Written by Halisi Moyo
On the afternoon of December 8th, 2021, City Councilor Tracye Whitfield reached a point where the blatant disrespect and Trumpism displayed by Mayor Domenic Sarno became convincingly evident and unacceptable. Hence, Councilor Whitfield took to the keyboard and crafted an email to the Mayor expressing her concerns.
This email was one of many emails to which Domenic Sarno completely ignored Whitfield. As a sitting Vice-President of the Springfield City Council, it seemed logical to maintain a working relationship even amid disagreement.
Over the past 13 years, the Mayor had had a fallout with many city councilors (Michael Fenton, Katari Walsh, Tim Allen, even his chief of staff, Tommy Ashe, when he was on the Council); at no point did the Mayor not take their phone calls or meeting requests. It was what he would call professional courtesy.
In Councilor Whitfield’s email, she echoed concerns very similar to previous emails, too which many, she received no response.
Whitfield conveys that his lack of response is unprofessional, irresponsible, and disappointing. She stresses that regardless of disagreements, there is a responsibility as elected officials to work together to improve the city of Springfield.
Whitfield states that as a Black female citywide elected official, I’m concerned that if you and your administration disagree with persons of color and our opinions, you will use your authority to isolate and ignore us. Unfortunately, this act of negative behavior is the treatment I have received.
Whitfield infers that he only engages in these juvenile behaviors with specific Black Councilors, especially if that councilor is a woman. Whitfield states that she witnessed the very same acts of micro-aggressions inflicted upon others of color. She says that should those councilors disagree with the Mayor; he will go to extreme lengths to use the Office of Mayor’s power to ignore and marginalize our population.
Whitfield further stated that I have to ask for the Mayor’s permission to use a public office and the help of the Technical Assistance and Compliance Director as a resource. This position was created for that purpose and is paid for by federal ARPA funds, and having my request ignored repeatedly is a direct abuse of power.
In response to questions from The Republican, Sarno said by email that he would be willing to meet with Whitfield “after receiving a written apology from her on these unfounded and offensive remarks.”
He goes on to say, “I find these accusations against me with regards to the Black community to be both baseless and extremely offensive,” Sarno said. “I am very proud of the many personal and professional relationships I have in our Black community. I am also very proud of the work and the many projects we have completed for our Black community.”
Sarno’s response has many Black residents perplexed with his response. Springfield resident Sinclair Rush says, isn’t this the same Mayor who strongly supported the reinstatement of five police officers suspended for their involvement in a Mississippi-style beating of Black men at Nathan Bills in 2015? Instead, his only relationships are with Black political people who have invested in his run as Mayor. We haven’t seen Sarno in the Black community in years.
Rush says Sarno has reminded him of Trump for the past few years. But, Rush says he isn’t surprised; Sarno is no different. Just as Trump used his role in the White House as a platform of personal attacks, especially with Black women, Sarno is doing the same from City Hall, and he hopes people remember that in 2023.
Andrew Keaton says Councilor Whitfield is a three-term at-large city councilor who won her last two elections despite the Mayor’s opposition to her. I couldn’t imagine him telling Katari Walsh to write him a written apology through the media. I am trying to understand how you instruct the former vice president of the city council to write a letter of apology for doing due diligence. If this is how he feels about our city councilor, imagine how he feels about the Black community at large.
Whitfield’s colleague, former City Council President Justin Hurst, commended Whitfield’s comments and said they were spot-on. But, he told the Republican, “This shouldn’t be about personalities,” Hurst said. “It should be about serving our constituents to the extent possible. The idea that the Mayor would not allow for one of his employees to attend and educate residents during our informational sessions is a shame.”
Whitfield concluded that we all serve to move “OUR” City forward positively. Let me emphasize again it’s “Our City,” and the Mayor’s office is the “Peoples” office. I will not be bullied, mistreated, or discriminated against and remain silent. But, she continued, I am hopeful, once again, that even if we have professional disagreements, we can work together to do what’s suitable for our residents. I am also optimistic that we can have an adult professional conversation and work through any differences to serve our community positively.
