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| By Paula Canning Staff Writer CHICOPEE With his recent acceptance of the position of Chicopee's city solicitor, former Mayor Richard Kos is back to serving the city. During a press conference in his office last Wednesday, Mayor Richard Goyette announced that Kos would fill the position formerly held by Jack St.Clair, who recently gave his resignation. Kos, an associate with the law firm of Egan, Flanagan, Cohen and P.C., was formerly city solicitor under the administrations of former Mayors Robert Kumor and Richard Lak. Goyette said that when the vacancy occurred, he could think of "no better person suited to fill the position than Richard Kos." "Attorney Kos has proven his commitment and dedication to the city of Chicopee and I am honored that he has accepted this extremely important position," Goyette said. "He has been, and will continue to be, a great asset to my administration as well as to the residents of our great city." Goyette added that, the city solicitor represents a "very important position," and that Chicopee is a "large municipality with a number of issues that need to be dealt with on a daily basis." Kos's appointment expires on Jan. 2, according to Goyette, as it is an annually appointed position. Kos, who currently represents the town of Greenfield, said he decided to accept the position because it "seemed like a great way to continue my involvement with the city." "Chicopee is still a very important city to me," Kos said. "It's where I live, work, and raise my kids." He also said that he realizes that legal representation is "very important to all cities and towns and the opportunity to represent my city as its lawyer is an honor." "I am fortunate to be in a law firm that recognizes public service. Attorney William Flanagan and Attorney Maurice Cahillane, as well as former associates Richard Egan and Judge Payne, have all previously served as Springfield city solicitors," he said. In regards to the possibility of remaining the city's top lawyer after Jan. 2, Kos said "that's subject to somebody wanting me and appointing me." He also said that the next few months will give him some time to see how much of a scheduling challenge the position will present with regards to his many other commitments. "It have always been a challenge [for the city] because we basically have five part-time city positions for lawyers who are all handling their own practices as well as representing the city," Kos said. Kos also said that he wants to emphasize that his decision to accept the position is "nothing political." "It's an important position to be filled, and I am not partaking in any of the politics, nor is my actions of any political nature," he said. Attorney Michael Bissonnette, Goyette's mayoral challenger, said that while many people may feel that this is a "desperate political move, I strongly believe that Richard Kos's acceptance of this appointment is an appropriate gesture to help our city during this difficult time. I hope that he will consider staying on in my administration should I be elected on Nov. 8." Goyette said that while St. Clair's resignation was unexpected, he knows that St.Clair is "very busy" with his own private law practice. "He did a tremendous job while he was here and we were very fortunate to have him as long as we did," Goyette said. |