Media

Springfield is not a war zone

By admin | Published: September 3, 2010
 Published: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 -  Buffy Spencer, The Republican
 
Is Springfield a “war zone”? Are parts of Springfield dangerous?

The question of how to characterize the state of the city was a hot topic at Tuesday’s forum featuring the six candidates for Hampden district attorney.

The event at American International College was sponsored by the McKnight Neighborhood Council and the McKnight Neighborhood Youth Council.

Mark Mastroianni, said, “I’m happy to tell you Springfield is not a war zone.”

“Springfield is not that bad and you don’t apply military law to Springfield.  It’s an amazing city.  You accentuate the positive,” he said.

Mastroianni said, “You of course recognize that there’s terrible problems in Springfield that are extremely isolated.   If you look at the map you can put a pin on the sections of Springfield where the majority of crime comes from and you focus on those areas and you get into those areas with innovative programs.”

Mark said that you don’t do it by “disparaging Springfield to scare people to cross the line to come in.

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Mass Live on Federal Funds issue

By admin | Published: August 4, 2010

Published: Monday, August 02, 2010, 9:26 PM   Buffy Spencer, The Republican

SPRINGFIELD – As the two top prosecutors in the region say they struggle to get work done with limited resources, one candidate for Hampden district attorney has tried to find out why no federal economic stimulus funds went to prosecutors.

Mark G. Mastroianni, independent candidate for the head prosecutor job in Hampden County, said he recently had discussions with economic development staff for U.S. Sen. Scott Brown’s office in his continuing effort to find out whether any of the funds were earmarked for prosecutors. He has not gotten the answer yet, he said.

A call from Brown’s office was the only reply Mastroianni says he got to letters he sent to Brown, U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry, Gov. Deval L. Patrick and state Public Safety Secretary Mary Beth Heffernan. He sought a response to why a commitment to the state’s district attorneys for the funds was never honored.

Mastroianni said that according to an interview with one of the state’s top prosecutors, Kerry said that $4.1 million in federal stimulus funds would be provided to district attorneys’ offices. Heffernan has publicly stated there was no $4.1 million earmarked for prosecutors.

Click here to for mass live article.

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WHYN Radio Interviews

By admin | Published: August 2, 2010

7/29/10 Distirct Attorneys campaign, casinos and changes to the DA’s office. – Click to Listen

5/17/2010 Mark discusses the need for debates with Brad Shepard – Click to listen

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Marks letter requesting the status of DA stimulus fund availability

By admin | Published: July 27, 2010

COMMITTEE TO ELECT
Mark G. Mastroianni
95 State Street – Suite 309
Springfield, MA 01103

(413) 732-0222 (w)  or  (413) 519-5455 ( c) (413) 478-9920 Brian Sullivan, Campaign Mgr.

MARKforDA.COM      (Mark) mastro64@gmail.com      (Brian) bsullivan@altonpatrick.net

  
June 22, 2010

Dear _____________,

             As a candidate for District Attorney of Hampden County I have become keenly aware of the funding issues facing all District Attorneys offices. Specifically, the Hampden County District Attorneys office has been one of the busiest in the State but yet is usually under funded in comparison to the amount of cases it handles each year.

From being involved in the criminal justice system in Hampden County for the last 20 years, both as a prosecutor and defense attorney, I know how important appropriate funding is for this county. Any availability of additional funds would make a great difference in the quality of services the District Attorneys Office could supply to the public. Presently, the District Attorneys Office does an extraordinary job working with the limited resources it has but, as you know, the main goal in public service is to continue to try to do more.

             The Boston Globe recently published an article on June 13, 2010 indicating $4.1 million in federal stimulus money had been promised to the District Attorneys Offices. It was further indicated there is now an issue as to the actual availability of these funds and presently no such monies are available for prosecutors.

             I am writing to encourage you to examine all ways to make federal stimulus funds available for allocation between the District Attorneys Offices. There is no doubt that in these difficult economic times the availability of federal funds is sparse. However, there is also no doubt the District Attorneys offices are a very important component in delivering public safety services.

 Please note these monies are greatly needed in Hampden County and I am sure you appreciate the publics’ need and right to know about the availability of federal funds and all circumstances under which those funds would be made available. Accordingly, I am requesting that you make the public aware of the status of available federal stimulus funds that were represented as being for the District Attorneys Offices.

             I am available, at any time to further discuss this matter and be of any assistance in explaining the daily need in Hampden County for these funds.

 Sincerely yours,

Mark G. Mastroianni, Esq. 

