SPRINGFIELD ­— Springfield’s longest running mayor, Domenic Sarno, is seeking reelection to continue with what he says is “just getting started.”
On May 17, friends, family and supporters of Sarno gathered at the Greek Cultural Center for his campaign kick-off.

White Lion Brewing founder and President Ray Berry emceed the event and began by introducing guest speakers, along with local and state officials in attendance.

Bill Foley, a former city councilor of 28 years, said, “I am honored to be here tonight to speak about one of the greatest mayors in the city’s history.”
He continued, “To me, this election is not about changing government, it is about continuing the great work being done by the Sarno Administration to deal with the ever-changing times.”

Companies like CRCC and projects like 31 Elm St. and the Eastfield Mall development are a few of the many examples of business growth in the city, Foley said. “Also, Mayor Sarno has used bold and innovative thinking to pursue and encapsulate businesses like the casino and the burgeoning cannabis industry, both of which are providing much needed job and tax credibility,” he added.

Foley said the most “most impressive” of Sarno’s efforts is his emphasis on bringing in small, local businesses and doing what he must to help them thrive.

“He is everywhere — event after event, opening after opening — he will do whatever it takes to keep Springfield strong and vibrant,” shared Foley.

After the tornado hit the city’s South End in 2011, Sarno went door to door to make sure people were safe, and when COVID-19 began, he along with Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris and countless others “worked tirelessly to stop the spread of the virus and keep residents safe and informed,” Foley said. Also, when the coronavirus pandemic closed schools, Sarno worked with Superintendent Daniel Warwick to provide remote learning to the city’s 26,000 students, he shared.

The next speaker, Ward 1 City Councilor Maria Perez, said her ward is supposed to be the poorest in the state but it has become the richest with the Sarno administration.

“I could say that this evening I stand in front of you in support of Domenic J. Sarno to be elected as our next mayor of the city of Springfield,” she shared.
Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi said, “You can’t make this election about politics. It’s [got to] be about results and there’s only one candidate in this race that has proven results for the city of Springfield and that’s Mayor Sarno.”

In addition to Sarno working to improve the city of Springfield, he also has the community reentry philosophy that the Sheriff’s Office has, according to Cocchi. “He’s assisted us with our workforce initiative, being gracious in awarding us some of the [American Rescue Plan Act] money so we can pay individuals leaving incarceration on a Tuesday, they come back, show up on Wednesday and we got them out at work and they’re making money,” said Cocchi.

Regarding the work in the Springfield Public Schools with Warwick, Sarno has reduced truancy. Going off this point, Cocchi said they worked to open up the schools so the sheriffs could run a seven-week, 150 student, free summer camp for children of individuals who are incarcerated or children from disenfranchised backgrounds that cannot afford to have the summer they deserve.

“When you talk about the people’s mayor, you’re talking about a man that tries to be everything to everybody,” said Cocchi. “Anybody can jump in the race, but it takes a professional … It takes a compassionate, professional, loyal and a man of integrity to hold the seat and that’s our mayor, Domenic J. Sarno.”

April Robinson, an educator at Duggan Academy, has served in the Springfield Public Schools for more than 15 years. Robinson has witnessed the impact of improved school dropout rates, increased graduation rates and the many school renovations across the city, for which she credited Sarno’s leadership.

“Mayor Sarno, you are more than just the people’s mayor. You are the soul of Springfield,” Robinson said. “Our city is stronger because of your leadership and vision and I’m looking forward to you continuing that great work.”
She went on to say, “We know we are this far because of the leadership of Mayor Sarno, and we are not done yet.”

As Sarno took the podium, he thanked his campaign volunteers and staff for always being there for him, as well as the continued support from his wife, Carla, and daughters, Cassandra and Chiara.

“Let me begin by saying what I believe many of you have heard me acknowledge over the past several years … I love this city,” Sarno said. “It is an honor to serve as your mayor. Springfield has been and always will remain my home.”

He continued, “I love my job. I live it 24/7. I enjoy working with the outstanding women and men in both the public and private sectors, working together to create a better life for all our citizens. In doing so, I firmly believe that public service is a noble profession.”

Over the past 16 years in this role, Sarno said he learned that citizens are not asking much from the local government. “First, they expect strong, efficient, effective, strategic leadership with heartfelt compassion. I know I can continue to deliver on these ideals. It goes without saying that leadership is not always popular but it’s essential,” he shared.

Another ask from residents is accountability in their tax dollars. “Under my leadership, the days of the control board are long gone,” Sarno said. “We took control of our own financial destiny. Today, we have the highest bond rating in the city’s history, backed up by a healthy reserve. I have submitted eight consecutive balanced budgets without touching those reserves. We became accountable to our taxpayers.”

He shared, “I remain steadfast in my resolve to be the type of leader everyone can trust and work with.”

Sarno’s No. 1 priority will continue to be the war on crime. He noted that Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood and the “brave men and women in blue” have worked with the C3 neighborhood policing units to “significantly reduce crime and improve quality of life.” They also partner with Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni and Cocchi on these efforts.

“Let me be clear — criminals will not rule our streets,” Sarno said.

On the education front, Sarno inherited the school system with a graduation rate was hovering around 50% — “plain unacceptable,” he said. “Now through the tremendous efforts [with] Superintendent Warwick, we stand at [a] 86.5% graduation rate and climbing.”

Sarno noted that Springfield has the first free, full-day universal pre-K program in the state.

Regarding economic development, over $5 billion worth of projects has been created along with “several thousand good paying jobs” and real opportunities for all the citizens, Sarno said.

As Sarno officially announced his candidacy for reelection as the mayor of Springfield, applause, whistling and cheering echoed throughout the center.
This race, as noted by Sarno, will be contested. “I have never taken any campaign for granted [and] I certainly will not take this campaign for granted,” he said. “I will work hard to earn the confidence of our voters and believe you me, no one … No one will outwork us.”

He continued, “I respectfully ask for your support and your involvement in our campaign because the future of the wellbeing of our beloved city is worth the fight … Now let’s go get ’em.”

Sarno’s challengers for the mayoral race include City Council President Jesse Lederman, Councilor at Large Justin Hurst, state Rep. Orlando Ramos and David Ciampi. Each candidate is running as a Democrat.

Hector A. Martinez, Albert Michael Dziewit and Remington Robert Keyes have also taken out nomination papers, however as of press time, those papers had not been certified, according to the City Clerk’s Office. The last day to submit nomination papers is June 6 and those papers must be certified by June 20.
On Sept. 12, the individuals will face off in the preliminary election. The top two vote getters will then go head-to-head at the municipal election on Nov. 7.