Charles Ryan

Charles V. Ryan (born c. 1928) is a former mayor of the city Springfield, Massachusetts. He served from 1962 to 1967 and again from 2004 to 2008.^[1]

Ryan served as the city's mayor during the 1960s for three terms and for two additional terms beginning in 2004, making him the only Springfield mayor to serve in two different centuries.^[2] His terms in the 60's occurred during a time of civil unrest and controversial urban renewal projects. After leaving office he became a prominent attorney and continued to be active in public affairs, serving as a member of the downtown economic development group Springfield Central and leading efforts to successfully defeat local referendums favoring casino gambling. He also led successful efforts to place the privately owned Springfield libraries under public control.

He attempted to return to the mayoralty in 1995 but lost to City Councilor Michael J. Albano, but was elected in 2003 following the decision of Michael Albano not to seek reelection. He defeated the Albano endorsed State Senator Linda Melconian in a campaign that focused on the numerous corruption scandals of the Albano years. ^[3] In November 2005, Ryan won reelection defeating the city's School Committee Vice-President, Thomas Ashe. On April 12, 2007, Ryan announced that he would run for re-election in the city's municipal election and stated that this would be his final run.^[4] He lost this election to City Councilor Domenic Sarno.^[2] Now formally retired, Ryan is still a frequently seen figure at political and social events.

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