SPRINGFIELD — An American flag that is making its way through every state and territory in the country and every military cemetery abroad came to Springfield on June 16. The flag’s journey, officially dubbed Flag Sojourn 250, is designed to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday.
Flag Sojourn 250, an initiative from the National Flag Foundation and America250’s America Waves program, has been made possible by the participation of sheriffs’ departments around the country, with the flag being handed off from one department to the next. The flag will end its tour in Washington, D.C. on July 4.
An honor guard from the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department solemnly marched toward Hampden County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Stephen Rose and Lt. Damian Cherry. Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Kenny Sheehan clutched the folded flag to his chest as he approached. After receiving a salute from his Hampden County counterpart, Sheehan passed the flag to Rose, who held the flag against his own chest.
Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi led those gathered in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by “The Star-Spangled Banner,” sung by Dawn Bourbeau, who the sheriff’s department referred to as the “executive songbird.” The sheriff then spoke about the flag as a symbol of unity in” times of tumult and strife.
“Our flag tells a story. It is not one single piece of cloth. It is made of individual stars and stripes stitched together to create something greater than any one part,” Cocchi said. “In many ways America is the same. We are people from different backgrounds, different cultures, dif-
City Council supports state rent control legislation
The council voted 10-0 in favor of a resolution supporting opt in rent control legislation. Page 7
Starfires return to Springfield
Baseball returns to Forest Park just one week before the country celebrates its 250th birthday.
8
ferent traditions and different walks of life... Yet we are bound together by common values and a shared love of country. Just as every stitch helps hold the flag together, every citizen helps strengthen the nation.”
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno stepped up to the microphone. He praised Cocchi for being community-oriented and he said Springfield Armory Superintendent Kelly Fellner had “put the armory on the map.”
Echoing Cocchi’s remarks, Sarno said, “That’s what America is about, a melting pot.” He added that he wished people would stop fighting and embrace their differences.
The mayor said the flag stands for veterans, many of whom have gone on to work in public safety.
“It’s because of them that America is still the greatest country in the world,” Sarno said. Fellner remarked that she sees the flag on top of the Springfield Armory every day when she goes
to work and is inspired. She said the flag’s blue field stands for perseverance, the red stripes for valor and the white stripes and stars represent liberty.
Fellner shared the history of the armory as an arsenal during the American Revolution and a key point midway between Boston and New York. The armory was used in every military campaign until it was closed in 1968.
After the ceremony, Cocchi told Reminder Publishing that he and other sheriffs around the country wanted to participate in the flag’s pilgrimage because of what it represents.
“It’s all symbolic. Watch the news today, flip from CNN to Fox. It’s not good. The rhetoric — we’re better than this,” Cocchi said. “We want to be part of bringing the country back to... respect and embrace differences and understand we are all Americans and we fight for the same cause — our safety, our prosperity, but you also have to
have in there kindness and love. And if that message can come from law enforcement officials, who also have responsibility of care and custody of offenders, I don’t know what better group to send it from.”
Cocchi continued, “We will serve and protect the public, which satisfies a lot of the right philosophy, but we also rehabilitate and give people second chances and opportunities to be their best selves, and that satisfies some of the left ideology. As sheriff, you can’t be Democrat of Republican. It doesn’t matter what political affiliation you have when you come in our doors. We have an obligation to take somebody at their worst time and bring them out on a path of bettering themselves, to bring them back to the community and be more law-abiding and productive citizens. And that’s our goal.” He said, “We are proud of our country, and I think all of us serve with honor every single day.”
SPRINGFIELD
Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and Springfield Armory Superintendent Kelly Fellner watch as Hampden County Sheriff’s Department Captain Stephen Rose takes a folded American flag from Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Kenny Sheehan during the Flag Sojourn 250 ceremony.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
Summer Carillon Concert Series returns after hiatus
By Tina Lesniak Correspondent
SPRINGFIELD — A beloved Springfield summer tradition will return this July as Trinity United Methodist Church resumes its historic Summer Carillon Concert Series after several years on hiatus. The free weekly concerts will take place each Thursday evening in July at 7 p.m. on the grounds of Trinity United Methodist Church at 361 Sumner Ave. Community members are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnic dinners
and non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy an evening of music performed on one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks.
The concert series was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic but is now returning as Trinity’s nearly century-old carillon once again fills the neighborhood with music.
“Following a hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, summer Carillon concerts at Trinity are resuming,” said Dr. Bruce Glenny, the church’s director of music ministries. “With bells weighing up to 8,000 pounds, our nearly 100-year-old carillon
will again ring on each Thursday evening in July.”
Food trucks will begin serving at 6 p.m. before each performance, while the church will provide complimentary water and desserts.
This year’s lineup features a roster of nationally and internationally recognized carillonneurs. The series opens July 2 with Ellen Dickinson, university carillonneur at Yale University and Trinity College Hartford. Margaret Angelini, college carillonneur at Wellesley College, will perform July 9. Jeremy Ng, a recent Yale graduate who stud-
ied carillon performance in Belgium, is scheduled for July 16.
