Springfield resident Gloria DeFillipo is running for City Council. Following are her answers—part one of two—to questions I sent her via email. The interview is part of an attempt to reach candidates for City Council and learn more about their background, unique qualities, and thoughts about the city.
INTERVIEW WITH GLORIA DEFILLIPO
About the candidate
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
New Brunswick, New Jersey and South Plainfield, New Jersey.
What initially brought you to Springfield, and when?
I attended Manchester Community College in Connecticut and then transferred to Springfield College. Once I graduated, I stayed in the area. I liked being in Springfield, so it was an easy decision to stay.
Neighborhoods
How has Springfield changed since you first arrived?
I feel like the city is on a roller coaster. Right now, we are coming out of a low, and taking a turn that will bring us to a high point. That is the ebb and flow of life.
I’m not sure I can say I miss the old days. I’m not sure what the “old days” were like. For me, Springfield will always be the same. Maybe because I think more positively.
How would you describe your neighborhood in the city?
It’s the best neighborhood in the city! I loved [Pine Point] when I first saw it, and haven’t changed my mind. It has a country feel and yet I’m close to all the shops I might need. Even though I’m one street in from State [Street], it is a relatively quiet neighborhood. I know many of my neighbors and most everyone has a quick smile and wave for you. Frankly, I don’t know of any drawbacks. Okay—maybe we don’t get plowed out very quickly, but that’s minor in the scope of things.
Public safety
Some people suggest Springfield needs to deal with small problems so they don’t become big ones. Would you agree, and do you have examples from your own experience?
When it comes to quality of life issues—absolutely! The house with overgrown weeds—abandoned houses, noise, etc. —they really bring down the morale of a neighborhood. Unfortunately, [there] isn’t always a quick resolve to the issue. I think that is most frustrating for everyone.
If residents would contact their neighborhood council when they first recognize the problem, that would certainly help move the issue to resolution. Also, they would learn the steps that need to be taken to bring about a resolution. If it has to go to Housing Court, then the issue won’t be resolved quickly. However, they would know that it is being worked on by the city.
My favorite example would be the old Taco Bell on Boston Road. For years we had tried to get assistance with the drive-through backup problem. The parent company would come out to a meeting and yet nothing would get resolved.
When they went before the City Council to ask for a special permit for the Sumner Avenue location, representing the Pine Point Council, I asked that they table the motion until they addressed our issue. Well, that didn’t pass with the city councilors (Barbara Garvey and Barbara Garde voted with the neighborhood), but the representative assured everyone that he would address our concerns.
Then he proceeded to stand us up for several meetings. That’s when we staged a protest in front of the store. There were only about 15 of us with signs. We were lucky to get newspaper coverage, and we certainly got action after that!
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? Do you have experience with this?
Yes, we have had the issue in Pine Point. You need to notify your community police, neighborhood council or civic association. We can assist, but we need to know about the problem. With the issue I’m thinking about, the community police acted quickly and were able to resolve the problem.
Know your neighborhood and neighbors. Do you know when your neighborhood has a community police or neighborhood council meeting? Work out a rotating system with your neighbors so that someone attends the meeting each month. You have to take an active interest in your neighborhood to maintain your quality of life.
What other ideas do you have for how public safety can be enhanced, maybe with the police and citizens working together?
Your community police can be beneficial in helping you set up a neighborhood watch or conduct informational sessions on what to look for to spot concerns. I also think we need to try to revive our neighborhood officers, the way community policing was in the beginning. Residents knew who they could call to express concerns. The officers fostered a confidence that they knew your neighborhood—a true sense of community.
What do you think about the level of crime in the city, and the talk about perceived fear and reluctance to go downtown?
Is there ever an acceptable level of crime? Like other citizens, I want to see our crime rate going down. Frankly, I’m tired of watching the news start off with negative press. Our biggest obstacle [is] perception—not that we don’t need to know the facts, but isn’t there anything positive you can use to start? We need to have a more positive spin on the city.
We need involvement of citizens and police to help deter our crime. Communication is key.
Racial and ethnic harmony
You’re a member of the Council for Community, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Holyoke Community College. What is your reaction to the racial bias class action lawsuit recently brought against the city by eight municipal employees?
