Kateri B Walsh

Posted by The Republican Newsroom November 06, 2007 23:48PM

Categories: Politics

By MIKE PLAISANCE
mplaisance@repub.com

SPRINGFIELD - On a day when voters chose big changes elsewhere on the ballot yesterday they returned all eight incumbents to the City Council and made former city solicitor Patrick J. Markey the lone new councilor.

"We got to convince enough of them that I was a worthy candidate," said Markey, laughing.

"It feels a little lonely (being the only newcomer), but I do know all the incumbents and I think I will be able to work with them," said Markey, 43.

He said he believed his support came from voters recognizing that he was head of the city Law Department from 2004 to 2006 and that he used to be a federal prosecutor.

Voters also approved a binding question to add ward representation to the City Council and School Committee overwhelmingly - 74.2 percent to 25.8 percent - effective with the next municipal election in 2009.

Candidates mounted campaigns emphasizing to voters this election was important because it will be during the two-year term that begins in January that authority over city finances will return to the City Council.

That's because the term of the state-appointed Springfield Finance Control Board is set to expire on June 30, 2009.

At that point, the council again will be authorized to approve or reject spending initiatives from the mayor, cut or approve the mayor's budget but not add to it, and set the property tax rate.

The council has nine members, with the ninth incumbent - Councilor Domenic J. Sarno - having run, and won, in the election for mayor by defeating two-term Mayor Charles V. Ryan.

Council President Kateri B. Walsh swept aside her poor showing in the Sept. 18 preliminary election in which she placed 10th by finishing fifth yesterday, ahead of three other incumbents and Markey.

Voters apparently liked her introduction of public speaking time before Springfield Finance Control Board meetings, her push to get the state to extend the deadline for a loan repayment and her declaration the next police commissioner should be from Springfield, she said.

"I think they appreciated my hard work," said Walsh, 61.

Councilor Jose F. Tosado, finishing first as he did in the preliminary election, attributed a big part of his popularity to his being the most vocal ward representation supporter on the council.

"It passed overwhelmingly and I think personally I can take a lot of credit for it," said Tosado, 53.

The second-place finish of Councilor Timothy J. Rooke was a development that caused head-scratching among some, including Rooke.

Rooke for years has been the city's loudest foe of ward representation, yet voters gave Rooke more votes than all council candidates but Tosado while simultaneously opting hugely for ward representation.

"I'm just very pleased with it," said Rooke, 45. "I think it is a reflection of the hard work and the hard issues we have tackled over the years."

Rooke joked that he might seek a recount: "I can't believe I finished second."

Voter turnout was 27 percent, with 21,548 of 78,796 registered voters going to the polls.

 

For Immediate Release                                                                                 March 13, 2006

Contact Kateri B. Walsh 781-8042 or wkaterib@hotmail.com

 

 

Walsh Calls for Forgiveness of All Loans

 

 

In order to give Springfield a fighting chance to turn its finances around the State needs to forgive all loans, especially economic development loans.  Said Springfield City Councilor Kateri B. Walsh.

 

The city cannot afford to repay the $10 million loan for the Basket Hall of Fame established in 1997 or the $17.5 million loan for the Mass Mutual Center created in 2002" said Walsh.

 

The city needs to retain the 4% local option hotel tax that we were forced to give up in order to garner the extra $17 million needed for the Mass Mutual Center, just think how much liquid cash that would mean to Springfield.

 

As part of the legislation to grant Springfield the additional money for the civic center project Springfield agreed to pay back that money to the Commonwealth through an entertainment tax zone and relinquish its right over the local option hotel tax, a tax that other communities can put directly towards their municipal budgets. That 4% currently goes to the State’s Convention Fund, not to Springfield’s general fund.

 

Springfield must have a meaningful partnership with the State in order to turn itself around, right now our hands are tied behind our backs with the amount of loans we must repay to the Commonwealth.  the State should be encouraging economic development not hinder local efforts to expand economic opportunities with the weight of multi-million loans that the city cannot repay at this time.

 

There is no need for the legislature to pass a bill to extend the life of the Control board, the legislation creating the Control board already granted that power to the board. Walsh said: “The life of the Control Board should not be extended, the life of the loan should be extended”.

 

What the legislature should do is first eliminate the $52 million control Board loan and if it can't do that it should extend the term of the loan to the same term the city received for the new basketball Hall of Fame, a 50 year repayment.  50 years is far more reasonable than the 5 year repayment the state is currently forcing upon our city, commented Walsh.

 

The loans should be forgiven and the state should increase the local aid given to Springfield and pass legislation creating a bullet train from Boston to Springfield to encourage more homeowners to locate to the Western part of our Commonwealth.

 

-End-

INTERNATONAL WOMEN’S DAY  CELEBRATION/THURDAY, MARCH 8, 2007

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

 

As President of  THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL, It is with  great pleasure that I welcome our award winners, their families and friends and the wonderful and hard working women of the   SPRINGFIELD WOMEN’S COMMITTEE to our celebration  OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

 

INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8^th every year all around the world. This date is also observed at the United Nations . A practice started in 1975 that recognizes Gender equality as a fundamental human right. and is a national holiday in many countries.

