UPDATED: 1/1/2020 3:53PM: To note the passing of the mayor’s father. Cities around the Pioneer Valley inaugurated their governments elected in last November’s election. For many communities, it heralded a new start. On Monday, Chicopee and Westfield both took on new mayors with varying degrees
UPDATED 11/7/19 11:45AM: To reflect a correction. A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Alex Morse was on the ballot this year. He was not and is in the middle of a four-year term. SPRINGFIELD—A collective whoosh swept through the Pioneer Valley as candidates
UPDATED 8:30AM: To include comment from Bissonnette. CHICOPEE—While turnout in the 413’s second city has generally beat its bigger neighbor to the south, Chicopee’s elections have struggled in the excitement department. At-large races have gone by without opposition. Minimal turnover in many seats have fed
UPDATED 2/26/19 9:00AM: To include a link to Kos’s statement on WWLP and to correct the year Kos first became mayor. It was 1997, not 1995. Not long after pulling papers for reelection, Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos has declared he will not seek reelection in
CHICOPEE—At first glance, Derek Dobosz may not cut a particularly intimidating figure. Somewhat reserved and unimposing, he could easily be mistaken for younger than his 21 years. Nonetheless, Dobosz has accomplished one of the more difficult things to do in politics—knock off an incumbent city
This weekend the race for the Ward 1 seat on the Chicopee City Council began. Joel McAuliffe, a former aide to Mayor Richard Kos and Senator Eric Lesser’s district director, announced his bid. Dino Brunetti, who held the spot until 2014, has taken out papers.
UPDATED 6:55PM: To reflect a correction. McAuliffe is 25, not 24, for clarity & grammar and to include additional quotes. CHICOPEE—A deluge of candidates awaits a likely open at-large seat in Springfield and Holyoke preps for another mayoral smack down. Yet here in Chicopee, the