Kos speaks of accomplishments through teamwork

Date: 9/17/2015

CHICOPEE – Teamwork was the theme of the speech given by Mayor Richard Kos at his campaign kickoff on Sept. 14.

About 500 people attended the event at the Castle of Knights. Among the elected officials showing their support for Kos were City Councilor Gerry Roy, John Vieau, Shane Brooks, George Moreau, Frank Laflamme, James Tillotson, William Zaskey, Gary Labrie, Robert Zygarowski and Fred Krampits. School Committee members Dana Cutter, Michael Pise and Chester Szetela were also there as well as City Clerk Keith Ratell.

State Reps. Joseph Wagner, and Jose Tosado attended along with state Sens. Donald Humason and James Welch.

The Kos campaign will sponsor two more events – a meatloaf dinner on Sept. 28 and a pancake breakfast on Nov. 1.

Kos said, “For a city to prosper the mayor and the City Council should be on the same page.”

The mayor spoke on how he worked to address issues such the city’s aging swimming pools, the appointment of a new police chief and adding more officers, the addition of market rate “live/work” apartments in downtown and the opening of a new middle school in the city.    

He said how the city’s high schools would begin a program that would certify all freshmen in CPR, a program that he believes will be the first in the state.

When asked about the debate challenge issued by his opponent, former Mayor Michael Bissonnette, Kos released the following statement: “Debates are an important part of the election process and we plan on working, as in previous elections, with our local media, that is, radio, TV and print, to enable all to have an opportunity to learn about the candidates. Fortunately both have records to compare and the voters will not have to rely simply on rhetoric.”

Bissonnette has asked for a series of five debates to be conducted throughout the city’s neighborhoods.

Bissonnette plans his own campaign launch on Sept. 30 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the banquet room of the Munich Haus restaurant