MGM/mla

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Mark for DA Hampden County

By admin | Published: March 18, 2010
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Mark hits the airwaves!

By admin | Published: April 13, 2010

2/19/10 WAQY – Rock 102 – BAX & O’BRIEN Radio Interview

Mastroianni “A Race”

Mastroianni Think Now

Click above to hear the new radio ads!

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BAX & O’BRIEN RADIO INTERVIEWS

By admin | Published: April 27, 2010

 5/18/10  Bax and O’Brien talk with Mark about the need for debates, current events and issues. Click here to Listen

2/19/10  WAQY – Rock 102 – BAX & O’BRIEN Radio Interview. Click here to listen to the interview.

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Victims Rights Above Politics

By admin | Published: May 13, 2010

Dear Legislator:

As concerned citizens and candidates for District Attorney of Hampden County, we are writing to you in the spirit of non-partisanship to urge the passage of several important pieces of legislation to help safe-guard the rights of vulnerable victims.

You know the statistics as well as we do that:

* One in six women will experience a sexual assault in their lifetime: one in thirty-three men will experience a sexual assault.

* In Massachusetts, an estimated 17% of women and 6% of men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.

* 54% of female rape survivors are under 18 years old, 22% are under 12; 78% of male survivors are under 18 years old and 48% are under 12.

Disturbing figures indeed, and preventing these crimes and helping these victims has motivated us to seek the office of District Attorney of Hampden County. As candidates for that office, we are mindful of the need to prevent and prosecute sexual assaults and that Justice isn’t served until crime victims are.

Thus, we are writing to ask that you join us and convince your legislative colleagues and work to ensure swift passage of the following:

* Senate Bill 2274: This bill provides housing rights and protections for victims of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault and stalking. It prevents denial based on one s status as a victim of abuse.

* Senate Bill 2382 (formerly Senate 673): This bill would protect employees who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking from being penalized in the workplace for taking time off to address issues related to being a victim of such crimes and creates important model workplace safety and policy procedures for employees.

*Senate Bill 1559: This bill would provide additional protections and enhance the rights
of child and adult victims and witnesses of crimes.

We sincerely hope you will make the protection of these vulnerable victims a legislative priority in the remaining days of this year s session.

Very truly yours,
Mark Mastroianni
Michael T Kogut

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Editorial Agrees With Mark

By admin | Published: May 17, 2010

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WAQY Bax & O’Brien interview

By admin | Published: May 24, 2010

5/18/10  Bax and O’Brien talk with Mark about the need for debates, current events and issues. Click here to Listen

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4th grade lesson in the law

By admin | Published: July 6, 2010

A lesson in the law

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Position on staffing the DA’s office

By admin | Published: July 26, 2010

Mastroianni said he has become so familiar with employees of the office over the past two decades, he likely would not need each worker to re-submit their resumes.

“My interview process has been going on for the last 20 years. I know who would be effective, and I think I know where changes need to be made,” he said.

From The Republican Article, Hampden County DA candidates make opening arguments 6/20/2010

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Springfield North End tour

By admin | Published: July 26, 2010

(Hampden County, MA) Independent candidate for District Attorney, Mark Mastroianni, will be taking a walking tour through Springfield’s Ward One with Springfield City Councilor, Zaida Luna.

They will walk street to street on June 22, 2010 beginning at 1:30 p.m. from Medina’s Market located at 2705 Main Street in the North End of Springfield.

“It is no secret this is one of the areas of Springfield identified by community and business leaders as well as the Police Department as having a higher percentage of criminal activity. As a former Assistant District Attorney, I know it is essential to have direct contact with any community that is experiencing problems every day.” Said Mastroianni.

“To find real solutions to existing problems in this neighborhood you have to find out first-hand what is going on. This is the best way to help improve the quality of life for the residents and businesses in Ward One and to improve the perception of Springfield throughout the city and county. It is essential for a safer city, for any hope of future economic development in this part of Springfield and to promote the positive aspects of the neighborhood.” Stated Mastroianni.

“ Mark Mastroianni’s campaign literature is printed in Spanish so that people here know now what his goals are as our next District Attorney. He wants to communicate directly with our community. He wants a direct dialogue now and when he is District Attorney. I am glad to show him some important areas of Ward One that will need his attention.” Said Luna.

For more information, kindly call Brian Sullivan at: 413-478-9920 or Zaida Luna at: 413-433-8816 Thank you.

