The year 2024 was one filled with political drama, new beginnings and signs of continued growth for the city of Springfield. Reminder Publishing took a look back at the year that was and selected some of the major storylines covered this year.
What do you believe was the biggest story in 2024? What will be the biggest development in 2025? Let us know with a letter to the editor at news@thereminder.com.
New superintendent selected amid drama
Drama surrounded the process of replacing Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Daniel Warwick.
Warwick announced in February he would step down from his position at the end of the 2023-24 school year. Warwick had served as superintendent since 2012, when he succeeded Alan Ingram. Prior to that, Warwick had served in deputy superintendent and assistant superintendent capacities after a 13-year stint as principal at Glenwood Elementary School in the city’s Liberty Heights neighborhood. He started his career as a substitute teacher before growing into more substantial roles including stints as a classroom teacher as well as a special education teacher and supervisor.
In the spring, several elected officials called the process of finding Warwick’s replacement into question.
At the April 22 Ad Hoc Superintendent Selection Advisory Committee meeting, Ad Hoc Committee member and School Committee Vice Chair Joesiah Gonzalez stated that he had “concerns that this [search] process may have already been breached and that there may be a need to restart this process.”
In his explanation, Gonzalez referenced an April 13 press conference conducted by Mayor Domenic Sarno with Warwick as well as Ad Hoc Committee Chair and School Committee member Chris Collins. During this conference, Sarno accused Gonzalez and other School Committee members Barbara Gresham, Denise Hurst and LaTonia Monroe Naylor of trying to push preferred candidates in the superintendent process. Sarno also suggested that one of the rejected candidates was a relative of Gonzalez.
These members had previously requested that the 11 complete superintendent applications be evaluated by the Screening Committee even though six had been labeled as failing to meet the position’s requirements by the committee-approved legal assistance.
The proposal was first made by Gonzalez in an April 4 email sent to the Ad Hoc Committee after members of the Screening Committee expressed interest in this idea at their April 3 public meeting.
Within this email, Gonzalez also proposed the Ad Hoc Committee consider voting to have one student from the student-elected Springfield Public Schools Student Advisory Council join the Screening Committee, ensuring student representation in the process.
After Gonzalez’s attempts to place these considerations on the Ad Hoc Committee and the full School Committee agendas were denied by Collins and Warwick, respectively, due to needed legal advice, he and the other School Committee members in support of the considerations choose not to attend the April 12 School Committee meeting. In the announcement of this decision, Gonzalez stated in an April 11 release that Sarno and Warwick “have hijacked the agenda of a public body.”
The four members again emphasized this point during the April 25 School Committee meeting when they walked out of the meeting in protest to the considerations not being placed on that night’s agenda. In statements prior to their exit, members stated that Sarno owed them a public apology for name-calling that occurred at the April 13 press conference.
An April 16 legal opinion issued by Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas LLP, the law firm working on this process with Springfield Public Schools, also recommended restarting the search process “in order to avoid some of the potential legal ramifications … that could be caused by changing the application process in the middle of a superintendent search,” according to the report.
On May 9, the Superintendent Search Screening Committee announced three finalists — Superintendent Rene Sanchez of Champlain Valley School District in Vermont; Sonia Dinnall, chief of family and community engagement for the Springfield Public Schools Empowerment Zone; and Springfield Public Schools Lead Chief Schools Officer Kimberly Wells.
The School Committee selected Sonia Dinnall as the next superintendent of Springfield Public Schools during a 4-3 vote at a special meeting on May 30. In her interview, Dinnall described a detailed “transition plan” for her initial 100 days as superintendent, which includes four phases. She also highlighted three main priorities, including “relationships and leadership,” “learning and achievement” and “family and community empowerment.”
Prior to the final vote in favor of Dinnall as superintendent, School Committee members motioned to select Wells as superintendent. However, this vote failed 4-3.
Warwick resigned on June 6 after the June 5 release of an unintentional voicemail recording of a conversation in which he disparaged at-large School Committee member LaTonia Monroe Naylor and her family, calling them “freaking scumbags.”
The resignation came hours after Monroe Naylor convened a press conference that packed the School Committee meeting room of City Hall. Her husband, Mah’dee Naylor Sr., members of the Naylor and Monroe families, fellow School Committee members and other local and state elected officials spoke in defense of Monroe Naylor.
