Kos to challenge Bissonnette for mayor
Date: 6/21/2013
By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comCHICOPEE — Former Mayor Richard Kos took out nomination papers from City Clerk Keith Rattell on June 19, confirming the rumor that has buzzed around the city for the past several weeks that he will be running for mayor.
Kos, who served as mayor 6 1/2 years starting in July 1997, said in a brief statement he is "running to make a better Chicopee."
Declining to say much more until his official campaign kick-off event next month, Kos released the following statement, "I have today taken out papers from the office of the City Clerk with the intention of again seeking election to the office of mayor. Public service is a high honor and the decision to seek election to the office of mayor is one I don't take lightly, but rather with humility, dedication determination and commitment on behalf of the citizens of our great and proud city.
"Every election is about the future and as a candidate for the for the office of mayor, I look forward to a vigorous campaign built upon a foundation of vision and values," he continued.
"The first phase of the campaign will be to gather the necessary number of signatures to have my name placed before the people of Chicopee at the municipal elections in the fall. After that I will detail my vision for our city's future at a formal campaign kick-off with my family, friends and supporters," he concluded.
Since leaving office, Kos has been active not only as an attorney — he is a partner in the firm of Egan, Flanagan and Cohen, P.C. — but has been prominent in the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, co-chaired the campaign to raise funds for the construction of a new senior center and sits on the board of Elms College.
When asked why he would want to return to Chicopee politics when he is so active in civic concerns already, Kos simply said, "I believe I can make a positive difference."
He added, "Now seems to be the appropriate time [to make a run for the mayor's office]."
Not being a political newcomer and having run successfully for office four times is "clearly very important" in the campaign, he said.
He listed as some of his achievements while in office such as building the stabilization fund from $37,000 to $10 million, becoming the chair of the School Committee and the construction of two new high schools.
He now must get 500 certified signatures to be placed on the November ballot.
Mayor Michael Bissonnette said he would trust the voters of Chicopee to look at the record of the two men.
"This is not the time to go back. it is the time to go forward to the future," Bissonnette said.
