Laflamme announces his retirement from office
Date: 2/22/2013
By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comCHICOPEE — City Treasurer Ernest Laflamme Jr. admitted he thought of the idea of retirement when his son retired from his job before he did. Laflamme made the announcement on Feb. 19 that he would leave public service at the end of his term.
The event at the Castle of Knights was an evening filled with admiration, laughter and sadness. Laflamme was first elected treasurer in 1970 after serving two terms as assessor.
When asked by
Reminder Publications before the event what was the biggest change he had seen during his tenure he said it would be the idea that the city should invest it money.
Laflamme said that when he first came into office the practice was simply the city would deposit its funds in a bank account. Laflamme began investing the city's money and he noted that in the last four years, for example, the investments paid the city $16 million.
He did admit that he worried about making the investments. "It is tricky," he said.
Former Mayor Richard Kos told the audience that Laflamme had served under 12 different mayors and spoke of all of the various city projects that Laflamme helped make possible from new schools to private businesses such as WWLP moving to the city.
Mayor Michael Bissonnette said he seldom would ever correct Kos but quipped of Laflamme, "You didn't work for the mayor. We worked for you."
He asked, "For over four decades has there been a greater political presence, political power and political friend to the people of Chicopee than [Laflamme]?"
Bissonnette noted that earlier that day he had witnessed Laflamme's grandson Eric take the oath of office as a new Chicopee police officer.
"It was a remarkable day seeing the Laflamme legacy endure," Bissonnette said.
Hampden County Sheriff Michael Ashe thanked Laflamme for his friendship and support and recalled how he met him when the sheriff first ran for the office in 1974. He said Laflamme was helping to construct Nativity Church.
"You may be going into retirement, but you will never be forgotten," Ashe said.
Laflamme said, "I loved every minute of it."
He thanked friends and his family as well as his staff.
Laflamme, who is known for his many volunteer activities, drew good-natured laughter from the audience when he said, "Maybe I will relax a little."
Although he didn't name her when he spoke to the audience, he said to this reporter his daughter Marie would be taking out nomination papers to run for treasurer. Marie declined to offer any details as she wanted the spotlight to remain on her father, but she confirmed her intentions.
He said he was "shocked and surprised" that Marie expressed an interest in the office. He also lauded his son Frank's performance as a city councilor.
With his voice catching a bit, Laflamme said of the evening, "It's an emotional one because I have to leave and I'm going to miss it."