I’m saddened and concerned about the actions taken. This is a very sensitive issue and should be treated with respect for all parties involved. I’m not going to comment further because the matter should be and is confidential. I’ve stated in another question that at the very least, the city needs to look at its professional development program.
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?
That’s what makes Springfield so great—the diversity we have within our neighborhoods. We need to recognize and celebrate all our cultures.
Given your experience at HCC, what new institutional practices do you imagine might benefit the city with respect to its racial and ethnic relations, particularly at the municipal employee level?
Ongoing workshops in the area of diversity, classism, and disabilities should be a regular part of the professional development offered to employees. Not just a one day happening, but regular ongoing conversations with trained professionals to help the participants through the difficult discussions.
What is your view of what City Council ward representation might accomplish with regard to the city’s neighborhood racial and ethnic demographics?
I’m a proponent of ward representation. I believe it would afford the city the opportunity to have a diversity of residents take an active part in elections. Who you select will have a more direct impact on your particular neighborhood. Also, it would make the councilor more responsive to the neighborhood. If you ran as a ward candidate, it would become more affordable. The cost of running a city wide election can be daunting.
The only drawback I’ve heard is that ward representation would allow councilors to block votes. However, councilors can do that now. That isn’t enough to sway my thinking.
Teamwork
On your Web site, you mention that you excel at organizing, implementing and follow-up with creative thinking techniques, and that you have good written and oral communication skills. What are some other qualities you bring to the table in group settings?
When in groups, I listen to what others are saying. I try to get a good understanding of the situation and the thoughts people are expressing. I’m not afraid to ask for clarification when necessary or admit I do not understand the point they are trying to make. Having been trained as a counselor, I tend to paraphrase comments made by participants. It’s a good technique to put things in perspective and help be assured you understand the question, statement or situation.
You have experience on your neighborhood council as well as with other small organizations. What have you learned about how to work with people of differing opinions?
Like most people, my experiences have been good, bad and indifferent. I’ve learned patience, sharing the dialogue with others, remaining calm, and being respectful of everyone and what they have to say. If you are the person running the group then you should be well-organized and prepared.
How do you approach problem-solving in your family or work life?
Usually I try to put the problem in its proper prospective. That helps me not to become overwhelmed by it. I might break it down into more manageable parts, [or] think back on similar situations and how I’ve handled them, [and] review possible solutions with co-workers, or if necessary, seek assistance.
Physical landscape of the city
You’re on the city’s zoning ordinance revision citizen advisory committee. What is your opinion of the work to change the city’s zoning ordinance, especially as exemplified by the new State Street Interim Overlay District?
I have a better respect for the individuals working in the Office of Planning and Economic Development. Reading through the ordinances would put anyone to sleep!
Frankly, it was hard work. Here is a perfect example of working in groups. You had professionals, business and neighborhood representatives all working for a common goal. We didn’t all agree on every issue, but everyone’s opinion was treated with respect. It’s a good document. We aren’t quite finished, but we’re close. I think the State Street overlay is an example of what we hope to achieve. It isn’t keeping businesses out of the city, but asking that they respect the city and our neighborhoods.
It is widely acknowledged that Springfield has a lot of blighted property, thanks in part to a weekly series in the local newspaper highlighting some of the worst offenders. What ideas do you have for how efforts to combat blight can be improved?
That’s one of the good and bad things about being the City of Springfield. Our laundry (good and bad) is out there for everyone to read. I think the series is a good thing. It lays out the facts and lets everyone know what is being done to rectify the situation.
Residents need to take an active part in keeping up the quality of life in their neighborhood. Early notification to your neighborhood council or civic association of trouble spots is important.
For too long our city departments have been under staffed. I’d like to see an organizational structure that assigns a Code Enforcement employee to cover several neighborhoods. An ongoing dialogue can be developed that allows for better communication on issues and a better understanding of the time line for resolution.
I’m not sure all the responsibility for the response time lag falls on the city. There are regulations that must be followed. If it has to go to Housing Court, then it’s out of the city’s hands in how quickly it gets heard. However, that doesn’t mean the city shouldn’t review its practices and develop strategies for earlier intervention.