Jennifer Hermann, a Boston-area attorney and freelance carillonneur, will perform July 23, followed by Philadelphia-based carillonneur and music arranger Paul Stelben on July 30.
Trinity’s carillon has been a prominent feature of Springfield’s cultural landscape for nearly a century. The instrument was donated by businessman and philanthropist Horace A. Moses, who envisioned it as a gift for the entire community rather than solely for the church.
The instrument was dedi-
cated on Sept. 11, 1928, and was cast by the renowned British foundry Taylor. Today, the carillon consists of 48 bells and includes a matching practice console.
The instrument underwent a major restoration in 2024 by Meeks, Watson & Company LLC. The 2026 concert season serves as an early celebration leading up to the carillon’s 100th anniversary in 2028.
“The carillon has been part of Springfield’s soundscape for nearly a century,” Glenny said. “We are delighted to once again share its music with the city.”
City Council, organizers support free buses, but youth are split
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD —
The Springfield City Council passed a resolution supporting fare-free buses with a vote of 10-0 at its June 15 meeting, overwhelmingly rejecting Mayor Domenic Sarno’s June 2 call for an end to the program, a statement he has walked back in the two weeks since.
Sarno’s comments were in reaction to an incident at Union Station on June 1, in which an estimated 50 to 70 young people gathered and violence broke out. There were eight arrests in the next 24 hours at the site. Sarno, who witnessed the incident, saw free transportation as the cause of so many people gathering at the station. At a press conference the next day, he said, “This free bus has got to go.”
At the June 15 meeting, however, Ward 6 City Councilor Victor Davila declared, “Fare-free buses are here to stay.” He said safety is a serious concern, and that the Springfield Police De-
partment should have officers permanently stationed at Union Station, rather than rotating police through the transportation hub. He acknowledged that the department is “stretched thin.”
At Large City Councilor Kateri Walsh pointed out that the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department had personnel deployed at the station before the state cut funding.
Ward 8 City Councilor Zaida Govan refuted the idea that farefree buses are the source of violence at Union Station. “Farefree transportation is not a safety issue,” she said. Rather, she said the problem was, “Young people don’t know how to act.” She said the city needs to identify a way to limit violence among youth.
Ward 5 City Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce commented, “There should be accountability on who rides the buses.” Many of the residents he spoke with are concerned about violence at Union Station, and he said young people are not the only perpetrators.
Backtracking on the idea of eliminating free buses, Sarno has
since called for a mechanism to track who is riding the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority buses, such as a voucher or swipe card. Rather than blaming the issue of violence on youth taking free buses, Transportation for Massachusetts Executive Director Reggie Ramos said, “They need to investigate the core problem.”
Jacqueline Velez, who is a Springfield resident and board member of T4MA, said comments about eliminating fare-free buses is “dangerous rhetoric.” She said people are already burdened with the cost of rent, which she said is as much as 50% of some people’s income. “There’s also people being food insecure,” she said. Considering federal cuts to health care and other programs, she said keeping fare-free buses is “the least they can do.”
Ramos said fare-free buses save people an average of $230 per year. “Fare-free connects people to opportunities and youth to school,” she said. She said people rely on it to access doctor’s appointments, jobs and young peo-
ple can more easily participate in sports. Velez said members of her family do not own cars and without buses, would need to rely on rides from others.
“This is an equity issue,” Ramos said, noting that 55% of PVTA ridership are low-income.
Velez added, “The jobs here don’t pay very much.” She said eliminating the fare-free buses “feels like a punishment, for sure.” Referring to a recent move by state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, Velez said, “Gonzalez riding the bus and talking to people is what the mayor should have done.”
Ramos said there has been a “huge return on investment.” She said Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority found it was more expensive to collect fares than to provide free buses. She also said that fare-free buses increase driver safety because altercations between drivers and riders are higher when collecting fares.
Meanwhile, Ramos said the idea of tracking who is using the bus is “grossly inequitable” and “potentially discriminatory.” She also said that it would put a burden on the PVTA. “Their job is to connect people and get them where they need to be. That’s it,” she said.
Ultimately, Ramos said the city does not have the power to eliminate fare-free buses because it was a part of the state budget.
While the City Council and
organizers are adamant that buses should remain free, the city’s teens and young adults are split on the issue. Karah Wray, who is in her early 20s, was recently at Union Station. She said, “I don’t think they should stop the free rides. I’m not rich. It’s not our fault the delinquents don’t know how to act. The freeness is saving my life,” she said.
Wray’s 22-year-old friend
Monaisha Crapps disagreed. “I think it’s so ghetto ... all the kids fighting, smoking. I think all the kids should be banned from the bus,” she said, adding that that behavior was not a problem when she was a teen. If a ban is not implemented, she said she would be in favor of parental supervision for 13- to 18-year-olds on the bus. Wray agreed on the idea of adult supervision. However, 17-year-old Kenyon McCollum II had a different opinion. He uses the PVTA to get to night classes.
