Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Antonette Pepe
April 26, 2011
Good Evening!
Thank you for joining me as I announce my candidacy for Mayor of the City of
Springfield. Before we start, I want to tell you I don’t make promises I can’t keep.
As many of you know, I have had the honor and privilege to serve the students and
families of this city. As a member of the School Committee, my mission has been to Promote
Excellence in Public Education. Sometimes this has meant that I am not the most popular person
on the committee. I ask tough questions and I demand answers.
My record shows that I always respond to the people I serve.
Enough is enough! Political favors, closed door deals and all the other things that don’t
serve the people’s interest in this city are over. There will be no more closed doors in City
Hall with me as your mayor.
Economy
We are facing an economic crisis in our country and in our city and state. We continue to
see a decline in our middle class. We have lost many businesses. And now we face nearly a
13% unemployment rate in Springfield.
As your next Mayor and Chairperson of the School Committee, I will continue to work
hard to ensure that our young people receive the proper education.
Too many times, our young people have been told, “if you do well in school and come
back to Springfield, there will be a job waiting for you.” Well...Where are the jobs? It is time to
stop making false promises.
Springfield Financial Outlook
As we stand here tonight, another financial crisis is looming. The 7% cut in state
financial aid translates to a city deficit of $18 million.
The current Mayor is attempting to balance the city budget through a combination of
surplus funds and concessions from city workers, including a wage freeze and 12 furlough days.
This is at best a quick fix. We need a comprehensive plan.
This Mayor needs to be clear and straightforward. Springfield citizens and employees
need to know that everything has been considered in addressing the budget shortfall before they
are asked to make additional sacrifices. There cannot be politically protected areas.
Another problem is we really don’t know the full financial picture.
Let’s face it, Springfield is not currently being run efficiently; and yet, the current mayor
wants four more years. If he couldn’t get it right the first 2 times, the 3rd time won’t be a
charm.
I will work with every City Councilor to resolve problems. They have a responsibility to
the city and the Mayor has a responsibility to include the Councilors in major decisions, such as
the budget.
2
Education
As you know, education is an issue close to my heart. As a member of the Springfield
School Committee for the past seven years, I have fought for the families and staff who make up
this school district. My tenacity and my accomplishments are evident. One of my most
significant achievements was instituting the school uniforms. With hard work and a lot of
dialogue over several years, I incorporated the input of principals, teachers, families, and
churches to get it done.
We must offer an academically rigorous program of studies that meets the varied needs
and interests of our students. Our children deserve instruction from highly qualified teachers;
smaller class size; a diverse curriculum; and a safe, clean environment.
As a School Committee member, I have been a constant watchdog of the taxpayers’
money, insisting that it go into the classroom rather than into a top-heavy, over-paid
administration. As an at large School Committee member for the past 7 years, I was able to
effectively work on the School Department budget, which now totals $360 million. If I could do
that, you know, I can effectively handle a city budget of $200 million.
I’ll be a leader who is not afraid to protect the taxpayers’ money.