Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
opening music
opening music
opening music
opening music
opening music
opening music
opening music
opening music
opening music
opening music
Hi, I'm Kaelani and I'm Alexander Vinas and welcome
to The Gap Closer. A youth
television program hosted
produced and written by kids ages
7 to 19. Our show is designed to
help close the communication gap between youth
and adults.
Hi! I'm Kaelani. I'm Dominic Sarno
Kaelani, I love your hair. Well, thank you!
Looking back on your life now, what would you change
while growing up? I don't think I would change
anything. Springfield, born, bred and proud.
I have a great family. My mom and dad
My mom is a seamstress. Brothers and Sisters
I have a wonderful family now. I'm happy
the way life has gone because I've been able to
the way they brought me up with hard work ethic
to be responsible, respectful and earn
everything that you get
so I am happy with my life. Do you have kids
and how old are they?
I do, I have a daughter Cassandra
who is 15 and soon to be 16
and is driving and I have a younger daughter
Chiara and she is 13
and she has bright sparkly eyes just like you.
(chuckle)
(shuffling papers)
(Shuffling papers)
What were your grades like?
They weren't that bad. You probably have
better grades than I did
there were some A's and B's
a couple of C's but I always tried to do the best
that I could. My grades were pretty good. Sometimes
I made the honor roll. They were pretty good.
Mine are all A's!
I'm not surprised Kaelani. Maybe you can tutor me
a little bit. Ok! Ok. Did you like school?
Yes, I did like school. I went to Springfield Public
Schools. I went to White Street School and I did a
little pit stop at
Frederick Harris School but mainly White Street and
at Washington School
and Kiley Jr. High. I went to the High School of Commerce.
I enjoyed school. I went to AIC and Westfield State
I loved learning and playing ball.
I made some great great life long friends
The time I was going to school was much like a family.
The atmosphere and teaching staff.
The time I was going to school was much like a family.
I don't just like school, I love school. That's right
you get straight A's.
Right? Yes.
(shuffling of papers)
I am going to tell Oprah Winfrey to watch
out for you. (chuckle)
What is your vision for the City of
Springfield? Urban Centers challenges across America
and there is a lot of good in the City of Springfield
and I am sitting he
here with a good young
lady. I think I go back to a couple of things.
You know peoople are going to agree
all of the time when there are disagreements but
to a family and respectful society
and that is tough to get at times
but 100 percent of my vision is
that for people to better understand each other
and respect each other and to
get along and give back
you'd have a better society so
that is my basic summation of my vision for the
city of Springfield
What is the vision for your life?
I've always wanted to
help people or help causes
I am far from perfect
but people would say hey, he did a good job
he was respectful,
he really cared about
the city of Springfield
If it my feelings and in a way Springfield is
my second family
so that is my feeling.
Hi, I'm Alex, I'm Dominic Sarno
and nice to meet you You look very sharp.
with that tie. Thank you.
Did you have an easy life
growing up? I had a good life growing up.
You know you had what you needed but may not
what you wanted. We had a great middle class family.
I had harding working family.
and parents. I never thought we wanted for anything.
It was a simpler life compared to life you kids
have going forward but it was life where school is important
and we played ball and
we put in some hard work following through
with what we had to do.
It was a good life coming up.
(shuffling of papers)
Did you ever give into peer pressure?
I think we all have. Especially when were
younger and we are not sure of ourselves. It is tough
to stand on your own two feet sometimes. But
there comes a time
when you get that sixth sense...Ah, well I have.
one more questions and it is not on the paper.
How do you feel about your parents?
I love my parents. I love my parents, I will
always be very supportive
of them and they always there for me. As I said
earlier, we always had enough of what we needed
and I never knew that we wanted for anything. I
think it was just a
point in time that they
taught respect and responsibility.
Alex, good job buddy!!!
Hi, I'm Kollin. Dominic Sarno and nice to meet you.
How did you get this job? Precisely hard work
and education and that is the key.
And also getting to know people from the street
level and all the way up. But education
is the key.
So that you can know and respect the population
that you are dealing with
and then becoming involved in a lot of volunteer
efforts when it came to
community causes and working with other politicians
but I think the key for anybody whatever career
they move forward in
I think you heard that from Mr.. Flowers the photographer
is education. Get that good basis of education
and a good strong family background.
What is
(shuffling of papers)
3, 2, 1, What is your education level?
And do you plan to continue to your education?
I learn every day and my education level
is a college degree, bachelor's degree in psychology
and I also have a political science background
but everyday
I learn everyday. Whey do you
love working with youth?
Young kids inspire me and
in turn I hope that I inspire them. I think a lot of times
people give up on their kids. Sometimes all kids need is
a little reinforcement and little motivation.
sometimes when not a good job is done and not
pat on the back
you stray away
you need a stern but respectful straightening out
of what way you should go. So everybody is important.
I don't care what anybody else says. Kids are our future.