“At the end of the day, certain people are going to treat Union as a hangout,” he said. Ending farefree buses would mean “you’re taking transportation from thousands of people.” He liked the idea of a card or pass and said people who have been banned from the station could be kept off the bus.
Reminder Publishing reached out to the PVTA for comment but did not hear back by press time.
American International College announces spring 2026
SPRINGFIELD — American International College is proud to announce that the following local students have earned a place on the Dean’s List for the spring 2026 semester. These full-time students have attained GPAs ranging from 3.3 to 4.0.
AIC applauds the dedication and achievements of these enterprising students.
Indian Orchard Aryanna Cosme, Brianna Evans of Indian Orchard
Joanna Grier, Gregory Sherokow, Gabriela Baez Santiago, Kaylie Moran, Allanah Pressley, Yuleishka Alvelo Melndez, Cristina Reyes Moran, Venessa Malave, Keyara Narcisse, Betzaida Batista Benitez, Sarai Andrades, Darrion Mattern of Springfield, Nevaeh Trejo, Michelle Lassalle, Milady Anderson, Jacob Burgos, Rashod Kyles, Abubaker Elsiddeg, Alaya Shirley, Phuong Thao Lai, Lisbette Perez, Shakira Martin Reyes, Darius Martin, Elza Blaise, Faith Baez, Julianie Rosa, Naiana Vazquez Rosado, Nethzaida Marrero, Habibo Abdulkadir, Elizabeth Castaneda, Ramon Sierra, Jonathon Aponte, Leslie Nguyen, Manny DeLeon, Isaura Flores, Startasia Cruz, Trinity Nunez, Christian Maldonado, Malwina Kukwa, Seyphon Triplett, Ivan Rosas, William Bedore, Anthony Bedinelli, Jaylen Long, Ashema Disco-Williams and Runuel Bibby.
Hello Summer
More Than Bikes Around Town
By Tina Lesniak Correspondent
For many residents of the Pioneer Valley, ValleyBike is a familiar sight: rows of bright bicycles parked and waiting for their next rider.
But for the people behind the system, ValleyBike represents something larger than a ride across town. It is part of a long-term effort to expand transportation options, reduce dependence on cars and connect communities throughout Hampshire and Hampden counties.
“ValleyBike Share solves several problems for the area’s residents, but primarily, we are proud to be an accessible, affordable, and convenient transportation option for the Pioneer Valley community,” said Liat Perlman, specialist for community and partner engagement for Drop Mobility, the company that operates the system.
ValleyBike’s electric pedal-assist bicycles serve residents, workers, students and visitors throughout the region. The goal, Perlman said, is to provide an alternative transportation option for people who may not own a vehicle, want to reduce their environmental impact or simply want a more active way to travel.
“We aim to be an alternative and active transportation option for those who may not have a car, want to reduce their carbon foot-
print, or want to add some fun activity to their daily commute,” Perlman said.
ValleyBike operates across a network of smaller municipalities and college campuses spread throughout the Pioneer Valley. Despite the different geography, usage patterns remain surprisingly consistent.
“Bikeshare provides transportation regardless of the geography,” Perlman said. “The average trip length is around 1.5 miles, and almost all trips end in a different location from where they started, indicating real transporta-
tion.”
In the Pioneer Valley, riders also have the ability to travel between municipalities, something that distinguishes the system from many urban bike-share networks.
Since relaunching in 2024 under Drop Mobility’s management, ValleyBike has recorded more than 60,000 rides and served over 12,000 unique users. More than 1,300 riders have purchased equity memberships, which cost just $4 per month for income-qualified residents.
Perhaps more telling, she added, is the fact that ridership continues throughout the year.
“As the system operates year-round, we see riders taking advantage of ValleyBike even on the coldest days, indicating that residents in the area truly rely on the system for daily transportation,” Perlman said.
The system’s impact is particularly visible in Springfield, where ValleyBike has become another transportation option for residents navigating the city’s neighborhoods.
Andrew Strniste, Springfield’s director of community planning, said the network has created opportunities for residents who may not own a vehicle or have reliable access to public transportation.
“ValleyBike has opened opportunities for Springfield residents who may not own a car or have reliable public transit by allowing users to move throughout the western part of the city through the various neighborhoods, from Sumner Avenue in Forest Park to Baystate Medical in the North End to AIC in Mason Square,” Strniste said.
With approximately 20 stations throughout Springfield, the system provides another way for residents to travel within the city.
“One notable observation is that one of
See ValleyBike Share on page 3
ValleyBike bicycles await riders near Springfield’s Forest Park Middle School.
ValleyBike Share
Continued from page 1
the stations that is in high demand is Union Station, both as a beginning destination and ending destination,” he said. “This reinforces the idea that Union Station is serving as a successful multi-modal transportation destination in the city.”
