Down by the River Connecticut...

Today at the site of the Old Basketball Hall of Fame, the developers of the remodeled complex, Mike Spagnoli and Peter Pappas, along with distinguished guests participated in the formal groundbreaking of the project.

The project, known as River's Landing, will include a branch of the L.A. Fitness Sports Club chain, a sports medicine clinic, and a restaurant to be called Hollywood Barn. The restaurant's name is an amalgamation of two restaurants owned by the developers family in the past. Both Spagnoli and Pappas are from the area originally. In attendence were many of the area's most prominent movers and shakers, including Cong. Richard Neal, Mayor Charles Ryan, State Rep and Chairperson of the House Tourism Committee Rosemary Sandlin, and former State Senator and current Clerk of Courts Brian Lees.

While I did take some notes on what the speakers had to say, I will spare you the quotes. Oh, I'll take some time sprinkle in the greatest hits, but mostly I'm going to boil this down to what it means for Springfield: Local Faith.

Various news reports, blogger posts, and press releases all over the region indicate that what Springfield lacks is local faith in the economy, in the region, and so on. This malaise is crucial. Without local support and local interest, those who know the region best cannot think creatively to expand upon local resources and develop and sustain growth. Most developments in the city and indeed throughout the region come from companies outside the region (chains) or investors looking to add to their portfolio (money men in NYC and Boston). Case in point is the recently opened Applebee's on Boston Road. These additions are certainly welcome, as I love Applebees, and they provide jobs, not entirely surprisingly for people I know. However, we also want to see expanded local enterprises and jobs outside the service sector.

Innovation like River's Landing is key and as Cong. Neal said today, continues to open the city's "front door to the River." With any luck it will turn this stream of investment into a raging river. David Panagore, Director of Economic Development noted that this project will generate interest for the soon-to-be cleared York Street Jail Site. The hope is to create something of a domino effect or even snowballing with the next investment being bigger and better.

Panagore made a point to emphasize not to "over-promise and under-deliver," as the city has in times past. Sustainability is key in his view. Indeed he's right. The city's population has grown so cynical about such projects that they are barely met with any enthusiasm. So many have become nothing. According to Pappas and Spagnoli, after the unveiling of their plans their website received 7000 hits, underscoring the strong chances of sustainability for their project (and perhaps a profound shift in local thinking?). Dr. Spagnoli said it right when called for area residents to "Love where you live."

While turnaround is visible in many quarters of the city, a move toward Spagnoli's advice, perhaps spurred by his and Pappas' project will be key to cement any recovery.

Here a Board, There a Board, Everywhere a Control Board...

My apologies to my dear (devoted) readers who have been without some political insight to the Springfield area.

Much has been afoot in Springfield since I've been away. The Gov, Deval Patrick, has announced his new board members and sanctioned action by the old members to sock away the rest of the city's $52 million dollar loan raising the ire of local statehouse officials.

The first piece of news was the use of the remaining $22 million. With Gov. Patrick's blessing the board, in a near unanimous decision, less Kateri Walsh who dissented on legal grounds, moved the left over loan money to an account for economic development. State Senator Stephen Buoniconti and State Rep. Thomas Petrolati called on the state Auditor to investigate the action. Buoniconti maintained that his concern related to the legislature's intent when it issued the city the loan. The intention was, supposedly, to pay for operating, not capital costs. Buoniconti also mentioned that this action makes it more difficult for he and other area legislators to act to extend the city's repayment schedule or even consider partial forgiveness. Ad interim, the story is ongoing.

More recently Patrick has named his own appointment to the Control Board. They are, former candidate for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, Chris Gabrielli, Robert Nunes, a former Taunton mayor, and James Morton, President of the Springfield YMCA. This is the first wholesale housecleaning of the gubernatorially-selected (technically the Sec. of Administration & Finance Lesley Kirwan makes selections) members of the board. Other than supporting a local options tax for the city, I do not foresee any major policy shift on the board. This is especially true if Phil Puccia sticks around. The most important thing that the governor can do is lobby for more from the legislature. The control board at this point is largely a vanguard for fiscal prudence.

Oddly enough the area press has not mentioned anything about Gabrielli. Namely, during the campaign, Gabrielli had called for the abolition of the Control Board. Now he will be serving on it. Secondly, Gabrielli had, derisively in my view, referred to Springfield as Massachusetts' Detroit. No offense to Detroit. Former Detroit mayor Dennis Archer and current mayor Kwame Kilpatrick had and have made significant progress to spruce up their city. Nonetheless, Springfield has less poverty, better relations with its suburbs, and frankly, a better economic condition than Detroit. Gabrielli's comparison was uninformed and unnecessary. Frankly, when he came out with this pronouncement I felt it added nothing to the conversation about Springfield. And so local media dropped the ball on that little diddy.

Of course, I must give the new board including Gabrielli their chance, but only time will tell how this new board will work out. Furthermore, we can only see how the board will work out with Puppetmaster Patrick passing down orders that angers the powers that be on Beacon Hill.

OH NO! '0-8: Western Mass Style...

Just when we thought that Western Massachusetts was nearly irrelevant in Presidential elections, something happens that, locally at least, makes it a little more interesting.

According to the Republican, Congressman Richard Neal has officially endorsed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic Presidential Nomination. A blurb in the Boston Globe noted that Neal along with Cong. Jim McGovern of Worcester are the only two Massachusetts Reps to formally declare a preference in the 2008 race. McGovern has endorsed Clinton also.

