The next mayoral race will culminate with an inauguration in 2028. That’s a while off but the supporters of Dominic Sarno are prepping now.
Recently, Peter Picknelly hosted a fundraiser for the mayor at The Student Prince. At that event, Sarno, who is the longest-serving mayor in the city’s lengthy history, declared he is running for another four-year term to much applause from the participants.
The event was described as an “honor” to Sarno. It wasn’t some sort of honor. It was a political fundraiser conducted to benefit the mayor’s future plans.
Sarno announced in a written statement earlier this year that he has cancer. He has not revealed what kind of cancer or if the treatments would make an impact on his ability to fulfill his duties for mayor. So far, Sarno has maintained his busy schedule.
The job of mayor, if done correctly, is the hardest job in government. A mayor must be an expert in not only his own municipal government and how it works, but also the ins-and-outs of state and federal government.
A mayor is a 24/7 kind of job. Constituents will call you at any time of day or night. They will corner you in a grocery store or in a restaurant or on the steps of your church.
A mayor is the ultimate cheerleader for his or her community. No matter what problems or challenges a community faces, a mayor will find something positive to say and promote.
Sarno has certainly been accessible and he pops up everywhere in the city.
Many times, serving as mayor is a springboard to some other political position. For instance, Richard Neal used his successful time as mayor to run for Congress.
Sarno runs opposite of this career path. I’ve had people ask me if Sarno would run for Congress when Neal decides to leave. I’ve said, “nope” with a fair amount of conviction.
In all the years I’ve covered him and in all the conversations I’ve had with him at no time did he even hint at having aspirations that go beyond City Hall. Could he have run and won a seat in the Legislature? Sure. Could he run successfully for Congress? I think so.
Sarno loves being mayor. He loves Springfield.
He is the most astute natural politician I’ve ever met. He knows your name. He gives you a nickname — mine is “Kolchak.” He knows how many kids you might have. He asks questions about how you are doing, sometimes quite specific. How he keeps all of this knowledge in his head is beyond me.
His tenure has been marked by not only an improvement in the proficiency of our schools but also in many school building projects. His administration has benefitted from three big economic development projects: CCRC (which came here at the request of Gov. Deval Patrick), Union Station (which really was Neal’s project) and MGM Springfield.
Crime has decreased in the city, although Springfield still has a lousy and inaccurate reputation.
So, four more years? This will be interesting. Sano beat back a group of challengers the last time but could he do it one more time?
Naturally there are a bunch of variables. They include the potential candidates and the identification of issues. The amount of money any candidate could raise to match Sarno’s war chest is another issue. Whoever runs needs real resources.
Issues and projects can be more difficult to identify as we are only a year into the mayor’s current four-year term. Quite possibly a problem that is identified now could be handled in the next three years.
As a Springfield resident, one of my concerns the growth of more housing in the city — although the fact that in my neighborhood the constriction of two two-family properties on lots so small they can’t accommodate enough driveway space for potentially four cars is not the solution. That’s very poor planning.
Besides housing, there are many business properties in the city that stand vacant. The promised economic development boom that was to accompany the opening of MGM Springfield never happened. There are vacant mixed-use buildings across from the casino complex that remain empty.
We need a very aggressive economic development effort, which in my opinion is not happening now.
Sarno has three more years to address these issues. How he does that might be factors in his continuing his time as mayor into another four years.
If you think you’re going to run, you may start the process now. It may take you four years to effectively build you campaign.
G. Michael Dobbs has worked for Reminder Publishing for 23 years of his nearly 50-year-career in the Western Mass. media scene, and previously served as the executive editor. He has spent his time with the publisher covering local politics, interesting people and events. The opinions expressed within the article are that of the author’s and do not represent the opinions and beliefs of the paper.
