Scott to end his career with a roast on April 7

Date: 3/1/2011

March 2, 2011

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

HOLYOKE — A person with strong opinions such as Police Chief Anthony Scott has certainly been the target of criticism during his career, so one wouldn't expect Scott to actually invite barbs to come his way.

Scott, though, is thoroughly participating in the planning of a "retirement roast," that will be presented April 7 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

"It wasn't my idea," Scott explained to Reminder Publications. He added that John O'Brien and Mike Baxendale of Rock 102's "Bax and O'Brien Show" were responsible.

"I participated in the 15th anniversary roast of Bax and O'Brien and I skewered both of them. When they heard of my retirement, they asked about a roast. They got the ball rolling," Scott said.

Baxendale and Brad Scott, host of the "Morning Show" on WHYN AM, will share the emcee duties for the roast. The panel sharing their opinions of Scott include comedy legend and education activist Dr. Bill Cosby; U.S. Sen. Scott Brown; State Sen. Michael Knapik; former Holyoke Mayor Michael Sullivan; Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno; Hampden County District Attorney Mark Mastroianni; Attorney Meghan Sullivan; Chicopee Police Chief John Ferraro; Bo Sullivan of WHYN AM's "Morning Show"; WTAG Talk Show Host Jim Polito; WWLP television news anchor Barry Kriger; abc40 and FOX6 reporter Ray Hershel; and several members of the Valley Press Club.

Doors will open for the event at 5:30 p.m. and a sit-down dinner begins at 6 p.m. with a cash bar. Tickets are $40 each and are available at the chief's office in Holyoke and at the law firms of Sullivan, Hayes & Quinn at One Monarch Place, Suite 1200 in Springfield.

Any profit from the event will be donated to the Valley Press Club's scholarship fund and to a youth program organized by Samuel Bass & Associates in Springfield.

Scott said the roast "is an opportunity for me to say 'auf Wiedersehen.'"