Warwick did confirm that he was one of the people in the voicemail. Not long after the clip was released on Facebook on June 5, Warwick released a statement in which he said, “A conversation between a colleague and me was somehow recorded. I am mortified.” He described his remarks — calling Monroe Naylor and her family “scumbags,” questioning her credentials, saying the Naylors would “steal everything that’s not bolted down,” and called the Monroe family “crazy” — as “the result of total frustration with some of the issues we have been dealing with to uphold school department policies.” He acknowledged that was “no excuse.” Warwick said he had not intended the comments to be recorded and apologized for the “disparaging characterization.”
Akers becomes first Black head of Springfield police
A packed crowd at Symphony Hall, including a wide representation of community members, government and religious leaders, law enforcement and supporters were on hand to witness the swearing in ceremony for Lawrence E. “Larry” Akers as the city of Springfield’s first Black police superintendent.
Akers, a 38-year veteran of the department, was selected in January by Sarno to succeed now-retired Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood, who served 45 years with department.
“This is a historical day for the Springfield Police Department and the city and I’m proud to be here in the presence of all my family and all of you,” he said. “When I am long gone, my children and my grandchildren will forever remember this day in the city of Springfield.”
The state Legislature, including the entire Springfield delegation, approved a home rule petition that will allow Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers to remain in the position until the age of 70.
Normally, state law requires heads of police and fire departments to retire at 65 years of age. Springfield lawmakers, led by Bud Williams, co-sponsored the special legislation that would allow Akers, who turns 65 in December, to continue to serve.
While the bill allows Akers to continue working past his 65th birthday, his pension entitlement upon retirement will remain at the rate it would have been had he retired at 65. Williams’ original bill did not include the pension cap and had to be revised with the cap when concerns from state officials were voiced.
Gomez, Williams win reelection in contested races
State Sen. Adam Gomez and state Rep. Bud Williams both overcame challenges on their way to new terms representing their respective districts on Beacon Hill. Both were challenged by fellow Democrats and with no Republicans running for the offices, they secured the new terms during the Sept. 3 state primary.
Gomez, senator for the Hampden District, which consists of most of Springfield and parts of Chicopee, was opposed by Malo Brown, a Springfield city councilor and chief of staff to Williams. In a lively campaign that ultimately did not yield a close race, Brown lobbed accusations, some either unsubstantiated or simply false, toward the popular Hampden District senator. During a televised debate of FocusSpringfield, Brown claimed Gomez “defunded” the Springfield Police Department and misappropriated campaign funds for use at establishments such as Hooters and Shake Shack. He then falsely suggested Gomez had been incarcerated during the Lincoln-Douglas portion of the program.
Gomez, meanwhile, primarily focused on his own record, though during the debate he did make note of campaign behavior that had been reported as unethical, including campaigning while working in his capacity as Williams’ chief of staff. He also questioned Brown’s decision to vote on fiscal matters related to state funding, which could represent a conflict of interest. Gomez contended Brown should abstain from those matters.
Gomez won with 1,454 votes in Chicopee, 77.88% of the votes cast. His opponent, Brown, received 408 votes in the city, or 21.85%. In Springfield, where Brown is more well-known, he fared slightly better, garnering 2,692 votes (30.95%). Gomez had 5,773 ballots cast in his favor, representing 68.68%.
While Williams’ race for the 11th Hampden District in the state’s House of Representatives was quieter on the campaign trail — largely because he barely acknowledged his opposition — the outcome was much closer. Challenger Johnnie McKnight was defeated by less than 250 votes. Williams had 1,748 (53.6%) to McKnight’s 1,523 (46.1%).
MGM Springfield rumors
A March report by Bloomberg suggested the casino giant may be looking to offload its Springfield operations, sparking response from citizens and public officials alike.
The media giant reported on March 20, citing anonymous sources, that the company was in the preliminary stages of exploring the sale of its casino operations in Springfield as well as its Northfield Park horse racing track and casino in Ohio.
Sarno met with MGM Resorts International CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle to discuss the report. State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez said he was “deeply disappointed to learn from a Bloomberg News source that MGM Springfield is being put up for sale without prior notification to the state Gaming Commission or the Springfield state delegation.” State Sen. Adam Gomez and state Rep. Angelo Puppolo either suggested or outright stated their belief that the casino giant had little interest in its Springfield project dating back to its early design stages when the company pivoted from a proposed 25-story hotel to the current layout and phased out on-site market rate housing from its plans. Puppolo said he wouldn’t “be sad to see them pack up and leave.”
