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| By Paula Canning Staff Writer CHICOPEE Although attorney Michael Bissonnette's victory over incumbent Mayor Richard Goyette has taken center stage in this year's election results, the outcome of the School Committee race has also entered into the spotlight as two longtime members have been replaced by two newcomers chosen to help lead the city's schools. Incumbent Ward 5 School Committee member Jonathan Tetherly was unseated by newcomer Deborah Styckiewicz, by a margin of 542 votes, while Incumbent Ward 8 Committee member Ronald Chapdelaine was ousted by Sharon Nawrocki by 242 votes. Incumbents in Wards 4 and 9 however, emerged victorious, as Ward 4 Committee member Michael Emerged defeated Sandra Peret by 473 votes, and Ward 9 incumbent Mary-Elizabeth Costello secured a win by 219 ballots. In the race for Alderman-at-large, 20-year incumbent James Tillitson received the city's strongest vote of confidence, raking in 8,045 total votes. Tillitson was trailed by Robert Zygarowski, who will join the Board for a second term with 7,275 votes, followed by incumbent Jean Croteau Jr. with 7,183 votes. Securing the final at-large seat was former School Committee member Shane Brooks. In Ward 2, incumbent Chuck Swider was victorious over former alderman Ernest Mendrala by 122 votes, and incumbent John Vieau defeated challenger Clark Wojtowic by a narrow margin of 51 votes. Incumbents re-elected to their Aldermanic post who ran unopposed are Ward 1 Alderman Dino Brunetti; Ward 4 Alderman William Zaskey; Ward 5 Alderman Frederick Krampits, Ward 6 Alderman and President of the Board, Keith Rattell; Ward 7 Alderman George Moreau; Ward 8 Alderman Donald Demers. Re-elected to the School Committee are At-large member Chester Szetela, Ward 1 Member Dana Cutter, Ward 3 Member Majorie Wojcik, Ward 6 Member Susan Szetela Lopes, and Donald Lamothe in Ward 7. The number of total ballots cast in this year's election was 11,438. |