 

It is a day devoted to remember at least 9 decades of struggle for equality, justice and peace. And to honor the economic, political and social achievements of women .

 

Some significant facts :

 

The first organized national women’s day was observed in  1909 following a declaration by the Socialist party of America .

 

Today’s ceremonies pay tribute to the 140  working girls , most of them immigrants  who lost their lives in the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire  in New York in 1911.

 

We remember today the brave efforts of the  female garment workers to protest poor working condition and low wages. Who were  attacked and dispersed by the police but they persisted and established the first labor union.

 

We honor women around the world who have held rallies for peace and we  remember the suffragettes who gave us the right to vote, we honor the women who dedicated their lives to creating  equal pay and opportunities for their daughters, grand daughters and great-granddaughters.

 

This is the spirit we celebrate today reflected by this year’s theme of:

Generations of women moving history forward.

 

I think it is important to recognize that the opportunities open to many  women today are the result of hard work by the women who came before us and we kept this in mind when we decided to honor 5 outstanding women who live and work in Springfield and every day make our community a better place.

 

Before we hear from our honorees , I’d like to introduce the ad hoc Springfield women’s committee. Just look around you and see what a great job they did for today’s ceremony.

 

Please stand and be recognized :

 

The committee is chaired  by Ann Marie Shields and Gloria Torres. Gloria is the recipient of the one of the first recognition awards given by the Massachusetts commission on the status of Women.

 

 Members include Etta Hill, Arlene Putnam, a former award winner, Thea Katsounskis, atty Melissa Shea. Marci Webber, Betty Johnson , Margarita Sanchez. And Lois Smith.

 

First we will hear from Atty. Cynthia Tucker, then each recipient will be introduced by the committee member that nominated her.

 

Each recipient will be asked to say a few word.

 

I’d also like to recognize some of my colleagues in government  who took the time to be here today:

 

Mayor Ryan

 

City Councilors:

 

Other elected officials/ department heads

 

Other guests.

 

State Rep. Mary Rogeness could not be here today but has a citation for all of the honorees.

 

 My committee has worked hard to make today a wonderful event and we have generous sponsors who I’d like to recognize.

 

First, Carmen          at Stonybrook who created the graphics and invitations with the help of committee member, Marci Webber

 

Macy’s Department store and Stop and Shop who donated gifts thru the efforts of committee member Lois smith

 

Committee Members Margarita Sanchez and Betty Johnson who donated the refreshments. Also thank you to the members of Canaan Baptist church for their delicious contributions to today’s event.

 

Eastfield Mall who thru the efforts of committee member Arlene Putnam donated gifts for our special guests and

 

The law firm of Sullivan, Hayes and Quinn who thru the efforts of Atty. Melissa Shea provide the silverware and china and table settings

 

 Langone’s florist who donated the beautiful arrangement for Mrs. Hazel McLeod.

 

And Bea O’Quinn Dewberry for her great article  on the ceremony today.

 

Thank you very much for your support.

 

The first honoree is Dora Robinson who will be introduced by  Arlene Putnam.

 

The next honoree is Dawn Rodgers who will be introduced by Ann Marie shields.

 

The next honoree is Allison Weisman who will be introduced by Thea Katsounksis.

 

The next honoree is Anita Rivera who will be introduced by Etta Hill.

 

 

Thank you all for coming today to join us to honor these special women. We look forward to seeing you next year.

 

Please join us for refreshments.

 

Stabbing suspect confined

Thursday, June 01, 2006

By JEANETTE DeFORGEjdeforge@repub.com

 

HOLYOKE - A man who admitted to police that he repeatedly stabbed a store owner so he could steal money to buy crack cocaine is being held in jail on $500,000 bail.

 

Charlie Jusino Vega, 24, was arraigned yesterday in Holyoke District Court, about 15 hours after police identified him as a suspect in the security tape that recorded the Memorial Day robbery and tracked him to a West Springfield home. He was charged with attempted murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and armed robbery.

 

Saying Vega confessed to attacking owner Hussian Syed and citing Vega's long criminal record that includes arrests for armed robbery and assault on a police officer, Assistant District Attorney Michael J. Walsh explained why he was asking for a high bail.

 

"We believe this individual is a menace to society," he said during the arraignment.

 

After the 4 a.m. assault at Sam's Food Store on 515 High St., Walsh said Vega fled and hid for two days in the Highland Street apartment where he was arrested at about 9 p.m. Tuesday. He cut his hair in an attempt to evade police.

 

Vega's court-appointed lawyer, Jeffrey S. Weisser, waived an opportunity to argue against a bond, saying "We believe some bail is appropriate."

 

Judge Kenneth J. Cote entered innocent pleas on Vega's behalf, set bail at $500,000 cash or $5 million surety, and continued the case until June 28.

 

When Walsh detailed "this horrific crime," Vega leaned on his elbows and yawned repeatedly while a translator repeated the description in Spanish.

 

"He robbed this store to fuel his drug habit," Walsh said.