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Newcomer vies for mayoral seat in November

Date: 8/9/2011

Aug. 10, 2011

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

CHICOPEE — A political newcomer will challenge incumbent Mayor Michael Bissonnette in November’s election.

Gary R. Lefebvre, the owner of Gary & Nancy’s Place at 930 Chicopee St., was certified last week for the ballot along with other candidates for Assessor, City Council, City Clerk and School Committee.

Lefebvre told Reminder Publications that he “looking to make a change” in city government.

The restaurateur has been a resident of the city 51 years and bought the former Lanky’s Lunch in 2007. This is his first run at public office and came to the conclusion he wanted to be mayor after listening to customers express their ideas about the city.

He noted the Willamansett neighborhood “is not thriving anymore” and he would work to revitalize it and the rest of the city.

“I’d like to put a new spark in it,” he said.

There are no new candidates for assessor and Erin J. Biela, the president of the Chicopee Council Parent Teacher Organization, will challenge City Clerk Keith Rattell.

A father and son team of candidates will run for positions on the City Council and the School Committee. Mark R. McAuliffe is challenging incumbent Chuck Swider for the Ward 2 City Council seat, while his son Joel will be facing Michael Pise for a School Committee member At Large slot.

Ronald Czelusniak will run for a City Councilor at Large position and David Amos is running against Timothy McLellan in Ward 6. Long-time City Councilor George Moreau will face William Conrad Courchesne for the Ward 7 seat and Gerry Roy and Darlene Dout will vie for the Ward 9 seat left open with the decision of Ronald Belair not to seek re-election. Scott A. Smith is challenging Ward 8 City Councilor Donald Demers.

On the School Committee, Ward 1 member Adam Lamontagne will face Trina M. House, while former School Committee member Jonathan C. Tetherly is challenging Ward 5 member Deborah Styckiewicz.

There will be no primary needed this year, according to officials in the city’s Registrar of Voters office.



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