Neal's endorsement is not surprising in terms of choice, but rather timing. Inevitably, all but the most skittish Federally elected officials will make their opinions known on their party's nomination. Most, like Neal, do not commit themselves to any active campaigning, but will help out when possible.

Anyway, timing vs. choice. Neal's choice of Clinton is reasonable on a number of levels. While almost every Republican would call Hillary Clinton a bleeding-heart liberal communist, the truth is different. Not as liberal as WI Sen. Russ Feingold, but not nearly as conservative as NE Sen. Ben Nelson, Clinton is a moderate within the party, not the wider political spectrum. As such, her views are very much in line with the old guard old city Democrat, which Neal is. This is especially true given Clinton's constituency, namely the older cities of upstate New York, and the City to a lesser extent, which share many of the same problems as Springfield. In addition, as Bill Clinton, Hillary's husband, was the only Democratic president Neal has served under, out of the three, undoubtedly, Neal probably had the best relationship with Pres. Clinton.

The timing, as said, is most interesting. Neal and his staff made an extremely wise decision to offer his endorsement now. A new, power-sharing arrangement has been implemented in Northern Ireland, a pet issue of Neal's. Given his very public role in the American side of the peace process, announcing now virtually guaranteed press coverage. And indeed it worked. The Globe and MSNBC both reported on Neal's endorsement. Even the Republican noted the timing. Neal, who by and large does not pursue a national profile, would probably not have seen the same press coverage were it not for the happenings in Belfast. The strategy aside, the earliness of the announcement is political payback. Clinton is not struggling in the campaign, but she does face potent challenges in Obama and Edwards. Given that Neal was among those who pushed for the Clintons to take an active role in N. Ireland during Pres. Clinton's administration, his endorsement now is part-thank you, part "the business of politics." The earliness and the New England area coverage, including New Hampshire, are part of it.

Neal, for his part, is making an excellent choice. In addition, given the composition of Neal's district where half of whatever Republicans there are love him, too, "Richie" Neal faces no risk by picking Clinton. Plus, he, like most Dems, will endorse whoever the Democrat ends up being, anyway. WMassP&I truly believes that Hillary Clinton could be one of our greatest Presidents. Granted its not like she'll have a tough act to follow. Even so, there is something to be said for seeing some newer faces in the arena...and not just Obama. As stated in OH NO! '0-8's first edition, WMassP&I wants Obama to be president, but just feels it is far too early. Frankly, we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

*Neal Photo from his Congressional Website, Clintons Photo from Wikipedia.

Populism and Pragmatism...

Well, I guess we know. Springfield City Councilor and Mayoral hopeful, Domenic Sarno will be playing Populist. While this still does not change our prediction for November contest, it does mean that Ryan and Sarno will be going head to head over issues.

According to the Republican, Sarno will be running against the Control Board and its decisions. Primarily, it seems, he will work to abolish it no later than June, 2008, the approximate date Gov. Deval Patrick has set. He did, however, specifically mention the Trash Fee. He intends to seek its elimination as early as possible. Given Control Board's existence for the next year (unless Patrick's nominees reverse course), that will not happen until Fiscal 2009. Nonetheless, it is a great Populist idea and could win him votes if Ryan does not counter correctly. The Republican did not mention any other issues Sarno talked about.

Speaking specifically to the trash fee, I believe that it is a necessary evil. I would take it over a Meals Tax option, but frankly as long as it is needed it should remain. The City Council and Mayor, once the Board leaves, should have a policy set to plan two budgets. One with and one without the fee. If it can be removed, then so be it. If they need it to cover something essential...school construction, public safety, Municipal Group repairs, then keep it. If its a matter of extras, then can it, pun intended.

Still, its too early to decide how this will go. Another candidate could still pop up, and we will wait to see more of each candidate's platforms. Either way, this race will still be about the Control Board. Again, I thank God that the contracts are (almost) settled. At least we won't have that hanging around our necks.

Ladies and Gentlemen...We Have a Race...

Domenic Sarno, City Councilor has announced his candidacy for mayor. Well, to be accurate, he has announced his announcement for candidacy for mayor. According the Republican, Sarno has confirmed that his "very exciting" announcement at St. Anthony's on Long Island Pond Road will in fact be declaring his candidacy.

Going too deep into this risks rehashing many of the things said in the last blog entry when we all first heard about Sarno's announcement. As previously stated, this campaign will likely be more of a snooze than 2005. However, Sarno is a much stronger candidate than Ashe. Nonetheless, Springfield politics is no stranger to May, June, July, August, September, and October surprises. That could change. In any event, while Ryan is WMassP&I's favorite to win (not their endorsement, much to chagrin of whoever commented on our Ryan announcement post), the campaign itself may be more spirited.

The tone and substance of the campaign will ultimately rest on what position Sarno takes on the Control Board. During its first year, Sarno was City Council President and thus a member of the board. Tenure on the board seems to change the views of some. Even hardliner Kateri Walsh seems to have softened her rhetoric about the board, at least in public, since joining it. A big difference between now and 2005 is the settlement of contracts. Consequently, other than the trash fee, there board has little controversy attached to it. Still, however Sarno will come down on the board will determine how much kicking and screaming the candidates engage in.

With Sarno running for mayor, however, that means there is an open seat on the City Council. No other councilors have announced their retirement (or run for mayor). At the moment, it seems unlikely that any of the current Councilors will decline re-election, but as it goes with politics, you never know what's gonna happen next. Well, sometimes...