VOTE AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!
Reprinted from October 1, 2021
By now you must have heard or read about the results of the Boston mayoral primary election in which the Black acting mayor was defeated along with two other Black candidates. They all lost to two nonblack candidates for many reasons, not the least of which Black folks, who claimed to want Black representation did not vote. Don’t make the same mistake. There are folks in town who are deliberately trying to discourage Black folks from voting in hopes that they can replace Black incumbents with people of their choice. We must not allow them to succeed. Our choices for Springfield City Council and School Committee in the November 2nd election represent people whom we feel have represented the entire city well and will continue to do so if you do your part. They are as follows:
CITY COUNCIL
WARD 4: CHALLENGER JYNAI MCDONALD
Ward 4 deserves the best and Jynai McDonald has clearly demonstrated her willingness to deliver the best short of petty partisan politics. You won’t find her sticking signs in your yard without your permission or intimidating you at the voting polls or skipping council meetings or sucking up to authority for personal gain or the many other illegal and embarrassing things that the Ward 4 incumbent is known to do. Ward 4 deserves better and, in fact, it deserves the best which is why our pick for Ward 4 city council is the superbly qualified Jynai McDonald.
WARD 8: ZAIDA GOVAN
Zaida Govan has demonstrated her commitment to Ward 8 and especially the Indian Orchard neighborhood for years. She is the best person for the open city council seat in Ward 8 which is being vacated by Orlando Ramos.
WARD 6: INCUMBENT VICTOR DAVILA
Victor Davila came to the council with many talents and little fear and he has made generous use of both for the benefit of Ward 6 and the entire city. He is running against a perennial candidate who regularly loses because voters wisely choose otherwise. We hope they continue to do so by re-electing Victor Davila as Ward 6 city councilor.
*AT LARGE INCUMBENT JUSTIN HURST
The need to re-elect Justin Hurst almost speaks for itself. He is probably the most outspoken leader on the Springfield City Council. He understands the role of the legislative branch of city government and provides a refreshing counterbalance to a mayor “who would be king.” Justin Hurst is our choice for an at large seat on the city council.
*AT LARGE INCUMBENT KATERI WALSH
Kateri Walsh is the Dean of the Springfield City Council who has been elected year after year by Springfield voters who believe, as we do, that she has been good for the City which is why she is our choice for re-election to an at large seat on the city council.
*AT LARGE INCUMBENT TRACYE WHITFIELD Trayce Whitfield is a dynamic addition to the Springfield City Council who never fails to speak her mind and her conscience. Needless to say, she is fearless and feared by those who would prefer sycophants rather than warriors for the people. Trayce Whitfield is our choice for an at large seat on the city council.
*VOTERS CAN SELECT FIVE (5) AT LARGE CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
DISTRICT 4 CHALLENGER AYANNA CRAWFORD: Ayanna Crawford has worked hard on the campaign trail as compared to the incumbent who has rarely been seen up close by voters for years. She is superbly qualified, nonpartisan and dedicated to the educational needs of students which is why she is our choice for school committee for District 4 (Wards 2 and 8).
*AT-LARGE INCUMBENT DENISE HURST:
Denise Hurst is a well-liked, level headed, intelligent and dynamic incumbent who is not afraid to confront bad ideas and embrace those that are good for kids. She works well with the other committee members and is often at odds with the mayor who does not tolerate dissent well, which is why he is sponsoring a candidate specifically in an attempt to dislodge one of the two Black at large incumbents, which is even more reason why she is our choice for school committee.
*AT LARGE INCUMBENT LATONIA NAYLOR:
Like Denise Hurst, Latonia Naylor is a well-liked, level headed, intelligent and dynamic incumbent who is not afraid to confront bad ideas and embrace those that are good for kids which is why she is our school committee choice and because she is also on the mayor’s hit list simply for being Black and good at what she does.
*VOTERS CAN SELECT TWO (2) AT LARGE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
CANDIDATES
District 3 Incumbent School Committeewoman Barbara Gresham
Has no opponent but she is worthy of mention as one of the dynamic trio of Black school committee women who refuses to be intimidated and can be counted on to act in the best interest of kids. She deserves your vote. ■