As of press time, there had been no visible or measurable action toward selling its casino operations in Springfield.
MGM Springfield’s land and buildings were sold in 2021 to MGM Growth Properties. MGM Resorts International leases the property and operates the casino and resort hotel. In addition, the company manages the operations for the MassMutual Center and Springfield Symphony Hall venues.
Overall, the Springfield casino’s performance has been below community and company expectations since its 2018 opening and operations were heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Hornbuckle and then-MGM Springfield President Chris Kelley met with Sarno and City Councilor Michael Fenton, who was chairing the Casino Oversight Committee, in January 2023. Sarno called for the meeting after concerns were raised about the company’s adherence to the host community agreement and continued reduced amenities and services following the easing of coronavirus pandemic-era restrictions.
After the meeting when speaking with the press, Hornbuckle admitted that the casino would possibly have not been built in Springfield had the current market conditions been previously known.
“Our original valuation of this market simply was, off full stop … We thought there would be more business here than ultimately materialized,” said Hornbuckle.
He also acknowledged the company had overall failed to maintain its promise of 3,000 jobs, stating 2,000 was a more realistic goal.
Springfield police, community continue to rebuild trust
Members of the Springfield Police Department — including Superintendent Lawrence Akers — and the community along with public officials, the NAACP, Mass Senior Council and the Pioneer Valley Project have participated in meetings this year. The purpose of the meetings was to create a foundation on which a community engagement plan can be built.
The community engagement plan is part of the 2022 settlement agreement stemming a federal investigation that found the Springfield Police Department’s Narcotics Bureau, now named the Firearms Investigation Unit, engaged in a pattern or practice of excessive force.
United Methodist Church and its pastor Catharine Cummings played host for meetings.
People suggested more walking patrols, so law enforcement gets to know the people and residents become more comfortable around police, as well and actively creating opportunities for engagement at community events and schools.
People also said there should be access to information and transparency. Other topics that were mentioned included accountability and duty to intervene among police officers and residents becoming comfortable with speaking up to officers.
East-West Rail chugs forward
At an April 22 press conference at Union Station, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal) spoke alongside legislators, and local and state officials, announcing the design of East-West Rail will begin this summer. East-West Rail, part of the “inland route,” is a major component to the state’s Compass Rail project, connecting points around Massachusetts with Springfield at its heart.
In the fall, Neal returned to announce the state received a $36.8 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant from the Federal Railroad Administration. The funding will bring the designs for the Springfield Track Reconfiguration Project to 100% completion.
Since its inception, Compass Rail has received more than $275 million in allocations from various sources for different sections of the rail network. These include the $108 million from the CRISI program for the Inland Route, with an $18 million match from MassDOT, $11 million from MassDOT for Platform C at Springfield Union Station; $4 million from MassDOT for Palmer Station Planning and Design; $8 million from MassDOT for Pittsfield Track Capacity; a previous $1.75 million from the CRISI program for the Springfield Track Reconfiguration Project, with a $1.75 million match from MassDOT and this $36.8 million from the CRISI program for the Springfield Track Reconfiguration Project, that requires a $9.2 million match from MassDOT. There was also $75.7 million to restore The Vermonter and $103 million to renovate and reopen Springfield’s Union Station. In the next five years, $123 million is slated to be spent on capital improvements for the Compass Rail system.
NCAA hockey a win for Springfield
Springfield’s first foray into hosting a NCAA Division I hockey tournament regional provided a shot in the arm for the local economy, according to early statistical and anecdotal data.
The Greater Springfield Convention and Tourism Bureau reported the three tournament games that took place on two days — Thursday, March 28, and Saturday, March 30 — brought with them a direct economic impact of $1.1 million. Mary Kay Wydra, president of the bureau, explained indirect and induced spending are subsequent impacts. As an example, indirect spending includes aspects such as money earned by employees of local establishments with induced spending being the employee using those funds to purchase items or otherwise reinvest in the local economy.
