Springfield native Karen Powell is running for City Council. Following are her answers to a series of questions I sent her via email.
The interview is part of an attempt to reach most, if not all, of the candidates for City Council this year and learn more about their background, unique qualities, and thoughts about the city. Those candidates I have not reached, and would like to be interviewed, are invited to drop me a line.
INTERVIEW WITH KAREN POWELL
About the candidate
Education: Jefferson Avenue Elementary; Lincoln Elementary; Chestnut Junior High; Forest Park Middle School; Technical High School; Commerce High School. Graduated from Springfield Technical Community College in June 1974 as a dental assistant.
Employment: Steigers sales clerk; Forbes & Wallace secretary; Ycomp data entry/computer; Bob Powell’s Auto Repair co-owner/office manager. On a part-time basis, while managing at Powell’s: Springfield City Library circulation clerk; Springfield Schools Temporary Parent Outreach Specialist; paraprofessional in a SEBS class (social/emotional/behavioral support); Bonavita Companies executive assistant.
Volunteer and civic involvement: Keep Springfield Beautiful; Citizens for a Clean Springfield; Springfield City and College Communities Coalition on Alcohol Abuse; American Cancer Society Relay for Life; member Sixteen Acres Civic Association; member Outer Belt Civic Association; member Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; graduate Springfield Citizen Police Academy).
Who are some people you’ve most looked up to in life, and why?
Many of the people I looked up to were either survivors or people that stood up and made a difference. As trite as this may sound, I most looked up to my grandmother on my mother’s side.
She was one of eight children that came over from Russia to escape the pogroms. My grandmother married my grandfather and had two children. My mom was the youngest and she had an older brother, Henry, that they found was mentally retarded. When my mother was born in 1918, they were forced to put Henry, my mother’s brother, in Monson State Hospital. Back then, you had very little choice.
My grandfather died when my mom was very young, which left my grandmother to care for her daughter at home as well as her son in Monson. Thankfully, families lived together in those days, so when my grandmother had to work to make ends meet, my great-aunt took care of my mom. My grandmother had a lot to shoulder and never complained. She would visit her son every week and she was a great mom to my mother.
Another person I wish I could have met would have been Rosa Parks. She showed courage by standing for what was right and she did not back down. She also kept her dignity while doing so.
Scientists, their work is so important but they aren’t recognized very often. Sometimes we have a Jonas Salk, whose name we remember, but there are so many more whose names we don’t know.
Another group of people I admire is our military personnel. They put their lives on the line to protect our freedom, and we too often forget that. To put your country and what it stands for ahead of your own personal interest and safety is heroic, and they should be revered.
Neighborhoods
How has Springfield changed since you were a kid, and how has it stayed the same?
When I was a kid, our neighborhoods were more like families, everyone knew their neighbors and watched out for each other. We didn’t lock our doors and we were always playing outside on our street with the other kids. We just don’t see that anymore.
The city still has some of the same great attractions it had years ago. The parks, museums, symphony hall and the armory, to name a few.
What do you miss most from your childhood years and what do you like best now, as an adult?
What I loved most about Springfield when I was young was downtown. We had so many little restaurants and stores. During the holidays, the streets were lit up and the stores were all decorated. You could walk down Main Street and it was just amazing.
I love to look at some of the homes. You can find some incredibly beautiful houses all over the city. We sometimes just drive around looking at the architecture of these houses.
How would you describe your neighborhood in the city, and how does it compare to other neighborhoods?
My neighborhood is made up of mostly ranch style single family homes. We are very close to shopping which is great for being able to get errands done quickly.
Our neighborhood is somewhere in the middle. Since we don’t have many rental properties, we don’t have the problem of absentee landlords or run down buildings. Not to say we don’t have any, but they are the exception instead of the rule.
No one place is perfect. Why do you choose to live where you do, and what are the benefits and drawbacks of your particular location?
The benefits to our neighborhood are the single family homes and the community involvement. I have noticed that since most people take care of their property, others follow, since most people don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb.
