Pluta, Morse continue efforts for mayor’s seat

Date: 10/4/2011

Oct. 5, 2011

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

HOLYOKE — His besting an incumbent mayor didn’t surprise Holyoke mayoral candidate Alex Morse nor did it surprise Mayor Elaine Pluta.

“We anticipated that because we are running the most organized campaign,” Morse told Reminder Publications.

Referencing that Morse isn’t employed at this time, Pluta said, “I wasn’t surprised. He had nothing to do every day but campaign every day.”

She noted that during the primary her work as mayor came first and acknowledged she will be working hard during evenings and weekends on the campaign.

“I will definitely getting my message out there,” Pluta added.

Morse announced on Monday that the number three candidate in the run-off, Daniel Boyle, has endorsed him.

Pluta said she has agreed to debate Morse on Oct. 26 at a forum sponsored by the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and have received request from several television stations. Morse confirmed that WWLP and WGBY have requested their time for debates.

Morse credited his one vote win over Pluta as a combination of the tried and true and the new.

“In the truest sense, it was traditional politicking, going door tot door asking for votes and social media,” he said.

Morse said is going to stay on his message about job development, public safety and education for the next six weeks.

“We’re going to stay positive,” he said.

He said the campaign for mayor is “bigger than myself,” but the path that Holyoke takes toward its future.

: