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| By Paula Canning Staff Writer CHICOPEE In a letter to Mayor Richard Goyette last week, Aldermanic President Keith Rattell accused Goyette of violating state campaign laws as well as using public resources for political activities. Repeated attempts were made to contact Goyette, but the mayor did not return phone calls regarding the matter by press time. Several pictures provided by Rattell, which he said were forwarded to him by "an outraged taxpayer," show Goyette helping to erect 4' x 8' campaign signs during what Rattell said was "city hall working hours," on Sept. 9. "It is the Chicopee taxpayers who are being asked to fuel your political campaign, and at the tune of more than three dollars a gallon," Rattell wrote to Goyette in the Sept. 14 letter. The pictures show Interstate Towing of South Hadley, which is contracted with the city, helping Goyette to erect the signs. According to Rattell, the city's contract with Interstate Towing is "different" from those of the city's other towing vendors because Interstate Towing reports directly to the Goyette. Rattell said the three other towing vendors report to the Police Chief. "If using your city vehicle for your own political campaign isn't bad enough, engaging a city vendor who reports directly to you is quite simply unethical and not appropriate," Rattell wrote. According to Rattell, "several residents," witnessed Goyette at various locations throughout the city, including Grattan Street, the corner of East Main and the Deady Memorial Bridge, the corner of Newbury and Springfield Streets, and at the base of Granby Road. According to Rattell, the use of a City owned vehicle for political purposes is illegal, under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 268A. |