I live right off Parker Street, so the traffic can be an issue at times. You can hear the cars when they are speeding and it is sometimes difficult to get out of my street.
On your Web site, you mention quality of life issues, the need to deal with the small problems so they don’t become big ones. Do you have an example of this, for better or worse, from your own experience?
From my own experience with Keep Springfield Beautiful, I know that I notice litter much more [now] than I ever did. If you see trash lying in the street, people tend to think another piece won’t make any difference. If you don’t see any trash, you tend not to throw it.
Do you know people who are overwhelmed by chronic, negative quality of life problems? What can they do to address the matter?
I do know people who are overwhelmed by the inconsiderate behavior of others. I was visiting with an older couple in the Old Hill section. They keep their property spotless, as does their neighbor. They both clean an empty lot between their properties, and keep it mowed. If you look at some of the other houses and the condition of the road, anyone would be disheartened. We could hear one of the neighbor’s music coming down the street.
Many people don’t want to speak up because they are afraid of repercussions. My suggestion was they call the city about the road and the properties, and call the police department about the noise. People can complain and their names kept confidential, but the fear is still there.
You have talked about needing to address home-based businesses in residential areas, like day cares, in order to maintain peaceful neighborhoods. Can you share some anecdotes about your observations regarding this particular challenge?
My concern is that the city has no say in the siting of day care centers. This is different than home day cares with ten or so children. What I am addressing, in particular, is a center with 75 children and buses going from 6:00 am to after 5:30 in the evening. This happens to be a very large property and the owner added on to the house to accommodate the day care center. This can happen in any neighborhood and the noise and traffic is considerable.
How does the problem compare to other quality of life challenges faced by residents in the city’s various neighborhoods, in your view?
Every neighborhood has issues, some worse than others. There was a problem with drag racing in the North End, and on a smaller scale, Bicentennial Highway. That was a much worse “quality of life” issue due to the dangerous situation it caused. The people in those neighborhoods worked with the police to stop the situation.
Public safety
You mention the threat of the city being taken over by drug dealers and gangs on your Web site, and how the public ought to support police, letting violators know that their actions won’t be tolerated. What advice can you give to a resident living on the same block as a suspected drug dealer, or near other residents who actively and openly use drugs?
People need to report drug dealing and gang activity to the police. If they can take pictures without being seen, they should do so. I would suggest they do not confront these people.
Neighborhood watches are also helpful. If drug dealers know that the neighborhood is watching and the police are being called whenever they are dealing, they may decide your neighborhood is not where they want to be.
Similarly, what would you personally ask, in the interest of the city’s well-being, of law-abiding city parents hoping to protect their children from exposure to illegal activity?
I would love to see parents and their kids do more together. The museums and parks are great family venues. Peer pressure is one of the most common reasons for kids to get into trouble. I know that saying “talk to your kids” may sound silly, but it can make a difference. Make sure you know your kid’s friends and their parents. Sports and after school activities are helpful. Lastly, say a prayer.
What other ideas do you have for how public safety can be enhanced, maybe with the police and citizens working together somehow?
Having police visible on bikes or walking makes a huge difference. When people see police and begin to know them, it does give them a sense of safety. Officers and the neighborhood residents can only build a trust if they get to know each other.
What do you know or observe about the effectiveness of beat management team meetings, and how they can be put to better use, or innovated to work better somehow?
Not many people know we have beat management team meetings or know much about them. If we could get the word out and have the police and the residents have more dialogue, I do believe that people would feel more in control. The meetings would be a great venue for the police to let people know how they can work together. They could discuss what the police can do and what the public can do to help the police and help themselves, safely.
What do you think about the level of crime in the city, and the talk about perceived fear and reluctance to go downtown? What creates the reputation, and what are some of the real obstacles the city needs to overcome?
Everyone running for office says “ combating crime is a priority,” and “we need more police.” They are correct; what’s missing are answers on how.
Unfortunately, it isn’t only downtown [where] people fear to go. People are just plain scared even in their own neighborhoods. Every time you open a paper or turn on the news, you read or hear about crime. We need to understand that much of this has to do with gangs and drugs. Gangs fight and drug deals go bad!