Other heavily used stations include those near the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Mill Street and Belmont Avenue, and Mercy Hospital. According to Strniste, the popularity of those locations suggests the bike share system is helping residents access jobs, services and attractions throughout Springfield.
“The new bikes that are being used in Springfield are lighter, more modern, pedal-assist e-bikes, which makes for a smoother and easier ride for the user,” he said. “We hope these equipment upgrades, combined with surrounding communities continuing to grow the network, will allow users of the bike share program to move more easily in and out of Springfield and throughout the region.”
Still, creating a truly car-light lifestyle in Western Massachusetts remains a challenge.
Perlman pointed to several obstacles, including long distances between communities, inconsistent bicycle infrastructure, limited public transit options and the region’s weather.
“Some of the challenges this region faces in terms of car-light living include weather, additional bike parking needs around apartment complexes, distance between towns, gaps of public transportation in the Hilltowns, inconsistent biking infrastructure between municipalities, and insufficient bus routes,” Perlman said.
The system’s continued growth has depended on partnerships among municipalities, colleges and regional organizations.
“Partnerships from all participating municipalities have been crucial to the success and expansion of the ValleyBike Share system, as well as with universities in the area, such as UMass Amherst,” Perlman said.
Recent grant funding has also provided a major boost. ValleyBike received a $1.5 million grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to expand access for equity members and support operations.
Another $1.5 million grant from the Massachusetts Department of
Transportation will fund additional electric bicycles and help cover operating expenses.
Looking ahead, ValleyBike leaders envision both deeper service within existing communities and expansion into new ones.
“In the short term, our vision is to increase the number of stations within the existing communities and expand the number of equity pass users,” Perlman said. “Our long-term vision is to launch into new adjacent communities and install more stations, making the system even more useful for daily commuting and recreation.”
For Drop Mobility Chief Operating Officer Dipesh Dar, the mission extends beyond transportation itself.
“Programs like ValleyBike are about more than just transportation; they’re about creating more connected, accessible, and vibrant
communities,” Dar said.
“We’re excited to expand this system and continue to provide the Pioneer Valley community with a sustainable way to move around the region.”
Summer Concert schedule
Chicopee
Aldenville Summer Concerts
Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Aldenville Commons on Grattan Street.
Wednesday, July 1 — Axis
Tuesday, July 7 — Brad Shepard
Tuesday, July 14— Jimmy Mazz
Tuesday, July 21 —
Ken Morr Band
Wednesday, July 22 — Dave Colucci Show
Tuesday, July 28 —Richie Mitnik, Ethel Lee and Joe Saimeri
Tuesday, Aug. 5 — Union Jack British Invasion Band
Wednesday, Aug. 5 — Nice Shirt Band
Tuesday, Aug. 11 — The ‘60s Experience
East Longmeadow
Rotary Concert Series
Free concerts at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays at Mapleshade Elementary School, 175 Mapleshade Ave. Concession stand will open at 6 p.m.
July 3 — Trailer Trash and laser light show
July 8 — Union Jack British Invasion Band
July 15 — 7 Roads
July 22 — Brass Attack
July 29 — The ‘60s Experience
Aug. 5 — Above the Treeline
Aug. 12 — Pride Falls
Aug. 19 — Rain date, if needed
South Hadley
Village Commons
Summer Concert Series
Free concerts at the Town Common, Thursdays from 6:30-8 p.m. Rain date is the following Sunday.
July 2 — Sound Bridges
July 9 — The Berkshires
July 16 — The Willies
July 23 — Blue Devil Bluez ‘rocknsoul”
July 30 — Union Jack British Invasion Band
Aug. 6 — Cotonwood
Aug. 13 — Midlife Crisis Band
Aug. 20 — Jimmy Mazz
Aug. 27 — Berkshire Hills
Music Academy
Buttery Brook Summer Concert Series
Friday night concerts at the Bandshell in Buttery Brook Park, 123 Willamansett St. Concerts begin at 5 p.m. Food and beverages available; no outside alcohol. No dogs per park rules. For more info, visit facebook.com/butterybrookpark.
June 26 — Mid-Life Crisis
July 10 — Next J. E. N. Band
July 17 — King Kountry
July 24 — Cottonwood
July 31 — Lindsey LaBe
Aug. 7 — Blue Devil Bluez
Aug. 14 — Acousticca
Aug. 21 — Dr. C and the Feel Goods
Aug. 28 — The Berkshires
Sept. 4 — Moos & the High Tops
Sept. 11 — Full Circle
Springfield
Forest Park Summer Concert Series
Free Thursday night concerts in the Forest Park Amphitheater. All concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. Attendees can enter Forest Park through the Sumner Avenue or the Route 5 entrances for free after 5 p.m. In case of rain, concerts will be moved to the Carriage House tent.
