SPRINGFIELD – The City Council chamber was over-flowing with supporters of Victoria Rowe, a nominee for a seat on the Historic Commission on Feb. 23.

The council unanimously approved Rowe, and two other nominees, Shannon Walsh and Alphonse Nardi.

There was controversy created about the replacement of three long-time members of the commission.

Councilor Tim Allen said, “I’ve been distressed by the whole process.” He noted the changes revolved around a “political move.”

Allen said the three commissioners who were replaced – Ralph Slate, Marjorie Guess, Robert McCarroll – were dismissed “after a lot of back and forth with MGM.”

Allen wanted to know why Steven Shultis, the alternative commissioner who has been filling in Commissioner Thomas Belton who has been ill, was not considered for a full membership.

Although he said the mayor was “fully in his rights” to make changes, Allen said, “The whole thing has been tainted by what the mayor has done.”

Additional controversy more recently took place when remarks were made on Facebook by mayoral aide Darryl Moss about alleged statements made by City Councilor E. Henry Twiggs about Rowe.

Rowe had unsuccessfully run against City Councilor E. Henry Twiggs in the 2015 election and Moss wrote that Twiggs had made statements about opposing Rowe’s nomination.

Twiggs addressed the issue during the meeting. He prefaced his remarks saying that originally he had not intended to speak.

He stressed, “I have nothing personal against Ms. Rowe at all.”

Twiggs continued, “Why would I have anything bad about a young woman? That’s not me.”

He said that he has been encouraging people to become involved in politics.

Twiggs spoke to Rowe’s lack of experience in historic preservation. There are no requirements for the position for which Rowe was nominated.

Councilor Melvin Edwards said, Rowe “deserves a lot more respect than she has received.”

He added, “She accepted an invitation from the mayor to a non-paid board.”

Rowe told the council she would like to thank those “who made it a public issue whether you had good intentions or bad intentions. I think it brought a lot to things to light.”

What concerned her was “this was made public and I was deemed unqualified. Thank you Councilor E. Henry Twiggs as it brought to light my many qualifications.”