I have been looking into what worked in cities like New York, New Orleans, Baltimore, Newark and Philadelphia. The term used for what worked is “fixing broking windows.” The key here is to “nip crime in the bud where it starts before it grows out of control.” We need to enforce even the seemingly inconsequential ordinances.
How do we get more police? We have officers that have been on injury leave for months and will not be returning to the force, but continue to be on the payroll. The Retirement Board has the authority to retire these men and women so they are not counted as employees, thereby freeing up slots that can be filled.
We must encourage our legislative delegation to stand strong together to push the governor and legislative body to send more economic development monies to Springfield with a clause to appropriate a portion of that funding to enhance police resources. Economic development and public safety build on each other and one cannot work without the other.
Racial and ethnic harmony
What is your reaction to the racial bias class action lawsuit recently brought against the city by eight municipal employees?
Since I know the mayor very well on a personal level, the one statement I can make without hesitation is that he has no prejudice against anyone.
What is your sense of Springfield’s status in New England as a community made up of many cultures and ethnicities? How are we doing, and what can we do better?
We are without a doubt a city of many cultures and ethnicities. Our neighborhoods are definitely more integrated than they were years ago, but I still see pockets of segregated areas.
One problem I have seen in the city is that people tend to think in terms of what area they live in instead of considering themselves Springfield residents. I have heard in almost every neighborhood people saying, “this is my neighborhood, you have no business coming here and butting in.” Whatever happens in one section will affect the whole city, so we should all be involved and concerned.
Teamwork
What would you say are some personal or professional qualities you bring to the table in group settings such as committees and in consultation with colleagues?
Starting a business with my husband, I have had to learn how to organize and I deal with customers on a daily basis.
I have worked on so many committees and in so many campaigns, I learned what works and what doesn’t. I try to listen first, weigh all sides and then make a decision.
What are some of your experiences working in groups? What lessons have you learned about how to work together with other people of differing opinions?
We sometimes have to remind ourselves and each other that arguing won’t get us where we want to go. If we can try to understand the other point of view, this doesn’t mean you have to agree with it, but try to understand it, this helps. You sometimes just have to agree to disagree.
How do you approach problem-solving in your family or work life? Do you have a particular technique, or maybe a favorite philosophy of any kind?
I usually make decisions quickly, but if something is bothering me, I am one of those people that needs to talk problems through. I used to be bothered by the little things much more than I am now. If it isn’t life threatening, I try not to get too worked up.
Civic participation and the media
What are your thoughts about how well the city of Springfield is served by its print, radio, television and online news presence?
I would love to see more coverage of neighborhood events and features on people doing good things.
What have you observed about how city residents think or feel about their city as it is presented to them in the media?
There is too much negativity, and unfortunately, bad news sells more than good news.
What do you like or dislike about the city’s Web site, and how easy or difficult it makes access to information for residents?
I find the city’s Web site very easy to navigate. I usually go to the A to Z index to find what I am looking for.
How can the city improve its level of civic participation in meetings, important decisions, electoral participation, and volunteerism?
The City Council and School Committee meetings are broadcast, but it would be interesting to see the other committee meetings that take place in the city. People would get a better look at how the city operates and some of the other inner workings of city government.
It would be interesting to see the meetings brought out to the neighborhoods more often so people could participate more easily.
The city has been doing better with media coverage showing the city’s assets since hiring Azell Murphy Cavaan [pictured]. Azell now does a show [called “People Are Talking“] showcasing Springfield, which I would like to see the local media promote. If organizations that need volunteers could contact Azell, possibly she could do a show a week or a month just on volunteering opportunities.
Physical landscape of the city
What do you think about the recent talk about changes to the city’s zoning ordinance, as exemplified by the new State Street Interim Overlay District, for instance? Do you think the city needs better and stricter land use guidelines, or should it be more flexible, with uses and aesthetics determined by business and not government?
