SPRINGFIELD – Seven candidates will be facing off for the Ward 5 City Council seat primary on Aug. 16. The seat was vacated on May 31 when former Ward 5 City Councilor and City Council President Marcus Williams resigned from office.

Williams’ resignation led to City Councilor At-Large Jesse Lederman becoming the new council president. After considering how to fill the vacated position, the council ultimately agreed on hosting a special election after state Rep. Angelo Puppolo’s Home Rule Petition legislation was signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker on May 16.

The candidates for the Ward 5 primary include Springfield Mayoral Aide Lavar Click-Bruce, Springfield College Center for Service and Leadership Assistant Director Nicole Coakley, former 2015 City Council at large and 2017 School Committee candidate Lamar Cook, former Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees at University of Massachusetts Edward Collins Jr., juvenile parole officer Edward Green, former 2021 City Council at large candidate Mike Lee and the Women’s Funding Network Communications Director Ellen Moorhouse.

City Clerk Gladys Oyola-Lopez shared that Ward 5 residents can vote at a variety of locations, including the High School of Science and Technology Sports Complex, Mary Lynch School, the Clodo Concepcion Community Center, the Pine Point branch library, Duggan Middle School and Church in the Acres. Voters were also allowed to submit mail-in ballots before Aug. 6.

The Ward 5 primary will dwindle the race down to two candidates. The final election will take place on Sept. 13, with early voting taking place on Aug. 22 through Sept. 3. Ward 5 residents have until Sept. 3 to register for voting.

Ahead of the Aug. 16 primary, candidates coordinated with Focus Springfield to discuss their goals as an elected official.

Moorhouse stressed the importance of planning for the city’s future.

“I think we’re in a really strong position as a city … I really look forward to unpacking the budget to figure out what we are spending it on and what we can better invest in,” said Moorhouse. The candidate also shared she would address quality of life issues, like speeding, as well as advocate for a dog park in Springfield.

Lee advocated for additional police patrols to curb crime rates.

“Without a doubt, crime is the most pressing issue. I think we need more police patrols … If elected, I would like to increase C3 [community policing] units in Ward 5,” said Lee.

Collins Jr. discussed improving road conditions and providing accessible local options for mental health care.

“Access to mental health is way at the top of my list. Local access to mental health facilities [would allow] many to not have to rely on facilities far distant from Springfield,” said Collins Jr.

Cook spotlighted the need to curb gun violence in Springfield.

“Springfield does have an image problem. We are ranked one of the most dangerous cities in America, so attacking gun violence for me is a huge issue,” said Cook.

Coakley highlighted quality of life issues, property tax increases and improving resident access to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

“My focus is Ward 5, but I care about the whole humanity of Springfield,” said Coakley.

Click-Bruce also noted crime as a significant issue to address, advocating for a C3 police station to be included in the Sixteen Acres area.

“I think crime is running rampant … We want to make sure our residents feel safe,” said Click-Bruce.

The candidates also underwent a debate on Focus Springfield on Aug. 3. Reminder Publishing Executive Editor Mike Dobbs moderated the debate alongside additional questions from WMAC’s Paul Tuthill and Matt Szafranski of Western Mass Politics and Insight. Lamar Cook and Edward Green were not present for the debate.

The candidates addressed questions on the city’s usage of ARPA funds, specific needs within Ward 5, property tax rates, how the elected councilor will work with Mayor Domenic Sarno and the candidates’ election process.

Additionally, the candidates posed each other questions. When asked multiple times how his current role will affect his Ward 5 candidacy, Click-Bruce revealed that he will resign as a mayoral aid if elected to the council and remain independent of Sarno’s direct influence.

“If elected for City Council Ward 5, I will resign from my position as a mayoral aide … I can be independent [of Mayor Sarno]. The mayor is my friend and my boss. However, we do have tough conversations. I don’t mind knocking on his door and bringing up an issue that may be affecting our community,” said Click-Bruce.

Residents can watch the debate at https://www.youtube.com/user/FocusSpringfield.

Reminder Publishing reached out to Edward Green, but did not receive a response by press time.

Readers can learn more about the Ward 5 candidates at https://www.thereminder.com/localnews/springfield/candidates-announce-bid-for-springfields-ward-5-co/.