G. Mike Dobbs
About Mike
G. Michael Dobbs has worked for Reminder Publishing for 22 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
I’m not running for office but I have a wish list for Western Mass.
As I write this column the Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival is just a few days away. It will draw thousands of people to downtown Springfield — as long as the weather holds — making a sizable economic development impact on the region through restaurant and hotel use.
Displaying Ten Commandments in schools won’t change a thing
When I first lived in Springfield from 1957 to 1962, I attended kindergarten, first and second grades. I remember the school days starting for the first and second grades with the Pledge of Allegiance, singing a patriotic song and then a prayer, often accompanied with a reading from the Bible.
The biggest summer controversy? Ketchup on your hot dog
Ah, summer in Western Massachusetts and some traditional summer topics are emerging from the back of my brain.
This geezer is trying to bridge the information gap
So, recently I was at the one and only Smokey Joe’s Cigar Lounge — in beautiful downtown Springfield — enjoying a good cigar, an adult beverage and lively conversation. (Truth be told, I am twice a week on a very regularly basis.)
On her trip to Rome, Healey takes detour toward irony
My wife and I do as much as we can to lower our use of plastic and decrease our carbon imprint. Granted we do not drive electric cars and we don’t have solar panels installed — if I hit Powerball we will be doing both.
For MGM, the attention is not about Springfield
In April, MGM Resorts International President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle met with Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno to discuss the future of the casino as Bloomberg had reported earlier in the year that MGM was considering selling the Springfield casino. After the...
Don’t discount this report about our economic future
Sometimes the universe has an unusual sense of timing. For instance, the following report from MassINC about the development potential of the Pioneer Valley has been recently released in the midst of two disturbing stories about two large economic development...
Vets who died at Holyoke Soldiers Home didn’t get justice
Several things are on my mind this week. Where’s the justice? The families of those veterans who lost their lives due to COVID-19 at the Holyoke Soldiers Home did not receive the closure they needed with the recent court actions that essentially slapped Bennett...
MGM is the gift that keeps on giving to journalists
And now there is a chorus singing, “I told you so.” The news that was reported by Bloomberg last week that MGM Resorts International is “exploring” selling its Ohio racino — a combined race track and casino — and MGM Springfield was greeted on social media and...
The Cannabis Control Commission should move on this issue
According to the State House News Service, now at least one cannabis retailer has inquired to the Cannabis Control Commission that they are interested in applying to sell Massachusetts Lottery products.