After decades in power, Mayor Dean Mazzarella faces a defining question: Has he forgotten who he works for?

From Steward to Gatekeeper

When the proposed “FairgroundsLeominster” project first surfaced, it raised immediate concerns from residents across the city. But instead of acting as a steward for public interest, Mayor Dean Mazzarella has spent every moment since shielding the proposal and shaping the narrative—not by addressing facts, but by deflecting accountability.

He’s dismissed opposition as overblown. He’s scolded critics for voicing concerns in public forums. He’s framed early community pushback as “aggressive,” and now he’s giving the developers staged airtime on LATV to help them regroup and reset.

This isn’t the behavior of a neutral public servant. It’s the behavior of someone invested—and protective.

What a Mayor Owes the People

The Massachusetts Constitution and the City Charter aren’t ceremonial documents. They lay out the foundation for representative government: transparency, accountability, and the duty to act in the public’s best interest.

That includes:

• Asking tough questions before putting the city’s future at risk.
• Vetting private partners with track records of litigation, fraud, or failure.
• Listening—especially when the public raises red flags.

In this case, Mayor Mazzarella has FAILED to do any of those things.

When Deflection Replaces Leadership

Let’s revisit a fraction of the mayor’s documented comments:

• ❗ “What’s your name?” — a tactic used in public forums to intimidate rather than listen.
• ❗ “Everyone needs to take a breath” — an attempt to discredit legitimate concern as hysteria.
• ❗ “There’s no formal proposal yet” — while granting the developers every platform possible to SELL their story.

And all of this from a mayor who is no stranger to controversy himself—from prior ethics violations to sex scandal. This is a leadership pattern, not an isolated moment.

What About the Developers?

Let’s not forget who’s on the other side of this equation: Richard Fields and Baystate Racing.

We’ve posted the documents. The lawsuits. The false starts. The shady associations. The bankruptcies. The trail of questions no one at City Hall has apparently been concerned about.

So we’re left with a troubling choice:

• Either the mayor knows about this track record—and is ignoring it.
• Or he doesn’t know—and is failing in his duty to investigate.
• Or he knows, understands the risk, and is pushing forward anyway—because he stands to benefit.

Whichever it is, none of them reflect the kind of leadership Leominster deserves.

A Leadership Style Built on Control

Early in this project, we repeatedly exposed Mayor Mazzarella’s leadership style. The results were clear: an autocratic style, emboldened by time, insulated by loyalty. The longer he’s stayed in office, the more power has become performance—and criticism has become the enemy.

He doesn’t want your questions. He wants agreeability or your silence.

A Mayor Who’s Forgotten He Can Be Replaced

Despite holding office for more than three decades, Mayor Mazzarella is once again seeking re-election this year. Historically, he’s faced little to no opposition—something he’s likely counting on again.

The truth? Most residents know the salary of a local mayor isn’t what keeps him in power. It’s the access. And after 30 years of insider knowledge, connections, and control over city dealings, it’s clear the real benefits of his office have little to do with the paycheck.

His campaign promises this year are recycled soundbites—carefully vague, comfortably familiar, and designed to maintain his grip on power just a little longer.

He presents himself as the steady hand. The known quantity.
But what he’s really built is a microcosm of enablers and insiders—a machine more interested in preserving his legacy than serving the people.

He doesn’t campaign to be held accountable. He campaigns to reign.

It’s Time to Ask What’s Really Going On

• Why is Mayor Mazzarella so invested in this project?
• Why is he ignoring decades of documented risk?
• Why is he protecting developers instead of protecting residents?

And why does it feel like the public has to fight this project at every turn—while the city itself is helping push it forward?

The mayor’s job isn’t to act as a gatekeeper for developers. It’s to act as a firewall for the people. Right now, he’s doing the opposite.

Power Demands Accountability

No one is above the people. Not even a mayor who’s held office for 30 years.

And whether he’s compromised, complicit, or just careless—it’s time for Leominster to decide what kind of leadership it wants for the future.

We’re asking the questions City Hall refuses to. Because someone has to.

📌 Stay Vigilant:

Stay informed. Ask questions. And don’t be silenced.
This project isn’t just a bad deal—it’s a test of what kind of city we want to be.

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