I was a kid too and I hope that someday
that you can be Mayor even better.
Kid's are important and youth development is
important. I think that
sometimes we give up on our kids. Families give up on their
kids way to much.
What advice would you give to kids who stay in trouble?
Stay in trouble? Everybody deserves a second chance if
that trouble is not too out of line. But I think that
one key word, one key phrase
if somebody was going to do to you or
someone you love and care about and you didn't like that
then you know its wrong.
That's the way you get yourself into jams.
Education is key.
If you have education and knowledge, then you will able to
to better understand that we are all different but in a lot
of ways we are all a like if you take the time
respect each other.
So, I think that biggest thing
is that kids that constantly get into trouble need to learn
the definition of respect
and follow that what
advice. What advice would you give to kids who don't
listen to their parents?
The advice I'd would give is that
and I never thought I'd be saying this
but people who have said "wait until you have
our own kids" but
remember that your parents put that roof
over your head and put the clothes on your body
and provide you with what you need and
if you think it is better somewhere else
it is unfortunate that the child has to e put somewhere
else or locked up
in a halfway house they are going to find out
that the grass is not greener on the
other side of the fence.
So remember that the next time you want to mouth off
to your mom and dad. You know when you
get into trouble and you think that your so called friends
of yours are going to be there for you. When you
are in trouble do you know who is usually there for you?
Your mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, brothers,
sisters and not the people that you think.
That's my feeling on that.
Hi, I'm TyRell. Dominic Sarno and nice to meet you?
Explain what your job responsibilities are? Well, you
go to school right. You have a teacher and a principal
who is in charge of the school and teachers are
in charge of your room
and parents are in charge you and your home, well, I am
in charge of the city.
So I am the caretaker of the whole city of Springfield.
and move forward and deal with the good things
that happen in our city.
And probably more importantly, try to solve the problems
and in urban America. So, just trying to give you an analogy
with a lot of good team members
with a lot of good team members. I
know today you're going to
interview a key team member of mine, my chief of staff
Denise Jordan. As a team we work together to make sure that
the city is a good place for you to live, work, and play.
Mayor Sarno, do you
feel like you are making a difference in the
city of Springfield? I do!
There are some days though that things happen
And you can say to yourself what
more can I do, is it worth or am I doing enough or is there
nothing that can be done.
And then there comes that genuine thank you.
whether it is a card or a letter or you run into somebody
or a phone call that you helped out their
family in a situation
or their street or their neighborhood...an issue
and that keeps you going. I think the big thing with
job is that you have to a
a passion. Retired Mayor Billy
Sullivan who was Mayor well over 40 years ago told me
told me one time that in this job you
are going to get beat up left and right and you
cannot make everybody
happy and that has totally changed from when he was Mayor
it is 24/7 now. We live in an instant world
but he said that one word
you have to have tha tpassion. If you don't have
that passion, he said take the keys out of your pocket
and put them on the desk and walk out
and fortunately I still have the passion for this city.
How many people live in this city of Springfield? About
153,000 to
155,000 people in the city of Springfield, Massachusetts.
and you're included. How is that? I think you're number
139,681 (chuckles from the audience)
(chuckles from the audience)
You like that? You did a good job.
Hi I am Kaelani. I am a reporter for The Gap Closer
Stay tuned and don't you go anywhere ok?
Ok! So, where are you going out tonight?
I can't, my parents said I have to be home right after work.
Sigh...that's is so gay! Totally Gay. Uh, that is so Emma and
Julia. Why are you saying that is so Emma and Julia?
When you know something is dumb or stupid you say
that is so Emma and Julia.
Who says that? Everyone.
Imagine if who you are were used as an insult. When you
say that's so gay do you realize what you say? Knock it off!
music
music
music
music
music
music
music
music
music
music
music
music
music
music
music
music
music
A life time of ambition. Hi, I am Kaysia and
we're back. If you've just
tuned us in for the first time our s
how is called The Gap Closer
where we hope to close the communication gap between
adults and youth. Just watch and you will see
what I'm talking about.
Hi, my name is TyRell. Hi TyRell, nice to meet you. What is
the best part of your job? The best part of my job is
when you are able to handle a situation
and good comes about after that situation
and a decision has been made. You cannot dwell on a lot
of victories because in urban centers there is always
another fire that you have to put out every 5 minutes.
But just when you see that...especially when it comes to
young people a twinkle in their eyes and something
worked out for them and they not only believe in themselves
but they believe in the City. It could be a simple thing
like today with these interviews or it could be a multi-million
dollar economic development project going on
or deal that creates jobs in the city
so it could be very simple or something complicated.
(shuffling of papers)
How do you feel about your parents?
I love my parents. Thank God
they are still alive. My mom is going to be nearly 80 years old
and my father is about 77 and is still working.
My father is a barber
and cuts hair. He cut my hair, he gave me a trim
this past Saturday.
