New TV Spot about Crime

Teamwork

The legislators that Springfield voters have sent to Boston and Washington are excellent representatives who have helped the city in so many ways. We need a strong partnership with our delegations in the state and national capitols to ensure that we don’t miss one opportunity to bring more attention and more funding for Springfield’s needs.

Bud's 10 Point Plan to Fight Crime

(1) Immediate implementation of the Curfew Ordinance by the Police Department for all citizens under the age of 18.

(2) Immediate deployment of trained officers currently performing “office duty” to PUT MORE POLICE OFFICERS ON OUR STREETS.

(3) Having the Commissioner and all Deputy Commissioners working Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

(4) Requesting assistance from the State Police.

(5) Seeking Special state legislation to allow for “a regional approach to law enforcement” by utilizing police officers in other communities to assist Springfield.

(6) Increase in prison sentences for those convicted of possessing a firearm in the commission of a crime.

(7) Assignment of more Judges to the District and Superior Courts in Springfield with a focus on having special sessions for those charges with crimes of violence and weapons.

(8) Assignment of more officers to the 4-12 and 12-8 shifts where more violent crimes and drug activity is occurring.

(9) Immediate applications to State and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies for grant money for additional neighborhood police officers.

(10) Use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for Neighborhood Crime.

VOTE NOV 3RD FOR BUD L. WILLIAMS

Trash Fee Commercial (Honesty)

Economic Development

Springfield needs more good jobs so its hard-working people can make a good living, buy houses, send their kids to college, and have a secure retirement.
But businesses won’t invest in places they feel are unsafe. To keep our existing companies in Springfield, to attract new businesses, and encourage start-ups, we need to take care of crime, first of all.

Second, we need an economic development team of people who know the city and its needs, know how to make a solid pitch to attract new companies, and know how to work to keep the businesses and jobs we already have.

And there’s something else we can do: Foster Springfield’s entrepreneurial spirit. In the “City of Firsts,” people invented the first gas-powered automobile, the first gas-powered motorcycle, and the game of basketball. In a down economy, sometimes the best job is the one you make for yourself. The Williams administration will do everything it can to help businesses grow here, move here, and thrive and prosper here. That way, we’ll have good jobs here.

Bud Williams on Safety

Bud Williams on Trust

Transparency: Believe What You See

Transparency is a fundamental part of good government. If people know what’s going on, they’re more like to get involved, and an informed citizenry is key to a robust democracy.As mayor, my goal is to have an open administration that is accessible to the people and works with the City Council as a team, all working together for a better Springfield.

Trust and The Trash Fee

Trust, respect and integrity are paramount to Bud L. Williams. A man's word is his bond. Bud believes that Mayor Domenic J. Sarno broke the community's trust when he rescinded on his promise to remove the trash fee. Sarno heavily campaigned against the trash fee as a first time mayoral candidate with many pundits saying it was that stance that resulted in his win over an incumbent mayor."He made a campaign promise when he got into office and he abandoned that," Bud says. "He made a false promise to the residents of Springfield."Now, Mayor Sarno is delaying the mailing of the trash fee bills until after the election, Bud said."The citizens of Springfield will not be fooled again," Bud said. "Making a campaign promise and not following through is bad enough. Hiding the matter by delaying the issuance of the bills is deceitful and disrespectful to our citizens."The issue isn't so much based on the fee itself, but on the factor that citizens were misled by Domenic Sarno who pledged to eliminate the fee in his attempt to win the mayoral race, Bud said."City Hall needs a major dose of transparency. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me," Bud said, referring to a popular saying.In addition, a policy imposed under Sarno's administration calls for the removal of trash barrels at homes when fees are not paid. As a result, illegal dumping has increased around the city.Bud, along with Councilor James Ferrera III, has sponsored a resolution that calls for the suspension of the city's policy to seize trash barrels from residents and instead use other options to collect fees; options like a payment plan for people who can demonstrate a financial hardship or for seniors or placing a lien on a property where the fee goes unpaid.Bud believes the current trash fee policy must be changed to protect the public health of Springfield citizens. And citizens should be able to trust the mayor is a man of his word.

Moratorium On Low-Income Housing

City Councilor and Mayoral candidate Bud L. Williams has called for a Moratorium on Low Income Housing Initiatives in Springfield.In making his call for a moratorium, Councilor Williams stated “it is clear that Springfield has done its fair share of low income housing in western Massachusetts. It is now time for an inventory of low income housing units to be conducted in the city; and a judgment made as to how many more, if any, should be approved with use of city financial resources. Councilor Williams went on to say “it is also time for a summit meeting of all western Massachusetts communities to develop a strategy on how best to proceed” and “so every community meets its responsibilities under the law.”Councilor Williams went on to say “all across America, housing experts, including HUD have rejected the policy of warehousing people in high density developments. Longhill Gardens is a prime example of a past project that should have been demolished and turned into open space or single family units.”Williams noted, “even with the proposed density reduction for the Longhill Gardens project, it is still far too dense for the neighborhood. Creating open space makes more sense which will assist in the revitalization of the Forest park neighborhood.”

