The Pioneer Valley Project Spring Action is set for Monday, June 1, 2009 from 6:30 - 8:00 at the Greek Cultural Center just off Main Street in the North End of Springfield. We are working to repair Springfield schools and bring hundreds of jobs to Springfield residents through economic stimulus funds. We also are working to improve the 911 emergency call system to guarantee Spanish coverage to ensure fair treatment of immigrants by the police.

JUNE 1, 2009 ACTION ISSUES

JOB ISSUES

Use Federal Stimulus Money to Rebuild Springfield's Schools for the 21st Century

PVP is asking Mayor Dominic Sarno and Springfield City Council Economic Development Chair Bud Williams to support issuing low interest bonds through Springfield's share of the economic stimulus program funds to pay for $60 million worth of critical repairs of schools, including roofs, windows, doors, and bathrooms. The city will be asked to seek another $12 million of conservation bonds from the state to replace twenty boilers that would save $1 million a year in energy costs. PVP wants the city to package all these projects into a labor agreement that would create hundreds of jobs and apprenticeships for Springfield residents.

Train and Hire Springfield Residents, People of Color, and Women

PVP also is asking Mayor Sarno and City Council member Bud Williams to work with PVP to develop a pre-apprenticeship program that would prepare and place Springfield residents, people of color, and women in construction apprenticeships. This would enable the city to meet new mandates on all construction projects of 35% local residents, 20% people of color, and 5% women.

Hire People Who Need Work Now

PVP is asking Regional Highway Civil Rights Director Ann O'Neil to hold a job placement fair with PVP to place people of color and women in training positions this summer. This will direct some of the hundreds of new highway construction jobs to Springfield residents and meet the highway department's increased goal of 15% people of color and 5% women on all jobs.

 

SAFETY ISSUES

Ensure 100% Access for Spanish and Other Language Speakers to 911 Emergency Help

PVP is asking Police Commissioner William Fitchet to train all dispatchers in the 911 system to us the language interpreting phone line so that non-English speakers can get rapid response to their emergency calls. Currently, Spanish callers have found that they cannot get help when they call in an emergency. We also are asking Commissioner Fitchet to collect data about the extent of the need for better, more rapid language service. One request will be for him to work with PVP to review the language data and to make further recommendations, especially for the new 911 system that will be created over the next year by merging the police and fire emergency call lines.

Assign a Liaison to the Immigrant Community

PVP wants Police Commissioner Fitchet to assign a liaison to the immigrant community who can bring problems and complaints to the police department. This would begin to address unfair treatment and grievances from the immigrant community.

City Council Policy on Language Access and Fair Treatment

PVP is asking City Council Chair of the Safety Committee, Jose Tosado, to hold hearings about language access needs and unfair treatment of the immigrant community, and to introduce a city ordinance to address these problems.