My mother is a seamstress and she fixes clothes.
They are great parents.
They may be simple in nature but wise in years of
raising a good family. What do you do when
hear kids have no hope in life or cannot see themselves
outside a life of poverty?
My job is to give them that hope.
My job is to help them to be able to believe
in themselves. My job is working with others
who are more specialized than I am is to empower
these young people and their families
so that they can deal with any adversity that comes their way
and learn from it and be better for it and move on to
be successful. So I guess I have to give
them hope and a lot of times I will tell them my story.
People will see me in a suit and tie or see
Denise Jordan come up here all professionally dressed and
think everything was handed to us. It wasn't.
There plenty of things I've done with my hand. I used to work
with a foreign crew doing floors in supermarkets
which you put in overnight.
So, I guess I have to be
there as in any leader, which you are a young leader now
to instill hope
a way to that opportunity and then once they've
fulfilled that to make sure that they give back to other people who
How do you stay motivated?
Passion. I think
that doing these interviews tonight
and there is more work to be done. Some days
are tough days, don't get me wrong. I can't make
everybody happy
when you say no to somebody and they get mad and
they deal with
in different situations but I think
you stay motivated knowing that
you not only want to better yourself and your family
for me I want to make sure that there is betterment
for the people of the city. That motivates me.
You can always do more and there is always
something else you can do.
I have one more quick question.
How many twins do you think there are in Springfield?
In Springfield.
Well, again, there are about 153,000 to 155,000
people that live in the city of Springfield.
And you want to know how many twins there are in the
city of Springfield? Well,
I can definitely tell you there are two...you and your brother
so I will stop at that. (chuckle from the audience)
Good Job. Thank you! Nice seeing you
again Mayor Sarno!
Pleasure you seeing too. Sharp tie there
young man! Thank you.
What are some major perks being Mayor of Springfield?
The major challenges are that being an urban
center we have urban
challenges. I think the major challenges that are
long term is to make sure our population gets educated. If
you have an educated population no matter what creed,
color, or background you are less likely to be in poverty
and public safety issues. So that is the biggest challenge.
The key is continue to provide opportunities for educated
public and it takes its course for more opportunities.
There are so many extraordinary people
here in Springfield. And you are one of them!
Doing extraordinary
things and do you wish you had a closer more
personal connection
with more citizens? I think one thing
and I didn't coin this phrase, other people did.
People say that I am the people's man. That really warms
my heart. I can be in meetings with
high powered people but I really love being out in the street
with young people. I am just a regular person
there is no airs to me.
There are many extraordinary people out there
who do wonderful things. Some who are highlighted in the media
and then there are some that you never know but
they make a difference
into a person's life and to a cause.
and that is important. Here is a saying
J.C. Watts was a
an all American quarterback for Oklahoma University in the
in late 70s and early 80s. His parents were sharecroppers
and farmed land that they didn't own for not much
and we are a city of firsts here with 50 to 52 inventions
in the nation. So really go out to the Museum of
Springfield History.
We have Merriam Webster Dictionary right down the road. And
there is the definition of character. I will never forget that
Mr.. Watts would speak
and went on to become a congressman. He said I know
a definition of character is in the dictionary but
my mom and poppa
told me that the definition of character is doing the right
thing when no body is looking because eventually it
will catch up to you. Those are extraordinary people.
I know you are a strong believer in the importance
of education. So what
level of schooling, if you had to pick one, do you
think is the most vital part of
educational development? Two. Two.
Two levels. Hopefully you can
derive from a the home or family but if not, preschool, Preschool.
Will set the foundation and then the
lead will be secondary education. In
other words whether it
Will set the foundation and then the leap
is in the secondary education. In other words whether
it is college or technical training. Set the foundation
and reach for the roof.
Are you excited about upcoming developments in
Springfield with MGM and
could you give us a few details about it? Well, I am
excited about working on three or four different fronts
besides the casino aspect. We have have
two world class developers
here looking to spend potential one billion dollars
in the city of Springfield
which brings a huge amount of much needed
tax and revenue relief
and thousands of jobs
and vendor opportunities, spinoff and ancillary aspects
but we are also working to bring a satellite campus of UMASS
downtown. We are working on rebuilding our city bigger and
stronger off the tornado
recovery and storm recoveries. We have other economic
development projects
going on so I'm bullish on the city of Springfield
I believe the glass half full. Do we have our challenges
like other urban centers across America? We certainly
do but there are plenty
of good people in the city of Springfield no matter what
creed, color, or background. Unfortunately, the at media times
negativity sells. I tell you one thing. I can't stand reality TV.
because the majority of programs are negativity. There are some
programs but majority are negative. Young people see that
and they want to emulate that and that is wrong.
Thank you! I'm Kaelani, and I'm Alex
and that's it for today.
Thank you for watching The Gap Closer. See you next time!
music
music
music
music
music
music
music
music
music
music
music
music
music