Mayoral candidates face off

By Paula Canning

Staff Writer

CHICOPEE With local media outlets receiving anonymous documents detailing unfavorable information on each candidate's character and past, there is no denying that this year's mayoral race has been marked by a fair share of tension, harsh accusations and intense mud-slinging.

But the atmosphere of the Telecommunications Center on James Street was surprisingly tame and civil last Thursday, where incumbent Mayor Richard Goyette and challenger Michael Bissonnette faced off in a televised debate.

The program was first aired Monday on Cable Channel 5 and will be shown several more time prior to the election.

The debate allowed for a panel of reporters from Reminder Publications, The Republican, and The Chicopee Register, to each ask each candidate three questions while Jeffrey Sattler of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce's Government Affairs Committee moderated.

In addition to the responses, the candidates were allowed to present both opening and closing remarks.

Many of the issues that arose during the debate were ones that have repeatedly taken center stage this campaign season such as economic development, the Chicopee Comprehensive High School Project and the former Midland Farms grocery store on Front Street.

In terms of economic development, the candidates presented conflicting opinions on where the city is on its path to economic revitalization.

According to Bissonnette, there is much to be done in the area of industry growth in the city, and he would see it through by implementing an economic plan for the city that he has coined "from the Bosch to the Bridge."

He said that his economic vision is a master plan for the city that calls for the redevelopment of key industrial sites along the Connecticut and Chicopee Rivers, beginning with the American Bosch property and ending with the former Uniroyal Tire Factory.

His vision, he said, "cannot be accomplished in isolation," and will call for the city to come together as a community.

Moreover, he said the key to his plan is state and federal backing, which he said he would aggressively pursue.

"It will take a long time," he said. "But I can be the leader to make it happen."

But, according to Goyette, the ball is already rolling on a number of revitalization efforts, and the city

has seen substantial economic development during his administration.

"These kinds of things are already in the works," Goyette said.

He cited the revitalization of the old Fairfield Mall and its host of retailers that now comprise the Chicopee Marketplace, the new FedEx Ground, at Airpark West on Sheridan Street, as well as the current revitalization of the Cabotville Industrial Park, as examples of economic improvement under his leadership.

The issue of Connecticut River clean-up and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates also arose at the debate, and Goyette explained that he has taken a number of steps to bring the city up to standards of compliance.

He noted that the city is in the process of seeing through a 20-year plan to address storm water run-off pollution, and has already begun work on a number of projects, including the Sandy Hill project.

If elected, Bissonnette said that he would pursue a "massive federal plan," to address these "important issues."

The subject of the city's high elderly population was the context of a strong difference of opinion between the two candidates, when Bissonnette suggested that Goyette's creation of the Senior Help Line was "just a gimmick."

Bissonnette told voters that the phone number for the Senior Help Line is the same number for the Council on Aging, suggesting that no new steps have been taken to offer more aid to Chicopee's seniors.

"We need real programs and tax relief for seniors," Bissonnette said.

Goyette contended, however, that the Senior Help Line is a highly effective, "one stop" source of information for seniors, and that using the Council on Aging's phone number for the help line was seen as the best way to ensure that seniors took full advantage of the service.

"The Council on Aging felt that using their number was the best way to implement the program," Goyette said.

In regards to the construction of a new senior center, Bissonnette said that he would be in favor of the project "as long as it could be paid off."

Goyette, however, questioned the validity of Bissonnette's support.

"Just two weeks ago you were not in favor of a new senior center," he told Bissonnette.

The candidates disagreed again when Bissonnette was asked how he would work with the Police Department since it endorsed Goyette as a candidate. Bissonnette responded with criticism for the Police Department, charging that an internal investigation was never conducted with regards to a federal lawsuit against the Department.

He went on to suggest the creation of a Civilian Review Board to "look at the issues and make sure justice is served."

Goyette retorted that Bissonnette's response exemplifies his "lack of knowledge," about the city's departments.

According to Goyette, the city has a Police Commission that was established in 1980, and that an internal investigation in regards to the federal lawsuit was conducted.

When it came time to discuss the Chicopee Comprehensive High School project, Goyette said that the widespread opinion that the costs for the project are rising is "untrue."

He also said he wanted to remind voters that the city will be reimbursed 80 percent of the $91 million cost to build the new school.

"For the city to not move forward with [this project] would be a huge mistake," he said. "The city could not afford to not build it."

Bissonnette said that, although the project can not be stopped now, more thought should have been given to the city agreeing to fund an additional $17 million for the project.

"You're going to be paying for that extra $17 million," Bissonnette said, aiming his remark at the city's taxpayers.

Another hot-button issue this campaign season has been the former Midland Farms grocery store on Front Street, which Goyette is pursuing to seize by eminent domain.

Goyette intends to consolidate several of the city's municipal offices at the property, which was recently purchased by the Chicopee Community Health Center.

Bissonnette said that "private property is one of the most sacred rights," and that taking a property by eminent domain isn't something that should be taken lightly.

"Eminent domain is a very serious issue," Bissonnette said.

He also said that Goyette has yet to provide the Board of Alderman with a detailed plan for the property as promised so that the Board could move forward with a decision.

"It's not a good move for the city," he said.

Goyette contended, however, that the former Midland Farms property represents "an outstanding opportunity for the city of Chicopee."

He said that other abandoned locations in the city, such as the old School House and the old library, have been explored as possible locations for city offices but have been rendered unfit.

When asked what steps he has taken to tackle the surplus of abandoned properties in order to revitalize the downtown area, Goyette said that "it's not a quick process," but that the city is making progress.

He said that the Munich Haus Restaurant on Center Street now serves as "one of the anchors," in drawing other businesses to the downtown area, and that the redevelopment of the Cabotville Industrial Park represents significant progress.

When asked what he thinks will win the election for him, Bissonnette said it will be his door-to-door visits throughout the city's neighborhoods.

"I'm going to win it on the streets," he said.

He added that he understands the hopes and aspirations of the city.

Goyette said that he has been out in the city hosting neighborhood meetings throughout his entire administration, fielding questions from constituents and learning their concerns.

In his closing remarks, Bissonnette said, "This is your city, not Rick Goyette's city. The mayor's office belongs to you and if you decide you don't like who's in there, you have the power to change that."

He said that he hopes that the voters will not choose "the lesser of the two evils," when they vote in the November election.

"We don't need a better city, we need a better mayor," he said. "Give me two years as mayor, and I'll show you what Chicopee can do."

Goyette spoke on the successes of his administration including his commitment to public safety, the new library, new schools, and managing to maintain a stabilization fund of $10 million.

"I will continue to keep Chicopee fiscally sound," he said.

Goyette then went on to criticize his opponent, charging that Bissonnette's inability to articulate a complete vision for the city, and the fact that he has never held public office, make him unqualified to run the city.

In what marked the first attack on a candidate's history during the debate, Goyette referred to Bissonnette's past as "checkered," during his closing statement.

The debate will be aired again at the following dates

and times:

Oct. 19, 11 a.m.

Oct. 20, 9 p.m.

Oct. 21, 7 p.m.

Oct. 23, 7 p.m.

Oct. 24, 9 p.m.

Oct. 27, 7 p.m.

Oct. 29, 7 p.m.

Oct. 31, 7 p.m.

Nov. 5, 7 p.m.