was all wrong too.
Go Mike Rodgers- Councilor For Ward 7
What happened to Tom Walsh for City council?
Perhaps the Mayor has the answer…….
J.Donnelly. Does he have what it takes at his age 26 years old. Besides Donnelly, the other three candidates include incumbent Mayor Domenic Sarno, City Councilor Bud L. Williams, and Norfolk Street resident David Parkhurst should have a better chance then Donnelly. Maintaining jobs and growing the economy
Keeping our neigborhoods safe and vibrant how can a 26 year old solve your problems?
Jeffrey Donnelly couldn’t possibly have what it takes to me mayor of a city! He’s a baby for crying out loud!
I do apologize for anyone who clicked on my name and say what they saw, but I did not post the link and it’s a model website not a political website, but one for my art. Yes I am also a fine artist. Also don’t confuse my age with my ability to run a city. I have a number of degrees in a number of diverse fields of study. I have degrees in Psychology, Criminal Justice and also most of an Education Degree, and I’m willing to get help in areas that I am not the best at. Not everyone can do everything alone. What I will tell you is that what I lack in age I make up with in determination and that’s what Springfield is lacking form its leaders, It’s time to take the bull by the horns. I would also like to say that I am upset with the city of Springfield’s decision in not including myself onto the ballot for a primary election. For I know that I had the signatures required to be place on the ballot, maybe this is how the city plans of saying money, by not holding a primary election. Also to note I have a P.O Box up in Westfield because I went to Westfield State College and I work in Westfield and it’s safer to keep my mail in a PO Box than it would to have it in a mail box.
Jeffery P. Donnelly
Now Joe, you say I’m a baby but at the age of 26 there have been people who have accomplished big things. It’s not all about age. It’s about other things, you see at 26 I have lived though a lot, I have done a lot. As the saying gose, been there done that and got the t-shirt. You see you look at me as being 26 as a bad thing, but I look at it like this. If I was to get elected at the age of 26 I would have to work my but off, I would have to work harder than any other mayor in Springfield History, and if I didn’t I would not be re-elected. You see when it comes to me I am willing to give 110% to get something done, and unlike the candidates you have for mayor I have plans already worked out for the most part to move the city ahead in this time of uncertainty.
J. Donnelly
Mr. Donnelly,
Seeing as you were unable (according to the elections office) to collect enough signatures to appear on the ballot Springfield, perhaps you could run next year against Senator Stephen J. Buoniconti or Representative Brian Michael Ashe?
As Buoniconti ran without an opponent last year, I’d love to see someone step up to the plate against him.
Mr. Donnelly,
Im sorry to hear you did not collect enough signatures to appear on the ballot Springfield, perhaps next year. I was going to vote for Mr. Donnelly. He has what it takes to be mayor of Springfied. He is a great . He is a fighter;however, he is compassionate to the people that he knows.
Wow! If this really is Jeff Donnelly posting perhaps he should spell check before posting?? Do we really want a mayor who doesn’t double check his work?
Joe you are right.He should spell check before posting? Maybe, he would not be a good Mayor because he does not check his work before posting it.
What can I say I’m not the best speller, No one’s perfect. The difference between me and someone else is I know where I am strong, and I know where I am weak. Would you rather have a Mayor who could teach English or one who could make a difference? But I do find it necessary to add that my education is in Criminal Justice, and Psychology, not English.
Instead of arguing online about my abilities, I’m given an open invitation to anyone who would like to meet me. This way you can ask me any, and all questions you may have, and see how I respond in person. I’ve always believed in not judging someone till I’ve had the opportunity to meet them. If you would like to meet up for a coffee or what not just e-mail me and we can set something up sketch589@aol.com
dejaun brown
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“So what can I say, I was interviewed today, hummm I hope I didn’t flirt too much, and I hope it comes out good.”
14 hours ago
what dumb ass would flirt with a news reporter when running for mayor? Hey Jeff can you spell Sexual Harassment?
Jeff works for a strip bar. Loser!!!!!! Jeff is a con man that strives on women until he takes all their money. If you try to hurt people you know, it will come back to you.
What is wrong with this woman..grow up and deal with it.. Your posts are so sad…………..
Pheobe, you don’t know who I am.You don’t even no if I am a women, so don’t say thing you don’t know.All I can say is “Jeff Donnelly” is a loser, and will die a loser.