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Pise to run for at-large School Committee seat

Date: 2/15/2011

Feb. 16, 2011

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

CHICOPEE — Longtime School Committee member Michael Pise has announced he will seek re-election, but not to his Ward 4 seat.

Pise will run for the at-large seat left vacant by the death of Susan Lecca. The School Committee has voted to eliminate that at-large position and the combined School Committee and City Council recently voted to fill it on an interim basis with the appointment of teacher John Mruk.

The seat would have to be abolished by either a home rule petition approved by the Legislature or by a change in the city's charter, which would require approval by the voters, Pise explained to Reminder Publications.

Pise voted for the seat's elimination, but is concerned there is not enough time for the change to be made. He said his understanding is members of the City Council would prefer a charter change so the voters could address other issues — such as the size of the City Council.

If so, the city would have to form a charter commission and attempt to investigate and propose changes in time for the November election. Pise doesn't believe this could happen this year.

The timing is very tricky on this," he explained. "I don't know if they could do it on time."

Pise said it's time for someone else to represent the residents of Ward 4 on the School Committee. He said he understands that, if the charter commission or the home rule petition is approved and the seat is removed, he may not serve.

Pise explained, "The elimination of the at-large seat had been brought up three times after the mayor was added as a voting member. The goal has always been to get the committee back to an odd number. First, when at-large member Brant Dubois became an alderman, there was discussion to eliminate the seat, which I supported. "Before action was taken, pursuant to the city charter, a joint meeting to fill the seat was held and after over 180 votes, Chester Szetela was selected to fill the seat. With two at-large committeemen, discussions of getting back to an odd number at-large member William Coscore passed away, again there was a discussion to eliminate the seat so the Committee would avoid tie votes. "However, a joint meeting then elected Susan Lecca and discussions of eliminating the seat again stopped. The School Committee voted to eliminate the seat this year to get to an odd number. If elected I would not work to retain the seat and comply with the will of the citizens of Chicopee."

He added, "I voted to eliminate the seat and continue to support that position."



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