July 9 — Dee Reilly
(Carriage House)
July 30 — Petty Larceny Band
Aug. 6 — Skynard Hatchet
Aug. 13 — Zac N Freid
Aug. 20 — Jake Manzi Band
Aug. 27 — Unforgettable Fire
Sept. 3 — Bennie and the Jets
Sept. 11 — Floyd Patterson Band
MGM Free Music Fridays
Live outdoor music at the MGM Springfield Plaza every Friday through Oct 23, from 7:30-9 p.m. Plaza opens at 6 p.m. Beverages at the casino’s two outdoor bars or White Lion Brewery’s outpost, food at an on-site restaurant or one of the weekly local food trucks.
June 25 — Billy and the Jets
July 3 — Heartlands
July 10 — Blizzard of OZ
July 17 — Simply the Bess
July 24 — Malado
July 31 — Raquel & Su
Aug. 7 — Back in Black
Aug. 14 — The Warped Band
Aug. 21— Below Deck-
Aug. 28 — E Street Shuffle
Sept. 4 — Moondance
Sept. 11 — Aquanett
Oct. 9 — Cathedral
Oct. 16 — Dookie
Oct. 23 — Johnny Six Gun
The Landing Summer Concert Series
Located adjacent to the Springfield Convention Center Carpark and MassMutual Center, every Thursday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Food trucks, drinks and lawn games.
July 2 — Carol Devine & The Mighty Fine
July 9 — Jarreau Pitts
July 16 — Now That’s ‘90s
July 23 — La Era Del Mambo
July 30 — Trailer Trash
Aug. 6 — Tafari
Aug. 13 — Brass Attack
Aug. 20 — Whiskey Traveler
Aug. 27 — Deep River Ramblers
Wilbraham
Fountain Park Concert Series
Located at 883 Tinkham Road in Wilbraham. Concerts take place at 6:30 p.m. on the lawn. Concerts are free; $5 parking donation per car unless you have a season pass. The concert lineup had not been completed by press time. Visit explorefountainpark.com/eventslist/2026-summer-concert-2 for updated information.
For a complete list of summer concerts in the area, visit thereminder.com.
Compiled by Debbie Gardner
City Council supports state rent control legislation
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — At the urging of state Sen. Adam Gomez and outcry from financially strapped residents, the Springfield City Council voted 10-0 in favor of a resolution supporting legislation that would allow municipalities to opt into rent control.
Rent control was banned in a 1994 statewide referendum. Senate bill S. 1447 filed by Gomez and state Sen. Patricia Jehlen and House bill H. 2328 from state Reps. David Rogers and Samantha Montaño would limit rent increases to 5% or the annual change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower. There would be carve-outs for owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units and those in housing authority-owned buildings. The rent control restrictions would not affect rental units in a newly constructed building for five years.
The legislation would also require evictions to be based on just cause. Just cause includes nonpayment of rent, refusal to accept a legal rent increase, substantial violation of lease, criminal behavior by tenants, public nuisance or damage to the unit. It also allows eviction if the owner seeks to demolish the unit or convert the unit to a cooperative or condominium.
At the June 9 General Government Committee meeting, At Large Councilor Justin Hurst cited 2023 data that showed 24% of Springfield residents were cost burdened, paying more than 30% of their income to housing costs. Of those people, 31% were severely cost burdened and paid more than 50% of their income to housing costs.
Hurst emphasized that the legislation would give the city and its residents the power to decide whether to adopt rent control. During the committee meeting, he said that if the legislation passes,
a local option would need to either pass a vote of the City Council, a home-rule charter change or a Springfield municipal ballot.
A resident at the committee meeting commented, “I understand why landlords also bring up their rent, because property taxes are going up, but I think it’s important for the city to also consider, stop raising property taxes.”
Another person remarked, “Do we want the developers who are afraid of rent control, do we want them developing in our communities?”
Ahead of the June 14 meeting, community groups, including Springfield No One Leaves, Neighbor to Neighbor and MA Senior Action gathered on the steps of City Hall for a rally and press conference. Many of those activists gave public comments during the meeting. One after another, they said that wages have not kept pace with rental increases.
Nicole Coakley said that over the 10 years she has lived in her apartment, the monthly rent has increased from $900 to $2,000.
“What about the people whose wages have not doubled?” she asked. She then urged the City Council to “send a message that our community is not for sale to the highest bidder.”
Nevah Cruz said people are making “impossible choices” between rent, prescription medicines, utilities and feeding their families.
In a written statement, one resident said that their sister and her autistic child are staying with her because they cannot afford rent. This is the third time in six years she has opened her home to family or friends in that situation. Meanwhile, another resident said she hides in the bathroom so that her children do not see her cry over worry about rent.
Katie Talbot said about 90% of rental units in Springfield are owned by corporations. Stephen Howard agreed, saying that cor-
porations buy residential properties inexpensively from people who are struggling financially and then charge “astronomical prices. He remarked, “If this isn’t gentrification, I don’t know what is.”
The problem is widespread, said Gomez. “It exists in every single neighborhood that we all know. Springfield has 22 neighborhoods, 14 of those neighborhoods fall below the federal poverty level. It exists in Brightwood. It exists in the North End. It exists in Old Hill. It exists in Upper Hill. It exists in Forest Park. It exists in the South End. It exists in Indian Orchard. It exists even in Ward 7, Ward 6. These neighborhoods contain census tracks where poverty rate exceeds 20% and where generations of residents have faced systematic barriers in economic mobility.”
Gomez said, “These are neighborhoods filled with hardworking people, families, veterans, seniors, immigrants, children, small business owners, people who contribute every single day to the fabric of our city. And yet these are often the same neighborhoods most vulnerable to displacement when housing costs rise.”
The senator explained that the problem has far reaching consequences. “Housing is not simply a roof over someone’s head,”
Jeanmarie Deliso of New York Life’s Connecticut Valley General Office presents
munity Impact Grant check to Alex Santiago of Community Music School of Springfield in support of the Sonido Musica after school ensemble program, which provides free weekly music instruction for young people in Springfield. By supplementing Sonido Musica’s in-school instruction with after-school programming, this program provides a positive and productive out-of-school activity for youth, opportunities for deeper learning, and a chance for students to connect with others from different schools and neighborhoods, all at no cost to the students or their families. Also pictured (from left to right): Sonido Musica staff members Rick Marshall, Ashley Judkins, Kyle La Fleur and Zack Bartolomei, with Sonido Musica strings students.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
Gomez said. “Housing is health care. Housing is public safety. Housing is an educational opportunity. Housing is economic stability. And housing is human dignity. And when housing becomes unaffordable, everyone of those pillars begin to crack, especially in front of this city hall.”
Gomez said, “Government has the responsibility to stand with working people ... And while Springfield’s economy continues to grow, to many residents, they’re asking a simple question. Will there be a place for me when it’s all said and done?”
At Large Councilor Brian Santaniello asked Gomez about the rent control question expected to be on the November ballot. Gomez said that is a “one-size-fitsall” solution, whereas his legislation allows municipalities to the craft rent control policy that best fits their community. He said Gov. Maura Healey has stated that she is open to a compromise on rent control, and he believes this is the best compromise.
Ward 2 Councilor Michael Fenton remarked that it was a wonderful compromise, while Ward 5 Councilor Lavar ClickBruce noted that his 26-yearold daughter lives at home because she cannot afford to rent an apartment.
Ward 8 Councilor Zaida Govan, who co-sponsored the resolution with Hurst, said, “This is about our values.” To meet the long-held federal guideline that no more than 30% of a person’s income should go to rent, Govan said that someone paying $2,500 per month would need to make $90,000 annually. She remarked that new teachers and police officers — jobs the city relies on — do not make $90,000.
Gomez said the goal is to maintain momentum on the subject and have a vote on the Senate floor before the formal session ends on July 1.
Staff
State Sen. Adam Gomez urges the Springfield City Council to pass a resolution supporting rent control legislation in the State House.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
Starfires return to Springfield with fourth Summer Classic
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — America’s favorite pastime returns to Springfield’s Forest Park just one week before the country celebrates its 250th birthday.
The Westfield Starfires take the field at Walker Grandstand in a matchup against the Worcester Bravehearts for the fourth Summer Baseball Classic on June 28 at 4 p.m.
Family activities and a youth baseball clinic from Starfires coaches and players begin at 2:30 p.m. The event and on-site parking is free.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Starfires owner Chris Thompson and Deputy Parks Director Peter Krupczak unveiled the event plans on June 18. Sarno said, “this has become a staple now, this annual game.”
The Starfires are a collegiate summer team in the Futures League, an eight-team New England league with a 56-game season. Thompson said the team is currently in playoff contention and is excited to return to Walker Grandstand.
“It’s just great to have the Westfield Starfires back here in
the city of Springfield,” Sarno said. “I appreciate what they’ve done for Westfield and all across there. We should support teams like this, and [Thompson], again, he puts his head, his heart, his soul, his gut into this.”
Sarno said in a press release that the last few years of the Summer Classic were “tremendous and reminded me of the old days of Sunday afternoon baseball in the park.”
“We are very excited to bring some life back to this iconic stadium in our beloved Forest Park,” Sarno said in the release. “Walker Grandstand is a big part of Springfield history.”
Sarno and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal spearheaded a $4 million renovation to Walker Grandstand in 2025. The project refurbished the grandstands, updated accessibility in the dugouts and added an outfield fence with major-league dimensions.
The late sports journalist Garry Brown received dedication through a scoreboard name change in 2025 as well. Sarno said he is proud to honor Brown and that he “looks down upon us from heaven. He loved baseball so, so much.”
Krupczak noted the positive
impact the renovations have brought to the field.
