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Category Archives: Springfield

Springfield

Take My Counsel, Please: Confidence in Supply…

SPRINGFIELD—City councilors hurled disapproval and invective, at times in an apparent violation of the body’s rules during Monday’s tempestuous meeting. In the end, however, it signified nothing—at least for now. The Council voted down a resolution of no confidence in Council President Tracye Whitfield but not before trading fire amongst themselves for some time.

Supporters of Whitfield filled the chamber, but there had been signs before Monday the no-confidence push might peter out.

Springfield

Take My Council, Please: Be Kind, Please Rewind (That Vote)…

As announced, the Springfield City Council held a special meeting Friday to purge its “tainted” vote to discontinue a stretch of Wallace Street. Essentially a street only on paper, the body had approved the discontinuance on February 2. That would return the land to abutting property owners. One of those owners was JETS Property Development, LLC. City Council President Tracye Whitfield owns part of JETS.

Springfield

Take My Council, Please: Press Any Key to Discontinue…

The trouble erupted after City Council Tracye President Whitfield failed to immediately recuse herself from consideration of a street discontinuance. She co-owns the entity that owns a property that would grow once the city discontinues the street. Plus, her son was presenting the item. While she did not vote on the item, her time briefly presiding during consideration means the Council must purge its vote to terminate the street.

Springfield

Take My Council, Please: Early to Bed, Early to Rise, Early to Adjourn…

The first regular Springfield City Council meeting of 2026 after last week’s inauguration largely featured consensus. The highlight of the evening was a new contract with the firefighters.  There were also new economic development grants and a conspicuous cut to a grant the Police Department has received for years.

Tracye Whitfield

Making Springfield History, the Spotlight Turns to Council President Whitfield…

SPRINGFIELD—Tracye Whitfield started her fifth term as an at-large City Council by taking a second office: City Council President. In doing so Monday, she became the first woman of color to lead the municipal legislature here. Although historic, a fact that inarguably filled the city’s biennial inaugural exercises, it was hardly the only takeaway Whitfield intended people to have.

Springfield Municipal Group

The Year in Springfield, 2025…

Given a review of recent history in Springfield, 2025 may have expressed the disgruntlement many expected in 2023. However, the reasons may not be particular to the City of Homes. A foul wind from Washington was blowing and perhaps coloring the municipal electorate as much as anything. Courts also played a larger role in the city’s political fortunes than they had in years.

Springfield

Take My Council, Please: The Room Where It Happens…

SPRINGFIELD—There was no arithmetic grinch to upend at-large Councilor Tracye Whitfield’s march to the council presidency Monday night. Indeed, despite the doubt heading into the evening, the informal election of the body’s leader for 2026 occurred quickly and with little fanfare. As a result, Whitfield is on track to become the first woman of color to serve as City Council President here.

The substance of 2025’s last meeting, however, had its twists and turns.

Springfield

Take My Council, Please: A Curious George (Street) Project…

Since the Springfield City Council initiated the city’s adoption of the Community Preservation Act (CPA), the body has been widely supportive of it and the Community Preservation Committee created to identify projects to fund. By no means have councilors turned their back on the CPA or CPC, but the tension over an allocation at the December 1 meeting was notable.

Springfield

Take My Council, Please: To Be Continued, a Play in Three Acts…

Returning after the somewhat stunning election results, the Springfield City Council waded through a short agenda on November 17. To the extent there were any long colloquies, they were about a cybersecurity contract for the schools, the fate of Focus Springfield and revisions to the city’s food truck regulations.