According to the NCAA, the MassMutual Center posted a two-day attendance figure of 10,172. On March 28, 5,765 hockey fans attended one or both opening round games between Denver and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, followed by the University of Maine and Cornell University. While two games were played on the first day, because they were part of a single ticketed event, the NCAA accounts for both games when tallying attendance. The MassMutual Center has a maximum capacity for hockey of approximately 6,800.
NCAA Director for Championships and Alliances Chad Tolliver told Reminder Publishing that given the turnout and strong showing by organizers, Springfield likely earned the opportunity to host similar events in the future if it chose to enter a bid.
City’s election processes called into question
At a press conference on June 13, a small group of community activists from the Pioneer Valley Project presented data that showed a dramatic discrepancy in voter rolls among Springfield residents. Using graphs displayed on three large sign boards, PVP President Reverend David A. Lewis Sr. and a handful of PVP members made a case that residents in city wards 1 through 4 were being disenfranchised through uneven use of the state’s inactive voter system.
The data presented by the PVP shows that, as of June 6, Ward 1 reflected 5,847 inactive voters, Wards 2 and 3 showed similar numbers, with 5,487 and 5,282 voters, respectively. Ward 4’s inactive voters totaled 3,746. Meanwhile, Wards 5 through 8 totaled just 145 people, with no more than 48 inactive voters in any of these four wards.
At a September meeting of the Springfield City Council Subcommittee on Race and Civil Rights, City Clerk and Election Commissioner Gladys Oyola-Lopez explained that each year the city sends a municipal census to all residences. The names of the people living at an address must be confirmed on the census and the form should be returned by mail, although Oyola-Lopez said the information can be delivered by phone or email, as well.
If a resident does not return their census, a second mailing goes out. If still not returned, the resident is marked as an inactive voter, because they may have moved.
Oyola-Lopez said answering the census is not the only way people can remain active voters. Signing a petition or nomination papers for a candidate for public office, both of which require the listing of an address, are considered voter activity, she said. Further, she said the databases for state agencies and connected and listing an address with one, such as the Registry of Motor Vehicles, will reflect on the voter rolls.
When a person categorized as inactive comes to vote, Oyola-Lopez said poll workers are trained to ask for proof of address. It does not need to be a photo ID, she said, anything that lists a name and address is acceptable. If the person does not have proof of address or an ID, they will be allowed to vote after signing a form affirming their address. “People should never be turned away,” Oyola-Lopez said. “We would never send a voter home for ID. That creates an unnecessary hardship.”
Thunderbirds are here to stay
On Oct. 4, the Springfield Thunderbirds and the NHL’s St. Louis Blues gathered employees, team and public officials, and local luminaries to the MassMutual Center to announce a new agreement that will extend the two franchise’s affiliation through 2031.
That agreement, coupled with a recently announced new five-year agreement that maintains MGM Springfield as the franchise’s presenting sponsor, have solidified the notion that hockey in Springfield is and will continue to be a staple in downtown Springfield.
In celebrating the announcement, Paul Picknelly, leader of the ownership group that bought an AHL franchise from Portland, Maine, made reference to a previous presenatation at which the franchise celebrated its estimated $126 million in economic impact, adding that by the end of this season, he anticipated that number would exceed $200 million.
Scott Howson, president of the American Hockey League, also announced the league’s Board of Governors had recently voted to keep its headquarters in Springfield “for the foreseeable future.” Springfield has been the league’s base of operations since 1936, however, with the league’s expansion, Howson said it had been exploring a move to a more central location.
SWSC’s new treatment facility on the way
Officials gathered at the West Parish Water Treatment Plant in Westfield this fall for the ceremonial groundbreaking of a nearly $300 million project designed to significantly upgrade and modernize the facility.
The project is backed primarily by $250 million in low-interest loans from the Environmental Protection Agency and MassDEP’s Massachusetts Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, as well as a $4.6 million federal earmark secured by U.S, Sen. Edward Markey (D-Malden), Neal and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Cambridge). The loan through the EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, Markey noted, was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Joe Biden in 2021.
In December, Springfield Water and Sewer Commission received $4.47 million in loan forgiveness from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Drinking Water Revolving Fund for the plant. The loan forgiveness is tied to a $15 million competitive low-interest loan awarded to the commission for the project in 2023, when it was the top-ranked drinking water project on the Clean Water Trust’s 2023 Intended Use Plan.
