The 11th Hampden District Deserves Leadership That Builds, Not Blocks

By Johnnie R. Mcknight

Economic growth is the lifeblood of a community. It brings jobs, opportunities, and hope to neighborhoods that for too long have been starved of investment. Yet if you take a walk through the 11th Hampden District, what you see is not growth but stagnation. Storefronts sit empty, new businesses are rare, and the vibrancy our families deserve has been muted.

For decades, Representative Bud Williams has held himself up as a champion of our district. But when you strip away the press releases and grandstanding, the reality is that his leadership has failed to create the robust, thriving economy our community needs.

The most recent example is his public attack on Antojos, a local restaurant and dessert establishment. Representative Williams framed the business as “just an ice cream shop” suddenly seeking to sell liquor. That characterization is not only misleading, it’s insulting to both the owners and the patrons. I personally spoke with the owner, who explained that his customers have been asking for expanded offerings. His menu is broad, creative, and unlike anything else in our district. In larger cities, restaurants like this are celebrated for adding value and variety. Why should Springfield be any different?

This raises a larger question: what if a chain restaurant like Chili’s wanted to revise and expand its business model here? Would we have the same problem? Would Representative Williams stand in the way of growth simply because a restaurant wanted to adapt to the needs of its customers? If national brands are given the space to innovate, why should a locally owned restaurant be punished for doing the same?

Even more concerning is the inconsistency. Representative Williams was present for the opening of Primus Cannabis , showing public support for a nontraditional business model in our district. On one hand, he welcomes certain businesses. On the other hand, he stunts the growth of others, like Antojos. We cannot pick and choose which entrepreneurs deserve opportunity based on convenience or political theater. His sole focus should be on growth and vibrancy, helping ALL businesses succeed so that our community can thrive.

Instead of welcoming innovation, Representative Williams chose to pick sides in a community disagreement. He did not step in to mediate, to bring people together, or to find a solution that benefits everyone. He amplified division. Leadership is not about fanning flames; it’s about extinguishing them.

To be clear, Representative Williams is right that the saturation of liquor stores in Six Corners and Mason Square has caused problems. But that reality is not the fault of Antojos. It is the result of years of inaction, of failing to address deep-rooted issues like substance abuse, public health, and economic imbalance. Blaming a single business for a decades-old problem is not leadership, it is deflection.

One of Representative Williams’ biggest concerns is that Antojos might allow customers to take alcohol-infused items to-go, a practice legalized in March 2020 at the height of the pandemic. But where was his opposition then? Where was the foresight to see how this law might play out in his own district? He went along with the flow, as he too often does, and only raised concerns when it was convenient.

What the 11th Hampden District needs is not a gatekeeper, but a builder. We need someone who will fight for new investment, who will bring infrastructure dollars home, who will support entrepreneurs instead of smearing them. We need a leader who understands that every new business—big or small—is an opportunity to create jobs, mentor young people, and restore pride in our neighborhoods.

I will be the first to admit that I ran against Representative Williams and lost by 247 votes. Some might say my critique is personal. But I know ineffective leadership when I see it. And I know our community deserves better. The focus of our representative should not be blocking restaurants from expanding their menus. It should ensure that every block in this district hums with economic energy, new businesses opening, workers hired, and families thriving.

The truth is simple: the 11th Hampden District cannot afford another decade of stagnation. We need leadership that brings solutions, not obstacles.