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CORI Law reform

By admin | Published: July 26, 2010

Mark G. Mastroianni, a former prosecutor running as an independent candidate and will face the Democratic nominee in the Nov. 2 general election, said he supports the House and Senate efforts for CORI reform. “My ultimate position on this legislation will depend on the exact language signed by the governor, but I do support the general intent of these measures,” Mastroianni said.

From the Republican article ~ Hampden DA candidates differ on CORI Law reform 7/25/2010

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Federal Stimulus Money

By admin | Published: July 27, 2010

MASTROIANNI STRESSES THE NEED FOR STIMULUS FUNDS FOR THE HAMPDEN COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE AND URGES STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATORS TO MAKE THE MONEY AVAILABLE

Mastroianni wants to know why a commitment made to all of the state’s District Attorney’s for $4.1 million in stimulus money could not be honored.

(Hampden County, MA) Atty. Mark. Mastroianni, Independent candidate for Hampden County District Attorney wants answers as to why a commitment to all of the state’s District Attorney’s for needed federal economic stimulus funds was never honored. This is the same concern voiced recently at the Massachusetts District Attorneys association meeting. According to an interview with one of the State’s top prosecutors, they were told by Senator John Kerry that $4.1 million in Federal stimulus funds would be provided. The Massachusetts Secretary of Public Safety, Mary Heffernan, has publicly stated there was no $4.1 earmarked for prosecutors.

“Importantly, Governor Patrick was able to achieve level funding for the District Attorneys Office in very difficult economic times but that is not enough to help the State’s District Attorneys Offices deal with the multitude of public safety issues which they confront every day, including retaining the best prosecutors, and advancing new forensic and technology issues,” stated Mastroianni.

“The Hampden County District Attorneys Office is one the of the busiest district attorneys office in the state and has historically received some of the least amount of funding in comparison to the number of cases it prosecutes every year. This is bad enough, however, the unavailability of federal economic stimulus funds could mean that it is not understood by Federal or State Legislators, the specific safety and law enforcement challenges of Hampden County,” stated Mastroianni.

“Here in Hampden County, we need our share of that $4.1 million. As important and politically intriguing as it is to find out about campaign contributions during election season, it is more important to get answers to the questions of funding for the District Attorneys Office which directly affects the public. I want to find out what can be done now to get that money to help the Hampden County District Attorneys Office. The citizens of Hampden County deserve the best level of protection that can be provided.” Stated Mastroianni.

Mastroianni further indicated he would contact Governor Patrick, Secretary of Public Safety Mary Heffernan and both U.S. Senator John Kerry and Scott Brown to encourage them to revisit the issue and availability of federal stimulus funds while emphasizing the significant need for this money.

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Thomas Rooke Withdraws From Race, Endorses Mastroianni!

By admin | Published: August 5, 2010

SPRINGFIELD – Well-known defense lawyer Thomas J. Rooke has announced he will not run for Hampden district attorney in the fall election.

Rooke was among the first people to say he was going to run, declaring his intent last year.

“After much thought and consultation with family, close friends, colleagues and longtime clients, I have decided to withdraw my name as a candidate for district attorney of Hampden County,” Rooke said in a prepared statement.

“This has been a difficult decision,” he said, “and I regret that it will result in my foregoing a long contemplated opportunity to serve the community I have lived in all of my life.”

Rooke is the brother of veteran City Councilor Timothy J. Rooke. His father, Walter L. Rooke Jr. retired as a deputy police chief, and three uncles are retired police officers.

He said he received “so much encouragement from many people who enthusiastically offered support to my potential candidacy. I am very thankful for that support.”

“In the end, however, my love for private practice, its professional challenges and the great satisfaction I have been privileged to experience for the last 25 years in serving a loyal clientele have made this decision the right one for me,” he added.

Rooke said he wishes all of the candidates and their families in the race “my very best.”

Incumbent district attorney William M. Bennett announced in January that he will not to run for reelection.

Rooke said on Friday morning that he decided not to run during the past weekend “after spending another sleepless night debating back and forth, considering the pros and cons.”

He said he had been set to formally launch his campaign but kept waking up each night and thinking about the private practice he had built and the friends he had made.

Rooke said he announced his decision not to run because he felt it wasn’t fair to make his supporters wait.

“It was a great relief,” Rooke said of his decision.

Rooke said he intends to support Mastroianni’s candidacy, no matter who else announces.

 

“I think he would be a very strong district attorney. He certainly has the legal expertise and also has the understanding that along with prosecution, rehabilitation is important,” Rooke said.

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