Close Gun Loophole

City Councilor and Mayoral candidate Bud L. Williams called for the"closing of the loophole" in the Bartley-Fox gun law of 1974 which exempts certain offenders from receiving a mandatory sentence for possession of a firearm.The sponsors of the legislation were David Bartley, former Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and retired Judge J. John Fox.Councilor Williams, following up on a crime prevention initiative released lastweek, stated:"It is time to close the loophole in the law which essentially gives some of those convicted of firearm possession to a get out of jail free pass." "there are too many guns on the streets of Springfield and closing this loophole will play a major role in reducing violence and sending violators to prison" Councilor Williams stated.The Bartley-Fox law allows for an exemption of the mandatory sentence provision. In calling for repeal of thatspecific subsection, Councilor Williams stated: "a violation of this law must result in a mandatory sentence. It is time we sent a message to criminals that there are no exceptions to the law. If you possess a gun and are charged by police you will face prison time - without exception."Councilor Williams served for 32 years as a Probation Officer and began his service in the Springfield District Court the year of implementation of Bartley-Fox. Councilor Williams stated: “This law has been on the books for the past 35 years. It has been an effective law enforcement tool. However, given the proliferation of guns on our streets, it is time to reexamine the law and make necessary changes for the protection of our citizens.”Regarding this legislative proposal, hearings will be scheduled with the City Council’s State and Federal Legislation Committee to solicit the support of the city’s legislative delegation.Councilor Williams stated “we need our state legislative delegation to assist in our crime prevention effort. This legislation will be a key component of my plan to reduce the level of crime and violence in the city.”

Bud Williams Announces Springfield Mayoral Run

About Bud L. Williams

Bud L. Williams is a people person. A community builder. An advocate. A trusted leader.A life-long resident of Springfield, Bud grew up in the heart of the city's North End. As a young man he worked at a family-owned grocery store in the neighborhood where he learned early on the value of hard work for a well-earned wage and reinvesting in the community.He knows the benefit of giving back to a city that gave him so much.Bud is a long-time public servant, serving for 16 years on the Springfield City Council. He is a believer in the city's young people. And an educator. A graduate of Roger L. Putnam High School, Bud exemplifies the value of Springfield's education system as a pathway to success. He earned degrees from Springfield Technical Community College, Westfield State College and a Masters in Education from the University of Massachusetts. He has taught in the city's public school system, a charge that his family continues. His wife of 37 years Dr. Gloria J. (Bass) Williams is principal at Frank H. Freedman Elementary School; his daughter Keisa is an assistant principal, and his son Kamari, a graduate of Rhode Island College, works with city youth. Bud is chairman of the Trustee Board of Mount Zion Baptist Church; former co-chairman of the Springfield Youth Commission; a member of the city's Dads Make a Difference Program; a former member of the Dunbar Community Center Alumni Board and has coached for the Youth Sports Program.Bud is a fighter of public safety for the residents of Springfield. A man who takes a zero tolerance stance on crime.For 32 years, Bud worked as a probation officer in the Springfield District Court system. He has often stated that helping someone avoid trouble was the most rewarding part of his job, while watching someone get locked up was the worse."I believe public safety is the most important issue of our city because it affects so many other city issues such as economic development and job opportunity for residents,” Williams says. He also knows there is no "clean sweep" approach to improving public safety, but that a coordinated, comprehensive plan involving all levels of law enforcement and community support is needed to reduce crime and keep citizens safe.Bud is a man who speaks from the heart. Listens to the voices of the community. Works tirelessly to serve others.He has served two terms as President of the City Council and was a member of the Finance Control Board in 2008. He is chairman of the council's Planning and Economic Development Committee and has served on many community boards including the Urban League of Greater Springfield, the Salvation Army, and the South End Community Center.He's a grassroots kind of guy who believes in residents of Springfield.Bud supports Springfield Jobs for Springfield people. And attracting new businesses to the city to foster economic development. “I am willing, excited, and ready to rise to the challenge of continuing to serve the citizens of Springfield, and continuing to make sure that city government does what is best for the people.” “I ask for your vote for Mayor of the City of Springfield.He believes in a better Springfield.