“Every time we had a time here, either the players, the coaches, the fans, they always remarked what a fantastic ven-
ue this is to play baseball, it’s even better now,” Krupczak said. “This is just a terrific place. We’re very happy to welcome Chris Thompson and the Starfires back … we’re hoping for
a nice day and we invite everybody to come out to have a great baseball day.”
Sarno ended with stating, “this is the natural game of baseball, so we hope to see you June 28.”
City Council supports proposed rule to appear in person
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — A month after Ward 7 City Councilor Gerry Martin proposed limitations on remote participation in meetings and faced significant pushback from colleagues, the council voted 10-2 to approve the resolution. The resolution, which was co-sponsored by Ward 3 City
Councilor Melvin Edwards, Ward 2 City Councilor Michael Fenton and Ward 8 City Councilor Zaida Govan, would establish criteria for remote participation, including medical or family emergencies, and “extraordinary hardships.”
Asked what hardships would be eligible, Martin was vague. Councilors who do not fall into those categories will be expected to appear in person for all regular
council meetings and hearings.
Martin said that if a councilor who did not have an emergency or hardship chose to attend a meeting remotely, they would not be able to participate in discussion or vote on agenda items.
The resolution that was passed had been changed substantially from the one Martin proposed at the May 18 council meeting. That draft stated that it was “dis-
TheReminder.com
Every week we will provide you with a complete listings of deaths from the preceding week from throughout Greater Springfield. We are doing this as a convenience to our readers in case you miss an obit in the daily paper. We hope you find this useful and that you will refer to it weekly.
CHICOPEE
Stanley Bator
Mary T. Blanchette
Neal W. Gonet
Phyllis J. Murdock
Susan M. Neely
Lawrence C.J. Ryan
EAST LONGMEADOW
Walter J. “Joe” Krol
HOLYOKE
Beverly A. Doty
Ina Y. Klimczuk
LONGMEADOW
Anthony S. Marangoudakis
LUDLOW
Theresa Black Maria Diniz
Joaquim “Jack” Henriques
Dorothy Mikaelian
SOUTH HADLEY
Harvey L. Cook
Sheila A. DeRosier
SPRINGFIELD
Angelina A. Braica
Robert Francis Canning
Peter I. Donnelly
Geoffrey E. Donovan
Henry F. Fuss
Mark W. LaBonte
Thomas M. Rheault
Wilhelmina C. Siracuse
Robert K. Stetson Jr.
Jerome Thomas Weldon Sr.
WILBRAHAM
Suzanne Elmasian
respectful” for councilors not to physically appear at council meetings. Several councilors disputed that characterization. It also required the City Council president approve reasons for remote participation. At Large City Councilor Brian Santaniello had disagreed with that provision, stating that it would violate the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly known as HIPPA.
Taking the concerns of his colleagues into consideration, Martin changed the resolution. Councilors are on an “honor system” in declaring their reason for remote participation. Martin removed the characterization of remote attendance as “disrespectful,” and created a carve-out for special City
Council meetings, as they are often called with shorter notice than regular meetings. Despite these changes, At Large City Councilor Kateri Walsh remained opposed to the resolution. She said the council needed to “embrace technology” as a tool. She said not all councilors can show up to the meetings, and it is more important that councilors vote than be there physically.
Walsh and At Large City Councilor Justin Hurst were the only councilors who voted against the proposed rule. The resolution is non-binding, and the choice to implement it is up to the discretion of City Council President Tracye Whitfield, who did not support the measure when first proposed.
From right: Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Westfield Starfires mascot Stanley the Squirrel, Starfires owner Chris Thompson, Deputy Parks Director Peter Krupczak.
Reminder Publishing photo by Peter Tuohy
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
STRM: East Longmeadow July 4 celebrations are bigger than
By Dennis Hackett dhackett@thereminder.com
EAST LONGMEADOW — With the United States celebrating its 250th anniversary this July, East Longmeadow is pulling out all the stops with one of its biggest Fourth of July celebrations to date.
On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me,” East Longmeadow Rotary Club and 250th Committee members Donna Prather and Adele Hill joined Tyler Garnet and myself to talk all about East Longmeadow’s Fourth of July and 250th anniversary celebrations, dubbed “Celebrating America 250th in 01028 in the USA”.
Hill said people can look forward to “lots of stuff” as a part of the celebration and said it was a group effort with organizations in town.
“Celebrate 250th in East Longmeadow started off as sort of an idea with different groups from the Recreation Department, Rotary Club, as well as the town manager’s office, and it has evolved into this huge amount of coordination for a bunch of different events starting on June 26,” she said.
Hill added that Center Field will serve as the main stage for the events kicking off on June 26, which includes live music and a beer garden put together by East Village Tavern. Beginning on June 26, there will be a car show from 5-7 p.m. with a performance from Just Go With It; on June 27, there will be lawn games, Trivia with Rich and the town’s first ceremonial bonfire, along with live music from Project 267; there will be a cornhole tournament from 3-7 p.m. along with a performance from Aquanett; and on June 29 the Rotary Club will be offering free meals for veterans followed by a performance from Now That’s 90’s. There will also be food available for purchase every night.
