Robert C. Jackson deserved to be awarded the libraries security contract and it is good for Springfield that this was the end result of long, drawn-out fiasco that had nothing to do with his ability to do the job he applied for. Jackson Security, LLC has had the library security contract for nine years and from all reports has done a stellar job. In addition, Mr. Jackson’s reputation in the community is impeccable and anyone who has had the opportunity to interact with him over the years or be the beneficiary of his graciousness knows this.
City Councilor Justin Hurst stated, “I’m exited for “Cee”! A lot of what has been played out in the media was the result of the City’s malfeasance and had nothing to do with Jackson Security, LLC’s ability to do the job at a lower cost than any other company who bid on the contract. It also should be noted that Jackson Security, LLC is a Springfield based business. This is important considering that in 2019 according to numbers presented by the city’s Office of Internal Audit only 12 million dollars out of 90 million dollars in public contracts went to Springfield based businesses (‘Outright embarrassing’: Springfield councilors criticize city’s record of hiring local businesses for public contracts (masslive.com).”
While much of the discussion centered around a potential conflict of interest surrounding Mr. Jackson’s recent appointment to the current Police Commission and his service on the former Community Police Hearing Review Board while at the same time receiving city money and contracts, the City’s responsibility in this has been glossed over by many, if not covered at all. Mayor Sarno has a responsibility to vet all individuals that he appoints to boards and commissions, and at the very least, make them aware of the conflict-of-interest law that requires them to disclose any financial interest they may have while they are volunteering their time to the City.
“Mr. Jackson did everything that he was supposed to do as soon as he discovered there may have been a conflict or a failure to disclose a financial interest while serving on the Commission. The fact that this was not brought to his attention early on in his service to the City was no fault of his own and he should not have to suffer monetarily for it,” Councilor Hurst explained. He went on say, “The Mayor, City Council and School Committee also have an obligation to establish an Ethics Commission in accordance with Section 38-24 City of Springfield, MA Ethics (ecode360.com) of our code of ethics and we too must do our job. I’ll be contacting President Marcus Williams in hopes that he will work with City Council to appoint our member to the commission and I hope the other branches of government will follow our lead. This commission could have served as another avenue to ensure that the City and Mr. Jackson were in compliance with all reporting requirements codified in our state and municipal ethics laws.”
