Mayoral candidates plan for debate

By Paula Canning

Staff Writer

CHICOPEE A series of public discussions in which Mayor Richard Goyette will face off with mayoral challenger Michael Bissonnette may be just around the corner, now that Bissonnette has requested that the two host a series of open discussions in each of the city's nine wards.

"I believe that the people of Chicopee deserve an open end, honest discussion between us concerning the future of our city," Bissonnette wrote to Goyette in a letter last week. "I urge you to allow the people of Chicopee the opportunity to fully evaluate each of our candadicies in a most traditional and personal way public debate."

According to Bissonnette, structuring the discussions as open forums in each of the wards is the ideal format because it would allow citizens to have the opportunity to question each of the candidates, and for the candidates to question each other.

"I consider a run for office to be an interview with the people of Chicopee," Bissonnette said. "They should have the opportunity to questions us about our qualifications and what we would be doing if they hired us."

The well-known lawyer and political activist said that because both candidates have such busy schedules, he is willing to allow Goyette to schedule the dates, times and locations of the public forums.

"I think it would get us out into each of the neighborhoods in the city, and would allow the people who are going to hire us to directly question us," he said.

Although Goyette agrees that the public should be allowed an opportunity to gain an in-depth look at each candidate's' positions, he told Reminder Publications that instead of the public forums, he proposes an hour-long debate that would be repeatedly aired on the city's public-access cable television channel, along with 30-minute live debates on local television stations Channel 22 (WWLP) and Channel 40 (WGGB).

"I think this format will give residents a more than ample opportunity to learn about our positions," said Goyette, who is finishing his first two-year term as mayor.

He said that visiting each of the wards is something that he has already been doing during his time as mayor.

"I've visited each of the nine wards twice this year to address residents and their concerns," he said.

He added, "Besides, I've got a city to run."

According to Bissonnette, Goyette's request for televised debates reflects his reluctance to be openly questioned by the people of Chicopee.

"He's chosen to say that he only wants to be questioned by the media, rather than those who are going to be making the vote," Bissonnette said. "I'm going to show up in every neighborhood whether he wants to show up or not."

Bissonnette said he is going to be hosting backyard barbecues, coffee hours, and other neighborhood events to solicit participation and feedback from the community.

"Street by street we're going to be talking to people, and these [public forums] would be an opportunity for him to do so as well," he said.

Bissonnette said that while he prefers to have the open forums in the wards, he will agree to the televised public debates that Goyette has counter-proposed.

"I want to make it clear, my invitation for debate is for anytime, anyplace and any format," he said.

Bissonnette will be hosting an official campaign kick-off event on Sept. 7 at the Knights of Columbus at Fairview, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Goyette will be hosting an organizational meeting for his campaign at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 30 at the American Legion Post 432 .