The new State Street project exemplifies the best of both worlds. The experts came up with the design but were willing to listen to the concerns of the people who live in the area. Changes were made to the plan that would keep Eastern Avenue and Catharine Street open and those changes were due to the residents’ concerns.
If we had better guidelines, it wouldn’t be such a crapshoot for businesses and residents of an area. You would know if it was an allowable use or not and you would know what type of design is expected. This would help the businesses that want to locate in the city know what to expect, with no surprises. We do have to be careful not to make the guidelines so difficult as to keep businesses out.
You mention on your Web site the need to keep up the city’s effort to take owners of blighted property to Housing Court, along with your suggested crackdown on absentee landlords. What ideas do you have for how those efforts can be improved? What problems do you think exist in city departments that might slow down response time to difficult or dangerous properties?
We went for so many years allowing back taxes to be left unpaid that we got into a backlog of properties that could have been taken and sold. I know money is a problem but we need to focus on getting the blighted properties either sold or demolished.
There is still a problem with interdepartmental communication and not all departments are in touch with each other. There needs to be a central clearinghouse.
What other factors contribute to blight in Springfield besides absentee landlords, which you have already acknowledged as part of the problem?
Besides absentee landlords, the tenants should take responsibility for their living space. It is so difficult to evict bad tenants and that isn’t anything the city has control over but it is a major problem for landlords who try.
People’s apathy. I hear the term “why bother” much too often.
What aspects of Springfield do you think are most beautiful? Most ugly?
Forest Park is absolutely beautiful. The parks department has done a remarkable job with that park. I also love to look at some of the older homes in the city. What I find most disturbing are the run down neighborhoods.
If you could wave a magic wand and change one huge thing about its appearance, what would it be, and why?
If I had a magic wand, every home would be well-kept and all the neighborhoods would be cared for.
Name one of Springfield’s “best kept secrets” in your opinion.
That we are located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
On a more serious note, our medical facilities are some of the best. Baystate Medical [Center] is a teaching hospital, has a trauma unit and a neonatal intensive care unit. The surgeons have performed groundbreaking procedures and the hospital is equipped with some of the newest, state of the art technology.
What was your impression of the Urban Land Institute’s visit last year to the city, and the resulting report (PDF)?
I had expectations of the ULI coming in and seeing something that we were missing. The ULI report stated what most of us already knew about the city, but put it in a more concise form. It does provide a good guideline to go by.
Jobs and business
You mention on your Web site that crime reduction is the number one economic development priority. What else goes into a business-friendly attitude on the part of the city, in your opinion? How can the City Council play a role?
I don’t see the City Council as having a big role in bringing business to the city. We need one department where a business person can go, speak to one person and have them go through all the red tape. The process needs to be simplified. One of the positives of having stricter zoning ordinances, such as the State Street Overlay District, is that businesses would know before addressing the City Council if what they are asking for meets the criteria.
What are some examples of how City Council decisions have helped or hindered the city’s job or business growth in the last two years?
We at one time had a small business loan program, but unfortunately it became misdirected. With the proper oversight, this program could really help out a lot of Springfield’s small businesses. This allowed struggling businesses an opportunity to improve their infrastructure and make needed improvements. Investing in small businesses in Springfield is something I would strongly encourage.
What else can city leaders of any type do to promote Springfield as a place to do business?
The location of the city, the low property cost, the medical facilities and colleges are a wonderful draw. They should utilize and sell the rich history of the city. We are the home of basketball, Duryea automobiles, Indian motorcycles and Dr. Seuss. We had a Rolls Royce factory and an aircraft manufacturing company. We have the Basketball Hall of Fame, the Armory, the Seuss exhibit, our museums, so many beautiful old Victorian homes, and more to attract businesses and families.
What unusual ideas might you have about types of jobs or businesses to try to attract to Springfield?
We should be able to use the UMass and Baystate Medical bio-tech partnership to bring some new business, possibly even pharmaceutical products.
Springfield is at the crossroads of New York and Boston. There is no reason we can’t house some corporate headquarters in the city. People can get to almost anywhere in New England in a reasonable amount of time from Springfield.
