springfield mayoral candidate sal circosta statement on wmass alcohol center

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 5, 2015 Statement from Mayoral Candidate Sal Circosta on the Sheriff’s Alcohol Center being forcefully moved to the North End: A few weeks have gone by since Sheriff Ashe presented his plans for a new Alcohol Treatment Center to be built in the North End neighborhood in Springfield. As a mayoral candidate I was asked for my position by numerous people. It seemed to me that the intelligent thing to do would be to take a step back and look at it objectively. Leadership is not making a decision in haste. Leadership is about listening to all sides and examining the truth. There is no doubt that the Sheriff’s program is excellent. Many people have cited information that clearly shows the brilliance and effectiveness of the program. For that, I say we are lucky to have such a great program in our County. But does that mean the process is flawless? No. Here are a few facts to consider: 1. Sheriff Ashe approached the North End residents to hear their concerns and be a good neighbor. Concerns are things we should listen to prior to making a final decision. The Sheriff approached the people of the North End neighborhood with more forceful tongue than open ears.

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Sal Circosta, a candidate for the mayoral seat in Springfield, issued a statement on the WMass Correctional Alcohol Center's relocation to the city's North End neighborhood.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:August 5, 2015Statement from Mayoral Candidate Sal Circosta on the Sherifs Alcohol Center ein! forcef"lly mo#ed to the $orth End:A few weeks have gone by since Sherif Ashe presented his plans for a new Alcohol Treatent !enter to be built in the "orth #nd neighborhood in Spring$eld%As a ayoral candidate & was asked for y position by nuerous people%&t seeed to e that the intelligent thing to do would be to take a step back and look at it ob'ectively%(eadership is not aking a decision in haste%(eadership is about listening to all sides and e)aining the truth%There is no doubt that the Sherif*s progra is e)cellent%+any people have cited inforation that clearly shows the brilliance and efectiveness of the progra%,or that, & say we are lucky to have such a great progra in our !ounty%-ut does that ean the process is .awless/"o%0ere are a few facts to consider11% Sherif Ashe approached the "orth #nd residents to hear their concerns and be a good neighbor%!oncerns are things we should listen to prior to aking a $nal decision%The Sherif approached the people of the "orth #nd neighborhood with ore forceful tongue than open ears%2% The "orth #nd neighborhood has done ore than its fair share in hosting andbeing good neighbors to a variety of clinics, progras, and facilities%(et*s not forget, the general "orth #nd area hosts the 2oen*s 3ail, an abortion clinic, and a ethadone clinic%"ow, we are placing a 'ail for those with alcohol and drug addictions/4% The property will not be owned by the !oonwealth of +assachusetts%&nstead, a private copany will construct and lease the property to our state%All this at 51 illion per year for a ten6year lease%This is siply a waste of ta) dollars%&f the facility will cost 510 illion to build, why wouldn*t we own the building, rather than pay a private entity the sae aount of oney without owning it/7% The +ayor says there*s nothing he can do about it%8eally/The +ayor is the!hief #)ecutive of the city%The people elected hi to lead%All the ayor has to do is call the 9overnor and infor hi that the city does not want to host the 'ail%:ur 9overnor will listen to the +ayor%5% The +ayor represents the people, not the Sherif%#veryone knows the Sherif is a powerful and in.uential politician%0owever, it is sad that the ayor rather brown nose the Sherif, than $ght for the people who elected hi%;% The Sherif is not seeking reelection%0ow about we wait for the newly elected Sherif to assess the situation/ 22#ail1 salforspring$eld?gail%cohttp1@@www%sal7spring$eld%coAAA