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Babin's appointment makes history in Chicopee

Date: 4/6/2010

April 7, 2010.

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



CHICOPEE -- Kimberly Babin's appointment marks two milestones in the city's history: she is the first director of the Department of Veterans Services of the revamped city department for veterans and she is the first woman to serve in the position of the city's veterans' agent.

Babin was sworn into the position Monday morning in a ceremony conducted in the City Council chambers at City Hall.

Mayor Michael Bissonnette said Babin's selection came as "the culmination of months of work" and after the review of "dozens of resumes." He said the selection came down to three finalists, all of who offered good sets of skills.

What impressed the search committee about Babin is that she is a graduate of Chicopee Comprehensive High School, comes from a military family, has served in the military and has worked as a family readiness officer at Westover Air reserve Base.

"She gets it from every perspective," Bissonnette said.

Babin said Chicopee has a high population of veterans because of Westover and that Massachusetts is one of the best states in the nation for veterans' services.

"We're very, very fortunate," she said.

Babin added, "You have to have passion [for a job such as this one.]"

Bissonnette noted the city's citizens have always answered the call of their country and so far five residents have lost their lives in the current war.

"Let's not forget why we are in Afghanistan and many young people from Chicopee are in uniform today," he said.

The mayor explained the re-organized Department of Veterans' Services would act as a bridge between the services offered by the state and federal governments as well as local organizations.

The goal of the new department is to ensure "no returning soldier will go without food, shelter or employment opportunity," Bissonnette said.

The mayor added he would be setting up meetings between Babin and state veterans' officials.