Candidate for treasurer pledges to continue Laflamme’s good work
Date: 10/18/2013
By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comCHICOPEE – John Peret believes his years of experience in auditing and accounting make him a logical candidate for city treasurer.
Peret, who is the husband of School Committee member Sandra Peret, is a certified public accountant, a certified internal auditor and certified investments and derivatives auditor. He currently works at MassMutual, where he has been for the last 26 years.
He is a graduate of Bentley College and has been a resident of Chicopee for the past 22 years.
Peret is facing Marie Laflamme, the daughter of out-going treasurer Ernest Laflamme Jr.
Peret said that besides his years at MassMutual, he’s also worked performing audits for the cities of Springfield and Westfield.
He said, “I’ve been contemplating retiring from MassMutual and giving thought about life after MassMutual.”
The open seat caused by Ernest Laflamme’s retirement gave him “a unique opportunity.”
He added, “It seemed to be a perfect fit.”
Discussing the responsibilities of the treasurer, he said simply, “The idea is first and foremost, you don’t lose money.”
He described himself as a “conservative and cautious” investor. “We need to preserve taxpayer dollars,” Peret added.
Admitting that he has not had access to the office and the operations as yet, Peret said that within his first 100 days as treasurer, if elected, he would learn the accounting system used and access them for efficiency. Peret also wants to evaluate how transactions are recorded. He would also reach out to department heads and ask them about their experiences with the office to see if there are areas of improvement.
He would ask them, “What are your business needs we can support out of the treasurer’s office?”
Peret said that while campaigning he has “heard many different thoughts and opinions.”
Residents “spoke highly of Mr. Laflamme and would agree the good work should continue,” he said.