Following the additional four days of events this year, the annual carnival kicks off on June 30 at Center Field, which runs every day through July 4. There will also be live music at the carnival each night starting with Masshats
on June 30, Trailer Trash on July 1, the Black Cadillacs on July 2 and 7Roads Band on July 3. Also, on July 3 at Mapleshade Elementary School, Trailer Trash will perform again before the laser light show, which is scheduled for 9 p.m. All the concerts will take place at 7 p.m., and the carnival will run each day from 6-10 p.m.
On July 4, the parade steps off at 10 a.m. from St. Michael’s Church and will continue along the traditional route from Maple Street to North Main Street to Maplewood Street to Elm Street, while the carnival runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day. It’s Pat Again will play the last concert that night.
Hill said a new addition to the parade this year is a sensory spot.
“Which will be Elmcrest, which is just at the end of the parade route before the parade route ends at Hanward Hill,” she said.
“The DPW and police, we’re going to set it up so that we have the area cornered off and families can have one-sided parking on that street so they can park close so those with issues with loud noises, loud sounds or loud colors, and lights and such have a more quiet area to actually enjoy the parade.”
Along with the events throughout the week, the club and Historical Commission are still accepting submissions for the time capsule until June 27. There are donation boxes available in town buildings. Hill also highlighted the first business that submitted for the capsule.
“If you look on Facebook, Jeanie’s Weenies gave a hat, so that was actually the first thing donated,” she said.
Hill also said the laser light show, which has replaced the traditional fireworks because of the construction of the new high school, has been a huge success.
“We are guessing we had thousands of people for the laser light show because everybody else in the area canceled their fireworks because they couldn’t set them off,” she said.
Prather said the new location at Mapleshade was also a success.
“We got a lot of great feedback also about the location of it be-
cause of the way it was set up on the field and people were able to walk to it,” she said.
Hill said that putting all the events together is a community effort.
“It’s great to have so many planners from the town, town officials, as well as with the Rec. Department and Rotarians who have all come together to help plan these different events,” Hill said. “For the July 4 parade, we have a lot of community members who come out and help.”
Prather added that the volunteers are a huge part of organizing the events.
“It’s huge, it goes from word of mouth to someone out there hanging a banner, or setting up chairs for an event, we have high school students that help us, this wouldn’t happen without volunteers, both monetarily and sweat equity,” she said. “It’s enormous how many people come out and help.”
Prather said she was most looking forward to people coming out and having fun.
“It’s really about seeing people happy and having a good time; there’s enough to worry about going on in the world right now so let’s just have some fun,” she said.
The following communities
also have plenty of events in store for the holiday and anniversary:
• Chicopee is celebrating America’s 250th birthday from 4-10 p.m. at Szot Park on Friday, June 26. Fireworks will take place on Saturday, June 27, with a rain date of Sunday, June 28, at Szot Park.
• Holyoke’s July 4 fireworks celebration will take place at Holyoke Community College on Friday, June 26, and a rain date is scheduled for Saturday, June 27. The event begins at 6 p.m. There will be food, music and family-friendly activities before the fireworks display at dusk.
• On Saturday June 27, the Thunder in the Valley Concert & Fireworks Festival returns. The event is ran by nonprofit Unbroken Wings Inc and the proceeds for the event go to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network at Baystate Children’s Hospital. It is a full day event featuring live bands, food trucks, family-friendly games and activities and a fireworks show to end the night. The annual South Hadley fireworks celebration will occur on Friday, July 3, at 5 p.m., with the fireworks commencing at 9:30 p.m. at the Michael E. Smith
Middle School. A potential rain date is scheduled for Sunday, July 5. The evening will include food trucks, vendors, rides and games for kids. There will be a DJ in the parking lot, and the South Hadley Community Band will start to play at 8 p.m.
• Westfield will be home to the annual Wyben Fourth of July Parade, which starts at 5 p.m. on July 4 at the corner of North and Montgomery roads. Westfield will also have a fireworks display at Westfield Middle School on July 2 at 9:15 p.m.
• Star Spangled Springfield returns on July 4 from 6-10 p.m. with fireworks to be displayed from the Memorial Bridge.
• Enfield will host its Fourth of July Town Celebration from July 10-12. There will be a 5K at 9 a.m. and parade at 11 a.m. on July 11 along with a car show on July 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the fireworks at 9:45 p.m. Beginning on July 10, there will be live music and family events throughout the weekend.
To listen to the full episode, head to thereminder.com/ourpodcast or search “So That Reminds Me” on your favorite podcasting platform.
East Longmeadow Rotary Club and 250th Committee members Donna Prather and Adele Hill joined Tyler Garnet and Dennis Hackett on the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me.”
